I stood in the dining room polishing the silver. This was my first day back since my 'illness'. I was doing my best to avoid thinking about being a demon. I hoped if I didn't think about it I wouldn't chance turning by accident.
"I see you've managed to cover up your seal." Sebastian said as he walked into the Dining Room.
I nodded, "It's amazing what a little bit of concealer can mask."
"I have come to inform you that tonight Master Phantomhive is giving all of you the night off. He is attending a Ball tonight and I will be going with to attend to him and his date." Sebastian replied.
"Alright." I nodded and with that he left.
I set back to work polishing the fork I had in my hand. A few minutes later Millie came wandering in. She picked up a spare rag and a spoon and got to work.
"So who do you think the Master is taking to the ball tonight?" she asked.
"I haven't really given it much thought. Does he go out very often?" I asked.
Millie shook her head, "There have been a few ladies here and there but never any that stayed. Most of the ones that came around were just here for a party the Master was hosting."
"Well I'm sure we'll see her soon. It's getting late." I replied glancing at my watch.
"Indeed." Millie nodded.
The two of us finished polishing the silverware and headed into the kitchen to prepare dinner for the two of us as well as Cade and Alfie. Since it was a night off we thought it'd be a nice treat to eat together.
We decided on stew since we had enough time to make it and it had recently turned very cold outside. Rain had been falling all day and we knew that both Cade and Alfie had been attending to things in and out of the Manor all day. It would warm them up nicely.
Millie and I had just put everything into the pot to cook when we heard Sebastian calling us. We walked into the parlor with Alfie and Cade on our heels.
Standing in the parlor was a woman with long blond hair and large blue eyes. She wore a slinky white gown with one shoulder. In her hand she had a matching clutch and a mask.
"This is Lady Annabel Decord." Sebastian said.
"How do you do?" we all muttered.
She gave us a tight smile, her eyes icy.
"I'll show you to the parlor Lady Decord. The Young Master will be ready shortly. He extends his apologies for keeping you waiting." Sebastian replied.
"Of course." she drawled and followed behind Sebastian.
"Ice Queen that one." Cade frowned when Sebastian and Lady Decord were out of earshot.
"Agreed." I muttered as Millie and I headed for the kitchen.
We had just resumed our cooking when Sebastian appeared.
"Charlotte, I would like you to attend to Lady Decord. She's requested a glass of red wine." Sebastian said.
"Right away." I replied and quickly headed into the pantry where we kept a few bottles of wine.
I selected one and then retrieved a glass. Carrying it upstairs I set it on a tray that was waiting by the door. I knocked carefully before walking in.
"Good evening." I smiled as I walked in.
"Hello." she said not looking up from the phone in her hand.
I opened the wine and poured her a glass before handing it to her. She didn't give me second glance nor did she thank me.
"Will you be needing anything else?" I asked.
"Mmm…perhaps. Why don't you stick around?" she said and with a nod I moved to stand by the door. Something about her annoyed me and I wanted to put as much distance between us as was possible.
The room was silent for a few moments until finally she sat her phone down and took a long sip of her wine. That was when she finally looked at me.
"Hmm…it seems that the butler sent the pretty one. I wonder why he didn't send the homely one?" she said talking more to herself than she was me.
I wanted to tell her that Millie wasn't homely but I bit my tongue.
"So what's you're name?" she asked.
"Charlotte." I replied.
"Oh! An American? Well that's interesting." she said.
"So where did Ciel pick you up? You're too pretty to be an efficient maid. So what are you really doing here hmm?"
"I don't know what you're talking about My Lady. I am here to be a maid for Master Phantomhive. I do my job to the best of my abilities." I replied.
"Oh I know you're supposed to say that but you can be honest with me dear. How much extra is he paying you to sleep with him?" Lady Decord asked.
"I'm not….sleeping…with Master Phantomhive." I protested.
"Say what you want. I know the truth. I don't blame you. He's quite attractive. A bit creepy yes but still…I'm sure I can snag him." she said.
I frowned, "The master isn't something you can snag." I said before my mouth could catch it.
"Oh really now?" Lady Decord said.
"Yes. You don't snag a person like you snag a fish." I replied.
I felt a surge of protectiveness wash over me and the tattoo on the back of my hand began to throb. Master Phantomhive was my Master and as a demon I couldn't stand by and let her talk of him like this.
Lady Decord laughed, "Oh you poor naïve girl. I suppose he's told you he loves you and that you have a future together. Well dear he was lying. If anyone is going to score Ciel Phantomhive it's going to be me. Not some stupid little maid like you."
I felt my temper began to rise. I took a deep breath through my nose trying to keep myself calm and ignore the smell of smoke that seemed to be getting thicker and thicker.
"Aww…does that bother you? Well I'm sorry dear but this is just a fact of life. I've been working on this for years now. Ciel will be mine and well…you'll just be a rich man's whore." she said.
Suddenly I snapped however it wasn't like I thought I would. There were no talons, feathers or fangs. Instead I walked over, grabbed the bottle of wine and poured it all over her, staining her white dress with the red liquid.
"AH!" she screamed and stood up.
"I'm sorry did I spill wine on your dress?" I asked innocently.
"You little brat!" she screamed.
"What is going on in here?"
I turned and saw Ciel and Sebastian walk into the room.
"Ciel! Look at this! This dress was very expensive and your maid just ruined it! I demand that she be fired!" Lady Decord spat.
"Charlotte I command you to tell me the meaning of this!" Master Phantomhive asked and I saw his eye flash under his hair.
"She accused me of sleeping with you then called me stupid and a whore!" I spat.
"I did no such thing! She's a filthy liar!" Lady Decord spat.
