Disclaimer: Kuroshitsuji and its characters belong to Yana Toboso.

Author's note: I noticed I got some alerts, so thank you very much for those! Also, once again, thanks to Eris not Eros for beta-reading.

02. That Countess, Learning

Corinne had decided that she detested Elizabeth's driver by the time the Phantomhive manor came into view. She was convinced he had made every effort to find every bump and ditch in the road that would make the venture from the Midford estate as uncomfortable and jostling as possible. She didn't get motion sickness, but all the same, she was glad she'd eaten a light breakfast that morning as she held onto her veiled hat with a vice grip. Elizabeth didn't seem to be faring much better as she held onto the seat and threw Olivia and her apologetic looks every so often.

As the carriage pulled past the front gate to the Phantomhive residence, Corinne looked out the window. Much like Elizabeth's home, the Phantomhive estate was practically drowning in extravagance. All the trees and shrubs were cut and trimmed so precisely she thought they couldn't have possibly been real. She looked over at Elizabeth to mention as much, but she was waving at someone out the opposite window. She could only catch a glimpse of blonde hair and a straw hat before the carriage pulled him out of view, but she caught the big smile on his face at seeing Elizabeth and felt relieved that the staff was friendly.

"That was Finnian. He's Ciel's gardener," Elizabeth beamed, turning back around in her seat.

Corinne was impressed. "He did all of this?"

"He did. I don't know how he does it, but it's amazing, really."

"It is. Maybe you can convince Ciel to let me borrow him."

Elizabeth laughed and shook her head. "I'm not that good. Ciel would never allow such a thing."

As the carriage finally reached the front of the manor, it lurched to a stop. Corinne and Elizabeth both fell forwards and Olivia had to hold onto the edge of the window to keep from doing the same. Corinne gave an exasperated huff, blowing away strands of hair that had come loose from her pinned up curls and pulled herself off the floor of the carriage into a better sitting position. She tugged at Elizabeth's arm to help her up.

"Lizzy, you're my friend and I tell you this out of love, but you desperately need to hire a new driver." Corinne, at least, had been smart enough to keep her voice too low for said driver to hear.

Elizabeth nodded in agreement. "We would, but he's older and this is the only way he can feed his family. I'd hate to turn him out, you know?"

"Oh." Corinne felt some sympathy for the man. But not enough to forgive him for ruining her curls. Her dress was a bit wrinkled too at the hem now and she desperately went to smooth it as Elizabeth bounded out of the carriage like a tiny, blonde whirlwind clearly on a mission.

Olivia left next and then held a hand out to Corinne to help her down. "My lady, are you alright?"

"Fine. Just a bit shaken up from the ride. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Shall we follow Lady Elizabeth?" Olivia's gaze turned to the girl who was already bee-lining up the steps to the door. "I believe she has her sights set on a certain young Earl, don't you think?"

Corinne chuckled. "No doubt."

Olivia and Corinne followed after Elizabeth, albeit much calmer and not nearly as determined. They were greeted by the butler as Elizabeth barrelled into the manor shouting for her fiancé.

"Lady Elizabeth, what a surprise to see you this morning." The butler paused as his eyes rested on Corinne and then Olivia. For a moment something akin to shock crossed his face before it quickly disappeared. "I see you've brought friends."

Elizabeth gave a slight curtsey, completely missing the look. "Hello, Sebastian! Ciel is here, isn't he?"

"My young master is up in his study. I would be happy to fetch him for you."

Corinne blinked at the man whom Elizabeth had called 'Sebastian'. She had noticed the look he gave Olivia and she quickly looked to the woman to see her reaction. She stood stock still, her eyes – usually so passive – were set quite severely on Sebastian. She didn't understand it. Obviously she would be asking her about it later, away from the others.

Elizabeth didn't skip a beat. "That would be lovely. Thank you, Sebastian. We'll wait in the foyer."

Sebastian bowed deeply and left, probably a bit quicker than necessary, to do as he was told. While he was gone, Elizabeth grabbed Corinne's hand and all but dragged her to the foyer in anticipation. Corinne looked back when she realised Olivia had not followed, but was staring at where Sebastian had disappeared to. "Olivia!" she called attention to the maid.

Olivia's gaze snapped back to Corinne and, realising she hadn't moved, quickly caught up with them. "Apologies, my lady."

