Chapter 2

The next morning, the maid, Molly Russet, woke me up early to help me get dressed. Unfortunately, it's quite a long trip to Phantomhive Manor, so we have to leave early, much to my disapproval..

"Lady Jardel, you must get up! Lord Jardel will be very displeased if you're late.." she fusses. I roll my tired eyes at her as I roll over and sit up, "Molly, how many times must I ask you to call me Emma.. Formalities in my own home are such a pain..." I mutter sleepily as I kick my legs over the side of the bed.

"Im sorry, Miss Emma! Oh please, dont be upset with me..." she looks close to tears, the poor girl. Molly is a small, thin girl with a severe case of anxiety. One night, a few years ago, papa came home one night with a tiny girl about my age, with brown hair, brown eyes, and tan skin wrapped in a tattered blanket. She wouldn't speak, she couldn't through all her tears. It took her years to open up enough to speak at all. I never did find out what happened that night, she nor papa would tell. Eventually, I stopped asking.

I sigh as I walk over to my vanity mirror, "Molly, dont worry about it. Im not upset, dear," I smile at her, "it can be confusing, what with me and papa telling you to do two different things.." I say as I sit. She smiles at me with a small tear in her eye, evidence that she really was about to cry. "Thank you Miss Emma..." she bows her head then rushes about to get me ready for the day.

As Molly helps me get ready, we begin talking about the destination, "So what do you think the Phantomhive Manor will be like?" I ask her as she works with my tangled mess of hair, painlessly detangling it, working my rats nest into flowing locks.

"I'm not sure, Miss Emma.. I hear they have a massive manor, so I would imagine a large staff. Plenty of maids, Im sure.. I hear the butler is scary though. Rumor has it, he's really quite tall, with messy hair and these eyes... I hear his eyes are the scariest.." she shudders and visibly pales, her hands sputtering as she works with my hair. I wince silently as she tugs on a knot and smile, "Thats silly... hes just a man, how scary can he be?"


After an hour and a half of preparation, I finally come downstairs with Molly at my side in a rose colored gown, half of my red hair in a neat bun, the rest flowing neatly down my back. Papa smiles up at me as our butler, Jarvis, comes behind me with my bag, packed and ready for a few days trip. I glance at Jarvis then to papa, "Are we staying with Lord Phantomhive for a time?"

Papa nods, "Yes, little rose. I have some business in the area as well. It may be a few days, so if there is anything you want to bring with you, please let Jarvis know to pack it, alright?" he says as I approach him.

I look to Jarvis and give him a small list of thing to pack for me He nods and bows, "Of course, Miss Emma.." and turns away, leaving to pack the things I've asked for.

I turn to papa, "Oh, would it be alright for Molly come with us?" I ask, tilting my head just so, with a pout. He frowns, "The Phantomhive Manor has its own maid, little rose.." I whimper sadly, "Please? Lord Phantomhive may have maids, but none know my needs like Molly.. I need her to come with." He pinches the bridge of his nose and signs in defeat, "Molly can come... But she mustn't interfere with Lord Phantomhives maids! Am I clear?" He says sternly. I grin victoriously and nod, "Of course papa!"

I run up to Molly excitedly, "Go pack, quickly! We leave soon!" Molly, who is frozen from confusion, just nods slowly and turns, waddling awkwardly away. I giggle and follow her to help her pack.


An hour later sees all three of us in the carriage, the horses pulling us down the path from our manor. I glance to Molly, who a sits by the window, twiddling her thumbs shyly. Papa is reading some old book written in Latin, so I lean over to Molly, "Relax, we don't bite.. You look like you're wearing your shoulders as earrings. That can't be comfortable.." I place my hands on her shoulder and push them down in an effort to get her to relax, while she nods vigorously, whimpering.

I frown and think a moment, remembering a conversation Molly and I had once, when she first started talking. I reach into my bag and pull out some paper and a pencil, handing them to the maid "here.. I remember you saying once that you like to draw. Maybe itll put you at ease," I smile, "We have a long ride ahead of us, I'd hate for you to sit like this the entire ride.."

She looks surprised and tries to push it away, but I place it in her lap, "I insist." she nods, smiling gratefully "Thank you Miss Emma.." as she takes it and immediately begins drawing, eventually easing into a relaxed state as I watch over her shoulder for a short period of time. I watch as what looks like a forest scene starts to form, a wolf lying lazily in a sunbeam, her art showing amazing detail. I smile as I see a small smile form on her face, then turn and lean against the window, looking as the scenery passes.


Four hours later, papa nudges me gently, "Time to wake up, little rose.. we have arrived. Wipe the sleep from your eyes, ladies." he chuckles. As I yawn, I glance to Molly, to find her just waking as well. I giggle, "We both fell asleep on you papa, Im sorry. You must have been bored.." he smiles and shakes his head, "Not at all, Ive nearly finished my book." he holds it up for a moment and I read Daemonium Venator Vicipaedia on the cover, or something similar to it. I don't understand Latin one bit.. but papa is fluent. He loves the language, always saying 'Its part of our family history. One day youll understand.' He sets the book down and smiles, "Time to greet our host." he says as the carriage comes to a stop.

