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Chapter Three

And so ended my first day working for the Phantomhive household. To say the least it had been interesting and certainly not without its excitement. My body felt heavy from the work it wasn't used to doing. The joints in my hands ached and I could feel blisters forming on the soft, smooth skin.

Even though my body ached I was content. My mind was filled with blissful thoughts of the friendly staff, with the exception of the butler. I hadn't had the chance to meet the other maid or the house stewart yet, but the other two clumsy servants were warm enough to my taste. I could see myself becoming comfortable around them. Sebastian was another story altogether. Whereas the other two were open and friendly, Sebastian was illusive and, at times, cold. He reminded me of someone I had meet before, but I couldn't figure out who.

I sighed and rolled over in my new bed. I blinked twice as I looked from the view of the room to see the expanse of the gardens outside. Though as tired as I was, I found I could not drift off into slumber. The nerves in my body were alive and burning. They wished for me to get up, to move, to wonder.

My body on the other hand told a different tale.

I buried my face into my pillow and let out a groan of frustration that was muffled by the material. I knew that I was in for a long night before sleep finally claimed me.

My body and nerves warred with each other late into the night. The whole time I sat tossing and turning, praying for sleep to relieve me. It finally did, coming over me quickly like a dark soft blanket.

What I found in rest was not the peace I sought to find though.

A bright burning sensation fell on my skin, something I was used to. It warmed my flesh from the outside in, burning as bright as the soul I did not possess but wished to devour slowly as to savor the sweet rich taste. I lifted one sun bronzed arm over my head, flicking my fingers to and fro to the heavy beat of a drums.

The intoxicating beat picked up a slow building tempo and my back arched as I lifted up one long slender leg. The pearly white skirt I wore, slide up along my thigh as I lifted it higher and higher into the air. The skirt bunched up the the base of my hip, revealing the full entirety of my leg. I flashed a quick seductive smile and swung it out to the side, twirling myself along with it.

And so the dance begun.

The crowd became thicker and thicker as more and more onlookers joined together to encircle the area marked off as my personal arena. The woman looked on in envy at the desert beauty. Turning all shades of green at the marvelous beauty before them; a true desert rose. The men besides them watched on with lustful eyes as they watched my dance. All in all they all stood in awe at the unique display of talent, such performances only existed in palace courts these days. Dancers were rare among the streets and even rarer was talented ones.

The gold bracelets on my wrist and ankles clicked together creating a chorus of jingles as I moved fluidly around dirt square. I rolled my stomach as I swayed my hips in an erotic dance, drawing gasp of awe and shock from the crowd. My hands spiraled upwards in a dance of their own, yet they collaborated together with my body to create an enticing duet.

The thrumming the the drums was beginning to draw to it's finale crescendo and I prepared my body for the grand finale. Drawing my left leg up slowly I swung it around at the height of my waist. Twisting to the right on the tips of my toes, I was able to succeed in twirling my body around in a full circle. As the circle was completed I drew the leg completely upright before abruptly dropping my full body to the ground, placing my face in my lap.

There was silence for a long moment, before my audience erupted into cheers and claps. I stood up and bowed smiling wickedly. Humans were so easily played. A beautiful smile, a beautiful face, and an amazing talent could win over their hearts in a second. Their logical mind was so simply played. I couldn't say I didn't enjoyed toying with them though, but there was only so much someone such as me could take before we sought entertainment with creatures of our own kind.

And I saw the very one I had my eyes on.

He stood out amongst the sea of darkly bronzed humans. Onyx black hair that only stood in purpose to make his already pale features become almost ghostly. It worked for him though, giving him a dark allure that enticed even the most stubborn of humans. His eyes- oh the eyes I'd been waiting to see lust after me for a long time- glowed crimson with dark diamond shaped slits in the center.

The dark haired man slide through the crowd easily, already disappearing into one of the dark alleyways. I watched him leave, knowing he knew my performance had been for his eyes and his pleasure alone. Our game of cat and mouse had begun, yet in this game both players were cats that were as deadly as a pack of rabid dogs.

I gasped and sat upright, finding my body tangled up in sticky sheets. My body was covered in a thin layer of sweat and my nightgown was drenched with my perspiration. I felt as if I'd just ran the entire length of the mansion twice. My stomach muscles ached along with my arms and legs which felt like rubber.

And as if that wasn't enough to scare me, my skin felt warm like I'd been in direct sunlight.

But it was just a dream and these were just illusions my mind was creating. The aches and pains were just the manifestations of yesterday's work. The sweating, just from dreaming. Nothing abnormal, just my mind playing tricks on me.

