The Fiancee and the Rat

On the day Ciel and Sebastian went out to London as Finny broke his cane by accident...

They unknowingly passed by a carriage...

Containing a young lady.

But not just any young lady.

She came to the manor...decorating the whole place in ribbons and laces and frills in girly colors! And the poor servants made to play along since they can't go against a noble although they're wondering who she is!

'T-Tanaka, who is this young lady?' Linnea squeaked out feebly, as they were all unable to handle her personality. She definitely pushes on what she wants without a single thought on opinions of others. And her idea of 'cute' is the very childish kind. And she's 14 for crying out loud, a year older than both Ciel and herself! Her idea of beauty should be of better standard than this, surely?

'O-ho-ho-hooo! She is the young master's fiancee, Lady Elizabeth Estel Cordelia Midford.' he told the harried servants.

'F-FIANCEEE?!' they all choked out.

Well, by nature, there are many betroths and fiancees in the English Aristocratic Circle.

Count Phantomhive is no exception as he also has a fiancee.

Engagements are made since a young age by parents with the kids having no clue till they get older obviously.

These engagements are strictly within social classes only. Commoners are rarely-ever accepted unless 'they are of truly exceptional potential'. And Commoners can range from the wealthy merchants or wealthy businessmen down to the poorest peasant.

Lady Elizabeth is acceptable for their young master as she is the daughter of the marquis. Her father Alexis Leon Midford according to Tanaka, is a Marquis, and the Head Knight of Buckingham Palace. Considering Ciel's status as despite being an Earl who is unusually close to the Queen(not in a good way), their matching is acceptable. Otherwise he'd have to be paired up with a Count, Viscount or Baron's daughter/granddaughter/niece.

Thus Ciel is understandably surprised when he got home to find his mansion in very girly decor.

As for Elizabeth...she is stunned for some reason.

'C-Ciel...you've grown so tall last time I saw you...' she croaked out as everyone can CLEARLY see hearts come out of her eyes.

Last time was years ago, when Ciel was going around restoring the connections and networks of the Phantomhive Family. He was just a kid then. And three years have passed since. Through physical training and potions, as well as Puberty jumpstarting, of course its natural that he'd be a bit taller than his fiancee. The extra centimeters however, are thanks to his heeled shoes.

'You've become soooo manly and handsooooome!'

'Well, I'd say its the young master's turn to suffer her this time.' Bardroy sweatdropped.

'What just happened here?' Sebastian asked the servants in disbelief as the mansion is practically decorated for a little kid's party. Particularly that of a little girl's.

'Ask that crazy girl!' Bardroy grunted, using his thumb to point at the girl in question. 'We were shocked to hear she's the fiancee!'

'Her personality is a little TOO strong for us, do something!' Maylene whimpered.

'Yes, its your turn to deal with her this time.' Linnea agreed as the servants are definitely very exhausted. 'We give up.'

'...'

xxx

'Free at last!' the other servants cheered as they were in the kitchen, celebrating the fact that they don't have to deal with the lady for at least, a couple hours.

'Hey Bard what's for lunch, I'm hungryyy!' Finny complained.

Bard looked horrified and terrified because he didn't get to prepare after breakfast.

'Hang on a mo', I didn't get the chance to prepare because of her!' Bard sputtered. 'The young master's gonna be furious!' he wailed, hands on the sides of his head in aghast.

'Now now, he surely knows her personality and we really don't have a choice so I'm sure he'll understand why we're a bit behind schedule.' Linnea said wryly. 'Sebastian, Tanaka and I know him best. So he'll let it go as long as she's concerned since not even he can say no to her.'

'I hope so...'

'That young lady has a lot of growing up to do.' Linnea sighed, putting a hand on her temple as if nursing a headache. 'Considering what his job is, her family must discipline her well and educate her of the nature of the situation before its too late.' she stated as the servants stiffened because they know full well what it means to live in this household. 'Her personality, manners and attitude, taste in decor and she's 14...its a miracle nobody has the guts to talk about her badly in a party or something or if there's any, I'm pretty sure the Midfords are sneezing a lot by now.'

'And what does sneezing have to do with that?' Maylene asked owlishly.

'They say if people talk about you behind your back, you sneeze or you feel your ears go hot. Its a saying.' Linnea huffed. 'Since she's fond of cute and adorably childish things, we'll have to make it that way for now.' she sighed. 'We'll make it colorful! Bard! Food! The rest of us will handle Dessert and Finny! Firewood! We have to make it enough for a small dining party for just two of them.'

'Ou!'

'We're out of baking stuff!' Bard added in alarm.

'WHAT?!'

And so...

Linnea handed a shopping list to Ciel and the total expected cost before she could go shopping.

Thus she missed a particularly stiff scene in the mansion...

'Alrighty! The pantry is resupplied, Bard!' said Linnea as merchants' assistants helped out put the foodstuff in into the kitchen.

'Awright, time to cook, people!'

And so, a lot of easy-to-eat but very beautifully-made desserts and cakes are made, and to contrast the sweetness and flavors of fruit, chocolate, milk, vanilla and honey, Bard countered with matching sensual-savoriness levels.

Thus at the Dining Party Date, they were able to present well.

xxx

The Aristocrats of Evil have arrived.

Top-grade tea, wine and liquor have been prepared, as well as food...and Diedrich's favorite sandwiches.

Thus at the game room...there's a diverse choice of cuisine.

'Oho! You aim to impress as always!' Klaus praised the servants who all bowed before leaving.

'Its noticeable that there's tons of sandwiches...' Madam Red sweatdropped as the platter of sandwiches definitely towered. There's sweet and savory sandwiches respectively.

