"Ciel! Get your ass down here!" Madam Red hollered up a flight of steps.

Ciel sighed and dropped the scrub brush he was using to clean the floor of one of the many bathrooms of the mansion. He stood up slowly before exiting the room and walking downstairs. "Yes, Madam Red?" he asked, stopping before the red clad lady.

"Go clean the chimney in the living room." Madam Red ordered. "It's getting late, and I want to start a fire soon, but it's too dirty."

"Yes, Madam Red," Ciel complied. After a quick bow Ciel made his way to the living room and over to the chimney. The boy sighed as he looked up into the blackened hole. Out of all the chores he had to do, this was his least favorite. All of the soot and smoke made his asthma act up, so he had to tie a rag around his nose and mouth to keep it out of his lungs. Plus, by the time he was done, he would be covered in black soot from head to toe. "Well, I had better get started," he thought to himself.

It had been three years since Ciel's father had passed away, and Madam Red seemed to have made it her personal goal in life to make Ciel's life a living hell. She had disowned him and made him work as slave. His days were filled with nothing but countless chores; she practically starved him (if he was lucky and behaved himself he was allowed to eat dinner); also, she beat him. Ciel learned over the years that Madam Red had a short temper, and would strike if anything upset her. He had lost count of how many times the woman had hit him in a fit of anger.

On top of dealing with Madam Red, he also had to put up with Alois. Alois took after his mother in the fact that he too wanted to make Ciel miserable. He took every chance he got to tease Ciel, even if it was about trivial things. Ciel tried to ignore his insults as much as possible, but that can be hard when said boy is shouting them into your ear. He liked to whale on his step brother until he was covered in various wounds. Alois had also developed a habit of telling lies about Ciel just to get him in trouble. Protesting his innocents was useless. If he tried, his punishment was doubled. He figured that Madam Red knew that Alois was fibbing, but chose to ignore it because it gave her a reason to punish Ciel.

All in all, Ciel had concluded that his life officially sucked.

"Young Master!" Ciel jumped slightly in surprise at the sudden noise, and succeeded in banging his head against the side of the chimney.

"Ow!" Ciel yelped, rubbing his soar head. "What do you want Finny?" Finny, was a scrawny, blond haired boy that was hired to be the Phantomhive Gardner. Since he was the Gardner, he wore a plain white top with red trimmings, yellow and red plaid trousers, and a straw hat. For such a small boy, Finny had quite a lot of strength. That strength however, got him into loads of trouble at times. He often underestimated his strength and would end up breaking things, crushing flowers, and even knocking down trees. All of which Ciel had to clean up and fix. He was a good man at heart though, with a go lucky attitude and a smile that would brighten up anyone's day.

Because the mansion was so gigantic, Madam Red had hired a few workers to take care of the place. Unfortunately for Ciel, these workers tended to do more harm than good. There was a Chef, a Maid, and a Gardener. As I already said, Finny is the Gardner. That leaves a man named Bard who was the Chef, and Mey-Rin the Maid. Bard was a tall, blond haired man, who wore a traditional white chef's uniform, minus the hat. He had love of explosions and couldn't seem to wrap his mind around that using dynamite or a flamethrower were not good ways of cooking food. All of his "meals" ended up being burnt, sometimes into nothing but ashes. Mey-Rin was red haired woman who was very far sighted. Her uniform consisted of a knee-length dark blue dress and a white apron that rested on top of the dress. She wore a white headband on top her short hair that was pulled into two pigtails. She also had a pair of round glasses that were suppose to help correct her vision. Suppose to being the keyword. They did for a while, but she had accidentally cracked them. Mey-Rin was a very clumsy girl, who often broke various tea sets, dishes, and decorations around the house because she tripped over her own feet.

Over all, they were not what Ciel had in mind when he was told that he was going to be getting help. Ciel wondered sometimes whether or not Madam Red had planned the whole thing just to spite him. After all, with how much stuff they broke and burnt, they would have been fired long ago if they worked for anyone else. At least they were kind people. They always treated him like a family member. They knew what had happened to him, and tried there best to help him in anyway they could. They even got into a habit of calling Ciel, "Young Master." Though Ciel didn't mind, he made sure that none of them ever called him that in front of Madam Red or Alois. He feared that they would not be pleased with his nickname.

"Sorry Young Master!" Finny apologized in a cheery voice. "I was just wondering what you were doing."

"Oh, you know, the usual: relaxing in a pile of soot," Ciel murdered sarcastically.

Finny looked at him blankly for a moment before a large smile appeared on his face." Well, have fun then!" Finny smiled, skipping out of the room.