Corinne gave her a questioning look, clearly curious about the strange encounter, but Olivia merely shook her head in a way of saying 'not now'.

The foyer of the Phantomhive manor was vastly different from the Midfords' foyer. Where the Midford foyer was decorated in light blues and sunny yellows and ivories with light wooded accents, the Phantomhive foyer was positively dark; dark curtains, dark tapestries, dark wood. Everything seemed to represent something entirely gothic and dreary which, she supposed with a bit of sadness, might've been appropriate given the loss the young Earl suffered.

She had heard from Elizabeth that after the first Phantomhive estate burned down, Ciel had had it rebuilt to replicate the old one. Elizabeth had even assured her of the accuracies from the furniture right down to the cracks in the ceiling. It seemed astounding and almost unreal that she was standing in the very foyer where Vincent Phantomhive and his wife might have once sat, even if it was only replicated. She noted mentally that at some point while they were here, she would like to visit his grave and pay her respects. He had, after all, saved her life.

The three of them didn't have to wait for long before the soft click of heels entered the room. When Corinne looked up to meet the eyes of the Earl, she would have been lying had she said he was exactly as she had pictured him. He looked nothing like what she would've pictured the fiancée of bubbly Elizabeth Midford to look like. But then again, that was usually the case with arranged marriages.

Ciel Phantomhive was easily several inches shorter than herself, making him an inch or two shorter than Elizabeth even with the small heel on his boots. He looked perhaps a year or two younger than his fiancée, which surprised her. Men were usually older than their intended. She noted he wore only the finest material, and from the way he carried himself tall and looked at them all disdainfully out of one cerulean eye, she imagined he must've been very proud of character. The eyepatch took her by surprise and she wondered if the eye underneath was simply missing or hiding something.

Corinne dropped into a deep curtsey, the veil from her hat shadowing the slight confusion in her eyes. "My lord," she greeted while Elizabeth simultaneously ran across the room and enveloped the boy in a bone-crushing embrace. Corinne couldn't help but stifle a small chuckle at her behaviour.

"Ciel! I've missed you!"

"I've, uh, missed you too, Lizzy," replied Ciel, albeit sounding more than a little tense and awkward as he patted her arm in what he hoped to be an affectionate manner to placate the girl.

Corinne lightly cleared her throat, pulling Elizabeth out of her lovestruck daze. "Oh, Ciel! I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine." She swung her arm out grandly towards Corinne and Olivia. "This is the Comtesse du France, Corinne Amelia Marie Delacroix and her maid, Olivia." Elizabeth's pronunciation of her French title brought a small appreciative grin to her face.

Corinne gave another curtsey and as she straightened again, she found Ciel studying her with a long stare.

"Delacroix..." the French rolled off Ciel's lips like fine wine. "It sounds familiar."

Corinne held her breath, but thankfully was saved from answering when Olivia placed slender hands on her shoulders and regarded Ciel calmly. "The late Vincent Phantomhive rescued my lady from the kidnappings several years ago, my lord."

Ciel frowned. He had been young, but he could recall nights when his father had come home very late distraught about the whole investigation. Various girls of status from all over Europe had been disappearing and - later found out - they were being sold into prostitution. It had been difficult tracking the girls down because they had changed handlers so often. He didn't have his father's newspaper clippings - they had been lost in the fire that burned down the manor, but he could remember how relieved his father had been to have returned several of them safely home. The girl before him must have been one of them. "I see."

Sebastian re-entered the foyer with a rolling cart carrying fine china teacups and several plates of something sweet to eat. As everyone took their seats around the coffee table, he set about placing the cups and saucers in front of them and pouring them tea. "Today's menu is Darjeeling tea accompanied by freshly made tiramisu complements of my lord's chef. It was a lie of, course. Everything had been prepared himself because Bard simply could not be trusted in the kitchen without setting everything alight.

Corinne took a bite of the tiramisu and gave a hum of approval. "My complements to the chef."

Sebastian smirked wryly. "I will be sure to inform him of your approval, my lady." With that, he bowed and left the room.

Olivia watched him go, lips set in a firm line. Elizabeth and Corinne had fallen into idle chatter with Ciel, which gave her the opportunity to dismiss herself from the room and follow after the illustrious butler. She picked her skirts up as she headed down the hallway in search of him.