'Of course. The Servants know full well of our preferences because this meeting will certainly be long.' Ciel chuckled darkly. 'Shall we begin?' he asked as the servants departed.

xxx

'Phew! The atmosphere in there is sca~ry...the young master sure has a lot of guts to stay in that stewing room.' Bard shivered as they gladly left.

'Well, he is at the top of the food chain of darkness. Of course he'd be in there.' Linnea said wryly. 'Well, its only our own food that needs worrying about. Sebastian says they'll be OK with the stuff we brought in through lunch.'

'Phew!'

'So Bard, what's on our table tonight?'

'Well I want seafood for a change and good thing we got a great deal on several fish fillets this week!'

xxx

Ciel was nearly-kidnapped around late-afternoon, but Linnea was instantly behind the kidnapper through magic and like he did Ciel, snuffed him out with Chloroform. She also cast Ennervate on Ciel.

'...that was a close call, young Master,' said Linnea as behind her, Sebastian appeared. 'This mouse shall squeak loudly today.'

'Make it so.' Ciel ordered while coughing as he stood up.

'Linnea, guard the master. I will handle this mouse.' and Sebastian dragged the body away.

Thus they learned who their 'rat' is since Klaus' first visit to the manor after three years.

'So its him eh? Linnea, as one of our front liners...' said Ciel with a cruel smile. 'Its your turn to have some experience.'

'Yes, my Lord.' Linnea bowed. 'The yard will handle the bodies after I leave behind proof?'

'Of course. They can't catch even one damn rat the least they can do is clean up.' Ciel grunted. 'I shall be notifying Randall shortly.' and she vanished before Ciel and Sebastian's eyes. 'Her magic skills are getting better.' Ciel noted.

'Indeed.' said Sebastian.

'But how do you hide her from the Ministry of Magic's Underage Magic Sensors and Hogwarts?' Ciel asked her. 'I never got the chance to ask you as the two of you swamped me with quite a load.'

'I have no effort in that, my lord.' said Sebastian. 'In their laws, children of muggleborn, half-blood and pureblood children are registered to the sensors right after leaving hospital. As for new muggleborns whose magic are discovered by Hogwarts, they are added to the sensors as soon as they obtain their wands from Ollivander's.' he explained. 'As Linnea is recorded in the future no doubt, she is not recorded here as she doesn't exist to these people. As for Hogwarts, the Quill of Acceptance and Book of Admittance has to be tweaked a bit so they'll never sense her. It helps that given her training dedication, her magical strength level is that of an adult witch or wizard, so I can safely remove my tweaking on Hogwarts.'

'I see...so her magic is now adult levels is it? That's good to hear.' Ciel smirked.

xxx

White Chapel, the Back Row...

Linnea casually walked. Unassuming.

At first, nobody paid any heed on the quiet street that's clearly-taken-over by the Italian Mafia.

That's until with a special cutlass sword with retractable blades stabbed into the watchmen watching the gates, and she made her way in calmly.

Like a ghost, she appears where the men are, slitting throats calmly as if naturally breathing air despite them trying to kill her but not even her skirt has a single hole in it. She worked all the way until she reached Azzurro Vanel's Office.

'Who the fuck are you?!' Vanel yelled as a young maid holding bloodstained cutlasses came in without knocking.

'Oh, I'm the Watch-puppy of Phantomhive.' Linnea chimed cheerfully as the men drew their guns as anything related to Phantomhive is dangerous to them with GOOD REASON. 'Although its...' she said as with superhuman speed augmented by magic, she finished them off. 'Its the last thing you'll hear.' she finished with a whistle. 'Phew...I'm improving.' she mused thoughtfully as she used the curtains to wipe the blood off. 'Well, those years of having intruders certainly aren't wasted.' she then rummaged the office for files and drugs and gathered them all in a pile...and the yard came headed by Randall.

'What the?!' Randall gasped out. 'The maid?!' "Bloody hell, even a freaking little maid caused this much bloodshed?!" he thought, very-openly-disturbed as the Head Maid who is just a young teenager took out men armed with guns with just cutlasses.

'Oh, Sir Randall, here for the goods sir?' Linnea greeted. 'They're all ready.' she said with a bow.

'R-right...tell your master I'll have the compensation ready.' Randall grunted while looking apoplectic.

'Sir.' and Linnea walked away.

'Erm sir, shouldn't we escort her home?' an officer asked Randall.

'If she came here all by herself and I see no sign of even her ride, she can clearly go home on her own!' Randall grumbled. 'Where the hell did Earl Phantomhive find that girl? First that crazy butler and now he's also got a crazy mini-maid!'

xxx

Upon putting a show that Linnea walked out of the street and mixing into the crowd, she simply disappeared in the eyes of humans.

On her mind, is the bribe the Phantomhives get after every case.

Depending on the case, the minimum amount they receive, is a whopping 1000 pounds or it can go higher than that! Not only that, he is also the President of Funtom Company that earns more than that every three months.

She shivered.

To think 30 pounds is her ANNUAL SALARY and since the young master has had many cases, of course he's stinking rich!

Then again, she's also just as wealthy, considering...

xxx

'Welcome back.' Sebastian greeted, smelling the scent of fresh blood on her.

'I'm back.' Linnea chuckled. 'Sir Randall's expression was priceless when he found me there.' she said with a wry smile.

'Of course.' said Sebastian wryly. 'He'd never see YOU coming.'

'Of course. Well, a shower is in order. Finny's nose is sensitive.' and she left for a bath and washing her uniform.