Ciel shook his head in wonder. "Sometimes I wonder if he was dropped on his head as a child..." Ciel said to himself.

Ciel picked up the chimney sweeping supplies then put back where they belonged. He then grabbed a feather-duster and dusted the outside of the fireplace. After he was finished, he looked down at himself. He was completely covered in black soot. Ciel sighed and started to trek upstairs to wash up.

"I'll have to wash these," he mumbled to himself. "Good thing I washed my other set of clothes yesterday." Madam Red had refused to buy Ciel any new clothing. He still owned the same outfits that he was left with the day Vincent died. Ciel had always been a slender child, but because of his lack of nourishment, his once snug fitting clothes were now hanging off of him. He ended up having to use a piece of rope to hold his pants up. His once spotless white shirts had stains all over; some from food, others from soot, mud, and even blood. His clothes had various rips in them, most of which were to hard to sow up.

After a quick bath, Ciel finished up cleaning the bathroom he had been cleaning before getting interrupted. He then went down to the kitchen to see how dinner preparations were coming along. Ciel walked though the door just in time to see Bard pick up his flamethrower and point it at the chicken they were going to serve that night.

"Bard!" Ciel barked. The man spun around and dropped the weapon. Ciel put his hand over his face in exasperation. "How many times do I have to tell you? Do not use a flamethrower as a cooking utensil!"

Bard smiled sheepishly. "But, it cooks it faster, Young Master."

"But it burns the food!"

"Cooking is an art, and art means explosions!"

Ciel didn't know how to respond to that, so he just silently walked over to the chicken and placed it on the counter. He then went to the fridge and started taking out the ingredients he would need to make dinner. Ciel felt grateful that he had watched his family's chef when he was younger. He remembered how to make the basic meals and added on from there.

"Hey, I'm the cook! I should be preparing the food!" Bard exclaimed.

"I think you have done enough for today," Ciel told him. "Madam Red said that if dinner was burnt one more time, that someone was going to get punished. And we all know that someone is going to be me."

Bard just shook his head and sat down at the table. He knew Ciel was right, but it irked him that he had to sit back and watch someone else do his job. A hand on his shoulder brought him out his thoughts.

"Why don't you help me out with some of the cleaning," Mey-Rin suggested. Bard nodded and the two left the room.

–

A young prince, clad in the finest clothing, walked proudly, but swiftly down a long corridor towards the throne room. The young man was Prince Sebastian Michaelis, heir to the throne of London. Sebastian had been summoned by his Father, King Michaelis. The Prince was slightly nervous because he had a feeling he knew what his father wanted to talk to him about. When he approached the throne room door, two guards hastily opened them. Sebastian took a deep breath, and walked into the room.

"My son!" King Michaelis greeted.

"Hello, Father," Sebastian replied. "What was it you wanted to speak with me about?"

"Ah, always straight to the point with you," the King chuckled. Though the king had grown in age, he kept a child like enthusiasm. The man was always up for a good laugh and had a very lighthearted personality. Unless, there was a serious matter to attend to, then he was all business. "As you know, in less than a year you are going to be eighteen. And as law dictates, you are to marry before that day."

"I know, Father," Sebastian said respectfully. "I just haven't found that special person yet."

"I understand that. The last thing I want to do is pressure you into marrying someone you do not love."

"Thank you, Father," Sebastian smiled.

"I do, however, have a proposition for you. In order for you to meet some of the available subjects around London, I am going to host a ball. This way you can see if anyone catches your eye."

"That sounds wonderful."

"Excellent! I will arrange everything for the ball!" The king ushered a waiting servant over, who handed the King a peace of paper and some ink. Sebastian just chuckled and left the room.

He felt bad that he hadn't found someone yet. It wouldn't have been that big of a deal if it wasn't for that law. The law stated that if the Prince didn't marry before the age of eighteen, that the Faustus' son, Claude, would assume the throne. Knowing Claude, Sebastian figured that if the chance of getting the throne appeared that he would marry anyone to get it. Sebastian loved his cousin, but the Faustus had always been a very devious and selfish family. Many people were afraid of what would happen in they came into power. And if Sebastian couldn't find a bride soon, all their fears would come true.

Sebastian had a problem though. He did not want to marry someone just to keep the throne. He knew that somewhere out there, there must be someone who was his other half. His father had told him countless times that whoever Sebastian chose, he would support his decision. When the king had been Sebastian's age, he fell in love with a beautiful woman. They were soul mates from the beginning. The only problem was that she was a commoner. His father did not approve of his son marring a woman not of noble blood. Instead, he set up an arranged marriage with a princess of a town called Paris. Outraged, the prince ran away with the girl, intent on marrying her. Unfortunately, the king found them and threatened to have her killed. The prince responded by threatening suicide if she was killed. With the threat of losing his son and the Faustus taking over, the king caved and let to two lovers be together. That day, Sebastian's father made a promise, that whoever his son chose he would support. Whether they were rich, poor, male or female, he would give his blessing.

