Disclaimer: I do not own Black Butler or its characters.

Original post date: 8/5/2018

Grammar editing: 9/27/2018

Edited: 11/14/2018

Editing: 07/22/2019

Editing: 04/25/2020

Updates for this story on my profile, otherwise enjoy, and please review.

Chapter 5

I woke up early the next morning, intending to get dressed and straight to work. But the corset and I were having a staring competition.

"Sebastian, I know you can hear me... I need help with this cruelty device..." Sebastian came into the room, chuckling. By the swift entry, it was as if he were waiting for me to say something, but then again, what do I know the man was an admitted demon from another realm. It's not an impossibility that he could just materialize were ever, whenever he wants.

"I was wondering when you would admit defeat. You've been up for little over an hour."

"Yeah, yeah," I waved him off.

"I do believe your stay here will unquestionably be quite the source of entertainment." I shoved the stays* at Sebastian and turned around, taking off my nightgown. Putting on undergarments from my world that were red and lacey. I liked the way the bottoms hugged my hips and ass while the bra pushed up my breasts nicely, plus the blood-red color was a neon contrast to my pale porcelain skin. I should probably show more modesty or whatever, but I mean really, Sebastians a demon with a lifespan a hundred times longer than mine, I'm sure he's seen more than a few females naked. Plus, I was waiting for him to question my injury.

"Have you ever worn a corset before?"

"no, wh-" He picked that moment to put his arms around me, placing the corset where it should be. Looking over my shoulder at him, I glared for his lack of warning. He just smirked at me as the replay. I stayed silent as he adjusted the corset. I wasn't sure if he made this corset or bought it somehow. It was beautiful. The corset was made of what felt like satin. It was a pretty black with red detailing at the end of the boning on either end. There was cream-colored lace that lined the top of it with a red ribbon through it. It seemed a waste to place it there since it was an underbust corset. Sebastian was the perfect gentleman and butler about it though I guess that's not hard when you lack all interest in human women. Though for my part, the feel of his gloved fingers on my skin was distracting.

"Will you be waking early every morning?"

"Yes."

"Then, I shall assist you with this soon after waking in the mornings." I turned to face him, looking up at those burnt colored eyes of his. I'm not sure why, but it was like something inside me was trying to push me to this demon.

"You will need a pair of combinations. They are a new fashion in women's underthings that you will surely prefer over the shift I had provided you." with that, he left the room as if nothing had happened. Sebastian didn't even give me a chance to respond.

"Guess he doesn't want Mey-Rin seeing my tattoos." I shrugged, not caring much about whether or not he or Mey-Rin helped me. I didn't give it another thought as I dressed. I put on my usual makeup of gold on the lid and a dark teal on the outer corners and did my hair in a simple yet elegant top bun pulling bits of it out here and there to frame my face.

"that should be it..." Pleased with my appearance, I left Sebastian's room and made my way to the kitchen. I remembered passing through it yesterday when I got here as well as having to walk past it on the way to the office and again on the way back to Sebastian bedroom.

"The others won't be waking for about another hour or so..." I thought out loud to myself as I looked at the clock on the wall in the kitchen. It was only four in the morning.

"Cooking it is then." Looking through the kitchen to see what would be easiest to make as well as what the manor did and didn't have, I made a mental note for a shopping list. I wasn't sure if it would be feasible to actually go shopping for these things as the manor was a way out from London. I suppose since Ciel owned the land that the farmers and other country folk housed themselves on in this area, Ciel would be able to procure his foods from the local farmers. Though I'm not actually sure if he owns the land or not, for all I know him being a lord came with the territory and therefore was able to profit from the land tax.