I glanced out the window, sighing when I saw that the moon was hanging low in the sky. It'd be sun rise soon, there would be no point in me trying to sleep at this point. I slipped out of the tangled mess of bed sheets and covers, resting my feet solidly on the ground.

I picked my night shirt up and gave a quick sniff. The reek of my body oder consumed my sense of smell, making my stomach churn. It was obvious that the first thing I needed to do was bathe. I believe the bathroom was next to my room, to the right if I remember correctly.

I collected one of the remaining clean uniforms along with a towel off the wash bin by the wardrobe and left my room silently. The corridor connecting the servant's rooms together was deathly silent. No lamp or light lit the expanding hall that seemed, in the darkness that was, to extend on and on forever. My rational mind knew that this was not the case, but I couldn't help the more imaginative side of me that took this knowledge and threatened to run completely wild with it.

I slipped into the bathroom, throwing the lock home as I stood quietly for a minute staring around the simple, yet clean, bathroom. There was of course a sink, toilette, and claw footed tub. I let out a sigh of relief, I hadn't know what to expect of a mere servants bathroom. I was glad it wasn't something worth my disgust or horror.

I dropped my towel onto the granite counter and quickly turned the golden knob above the bath faucet, drawing hot water from the faucet. I settled myself in to wait quietly as the water filled the tub and went about undoing my knotted hair and peeling myself out of my damp nightshirt. Once this was completed I carefully sunk myself into the warm water.

I made my bath quick, fearing that someone would soon wake and want the privilege of a bath too. I lathered my hair with the lavender scented shampoo that was set on the edge of the bath, scrubbing away the tangles and oils. Drawing in a deep breath, I sunk my head under the water and quickly scrubbed the soap off of my scalp.

After scrubbing my body raw with equally sweet scented soap, I drained the tub and stepped from the bath. It was pleasant to feel clean again and knowing that the liquid clinging to my skin was not made of sweat but of clean water. I sighed in bliss and quickly towel dried my body, changing into my undergarments and dress quicker then I'd ever had before. I was used to dilly dallying, taking my precious time getting ready. When you were noble you could do that. You had all the time in the world wrapped around your little finger. Now I couldn't afford such luxuries. I had a master to serve and others to put before myself.

I tied the back of my white apron into a bow and combed through my quickly drying curls. I tied a simple ribbon around my hair behind my ears, leaving the long spirals to fall freely down to the center of my back.

A knock on the door warned me of someone's presences on the other side. I quickly wrapped my used towel into my arm, carefully tucking my nightgown inside, and unlocked the door. I opened it up and gave a small start to see another woman.

I would have described her as petite in frame, if it weren't for her big bust. She had short cropped reddish toned hair and big round glasses that obscured her eyes from sight. She uttered a small gasp when she meet me in the doorway as I did.

"I-I-I'm sorry, Miss," she stuttered, backing away and bowing at the waist.

My eyes widened and I held up a hand for her to stop, "Uh...There's no need for that. I'm just a servant."

She looked back up, her curiosity plain in her face. It took a moment for realization to dawn across her features, "Ah, you're the new maid that Mr. Sebastian hired the other day."

I nodded and allowed a smile to bless my face, "Yes, ma'am. I'm Tessa Hale."

She smiled, "Welcome to the mansion, Miss Tessa. I'm Mey-Rin."

"Please just call me Tessa," I blushed and stepped from the bathroom, closing the door behind me.

"I'll try," she laughed lightly. "Are you enjoying yourself here so far?"

I was silent for a long moment. Was I enjoying myself here? I couldn't say I disliked it here, that was something I could never say about this place. Sure the mansion was sort of dark and forbidding, but the few people I'd met weren't at all like the building. Friendly and open, I could see myself enjoying their company. Of course there were still a few things I would have to learn to get used to, such as not being the center of attention and not having things done for me, but I couldn't say that I didn't mind that at all. In fact for once I was actually not bored. Working was proving to be pleasant for me.

"Actually I am," I answered with a sincere smile.

She beamed back, "That's good to hear."

As we fell into a comfortable silence I was instantly reminded of where we were and why I'd come out quicker in the first place. A blush heated my face as I felt my stupidity. I quickly side stepped away from the doorway and towards my own.

"I guess you'll be wanting to use the bathroom," I mumbled, my face heating up more so by the moment. "I'll be getting out of your way now."