Elizabeth took a sip of her tea and smiled at Ciel. "Ciel, while we're here, I'd like to show Corinne around the manor if that is no trouble for you."

"Oh, it's alright – I mean, you don't have to –" Corinne blanched, setting her cup down on the table in front of them.

Ciel put his hand up and merely nodded. It would be wise to allow it, rather than risk upsetting Elizabeth and have her throw a fit. "It's fine. If Elizabeth wants to show you the manor then I will be... happy to oblige her."

Elizabeth beamed. Corinne plucked up the courage to give a smaller smile. "T-thank you, then, my lord."

"Sebastian and I will be glad to show you around this evening after dinner," Ciel continued. "I noticed Lizzy brought her suitcase with her, so I assume you will be staying the night?"

"Yes, but don't worry, Ciel! We'll be gone in the morning," Elizabeth chimed in.

"Very well."

Elizabeth clapped suddenly, causing Ciel and Corinne to look at her. "That reminds me. I bought you a new outfit, Ciel. I want you to try it on for me, okay? Please?" She batted long eyelashes, that – on anyone else – might have had the desired effect, but Ciel merely shrunk back in his seat.

"Lizzy, I don't have time for-"

"Oh, please, Ciel? For me?"

Ciel pinched the bridge of his nose. "Alright, Alright."

Elizabeth was already on her feet and dragging Ciel out of the foyer by the arm before Corinne had even stood up. She chuckled and followed after them.

...

Olivia turned into the kitchen to see Sebastian cleaning up the dishes he had used in making the tiramisu.

Sebastian didn't look up from the sink, but a smirk played at his lips. "A little far from home, aren't you?" he asked playfully.

"I could say the same for you, demon." Olivia retorted, crossing her arms and leaning against the doorframe. "What are you doing here?"

Sebastian turned the water off and dried his hands, then slowly lifted the one that bore the contract for Olivia to see. An intricate patterned circle covered the majority of the back of his hand. Olivia knew that symbol far too well. She sucked in a hard breath, her eyes suddenly furious. "I thought it would have been rather obvious," he explained.

"You're despicable. He is just a child!"

"A foolish one," Sebastian smirked. "Nevertheless, a contract we have formed and I am bound to his orders until he has completed his revenge. And then..." His smirk turned to something more predatory and Olivia found herself shivering.

She felt the anger uncoiling in her stomach like a snake, but took a breath and centred herself. Her eyes closing briefly. Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. "Don't finish that sentence."

Sebastian smiled. "There is no need. You know exactly what I was intending to say."

Olivia glared and her fists clenched into the fabric of her apron. It was hardly the time for a confrontation, but nevertheless Olivia was fighting the urge to do something entirely un-saintly and give the butler a good slap. "You will not harm that boy's soul."

"I do not think it is up to you what happens to his soul," Sebastian replied, staring right back at the maid.

"There you are!"

Olivia blinked and forced herself to break eye contact with Sebastian to turn towards the voice. Corinne walked down the length of the hall, coming to a stop beside her. She peered momentarily into the kitchen and gave a small smile to Sebastian who had just finished pulling his gloves back on. "I was wondering where you had ventured off to," she looked back to Olivia.

Olivia bowed her head, her eyes soft again although her hands were still bunched in her apron. "My apologies. Did you need something?"

Corinne shook her head. "Elizabeth is attempting to force Ciel into the new outfit she bought him. I thought it best I stay out of it."

Sebastian chuckled. "Oh dear. Perhaps I should go mediate before my young master loses his temper," he replied coolly. He bowed at the two ladies, hand over his chest, then slid past the them – briefly smirking at Olivia – and swiftly disappeared down the hall Corinne had come from.

The two girls were left alone and Corinne didn't waste a second to bring up what had been eating at her since they had arrived. "Is everything alright, Olivia? You look tense."

"I'm fine, my lady." Olivia nodded, staring where Sebastian had left. "Awful creature."

Corinne followed Olivia's gaze in confusion. "Who? Sebastian?" Her eyes widened momentarily. "Is he... like you?"

"Absolutely not." Olivia almost looked offended, her eyes snapped back to stare at her mistress. "He's a demon."