Master Phantomhive sighed, "Annabel, I will ask Sebastian to fetch your car. You are obviously in need of a change of clothes. As well as a change of attitude."
"What are you saying to me Ciel?" Lady Decord asked.
"I am saying that I'm sorry but you're no longer welcome here. I do not tolerate people who disrespect my servants. Charlotte is a rather remarkable maid." Master Phantomhive said.
"But…but…I never….GRRR!" Lady Decord scowled and stomped out of the room.
"Well that was rather unpleasant." Master Phantomhive sighed.
"I'm sorry Master Phantomhive. I didn't mean to make a scene. I lost my temper." I apologized.
"At least you didn't rip her to shreds." he sighed.
"I also apologize for ruining your night." I said.
"Yes well that cannot be helped now." he said.
"Actually My Lord if I may?" Sebastian asked.
"What is it Sebastian?" Master Phantomhive asked annoyed.
"Perhaps you should take Charlotte in Lady Decord's stead. After all it was her fault you date was unable to come." Sebastian said.
"What? No! I couldn't do that!" I replied.
"You do have a point Sebastian. I'm putting you in charge of getting her suitably ready to attend the Ball. I'm sure Millie would be happy to help." he said and with that he left.
"You heard the Master. Follow me." Sebastian said.
"I really couldn't Sebastian. I mean I don't know how to act at a formal Ball!" I said hurrying along behind him.
"The Master and I will be there to make sure that you don't stray too far out of line." Sebastian said.
A moment later Sebastian pulled me into a spare bedroom and called for Millie who appeared a few moments later.
"What is it Sebastian?" Millie asked.
"There has been a change of plans. Lady Decord had an accident and Charlotte is to fill in for her." Sebastian said.
"Really?! Oh Charlotte! You're going to look like a princess!" Millie gushed.
"I don't even have anything to wear." I said looking at them both.
"Don't worry I have just the thing." Sebastian said and from inside a Wardrobe pulled out a silk blue Victorian style ball gown. It had a corseted bodice and a bustle and cap sleeves that were trimmed with beading. The neck was square and had beaded lace decorating the front of the bodice.
"This belonged to the Master's late mother. I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you wore it." Sebastian said.
"It's beautiful." I replied.
"Millie get her in this. I will make the adjustments." Sebastian said and handed Millie the dress along with the accoutrements that would help fill it out.
"Right away Sebastian!" Millie said and draped the dress over her arm before grabbing my hand and pulling me into the bathroom.
Millie helped me into the bustle, the hoopskirt and the dress before walking back out with me to the bedroom. Sebastian nodded to himself before lunging at me, his mouth gleaming with pins. In a blur of movement he tightened the corset and hemmed the bottom of the gown.
A moment later he was tugging at my dark hair and before I could blink I felt something settle on my neck. I wasn't sure where Sebastian had gotten my makeup case but suddenly he had makeup brushes in hand.
All in all I don't know how long it took to do everything because it seemed like a blur but a moment later Sebastian stepped back and looked me over.
"You'll need these and this." Sebastian said and almost as if from thin air he produced a pair of black silk opera gloves and a pair of shoes and a mask that matched the dress.
I pulled on the gloves and stepped into the shoes and a moment later Millie helped tie the mask around my face. It was only then Sebastian opened the doors of the wardrobe and let me get a look at myself.
I felt my breath catch in my throat. Sebastian had pulled my hair half up and pinned it in curls at the back of my head leaving the rest of my dark hair to fall around my shoulders. Around my neck was a beaded onyx choker. I could see my eyes were done dark and smoky behind the mask and my lips were painted a deep red.
I looked amazing.
"Wow." I finally managed.
"You look beautiful Charlotte!" Millie said in awe.
"Thank you." I smiled and felt my face heat up.
Sebastian pulled out his pocket watch and checked it, "We're running terribly late. Come Charlotte."
I nodded and picked up my skirts and walked out of the bedroom. Sebastian led the way to the steps but stopped me a short way from the top.
"Announcing Ms. Charlotte Chancely." he said and I took that as my cue to approach the steps.
Waiting at the bottom I saw Cade and Alfie waiting with Master Phantomhive. It was for the first time I noticed just what he was wearing.
He wore all black with the exception of his cravat which was the same dark blue as my dress. When he saw me I recognized the look as the same one he had cast at me the day I'd found out that Sebastian and I were related. It made my throat tighten and my heart beat quickly.
"You've done well Sebastian." Master Phantomhive said.
"She was very close in size so very little had to be done. If I couldn't make my Master's smallest request possible what kind of Butler would I be?" Sebastian said.
"Is the car pulled around?" he asked looking at Cade.
"Yes Sir." Cade nodded.
"Very well. Charlotte?" Master Phantomhive said and held out his elbow which I took with a shaking hand.
I swore I saw Master Phantomhive smile before he started towards the door with me walking right along beside him.
So it wasn't Charlotte that Ciel asked to the ball!
However leave it to Sebastian to come up with a last minute substitution!
But he did end up with Charlotte so all of you that guessed Charlotte you get half a cookie!
Woo!
You know what?! FULL COOKIES FOR EVERYONE!
Just for being awesome :D
Now it's time for the thank yous!
-SebastianStalker (I will address the issue with the look of the mark in the next chapter ;))
-Lifeisnowhere-182
-Light Umbreon
-Paxloria (i've seen some of Geass when it was on Adult Swim a few years ago so I know i'm going to love it. I just lost it somewhere)
-Inigo Montaya
-irgroomer
-Cheshire2290
-PenNinja1300
-TeruSkylar
And thank you to the new Followers!
You guys are all awesome!
Thanks for reading!