"Master Leo," Lilith called from outside the study, "I have prepared your lunch." Her voice was always graceful, and smooth as a river rock.
"Enter." My tone was practiced. I shuffled some of the papers that were cluttering my desk and listened as the wheels of the cart drew closer. She remained silent as she placed the dish in front of me, and as I began to eat she stood with her hands behind her back, awaiting orders.
She was dressed in a simple black round gown with with a white apron over the front that came up to her neck and white gloves. It looked similar to a maid's uniform, but she wasn't forced to wear a silly bonnet on her head, and there were added frills along the neckline to distinguish her from the rest of the workers in the house. Although the idea was a taboo of sorts, Lilith was the butler to the young Earl Wood.
It had taken training, patience, and the utmost devotion but after a few short weeks of practice, I was able to become my twin brother Leo Rhys Wood, only living heir to the Wood estate and business. The transition wasn't an easy one, and breathing in the wraps that kept my budding breasts secured was no small task, but what other choice did I have? If Alice Lorraine had come back instead of Leo, I would have been carted off and married to some prick with a strong sense of self-entitlement and mommy issues. No way in hell would I ever accept that to be my fate.
While there were challenges during the transformation, I had come to like being a boy. I had much more freedom, wasn't forced to wear corsets anymore, and pants felt so much more secure that the heavy skirts I had grown accustomed to. The only part of me that I wasn't forced to change was my hair. For generations my family has been known for two traits, and my brother and I were no exception. We had gold shimmering eyes, and rich pink hair. The long pink hair specifically had become the 'trademark' of the Wood name and I was able to keep my locks that had grown to the top of my trousers. Albeit I was forced to tie it back each day, but it was still my hair. The fact that it covered my brand was an added bonus.
"Has there been any word on the matter of my investors?" Annoyance rippled under my skin.
"Not yet my lord, but I assure you there will be soon. Your father's business keeps many happy." Her red lips smirked as she cleaned my plate and handed me a steaming cup of oolong tea. The musky taste combined with the bitterness always did wonders for my nerves.
The investors were not responding. After my parents died and I assumed my father's position everyone had given me pity and time to recuperate, but the time to begin business again had come.
"You mean my business." She stopped to meet my gaze, smiling coyly.
"Yes master, I apologize."
I looked away from her and back at my papers. I had spent the whole of last week writing out the contracts for each of my investors to sign, but not a single one had come.
"I think it's about time we take initiative, wouldn't you agree Lilith?" I resumed signing the small mountain of papers that had been patiently waiting during my lunch.
"What would you have me do master?" A glint of mischievousness twinkled in her green eyes.
"Send for the old bags." I said flippantly, "They are to be gathered here in three days if they wish for a piece of the pie."
She chuckled and set down a slice of freshly baked apple pie. I groaned in response.
"Dammit Lilith you know I despise sweets." I eyed the treat hungrily and resisted the urge to lick my lips.
"I know master Leo, but even so. I believe that you should enjoy it in the memory of your dear sister Alice who loved them so much."
I was all too happy to oblige.
She began to list the companies that were investors for my father, inquiring which she was to invite. After a few 'yes's and 'no's she pulled out another list. This one was of those who were interested in becoming shareholders. I recognized all of them and we repeated the process until it came to the last name on the list.
"...And finally the Funtom company run by Lord Ciel Phatnomhive."
I nearly choked on my tea.
"What does that dog want with my company? Our families have been at odds for decades!"
"I assure you my lord I haven't a clue." Her pen was poised above the paper, ready to carry out my bidding.
I scratched my head and put my chin in my hands. Ciel Phantomhive. That boy gave me a bad feeling. The Queen's Guard Dog, ruler of the underworld. Our fathers and their fathers before them have never gotten along. It's almost a family tradition...but still. One that close to the queen and so knowledgeable about fiends would be a valuable asset to have.
I gritted my teeth and begrudgingly agreed. "Yes him as well." She wrote something down and then took both lists from the room, leaving me to my thoughts.
I stood from my chair and walked over to the full length mirror that sat in the corner of the study and gave myself a quick once over. My hair was pulled back into a loose, low pony tail. I was dressed in a pair of black slacks, shining black shoes, and a matching coat. The silver tie shined smartly against the soft pink waist coat that gave me the allusion of being without hips. My favorite cane was made from the finest mahogany and stained black. The handle was silver and adorned with the Wood family crest. I looked at my white-gloved hands and rolled the silver ring that held a pink diamond around on my thumb. It was much to big to wear anywhere else, and even though the thick gloves made my hands appear larger and more masculine, it still did not fit.
As I rubbed the ring I contemplated the motives behind Ciel's actions. The stories my brother and I were told growing up always said that the Phantomhive family started the feud. A man named Charles Phantomhive, apparently Ciel's grandfather, made a shady deal behind my grandfather's back to replace him as a major stockholder in a top industry. Charles led my papa to believe that they were entering a business arrangement together in order to launch the Funtom Company's toy endeavor to distract him from most of his other dealings. Grandfather had even given Charles ten thousand pounds in good faith, trusting Charles enough to not demand a contract. Then the Lord Phantomhive cut all ties with my grandfather, not even days after he had been entrusted with that large sum of money. My grandfather was ruined for a good number of years and he never forgave the Phantomhive house hold for how he was wronged.
Of course without that set-back, my family would have never decided to go into the steel and steam-boat industry. Personally, I have no need for the uneasiness between our families, but if one Phantomhive betrayed my family in the past, who's to say history won't repeat itself?
I guess I'll just have to wait and find that out for myself. I returned to my desk and resumed signing papers. It was going to be a long night.