Papa gets out first and stands to the side, taking my hand as I step out, smiling. Molly steps out behind me, glancing around nervously and holding her drawing close. As I look at our host and his staff, I notice how few people the Lord Phantomhive has under his employ. That's strange.. his home is to large for such a small staff, how can he have so few people? Ill have to ask later, I suppose..

We stop in front of the little Lord and I curtsy as papa bows and we say in unison, "Thank you for having us, Lord Phantomhive". He just grunts and waves us in, his butler smiling as he holds the door open for us. As I pass them, I take note of the odd group. One maid, one cook, one gardener, and two butlers, one looking like he can't really do much at all, nevertheless be a butler... How odd.

As we enter the manor, Lord Phantomhive calls to me, his one stern eye looking out of place on his young face, "Make yourself comfortable. Sebastian will show you to your room, and assist in getting you settled in." he turns to papa, "Shall we, Lord Jardel?" Papa nods with an uncharacteristically grim look on his face "Of course, Lord Phantomhive. Lead the way" they turn disappear down the hall, heading toward the drawing room. I glance at his butler, Sebastian, who already has all of our luggage upstairs..? How strange.. but I shrug it off and take Mollys hand, smiling at her, "Come on, we had better get settled. I'm glad you came, at least I know someone" she nods, clearly nervous and joins me as I follow Sebastian toward my room away from home.

As I climb the stairs, a thought occurs to me. "Um.. Sebastian, right?" I glance at the man leading us down the hall. He looks back at me with a devilish smirk, "Yes, Lady Jardel?" I gulp, what is it about him that unnerves me? Hes just a man.. stop being silly.

"Is there anyone else under Lord Phantomhives employ, aside from those outside a moment ago?" he chuckles, "No, Lady Jardel... it is just myself, Finnian, Mey-Rin, Baldroy, and Tanaka taking care of my Lord and his estate. Here is your room, my lady." he steps up to a door and opens it, letting us inside. I step inside and see all my bags are already inside and unpacked. "Oh, right, thank you, Sebastian." I mutter, still unsure of this person in front of me. He bows, "If there is anything else I can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask. Miss Russet, Mey-Rin will be by shortly to show you to the maids quarters." we both nod quietly as he leaves.

We stand completely still, waiting until we're sure he's gone. I clear my throat "Well.. he is an interesting character. Why does he make me uneasy, I wonder?" I mutter to myself as I notice Mollys shoulders shaking, "I t-told you he was sc-cary..." she whimpers. I frown and pull her into a hug, "Its alright, dear. Hes gone now. I bet the others here are much easier to be around" I smile encouragingly at her. She looks at me, and nods, "I do hope so.."


Later that night, at dinner, I'm sharing a good joke with papa that I heard from one of the servants, "What is the difference between a tube and a foolish Dutchman? One is a hollow cylinder and the other is a silly Hollander!" He chuckles, but it wasn't the throaty laugh I'm used to getting when I tell papa a silly joke, and the twinkle in his eye is nowhere to be seen. I frown, "Papa, is everything okay? You seem off.." I ask, worried.

He sighs, his age suddenly apparent on his face, "Everything is fine, dear. A letter came for me an hour ago. How they knew I would be here, I will never know. Nevertheless, I must go for a little while. I have a new job to do in London that will take me away for a few days. Lord Phantomhive has kindly offered to watch over you while I am away."

I frown deeply, I always hate it when papa leaves. Sometimes he comes home hurt and won't even tell me what these "jobs" are! I sigh, my heart heavy"Alright, papa... When do you leave?" I look at him, my green eyes dulled and glossy.

"Tonight.. Please forgive me, little rose.. I shouldn't be to long. The time will pass and you'll never even notice." he says, smiling, but the regret is in his voice. He doesn't want to leave, but duty calls, I suppose. I nod and finish dinner in silence, my previous excitement and laughter gone. After a few awkward, silent moments, papa and Lord Phantomhive pick up conversation again. Too soon, however, dinner ends and papa gets up and kisses the top of my head, leaving the dining room to prepare for work.

I head right to bed, Molly helping me to prepare. She attempts to comfort me as best she can, with reassuring words and soft hums as she brushes out my hair. "Molly, I have a bad feeling about this... Something isn't right about this job. Its all to convenient.." The maid falters slightly in her rhythmic brushing, I barely notice before turning to face her "You know something... Don't you..."

The tan girl sets the brush down and sighs, "You know I can't tell you, Miss Emma... Not yet." She looks at me, a sadness in her eyes. I look to the ground as I stand, heading toward the bed.

As I crawl into bed, I ask, "Molly, will you sing me a lullaby? I worry I wont sleep much tonight, perhaps it will help.." I ask her sadly. She nods, "Of course.." and sits on my bedside, petting my head soothingly, singing softly as I drift into a fitful sleep.

A/N – Thank you for the reviews guys! I'm glad the first chapter was good lol I was worried for a minute. Please review and let me know how I'm doing! I love suggestions and guesses as well! Thank you guys! You keep me going :) -Lady Laufeyson of Slytherin

A/N2 – Chapter 2 revised! Please review and tell me what you think! Thank you for taking the time to read!