Isabelle's eyes fluttered open as her maid pulled the curtains from the window, the bright, autumn sunlight pouring into the room.
"Good morning, Milady…" she said softly, Isabelle sitting up in her bed as she yawned and stretched, hair matted in a bed head.
Enobria pulled the covers off gently, allowing Isabelle to swing her legs over the edge of the bed before Enobria stripped off her nightgown, dressing her lady in a clean dress.
"Where did you get this dress from?" Isabelle asked curiously, raising an eyebrow as she pulled on the dress's skirt carefully.
Enobria smirked, "Sebastian brought it for you. Surely, it wouldn't be preferable to wear that dirty dress from yesterday." she said, doing the corset of the dress, causing Isabelle to gasp as she tightened it.
"I-I see." Isabelle breathed.
Enobria prepared a cup of tea for Isabelle who took it graciously, sipping it as Enobria brushed her long, brunette hair. Enobria ran a finger delicately over the back of Isabelle's neck, making her flinch.
"W-What?" she asked somewhat nervously, setting her tea cup on its saucer.
Enobria shook her head, moving her hand away. "Nothing. My apologizes for making you nervous Milady." she said with a bow.
"It's quite alright…" Isabelle sighed under her breath, sipping the last of her tea as one of her hands traced over the nape of her neck, making sure it was completely covered before getting to her feet.
Enobria softened the wrinkles in the dress as Sebastian called from the hall.
"May I come in, Maladies?"
Enobria looked to Isabelle quickly who nodded before calling back.
"Yes, come in Sebastian."
Sebastian swung the door open and bowed, "I hope the dress and tea was to your liking, Maladies." he said with a subtle smirk.
Isabelle sighed, "Earl Grey is an impressive taste. But I prefer Cordalia de Cial…" she said, looking off as she set her tea cup down on the servant's cart.
Sebastian nodded slowly as he forced a small smirk, "I shall keep that in mind, Milady. I've also come to inform you that breakfast is served." He said with a bow.
Isabelle nodded, "Come now, Enobria…" she called, following Sebastian. Enobria followed close behind as the butler guided them through the halls of the manor.
Sebastian led the two girls into the breakfast solarium, an area on the patio beautifully decorated with fresh autumn flowers, where Ciel was already eating. He looked up from his plate and narrowed his eye.
"Good morning, Lady Isabelle."
Isabelle bowed her head slowly and approached the table.
"Good morning, Earl Phantomhive…" she said as Sebastian pulled out a seat for her, next to Ciel. Sebastian carefully placed a plate in front of her.
"Today's breakfast is poached salmon and mint salad with a side of scones, toast and champagne. I hope it is to your liking, My Lord, Milady." Sebastian said with another bow before going to stand behind Ciel, leaving Enobria to stand behind Isabelle.
The maid and butler stared at each other as their masters ate quietly.
Afterwards, Ciel excused himself to take care of some work, leaving the maid and her mistress to entertain themselves.
Isabelle sighed in thought before getting up from her seat.
"I believe I would like a tour Sebastian." She said, glancing at the butler who smirked and nodded.
Sebastian led them around the first floor, through the living room and library, then through the kitchen and patios. Sebastian guided them and told the two women of the manor's history, including how the previous mansion had burned down.
"Is that how the previous Earl died?" Isabelle asked the butler curiously. Sebastian nodded.
"Yes, both the Earl and his wife, the Young Master's parents, both perished in the fire. My master, miraculously, survived the terrifying event." Sebastian said, his crimson eyes meeting Isabelle's curious gaze.
Enobria narrowed her eyes, stepping closer to Isabelle protectively, which only caused Sebastian to smirk.
Isabelle glanced back and forth between the two and urged Sebastian to continue the tour, leading her upstairs. He gestured to the various rooms, such as the conservatory and Ciel's drawing room, not including Isabelle and Enobria's separate bedrooms.
Sebastian suddenly stopped, checking his pocket watch before turning to the girls with a smile.
"My apologizes, but I must go prepare afternoon tea and lunch. If you'll excuse me," he said with a bow, "I do hope you can entertain yourselves…"
Isabelle nodded with a soft smirk, "that shouldn't be a problem."
… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …
Only a little while later, Isabelle had found the three servants of the Phantomhive family: Finnian, Bardroy and Mey-Rin.
She curiously walked into their staff lounge. Finny looked up and jumped up from his seat.
"L-lady Isabelle?!" he shouted in surprise, Mey and Bardroy standing up with him, watching her with wide eyes.
She waved her hands at them, "I-I'm so sorry! I-I was just looking around and, ugh…" she bit her lip guiltily, "I apologize…" she said, bowing to them as they stared at her in shock.
Finny walked up hesitantly and placed a hand on her trembling shoulder.
"I-it's really ok, Lady Isabelle…" he said softly, smiling at her reassuringly. She nodded as Finny guided her to their table where they had all be chatting prior to her arrival downstairs.
"I hope everything has been alright with you, Milady. I'm very sorry about your carriage again, yes I am…" Mey said guiltily as Isabelle shook her head.
"It's really alright…" she said, smiling at the maid.
Bardroy sat back in his seat, "So, who are you exactly?" he asked bluntly
Finny and Mey Rin gasped in surprise, "B-Bardroy! Don't be so rude!"
Isabelle pursed her lips in thought, "well, to answer your question, I'm Isabelle Alia Tonnerre, of the Tonnerre family, obviously." she said, crossing her legs in her chair.
Mey Rin tilted her head, "Tonnerre?" she repeated.
Isabelle nodded, "the Tonnerre family is a military family that serves the Queen directly, in fact, many of her body guards are of the Tonnerre family."
The servants all gawked in awe, earning a giggle from the young duchess before she spoke up again, "…including me." she said, glancing at the three servants as she spoke.
Finny tilted his head innocently, "are you like the Young Master then?" he asked.
Isabelle furrowed her eyebrows. "like Earl Phantomhive? Well I suppose…" she responded, tapping her chin in thought.
Bardroy shifted the tooth pick in his mouth, "so there are others like the Young Master?" he asked curiously. Isabelle nodded as she sat forward, glancing between the three as they leaned in curiously.
"Queen Victoria has a council of five guardians. In order they go, Ciel Phantomhive, the Guard Dog, and then Alois Trancy, the Spider. Then me, the Raven, Adrian Turner, the Cat, and Ciara Watson, the Sparrow. All of us serve the Queen, all at different 'rankings', if you will, Earl Phantomhive being of the highest ranking, therefore, closest to the Queen." she explained, all of the servants nodding, intrigued by what she had told them.
"That is why I find Earl Phantomhive so… interesting."
You guys have no idea how much I love these little endnotes. I can just put whatever bullshit I want down here for your entertainment XD But oh look back-story! Leading to the inevitable drama… Anyways I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!
Stay creative my friends~