Deciding on eggs, bacon, sausage, and pancakes with fruit on top, I pulled out everything I needed for it. Did eggs go in pancake mix when made from scratch? I was good with science and history, and while I was an okay cook, I didn't do much of it without a recipe in front of me. Though if one thought about it from a scientific standpoint, what would eggs do from the pancakes? With little gluten, pancakes would rely on eggs to provide the additional structure necessary to hold the bubbles and allow the pancake to rise. The fat in the yolk also provides richness and flavor. Too much egg, however, will make the pancake dense and custard-like; not enough will make it drier and more biscuit-like. Yes, pancakes required eggs. Nodding to myself, I grabbed a few extra eggs.

I brought everything over to the stove and stared at it a moment, it was more prevalent than the one in Undertakers home. Luckily Undertaker had shown me how to use one. It was a modifying experience the first time I had tried; something Undertaker was barred from bringing up ever. I hummed as I cooked, cleaning as I went, as not to anger the demon. He would probably have a coronary if he walked into a dirty kitchen.

"so, you can cook." Sebastian leaned over my shoulder to get a better look at what I was making. I jumped at his voice so close to my ear.

"yes," I answered simply with closed eyes as I tried to get my heart to stop pounding. I wasn't so much startled this time as I was something else, I wanted to bring my hand up to my ear and rub it but reframed from doing it. I had been paying attention this time around and had felt Sebastian coming. That could have been because Sebastian let me do so, but I would take this as a small win anyways.

"Do you have a pen and paper?" Sebastian raised a brow but handed me what I asked for. As one hand flipped pancakes, the other wrote down what would be needed in the kitchen for Sebastian.

"You took inventory while getting things out for the morning meal?" Sebastian seemed Pleased with that, or at least it sounded that way by his tone.

"Was I not suppose to?" I said while now plating four dishes

"Not at all, you are already more help than those three imbeciles." Placing the plates down on the table, I got out four medium glasses and four small. As I was cleaning up what was left, I could feel Sebastian's eyes on me.

"Yes, Sebastian?" I questioned whilst pouring the chilled water into the medium glasses and fresh orange juice in the small ones.

"Color me impressed."

"That sounded patronizing" Before Sebastian could respond, the other servants walked into the kitchen.

"What smells good, n'ear?" The one I know as Bardroy asked sniffing the air. I smiled and set the glasses on a tray so I could carry them over to the table.

"It smells heavenly, that it does, yes." the only woman said. Of course, I know her name is Mey - Rin. The third one looked around the kitchen.

"Hey, who's that?" At this point, they all looked right at me, followed by Sebastian. Putting the tray down on the table, I started placing the drinks at each of the four place settings while I listened to them talk.

"Good Morning, it's so very nice to meet you all." Clasping my hands in front of me, smiling as innocently as possible. Clearing his throat, Sebastian interrupted me, sort of.

"This is my new assistant. She is to be treated as you do me." They all kept looking at me like I was a commodity.

"Well, go on, you three introduce yourselves." Before they could, I spoke up.

"Why don't you do so over breakfast?" I gestured to the food on the table.

"soun's like a plan ta me." The Chef Bardroy said as they all sat down and started eating. I sat at the table with them, Sebastian standing behind me. Tanaka, the other butler, was quite enough that he was almost missed when he came in. Though he seemed to enjoy his food.

"I hope you like it. I know it's not a fancy English morning meal... but an American one seemed fitting as that's where I am from." The smaller boy, Finnian, spoke first between mouthfuls.

"My name's, Finnian an I'm the gardener." No surprise that he Ignored the fact that I'm not from England.

"How lovely. Since you're the gardener, do you think today you could pick some lovely flowers to put around the manor?" I tilted my head and smiled brightly. Finnian blushed at me and looked down.

"ya... of course, miss."

"Please, Call m-" I was cut off by Sebastian again.

"Miss Cara, don't spoil them." Damn, I forgot he was there... I don't know why he called me that, but I guess I'll play along. He's not the only one that likes to stay in character.

"of course not, Mr. Michaelis." Finnian looked up at me then at Sebastian. Even the Chief was looking between the two of us.

