Three months earlier...
"Wake up!" The voice echoed through the girl's mind as she fought through the foggy mists of sleep.
"Hm…?"
"Come on!" She opened her eyes and found a boy her age standing over her. He bit his lip nervously, tapping his foot. "Mistress is calling you, and she's none too happy."
The girl leapt up, running towards the main part of the house. She splashed water on her face as she passed the bucket, slowing only when she was right outside the door. She only took a second to catch her breath, then knocked.
"Come in," A piercing voice called. The girl cracked open the door hesitantly.
"You called, Mistress?"
The woman sitting in a lounge chair had long, flowing red hair and was wearing a very expensive-looking gown. She clicked her tongue, clearly impatient. "Well, finally. Took you long enough."
"I came as soon as I heard-"
"Did I tell you to speak?" The Mistress demanded. The girl shook her head timidly.
"No, ma'am."
The woman turned. "You see? Worthless. You don't want her."
That's when the girl noticed the man sitting across from her Mistress. He had black hair and strange eyes; a sort of brown, but almost looked red in the light. He shook his head. "No, she's the one."
Mistress raised an eyebrow. "Well, I suppose you could take her off my hands. But she's not free."
"Of course not." The man smiled easily. "I shall pay whatever you deem necessary."
The Mistress' eyes grew wide with greed. She named a price, quite a high one, the girl thought, and the man nodded.
"Very well." He pulled the amount out of his jacket pocket and handed it over. The woman took it, then absent-mindedly waved at the girl.
"Go on, then. Take her." The man stood, bowed low, and held out his arm for the girl.
"Come along, miss."
The girl followed him out to his carriage. She glanced back only to see the boy who had woken her give a quick wave before disappearing into the house once more. The man helped her into the carriage, then was about to close the door when he stopped. "I'm sorry, miss. I forgot to ask, do you have any luggage that you might need? You won't be returning anytime soon."
The girl shook her head silently. The man nodded, then climbed up into the carriage and sat across from her. The driver cracked the whip, and the horses began to go. Once they were out of the courtyard, the girl gathered enough courage to ask, "Where are we going, sir?"
The man looked at her in a strange way, but answered. "To your new home, miss." He stopped. "Pardon me, I am being quite rude. My name is Sebastian Michaelis."
The girl nodded her head. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Michaelis."
The man smiled faintly. "Please, it is Sebastian. And your name is…?"
"Oh! Um… Rachel, sir."
"No 'sir'."
She nodded. "Alright… Sebastian." She was silent for a moment, then spoke up once more. "Er… what is this place like? The place we're going, I mean."
"Are you always this inquisitive?"
Rachel shut her mouth quickly. "Oh, no sir! I'm sorry, I won't speak anymore."
"I told you-"
"I'm sorry, Sebastian!" She eyes watered, and she turned away. "Please, please don't send me back!"
"Send you back?" Sebastian was silent for a moment, and Rachel's shoulders shook. She shut her eyes, afraid of what he might do. She let out a squeak as she felt something touch her arm, then found it to be Sebastian's hand. "I won't send you back, miss." She looked up and saw him smiling. "I don't make that call."
"You- you don't-"
"I can't send you back until my Master says."
"Your… Master?"
"Of course," He responded, still smiling. "I am merely the butler."
"Oh…" She trailed off, still a bit frightened. She heard Sebastian sigh.
"I am sorry for making you uncomfortable, miss. In answer to your question, we are going my Master's mansion, the Phantomhive Manor."
"Phantomhive…?" Rachel shook her head. "I've never heard of it. What-" She stopped, not sure if she should ask. Sebastian was still smiling, so she went on. "What is the Master Phantomhive like?"
"Well, first of all, his name is Ciel. He isn't exactly the happiest person, but he hardly ever shows anger towards the servants. Although…" He muttered. "They aren't the brightest, either."
"Is he married?" She asked hesitantly. Sebastian shook his head.
"No, although he is betrothed."
"What is she like?"
"Young Mistress Elizabeth is very bright and happy all the time, and is seemingly obsessed with making everything cute."
"Young… Mistress? How old is she?"
Sebastian stopped, thinking. "Twelve… thirteen, I believe." Rachel's jaw dropped. "Well, it is only natural. Ciel wouldn't marry someone older than him."
"How…" She swallowed. "How old is he?"
"His last birthday was a few weeks ago. He turned thirteen."
"Thirteen? He's- he's no older than me!"
"Well, that's to be expected." He saw her confused look and continued. "I'm sorry, did I not mention? First of all, you are not going to be a servant at the Phantomhive estate. Second, Ciel Phantomhive is your twin brother."
"Wh- what…?"
And that is how Sebastian enjoyed the rest of the drive in silence.