The two earls remained quiet for some time until Isabelle, under her breath order Enobria to release Ciel. Enobria was ready to speak against it, however her mistress's eyes narrowed sternly. She was completely serious.

Enobria released the young lord without question. Ciel's eyes widened in subtle surprise as he watched Isabelle shut her eyes, still in Sebastian's unwavering grip. She seemed to accept her fate right then and there.

Ciel narrowed his eyes and grabbed his eye patch, having Sebastian release her to tie it for him before taking Isabelle's hand, making her blush in surprise.

"Come on." he ordered sternly, leading her to the staircase and into the basement.

She looked around in confusion.

"What are we doing down here?" she asked curiously, yet cautiously. He sighed.

"I just want to talk… in private." he stated, taking a seat before gesturing for her to do the same. She nodded, taking a seat next to him hesitantly. He narrowed his eyes.

"Now, enlighten me," he demanded with genuine interest in his tone, "how did you go about creating a contract with her...?"

Isabelle tensed and looked away, deep in thought.

"… I… ran away… from an abusive household and… someone came looking for me…" she said with her gaze concentrated to the ground. Ciel froze and looked up, looking her over in surprise.

"Abusive household?" he repeated, eyes narrowed in subtle shock.

She nodded, "My… father… he came to London to find me- to take me back and… she saved me." Isabelle looked up at Enobria, who shut her eyes and nodded slowly.

"So… she saved you from him…?" Ciel asked, somewhat apprehensive. She nodded.

"I don't have to be scared of him anymore." She stated, her gaze meeting Ciel's.

A subtle frown crossed Ciel's face as he couldn't bring himself to respond. Isabelle broke the silence eventually, lowering her voice, giving it a far gentler tone.

"What about you? How did you come into contract with Sebastian?" she asked. He tensed, sitting up in his seat.

"I-I was…" he turned his gaze away, looking off deep in thought, "I was taken by these people and … then, when I couldn't take it anymore, I summoned Sebastian…" he said, his gaze turning back to her. Isabelle tensed in surprise.

"…I guess… we have a lot more in common than I previously believed…" she said, narrowing her eyes slightly. He nodded.

"So, why are you so interested in the Phantomhive Manor?" he asked, a certain curiosity invading his tone again. She looked up at him, her gaze softer.

"I wanted to meet you." She said simply.

He blinked in surprise, "meet me? Why?" he asked in confusion.

"Her majesty… she speaks so highly of you. I became interested in meeting you after I heard about the Jack the Ripper Case, then the Circus case of those missing children…" she laughed to herself, "I just had an interest in meeting you. Do I need another reason, or was that not convincing enough?" she asked teasingly.

He blinked back at her.

"…I'll take it, Raven…" he said, smirking subtly, "it is interesting to know more about you, Lady Isabelle."

"As it is a pleasure to know more about you…" she said, nodding to Sebastian standing behind him, "and your secrets."

Ciel nodded toward Enobria, "you too."

They both hummed with each other in thought, "so, I believe this should stay a secret between the two of us." Ciel said with a soft sigh, rubbing his jaw. Isabelle nodded in agreement.

"That would be preferable, Earl Phantomhive." They both shook hands and, just like that, their secret was set. Ciel led her back upstairs to the first floor foyer.

"If I'm not being rude to ask, how long do you plan on staying?" Ciel asked curiously. Isabelle tapped her chin in thought.

"I'm sorry, but I haven't a clue." she replied, pursing her lips.

He nodded, "stay as long as you wish…" he said with a soft smirk.

"I'd like that…" she said, returning the nod with a smirk. They both nodded to each other before Ciel led her upstairs with him to his study. Ciel sat at his desk.

"Anything else you're interested in knowing, Lady Isabelle?" he asked as he watched her study some of the things in the room. She merely shrugged.

"Any questions for me?" she asked, turning back to him.

Ciel tapped his chin, "well, how did you go about becoming a member of the Tonnerre family?" he asked curiously. She leaned on one of the bookshelves briefly in thought before answering.

"It was after Enobria… did away with my father… I ordered her to take me away and since she was the head maid of the family, she took me there."

"The Marchioness of Tonnerre then took me in as her child, per Enobria's request. Since the Marchioness couldn't have children, I was the next best thing, I suppose."

Isabelle went to speak when Enobria interrupted.

"Milady, you have a letter." Ciel narrowed his eye curiously.