"As I was saying, call me Cara."

"Are you sure that's okay?" Finnian looked back down at his plate.

"of course it is." Finnian smiled at me, then started eating again.

"Me next then, yes, it is." Mey - Rin said, pushing her glasses up. "My name's Mey-Rin, an I'm the maid, that I am." She started eating again.

"Nice to meet you, Mey-Rin." Bardroy put his fork down after finishing up his food and pointed to himself with his thumb.

"Me names Bardroy, but you can call me Bard. I'm the Chief. It's a pleasure ta meet ya miss Cara."

"Indeed, it's a pleasure." I got up to clear the dishes now that everyone was done. Sebastian simply stepped out of the way to allow me up. "Mey-Rin, can you clear the old flowers out today? Oh, and Bard, dear, can you, after these dishes, get some things prepared for lunch? Since Mr. Michaelis makes the morning meal for the young master." I smiled brightly at them all. Bard Blushed and rubbed the back of his head, and Mey-Rin saluted at me.

"Consider it done, Miss Cara!" They said all at once. Sebastian cleared his throat.

"Miss Cara, off you go now." Sebastian put his hand on the small of my back and gently pushed me out the door.

"Of course, Mr. Michaelis." just before I was out the door, I shouted back, "oh, and nice to meet you too, Tanaka-san." The sound of his trademark laughing was heard in the background as I left. I expected Sebastian to be right behind me when I looked back as I was walking down the hall, but he was gone. I paused, okay then... that was weird. Sebastian didn't say what I needed to do, but since I'm his assistant, I guess I'll go room to room and see what needs to be done. Sebastian was probably testing me, that being said, maybe I should start with the outside to see what needs to be done for the manor grounds by Finny. I mused about that for about a second before getting to it full force.

OoO

After spending the morning trekking through the house and gardens to see what all needed to be done, I went back to the kitchen. I was exhilarated to found that Bard had done what I asked of him this morning.

"Thank you, Bard, for preparing everything." I walked over to inspect everything.

"No problem Miss Cara." Brad did what sounded like a nervous chuckle.

"Okay Bard, Please show me step by step how to make this dish."

"Sure thing Miss Cara!" Bard handed me an apron. Two birds one stone. I can keep Bard from blowing anything up, and I learn some English dishes. About halfway through making lunch, Sebastian came in. Presumably, to check on Brad for the same reasons I had.

"Hello, Mr. Michaelis" I put on an innocent smile as I looked up from the cutting board. "Bard here is Showing me every step of this Recipe."

Bard blushed and rubbed the back of his neck.

"It's nufen, really."

"I see," Sebastian allowed an amused look to cross his face. "Carry on then." I chuckled to myself as I watched him leave.

"What's so funny?" Bardroy looked over to me, confused.

"I think Sebastian was rather lost at what to do with himself." Brad seemed to think about that before speaking.

"Now that I think about it, I haven't done blown nothin up today." I held back my laugh in favor of getting lunch done on time. It didn't take long for us to finish Ciel's lunch and set everything up on a tray for Sebastian after his visit. Once that was done, I sat down at the table with a pen and paper and started writing out a schedule for each servant. On their agenda was a time to wake up, start and stop a chore with detailed instructions for the said chore. When to take their lunch, so on and so forth.

I better re-read tomorrow's chore details and make sure it's idiot-proof... I decided to put in times when Sebastian or I would be checking their work. Having damn near every second of their days planned out should help with the destructiveness of these servants. It was time to prep dinner by the time I finished. I helped Bard prep to make sure things went smoothly.

"You're a real focused person." Bard handed me a mixing bowl as he started a different task.

"I guess so."

"You were completely unresponsive when everyone sat down to eat lunch." I forced myself to blushed at what he had said. Ordinary people wouldn't have blatantly ignored them to get their tasks done. The proper response would be to apologize and appear to be embarrassed.

"I'm sorry."