"Oh." Olivia had told Corinne briefly about demons before, so the fact that Ciel was housing one – either knowingly or not – sent a million questions buzzing in her head. But standing exposed in the kitchen like they were where anyone could eavesdrop didn't make for a good time to ask. She shut her mouth where it had been poised to ask a question and linked her arm through her maid's instead. "You will tell me later, won't you?" she asked. At least for now, she thought better not to confront Sebastian or Ciel about the matter.

Olivia nodded. "Of course, my lady."

Corinne and Olivia could make out the distinct high-pitched cries of Elizabeth by the time they had left the kitchen and ascended up the stairs, making the young countess worry what – or who – had upset her friend so much. She had a feeling it might have been Ciel. She paused with Olivia at the top of the stairs. Elizabeth was standing outside one of the doors, clearly upset. Corinne assumed it was Ciel's bedroom, the boy within the confines of it. It would have been rude pry on them while they were obviously in a disagreement, so she allowed them a few minutes to work it out on their own. Instead, she busied herself studying the large portrait that graced the wall just centred above the staircase.

She recognised the man instantly; the flatly-painted, gentle smile stirring old memories in her mind that she would rather forget. Vincent Phantomhive. She presumed the elegant woman on his arm must have been his wife, Countess Rachel Phantomhive. She had never had the honour of meeting the woman, but even in France, the Phantomhive's history of philanthropy was well known.

"Those are my parents."

Corinne jumped a little. She hadn't realised the arguing had died down and that Ciel and Sebastian had emerged from the bedroom, and Elizabeth was now looking much happier. Ciel was standing beside her gazing up at the painting himself through one bright blue eye that she recognised instantly. He had his mother's eyes. She turned her gaze back to the painting for a moment, absorbing the information that Ciel had confirmed for her. "I thought so," she said quietly. "Your mother is beautiful."

Ciel frowned a bit and looked away. "Yes."

Corinne looked back to Ciel, about to comment further, until she noticed the outfit he now wore which differed greatly from what he wore before. For one, there was entirely more frills to the cuffs and collar that distinctly reminded her of something one of her porcelain dolls back in France adorned. The overcoat he wore was a deep maroon with silver double-breasted buttons and a matching tophat adorned with an array of ribbons and sterling silver roses. Despite the effeminate look of the ensemble, she thought it suited him quite well. Although, she didn't dare say so.

Elizabeth seemed to take notice of Corinne's surveillance of his outfit and hugged Ciel's arm tightly with a bright smile. "Doesn't he look adorable, Corinne?"

Corinne had to stifle a laugh. "He looks quite charming, Lizzy. But you already knew that he would, didn't you?" she teased lightly and noted with a bit of amusement how Ciel seemed to squirm uncomfortably as they talked about him.

Sebastian stepped forward, passing by Ciel and Elizabeth to reach the stairs. "Young Master will keep you entertained while I see to dinner being prepared," he informed politely, then descended the stairs.

Ciel led Elizabeth by the arm to the entertainment room with Olivia and Corinne following.

...

Corinne was pleasantly surprised by how well Ciel could play a game of Chess. After dinner had ended, she had resumed her match with the Earl in the entertainment room. He was far better than Edward and he usually put up a good fight against Corinne; but Ciel played the game like an expert. So when Ciel tipped her King over in a declaration of checkmate, all Corinne could do was sit back in awe and remark how well he played. "It's just a matter of knowing your pieces," he had replied and Corinne thought there was something in his expression that told her he wasn't just talking about Chess anymore.

It was getting late into evening when Sebastian politely withdrew Ciel from the entertainment room, insisting that he needed to get his sleep if he was going to get anything done tomorrow. Ciel bid them all goodnight, with the added notice that the staff would be going to bed soon as well and they should get to bed before then, and then withdrew from the room. Soon enough Elizabeth was escorted to bed by Maylene, one of the maids of the Phantomhive manor, since her own maid, Paula, had not come with them.

That left the entertainment room to just Olivia and Corinne and the younger refused to let this opportunity pass her. She stood from her seat in front of the chessboard and crossed the room to where her maid had been engaged in a game of Beggar-My-Neighbour with Elizabeth. Olivia was now picking up the forgotten cards and putting them back in the box, but a smile tugged at her lips when Corinne entered her line of sight. She had been expecting it.

"Do you have questions, my lady?" she asked, carefully setting the box down and looking up.

Corinne nodded. "I do. I want you to tell me about Demons. About... about Sebastian. Why is he here?"

