Summary: Catherine may have given her the means to protect Ciel and make him happy but Lizzie remembers all the teachings given to her by her mother, Madame Red and Rachael Phantomhive to help her become the perfect bride for the next Earl of Phantomhive.

Her mother was the first to teach her what it is to be engaged to someone. It was because she asked one day when Lizzie was practicing her piano with her mother in the room. She had heard her father and Uncle Vincent talking about her engagement to Ciel. 'Mother, what does it mean to be engaged to someone?' She asked innocently.

Her mother's harsh stance relaxed as she sat on the piano seat and angled her body to face the little girl. 'It means to live your life for someone other than yourself, protect and trust that person with everything you have.' She said firmly. It was the reason why she didn't want Lizzie to be engaged to Ciel. It is not easy to be part of the Phantomhive household, she knew.

'But why?' Elizabeth asked again, confused at her mother's words. Why would anyone do that?

'Because when you're engaged to someone, they become precious to you. They will become your friend, your husband. Ciel will be with you forever. Don't you want to protect him?' Frances asked expectantly but looked bewilderedly at her child. Lizzie's face had taken on a dreamy look.

'Ciel will stay with me forever?' She asked hopefully, green eyes bright. Frances blinked. Did she just miss all that?

'Yes, but it is difficult to be engaged and even more to the Phantomhives.' The woman sighed. Her daughter's hand clasped on her own and she looked at Lizzie, surprised by her actions. The youngest Middleford smiled reassuringly.

'That's fine. I'll work hard. I want to stay with Ciel forever!' She said and Frances was amazed by the determination in her clear green eyes. Even at that early age, Lizzie loved her cousin whose smile made her warm inside.

PART TWO

The second to speak with her was her Aunt Anne. She had been playing with Ciel when they had come across a wild dog that snapped at the young boy. Lizzie was the one that pulled him away behind her protectively and glared down the animal with a ferocity that sent it running. Madame Red saw it and later when Ciel was called in by his mother, she sat down with little Lizzie to talk about what happened.

'Yes, it's good to protect him.' Angelina said, smiling at the strong girl. 'But he is a boy and one day he will be a man.' She said softly and Lizzie frowned, not at all understanding.

'What do you mean, Aunt Anne?' she asked, thinking her aunt knew so much about the world. She admired how brave she was with her too loud laughter and short sharp hair. She didn't care if society laughed at her.

'Men want to be the ones who protect. Don't you remember how it's always Prince Charming that saves the princess? There isn't a Princess Pretty that saves princes, darling.' She said gently. 'Men have pride. It makes them feel good about themselves, important. A husband wants a wife that he can provide for and protect…'

'Oh.' Lizzie murmured quietly. Yes, she didn't want to make Ciel seem small. 'What do I do then?' She asked politely, taking this in. What she really meant was, what do I become then?

'You must always be sweet and pretty and cute. Don't let him see that you're strong.' She instructed her niece gently. She knew it must be hard for her, being Frances' daughter. 'You must act weak so that he can feel strong. It's not easy to be strong but it's harder to be weak.'

'I'll do it!' Lizzie cheered herself on, eyes bright and smile beaming. 'I will be a cute, weak bride for Ciel!' And Madame Red smiled. Elizabeth Middleford was so devoted… Lizzie never forgot what her mother told her, now she had to find a way to mix in her aunt's teachings too.

PART THREE

Rachael Durless-Phantomhive took it upon herself to explain the role of a Watchdog's wife to Lizzie. She couldn't let Vincent do it, as darling as her husband was, he wouldn't be able to effectively understand what it is to be the female engaged to a Phantomhive. So she handed her son off to her husband and shooed them out the door before inviting Lizzie over for afternoon tea. Lizzie already knew her Aunt Rachael wanted to talk about something serious.

'Lizzie, do you know what the Phantomhives do?' She asked slowly, keeping up a constant smile. Lizzie thought for a bit but shook her head.

'I know it's dangerous.' Lizzie revealed but her face was untroubled.

'Yes, it is very dangerous. To be engaged to the Queen's Watchdog is very dangerous.' Rachael spoke, taking Lizzie's hands in hers. 'You'll have to be strong. You have to keep secrets, a lot of secrets... When Ciel becomes a Watchdog, he will always be in danger and because you stand at his side, you will be in danger too.'

'I know, Aunt Rachael.' Elizabeth said, squeezing her hands slightly, her face stern. 'I will protect Ciel.'

Rachael gave her a small smile. 'That's good. But sometimes… you can't. Sometimes you'll have to stay safe while he does his work, you might have to become helpless in order to help him. The wife of the Queen's Watchdog must know when to step up and fight and when it is necessary to hide.' She told the little girl and Lizzie blinked, her eyes shining.

'But who will protect Ciel?' she asked, her voice trembling.

'Sometimes…' Rachael sniffed, holding back her own tears. Damn it all… 'The best protection you can give him is to stay safe yourself because you'll be holding the secrets that keep him safe. If someone catches you, those secrets will be taken and Ciel… will fall.' She knew this first hand. But it was hard to watch Vincent walk out the door at night… while she did nothing.

'It's hard.' Elizabeth whispered.

'It's very hard. But this is what it is to be the Queen of the Phantomhive household. You must become what the King needs you to be.' Rachael murmured, kissing her cheek softly, as if bestowing a blessing… or a curse.

'I understand. I will become the Queen Ciel needs.' Lizzie said in a sharp voice, keeping her eyes locked onto her aunt's. Rachael sighed with a hint of a sad smile and placed another kiss upon her niece's head, this time, crowning her Queen.