"Obverse"
Her hair was pinned up uncomfortably, and her corset pulled tighter than usual. The dress she wore was an odd thing: a mix of elegant, flowing fabric and hard lines meant to evoke rank. It was made just for her, for this singular occasion of a girl barely into her teens being elevated to take the name and titles of her mother's family, granted by a female monarch whose decision was as unheard of as it was unshakable.
"Welcome, Lady Phantomhive," the queen said warmly as she added to the ornaments of Elizabeth's attire. Lady Phantomhive. She was overwhelmed by the want of tears, and struggled to hold them back. Now was not the time. Later, perhaps, she would cry in the arms of Aunt Ann or possibly her mother if she was feeling generous; but now, in front of everyone, she had to be strong. She had to prove that Her Majesty was not wrong, that Elizabeth was as capable as her forefathers. So, no. Not now. But later she would cry because the way that she became Lady Phantomhive was so far from what she had expected.
A/N: This is, in fact, a mostly non-linear series. This chapter takes place before the previous one.
"Obverse:" The face side of the coin; as opposed to the reverse.