That is what complicated the matter for Sebastian even more. He knew how much his father had loved his mother, and he had always dreamed of a love like that. He wanted someone who he could cherish forever. Sure Sebastian had been on several dates with some of the noble women of London, but they never felt right. Most of the women he dated only seemed to love him because he was a prince. Sebastian wanted someone who would love him for him, and not for his status.

Sebastian sighed and looked up at the ceiling. "Hopefully I'll be able to find someone at this ball..."

Ciel was just about to finish up the final preparations for dinner when a knock sounded at the door. He wiped off his hands and made his way over to the front door. When he opened it, he came face to face with a tall man who had long gray hair, equally long black fingernails, and was wearing a black robe.

"Can I help you?" Ciel asked.

"Eeehhheeee, yes Young Earl, I believe you can," the man cackled. Ciel raised an eyebrow. "I have come to deliver an invitation to Prince Sebastian's ball tomorrow night." The man reached into the arm of his robe and pulled out a white envelope with a red seal on it. He held it out to the boy before him.

Ciel took the letter cautiously. "Well, I will give this to the Lady of the house. I'm sure they will be thrilled to go."

"Ooh? Are you not going as well, Young Earl?"

Ciel scoffed. "The invention is for the nobles, right? Well, at the moment, I am not a noble."

"Ah, but this ball is for all the citizens of London, not just the nobles."

"Is that so?"

"Indeed. Now, are you going to the ball?" The stranger asked once again.

"I don't think so," Ciel retorted.

Before Ciel could react, the man snapped his arm out and grabbed the boy's chin. He looked straight into his eyes before speaking. "You have such interesting eyes, Young Noble."

Ciel yanked his head back and rubbed his chin. "Don't touch me!" He snapped.

"And feisty too," the man laughed. He leaned in closer to terrified child, till said child could smell the stench of his breath. "I will let you in on a little something, Earl Phantomhive. If you go to this party tomorrow, than I can assure you, you will meet someone there who will forever change your life."

"Don't be ridicules," Ciel scoffed. "How could you possibly know that?"

"Oh, I have my ways." Just as he finished speaking, the other servants walked into the room.

"Ciel, what is going on?" Bard asked.

The man pulled back and gave a wicked smile at the three servants. "I was just delivering an invitation. Now, if you will excuse me, I must head back to the palace. But remember what I said, Young Earl, if you grace the ball with your presents tomorrow night, you will come across someone there that will alter your life for the better."

Ciel blinked and watched the receding form of the strange man. "Wait!" Ciel called before the man could get to far away. "What is your name?"

"I am called, Undertaker." With that the man walked off.

Ciel stared blankly ahead for a few moments before slowly shutting the door.

"I had better get this invitation to Madam Red," Ciel said, rushing by the three stunned servants.

Ciel made his way up to the Madam's study. He stopped at the door and knocked softly. A faint, "come in," followed. Ciel opened the door and slowly walked in.

"What is it, Ciel?" Madam Red asked harshly.

"A letter has come for you from the palace," Ciel replied.

"Well, hand it over!" she snapped, holding out her hand. Ciel handed the letter over, and she read it. Her eyes widened to the size of dinner plates as she read. Before she had even finished reading the invitation, she bolted from the room and ran to her son's bedroom, Ciel trailing behind her. "Alois! I have some great news!"

"What is it?" the blond haired boy asked excitedly.

"There is going to be all ball at the palace tomorrow night," Madam Red squealed. "It says that the Prince is looking for a lover. This could be our chance, Alois! When you impress the Prince at that ball, you will become a member of the royal family!"

"If," Ciel cut in, leaning against the door frame." If he impresses him."

"Oh I will," Alois scoffed. "I am the most beautiful boy there is. Who else would he pick? Certainly not you, Ciel. A man like the Prince would never give you the time of day."

"Like I would want him to," Ciel snapped. "Who would want to marry a stuck up prince like him anyway? Oh, that's right, someone equally as stuck up. You two would make the perfect couple.

*Smack*

Ciel clutched his cheek where he had been struck. "That is enough out of you," Madam Red scolded. "I want this entire house spotless by morning. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Madam Red," Ciel replied softly, his eyes travailing downwards to his bare-feet.

"Now go!" she yelled. Ciel quickly turned on his heels and ran for the door.