Surprise and then embarrassment flooded the other maid's face. She quickly let out a loud squeak and waved her hands in front of her frantically.

"Ah, no that's not it at all," she squealed. "I was sent to look for you by Sebastian actually, and when I found your room empty I saw the lights on in the bathroom so I assumed you were in there."

I let out a sigh of relief and gave a small smile, "Oh, alright. Just give me a moment to place these in my room."

She nodded eagerly and waited in the threshold of my room as I went inside. I placed my dirty clothes into a basket by the washstand, I would need to clean those sometime later today when I had time to myself. Straightening my apron, I quickly backed out of the room and shut the door behind me.

I turned on my heels quickly and faced Mey-Rin, "Alright now, show me the way."

She curtsied and waved me to follow as she spun around, "Right this way."

We made our way out of the servants quarters and towards the richly decorated parts of the mansion. I barely noted the changes as the wood flooring gave way to rich carpeting and as the plain creams walls changed to richer hues. I wondered where we were headed, it certainly wasn't the kitchen that was for sure.

"We don't normally have to work this early," Mey-Rin began, filling up the silence of the empty halls with her light and welcomed chatter. "But the master has a guest arriving today and Sebastian wants everything to be perfect. He plans on teaching you what you're jobs will be today as acting parlor maid."

I nodded trying to keep up with her fast chattering. Her words soon became nothing but sounds blending together in what I assumed were meant to be words, but to my ears sounded like nothing but obnoxious noises made by her mouth. She was nervous, as if her fast speech wasn't enough to give that away her rigid posture was. Her nervousness made me wonder who this certain guest was.

"Mey-Rin! Tessa!"

Both of us paused as I recognized the boyishly high voice. Finny appeared running down one of the connecting halls towards us at a fast trot. His face, like usual, was lit up with a bright smile as he came to a neat stop right in front of us.

"Good morning, Finny," I greeted easily, finding the day before's nervousness gone today, replaced by a much more open and friendly persona.

He grinned at me, "Morning Tessa, you're more calm this morning."

I blushed, so I wasn't the only one who noticed the change in my attitude. That was slightly mortifying.

"So where is Sebastian meeting us?" I asked, changing the topic before I could turn an even more embarrassing shade of pink.

Mey-Rin cleared her throat, "You mean where are you meeting Mr. Sebastian. Actually you'll be just heading straight down the hall and into the dinning parlor."

I glanced down the hall at the wide double doors and grimaced, "How many guest are we exactly expecting?"

"I believe he said it would only be one," Mey-Rin mused.

One? One guest in such a big room?

My confusion must have showed for she answered my unspoken question.

"The master likes to show his guest the best treatment possible, which is to be expected of the Phantomhive family," she explained.

I nodded, trying to grasp my employers odd habits. Even for someone as rich as him, having a dinner for two in such a large room was strange, but never mind that, it wasn't my place to question him even though I thought otherwise.

"Well then I better be heading off before Sebastian becomes upset with my tardiness," I sighed, curtsying to the others before walking off down the hall.

Behind me I heard the other two move off down another branching hallway and I paused before the oak doors, listening to their footsteps and low conversation before I could no longer hear them. Once I was alone I turned to the doors before me and cracked one open.

A peek inside revealed a dark room. White shapes broke through the veil of darkness in a few places, which I assumed were covered pieces of furniture. I guess the room wasn't used as often as I would have expected.

I stepped inside, leaving the door open behind me so that some shafts of light came through to the darkness. It didn't help too much, as the further I walked in the darker it became. My eyes fought to adjust to the almost pitch black of the room as I struggled to find my way over to where I hoped the windows were since I was pretty sure the sun had to be just peeking over the horizon line by now and a little light would help at the moment.

My hands skimmed across thick velvet and I wrapped my fingers around the fabric. Pulling the material to the side I had to blink my eyes a few as light streamed in from the streak free widow. I used a hand to shield my face as my eyes adjusted while I worked on pulling the other curtains open.

A ruffling behind me caused me to gasp and spin around so quickly that my head spun to no end. Standing besides the table with a white cloth draped neatly over his arm was Sebastian, dressed in his usual black attire. He didn't seem to notice the fright he had given me and went about pulling the protective linen off of the table. Though it was more of a quick simple flick of his hand that brought the entire length of white cloth right off the table in less time then it took for my eyes to blink.

"Oh! Sebastian, you gave me a fright," I gasped when I'd finally collected myself enough to be able to speak.

He didn't bother sparing me a glance as he continued plucking the sheets of the furniture. He was onto the forth or fifth chair by the time he spoke.