Olivia glanced to the door, then turned back to Corinne. She was sure she had seen movement, making her frown. "Perhaps we should continue this conversation in your room, my lady. The walls have ears."

"Alright..."

Olivia stood up and escorted Corinne back to her room. The bedroom, as the girl had come to expect, was much like the rest of the manor; dark. So, she was grateful when Olivia lit a candle and set it on the bedside table, at least casting part of the room in a comforting light while she changed into her nightdress. Olivia was quick to help her unlace the intricate bodice and corset underneath and pull the deep blue dress off in a fluid movement. She helped her charge into the nightdress, and tucked her into bed, taking her seat beside her like she had always done.

"What would you like to know first?" Olivia asked, acting very much like a schoolteacher preparing to teach her pupil a valuable lesson she would utilise later in life.

Corinne glanced at her hands. She didn't even know where to start. "Um... tell me about Sebastian. You said he was a demon. Does... does Ciel know?"

"I imagine he's very aware of what Sebastian is. Demons rarely serve mortals so willingly unless they get to reap some sort of benefit. They form contracts for that reason. Demons are selfish creatures, my lady."

"Contract?" Corinne looked confused. "What do you mean? Is that like my contract with you?"

"Heaven's no!" Olivia gasped, and reached a hand out to Corinne. "When a mortal makes a contract with a Demon – often times known as Faustian contracts – the Demon will be in their service until the demands of the contract are met. In that way, they are similar. But, generally, Faustian contracts are made for selfish reasons; fame, fortune, revenge, lust..." she scrunched her nose up. "And many times a Demon will only make the contract for their own selfish gain. A contract with an Angel is different. Our contract is different. I serve you because I want to help you. I want to see you get better from your own crisis. The binding of our contract is selfless. Do you understand?"

Corinne nodded slowly. "What kind of gain does a Demon or... what kind of gain does Sebastian get from contracting with Ciel?"

Olivia bit her lip. This was what she was hesitant to tell her. "Demons only want one thing out of a contract. A soul. The soul of a human is a Demon's source of energy."

"A soul? But that would mean that Ciel..."

"Yes."

Corinne blinked, eyes watering slightly. "He... he sold his soul? But... why? Why would he do that?"

"There are numerous reasons why a person would sell their soul to the Devil. Often times it is in a moment of hopelessness when they feel they have nothing left. Demons feed off that energy. And a mortal can so easily be swayed two ways: to the light, like you were, or to the shadows, like Ciel."

Olivia watched Corinne suddenly become very interested in a loose thread on the sleeve of her nightdress. She placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and tenderly brushed a loose strand of hair out of her face. "If this is upsetting you, we can discuss this another time."

"N-No, it's not that. I mean, it does upset me that Ciel would... sell his soul. But no, I just... is my soul... I mean... are you going to..." Corinne couldn't think of how to finish her sentence, but Olivia seemed to understand what she was trying to ask and next thing she knew she was being pulled into a hug.

"No, of course not, my lady. As I said, an Elysian contract is entirely selfless. I don't want your soul. Angels don't need souls like Demons do. Do you remember what I told you when we first met? About the condition of our contract?" Olivia looked down at Corinne.

Corinne nodded, stifling a yawn. "You said I had to save a soul. That was the stipulation." She looked down at her hands again. "But it's so hard. People are stubborn and I don't know if I am strong enough to do something like that."

Olivia clucked her tongue in disapproval. "Now, don't start that again. You're a very brave girl, my lady, and I won't let you think otherwise. There is no time limit on our contract. Just have faith. That's all an Angel can ask of you."

That seemed to cheer Corinne up. She had begun drifting off and for several long minutes there was a comfortable silence in the air. Olivia was almost ready to blow out the candlelight when Corinne's sleep-laden voice rang through the quiet. "I think I know whose soul I want to save, Olivia."

Olivia paused and raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Ciel. I want to save Ciel."

Woooo, another chapter done. Thank you, Eris, for such a heartfelt review.

Reference Notes:

Beggar-My-Neighbour is the original, albeit simpler, form of Egyptian Ratscrew probably invented in Britain and has been around at least since the 1860s, as it was mentioned in Charles Dicken's novel Great Expectations played by Pip, the book's protagonist.

"Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil." Olivia is reciting a scripture from the Bible. Psalm 37:8 to be exact.

As always, reviews would be greatly appreciated.