"S'kay." Sebastian had come in and checked on us and seemed lost at the fact that there was nothing for him to fix. I found it amusing, but I'm not sure about him. Sebastian seemed content to let me do whatever for the day, but the next day he was in for it. I plan on being the best at this whole assistant thing. Why? Because I'm an overachiever. After cleaning the kitchen and doing what was left for the day with Bard, I sent everyone to bed and even called in the food order for tomorrow morning. Apparently, that's how the manor got what it needed, the day before you would use the phone in Sebastian's office to ring the appropriate people to drop off said items by noon the next day.

I couldn't find Sebastian, so I occupied my time in his office going over accounts and the ends and outs of ordering and whatnot for the rest of the manor. I even tidied up and filled out all the order forms that were needed for the next day for the animals that were housed here, like the horses. It seemed that Sebastian put in orders daily for the manner that way, he can adequately keep track of what is being used day to day. Smart for saving money as well, not that you need to watch your bank book in this house.

I should check in... I thought as I read the time from the clock. It was three in the morning. I went to this closet looking thing was that housed the archaic public phone. For a phone guess, it was better than most, but it was still old as dirt as far as I was concerned. There was one in Sebastian's office, but I needed to stretch my legs after sitting for so long. God, I miss my cell phone. I rang Undertaker, and the second he answered, I Savored the sound of his voice.

"check-in" was all I said at first.

"where?"

"Raven"

"..."

"carrier"

"Of Course," I hung up. Typically if I were going to be gone a while, I would do this with Undertaker so he wouldn't worry about me. In those few words, we had communicated where I was and that he needed to use a carrier pigeon to get ahold of me. He would also take care of my cat while I was gone. After that, I bathed then waited for Sebastian to show up to help me put the corset back on. I was sitting at the end of the bed with a towel wrapped around me, my undergarments for this time period already on, Sebastian had at some point laid out a pair of combinations for me. Sebastian walked in promptly at four in the morning.

"I see that you're punctual, excellent." Sebastian came to stand to the side of me so he could reach for the corset.

"Sebastian... why won't you say my name.?" I was looking at the floor with a natural expression on my face.

"Though you smell human, you look like one of my kind; to top it off, you seem to have a demon name." Sebastian gestured for me to stand.

"I never knew that my name was a demon one... though, as for my appearance..." Standing up, I turned and dropped my towel as I moved my hair to the side, out of the way.

"I can smell chemicals and other things on your claws. I'm aware that they are made to look as they do, but everything else..." Sebastian pulled tight on the corset strings as he finished his sentence, causing me to gasp. He so did that on purpose...

"Then, there is the fact that you can wield a reapers Scythe." Sebastian pulled on the strings again. Bastard...

"most interesting," he quickly finished tying off the corset, but as I reached for my slip, Sebastian put his hands on my hips. I glanced over my shoulder at him, to see a sly looking demon, his eyes glowing brightly.

"Though you smelled of the Undertaker, you still had the most innocent sent." His grip on my hips got a bit tighter. But I stayed calm. Sebastian, though demon, wouldn't cause any trouble in the manor. I hoped.

"Seba-" Cutting me off, Sebastian Leaned forward to take in my sent. His mouth was grazing my neck. "Sebastian, are you attempting to scent me for a purpose, or are you simply playing around?" Sebastian shifted his eyes at me and pulled away.

"We shall see, won't we." He smoothed his clothes out and left. I can't decide if his interest is inconvenient or not. I mean, I suppose whatever makes him not board, so he'll help me get home. Should that be what I want in the end, shrugging it off, I got ready for the day.

"see, we shall," I whispered to myself as I headed for the kitchen.

Notes:

If there are terms or phrases, you aren't familiar with concerning the style of dress for 1880's England, etc., Heres a link to a great YouTuber that does nothing but make and study clothes from this time period. channel/UCSHtaUm-FjUps090S7crO4Q/videos