"Roseate"

Elizabeth entered the polished entry hall of the Phantomhive townhouse with a sigh of appreciation. Mey-Rin came in beside her, followed by Paula, who hung up their overcoats and Elizabeth's beribboned hat before making her way upstairs with their bags. Her heels echoed softly against the tile as she went. When the Lady and her Companion made their way up to the study, however, the tranquil atmosphere was torn apart: a trio of familiar intruders had invaded their home, and were in the process of tearing the room apart.

Stopping short, Elizabeth's shock quickly morphed into delight.

"Aunt Ann!" she exclaimed, rushing forward over scattered debris to embrace the woman she considered an aunt. Angelina Dalles caught her easily, and returned the hug with as much enthusiasm.

"Lizzy!" she grinned as she pulled away, "We didn't expect you so soon; we'd hoped to have some tea prepared when you got back."

With a laugh, Lizzy raised an eyebrow at the trio, asking, "And you didn't think to try the kitchen? Mey-Rin, would you be a dear and show Mister Grell where the tea things are, and I'll help my aunt and Mister Lau fix this little mess they've caused?" With this, she pinned the culprits with a sudden glare, and they were quick to acquiesce.

A short time later found the group seated around a table as talk turned to Lizzy's case.

"What are you planning?" Madam Red asked as she smirked over her tea, and Elizabeth frowned in thought as she tapped her nails against her own cup with a delicate tinkling sound. Finally, she said, "For now…I intend to discover the exact circumstances of this case. I…I know that this isn't an ordinary case, to pique the queen's interest. Women are being murdered on the street, and I…I need to examine the crime."

And if Madam Red looked faintly ill at her declaration, then Lizzy really couldn't blame the woman. But even if she wasn't fond of her young niece seeing something so gruesome, Lizzy thought, at least she didn't have to see it for herself.

A/N: Thanks to everyone who waited for this chapter. *sweatdrops* I got swamped with exams, and the semester is only going to get more intense from here on out. I'll do my best to keep up with this story, but to be honest, I'm in college and that's my priority right now.

"Roseate," meaning hopeful, promising, and optimistic; a rosy shade of red