"What is it?" he asked, tilting his head to the side. Isabelle flipped the letter over, making the seal visible for Ciel. His eyes widened in surprise and before her could speak, Isabelle nodded.

"Yes. It is a letter from the Queen."

Ciel and Isabelle sat down at his desk as she carefully opened the letter, the Queen's recognizable seal holding it shut.

She carefully slid the letter from the envelope and unfolded it, skimming through it quickly before Ciel titled his head.

"What does it say?" he asked seriously.

"It's addressed to both of us…" Isabelle glanced at Ciel who nodded, insisting she read. Isabelle cleared her throat, taking a seat next to him before she began reading.

"To my Guard Dog and my Raven,

I write this letter to inform you of your next mission. However, for this particular mission, I request the two of you work together. Before you begin to ask yourself why, let me explain the assignment. There have been a series of disappearances occurring in the Northern coastal town, Renan. Apparently, all of the disappearances have all been male and have occurred at night. The men were said to just disappear without a trace, as if lured away. This is the reason I wish for you to work together. I trust you, my boy, but I do not wish for any harm to befall you during the mission. My Raven, I do hope you can protect him, I have faith in you that you will once again, deliver only your best service for me, both of you. Please, also remember to dress for the elements, it being late fall. It rains and snows a great deal in the North during this time, so please think of your own safety as well. I do hope you can figure out the culprit behind these incidents and return the men safe and sound to their families. I know that you will not fail me; I have my utter most faith in you, my beloved Guard Dog and Raven. I'd like to hear good news from you two very soon. Write me back as soon as possible.

-Queen Victoria."

"A cooperative mission…" Ciel narrowed his eyes. Isabelle pursed her lips.

"I've never had to work with someone on my missions before…" Ciel sighed and nodded.

"Yes… I'm afraid I work my best on my own as well… but I suppose this means we'll have to be cooperative. If her Majesty requests it, we shall comply…" he said offering her his hand, "agreed?"

Isabelle nodded subtly, hesitantly taking his hand with her own . They shook.

Isabelle hummed, "according to letter, she just assigned me as your sort of protector." she said, smirking triumphantly, making Ciel roll his eyes with a sigh.

"If anyone will need protecting, it'll be you, Raven." He said, glancing at her with a huff.

She smirked and sat on his desk, leaving him in his chair in front of her, "we'll see about that, Guard dog." she said, playfully poking him with her shoe.

He rolled his eyes, looking up at her,"only if you can keep up with me…" he said with a sly smirk, making her jaw drop.

"Whatever you say, Earl Phantomhive," she said, tilting her head to the side, "this assignment will be nothing with the two of us…"

" We should get this over with quickly, don't you think?" Ciel asked, earning a nod from the female earl.

"Sounds good, partner." she said with a teasing smirk, making him roll his eyes once more.

"We better get to it." she said, hopping off his desk before showing herself out, he nodded, watching her leave with a subtle smirk and a whisper.

"..Sounds good, partner…"

… … … … … … … … … … … … Early the Next Morning… … … … … … … … … … …

After Isabelle left Ciel's study, Sebastian came, offering the usual evening tea. Ciel sighed, sipping his tea delicately, swirling it in the tea cup in thought.

"What a strange day…" he said, stifling a chuckle.

Sebastian looked up with a smirk, "yes, quite…" he sighed.

"So Lady Isabelle is like me in a sense then… she is in contract as well. Huh, it will be difficult to keep things from her now…" Ciel said with a smirk, Sebastian narrowing his eyes questioningly.

"She will be staying then?" he asked.

Ciel simply nodded in reply before he sat up in his chair.

"Sebastian, begin preparations for our departure to Renan tomorrow, I want to finish our assignment as quickly as possible. So pack my bags and ready a carriage for our departure tomorrow morning. I believe Enobria will be readying Isabelle's things…"

Sebastian narrowed his eyes slightly, "Lady Isabelle will be coming with us to the North then?"

Ciel nodded, "Her Majesty the Queen requested she be my partner for this mission… So we will be working as partners," he sat deep in thought, "I wonder… her Majesty must have known she was staying here then… but how...?"

Ciel sighed to himself, thinking as he sipped the last of his tea. He then looked up at his butler,"that was an order, Sebastian."

A smirk crossed Sebastian's face as he bowed.

"Yes, my Lord."

Soooo this is a LONG one! I've decided to start making these chapters longer which, sadly, means they require more content but I'm up for the challenge! Anyways, the first case has been established and I can't WAIT for y'all to read it~ Anyways I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!

Stay creative my friends~