"A fright? I'm apologize for frightening you, but I've been here the entire time," he said evenly as he yanked yet another sheet off.

My eyes widened, "You were? I'm afraid I didn't see you then. I guess I ought to pay more attention to my surroundings."

He looked at me then, a sharp look in his eyes, "Yes, you ought."

I sensed a double meaning to his words but I didn't question, instead I shook my head and moved to assist him in removing the sheets which by this time were already three quarters of the way gone. Sebastian worked quickly as I was now learning.

"What is it that I was called in here to do?" I asked as I snatched up the last sheet from underneath Sebastian's hand.

He blinked quickly in shock and looked up at where I stood folding the white cloth and draping it over my arm neatly among the others I'd collected. A small smirk appeared on his lips as he turned and moved across the room.

"Well after we are done here, I shall need you to serve tea to the master and the guest in the drawing room and after that preparations will be required for dinner," he began.

I nodded, "Anything else, sir?"

He looked over his shoulder at me, "You aren't going to complain that the work being too much?"

I scowled and shook my head, "Now why would I do that, Sebastian? I have no right to for it isn't my place after having been taken in like this. If I complained I would be acting ungrateful and as it stands I am more then grateful to be under employment here. Besides what you've assigned as tasks for me seems minimal if next to nothing, I would not mind receiving more as it stands currently."

Sebastian's lips pulled up into a grin, "Oh? I believe that I hired an outstanding maid for the master of the house, haven't I? We'll have to see how you handle the task today before you are given any more work, I wouldn't want to overload a new employee such as yourself."

I let out a 'hmph'. There he went underestimating me again. I swear I'll prove him wrong one of these days; I'll even out work him. He'll be kissing the bottom of my boots by the time I'm through with him.

"Well aren't you going to put those down and help me get this room presentable?" He questioned, breaking through my thoughts.

I nodded and quickly placed the sheets onto the neat pile that Sebastian had made inside a wicker basket by the door, before hurrying over to assist with the odd chores he ordered me to do. I dusted the table and chairs, shook out the curtains, polished the silver, and even set out a decorative display of the best china.

While I worked through these chores, I threw quick glances at Sebastian as he worked through the other odds and ends that needed to be accomplished inside the dinning room. He didn't seemed to notice my gaze as he went about working. It was amazing how fast he could move, almost unbelievably so. I would need to work hard in order to match him, let alone out stride him.

"Are you done over there?"

I looked up from my work and nodded, "I was just going back over these actually."

He seemed surprised by my words and cast a doubtful glance at the silver candle stick I was polishing. It shone so nicely that you could see your reflection perfectly cast in the silver surface. Even the etching was nicely cleaned out and looking brand new, though the thing had to be at least a century or so old.

"Very well then, place that back in it's spot and follow me," he ordered, turning for the door.

I quickly placed it back in it's rightful place between two vases with fresh blue flowers and hurried after Sebastian. We left the dinning room behind us and traveled towards the very front of the mansion. The whole time we walked I saw no sign of the other servants, making me aware of just how large the building actually was.

"The guest should be arriving any second now, he's late by five minutes as it is," Sebastian announced to me softly as he tucked his watch back into the depths of his tailcoat.

I nodded, finding it humorous that he actually was keeping track of the time to that exact extent. You'd think a servant would expect a noble to be late, they weren't known for keeping time after all. Like I said before, they believed time to revolve around them not the other way around.

A loud chime resounded through the grand entrance hall, alerting us to the arrival of our guest. I looked to the door expectantly as did Sebastian who sighed and broke away from me to head over to it.

"Rather rude of him to make my master wait," he mumbled lowly under his breath, causing me to have to stifle a giggle.

I stood with my hands folded in front of my waist by the curve of the railing to the staircase, bowing my head to make myself appear submissive before the guest. I'd seen the maids at my old manor and many other manors I'd visited do this before, and I just hoped I was doing it right. The one time I didn't want to mess up was before a guest.

"Arch Duke Dupont, welcome to the Phantomhive Estate."

I froze as a cold shiver passed through my body as Sebastian welcomed this afternoon's guest. My hands grew clammy as my body went rigid. This could not be happening. The one time I would find my new occupation shameful would be in front of this very guest. And of course he would have to be the very first to visit here, wouldn't he now?

I had to sneak a peek to confirm my suspicions and when I did I wished I hadn't. My gazed meet a pair of surprised smooth brown pools.

Arch Duke Dupont had arrived, otherwise known as my ex-betrothed.