–

After Ciel had left to deliver the letter to Madam Red, the other servants gathered around each other and began to talk about what had just happened.

"Did you hear what that man said?" Finny asked.

"Yeah, he said that the Young Master would meet someone that would change his life for the better," Mey-Rin replied.

"Do you think he was telling the truth?"

"I don't know, he looked a bit crazy," Bard said.

"But what if what he said was true?" Mey-Rin asked.

"If he was telling the truth, then this might be the opportunity the Young Master has been looking for to escape this hellhole," Bard said thoughtfully.

"Well, it can't hurt to try, can it?"

"But how can he go? After all, I'm sure the Mistress will forbid him from going. He can't just show up as himself."

"What if he wore a disguise? Finny asked excitedly.

"That could work!" Mey-Rin exclaimed. "But what do we dress him up as?"

"I...have an idea," Bard snickered.

–

The next day, Ciel spent most of morning and afternoon getting Alois ready for the ball. Madam Red picked out his finest suit, a white shirt with a red bow-tie, a purple overcoat with black fur trimmings, and black booty-shorts. Alois had Ciel running around fetching things for him all day. By the time they were ready to leave, Ciel was exhausted. He wanted to get some sleep, but he knew he still had chores to get through.

Before Madam Red left, she grabbed Ciel's arm harshly and grabbed his chin so he was looking right at her. "You are to stay here and do your chores. Got it?"

"Yes," Ciel chocked out. With that, they left. As Ciel watched the two of them depart, he couldn't help but think of Undertaker's words. "But remember what I said, Young Earl, if you grace the ball with your presents tomorrow night, you will come across someone there that will alter your life for the better." Ciel scoffed at the memory. "That man was probably insane."

Ciel turned around to see Bard, Mey-Rin, and Finny standing behind him. He raised an eyebrow at them in a silent question.

Bard was the first to speak. "We think you should go to that ball as well, Young Master."

Ciel gave a curt laugh. "Didn't you hear what Madam Red said? If I leave this house, I'm dead."

"But that man the other day, he-"

"Was crazy," Ciel cut in.

"Maybe not!" Finny said. "He could have been telling the truth."

"I highly doubt that," Ciel shot back.

"Please, Young Master, it's worth a shot," Mey-Rin pleaded. "Who knows, you could end up changing your life for the better."

Ciel sighed again. A part of him really did want to find out if what Undertaker said was true. Yet, the logical side of his brain was screaming at him that it was a bad idea. "Even if I wanted to go, I can't. If Madam Red see's me, I'll get in trouble, and I can't go in what I am wearing."

"Leave that to us!" The three of the shouted.

–

"Are you ready my son?" King Michaelis asked Sebastian. Sebastian nodded. "Great, now let's see if we can find you a bride!"

"Eehhhheeee, oh I do believe you will be successful tonight, dear prince," Undertaker chuckled, steeping out of a shadowed corner. Most people would have been surprised by his sudden appearance, but the Michaelis were use to it by now.

"Really?" Sebastian asked hopefully. "You really think I'm going to find someone tonight?"

"Indeed, little prince. Your true love is just waiting for you to find them..."

–

"No way! I am not wearing that!" Ciel screamed.

"Oh come on now, Young Master," Mey-Rin encouraged. "It is the perfect disguise."

"But it's a dress!" It was true. In the three servants hands were peaces to a dress.

"No one will suspect it is you," Bard tried.

"I am not wearing a dress," Ciel said firmly.

"Please, Young Master!" The three begged.

"This could be your way out," Finny said. "We can't stand seeing you so miserable anymore. You have to go!"

Ciel clenched his fists and shut his eyes. He did want to be free, and something was telling him to just throw caution to the wind and go. Maybe it would be worth it.

"Alright...I'll go..."

Yay! Update time! Sorry it's been so long. I've had the worst writers block. Probably because I'm having to write so many reports for school. Actually though, a school report is what got me to write this. Yes, I got to write a yaio fanfiction for school. Be very jealous.

Anyway, next chapter is the ball scene!

Oh, and, yay for making Ciel's life suck. XD

Ciel: Why do you always pick on me? D8

Me: What? I don't always pick on you.

Ciel: Name one story of your's that doesn't have me in some kind of pain?

Sebastian: He has a point.

Me: D: It's because you are my favorite character, Ciel! I always pick on my favorites. Just ask Loki Laufeyson.

Loki: -has a gag on- MMMHPHHPPPP!

Ciel to Sebastian: Shouldn't we help him?

Me: Na, he will be fine.

Loki: MMMMMMHHHPPHHPPP!

Me: Loki says we don't own Kuroshitsuji. Until next time!

Ciel: I'm pretty sure that is not what he said...