I sat on the old wooden chair watching Drocell make yet another doll. A comforting silence filled the room. Today was just as uneventful as any other. I got up, got dressed, opened the shop, made some clothes for the dolls and now I was sitting here watching my fiance. As much as I love Drocell, I'm beginning to hate this routine.

After the excitement of last month I had hoped something would change. It was then that a young boy and a butler dressed in black arrived at the manor. They had " killed" Drocell and left with the girl that was meant to be a new doll. It took all the self control I had not kill those idiots. Drocell may have made a few mistakes but he didn't deserve to be killed. They just left him for dead ! It disgusts me how vile humans can be sometimes.

I thought after an event life that maybe something would change but It all settled back down again. The boy and his butler are paying us a visit today, apparently they don't know of my existence yet { not that I'm surprised}. Drocell has kept me hidden for a long time. He doesn't even allow me to go outside. " It's too dangerous for a young lady". I hate to say it but over the years he's grown extremely possessive. Sometimes I find myself wondering why I stay. It's not as though the door were locked, I could walk out of here anytime I please yet I choose to stay. Why ?

I looked back at Drocell. Taking in his soft features as he worked and was reminded of why. For him.

He loves me and I love him so I put up with his silly rules. I stay inside and don't leave so I won't upset him. To be honest I'm afraid of what might happen if I do leave. I'm not afraid of Drocell if that's what you're thinking. I know he won't hurt me but ... Would he leave me ? Even the thought of him not being by my side pains me. I need him as much as he needs me, possibly more. I wouldn't be able to cope on my own. I know it's pathetic but it's true.

I watch him. His eyes completely focused on the doll in front of him. He seems distracted but I know from experience that at the smallest noise he'll turn his head. A sigh passes my lips as I lean back against the chair. I knew falling for him would mean danger. I was now completely dependent on him, to the point where I'm afraid to leave." Maybe that was his plan all along. He knows I can't leave".

And so here I stay, watching him as he works. Neither of us speak but sometimes we steal glances at each other. Each time I catch his eye he smiles, his creepy yet heart warming smile and I melt.

" He knows what he's doing." A harsh male voice rings through my head.

" He may be made of straw and wood but he's not stupid. You're just his puppet. He controls you." It's true but still causes a shiver to run down my spine.

He controls me and I let him because I'm just used to it now. I no longer fight with him about meaningless things. I used to before but soon gave up. I used to scream and cry and fight but I stopped. It's better to accept the fact that I'm trapped and move on.

The bell from the front of the shop chimes and his smile fades.

"That boy must be here". My voice lacked emotion but I smiled to make up for it. He nodded rather stiffly. "Stay here." He commands. Looking back at me he smiles before his face returns to its usual expression. He stepped out and all I heard for the next 5 minutes was muffled voices. I zoned out, staring at the wall in front of me as thought's filled my head. It wasn't until a girl with blonde curly hair bounced into the room did I look up.

Her smile seemed to get wider when she saw me. I went still not blinking as she moved her hand to my cheek. She was staring at me in awe.

"Wow, you're so pretty! " She glanced down at my clothes. "Paula I want a dress like that!"

A girl with brown hair and matching eyes walked up behind her and nodded. "Thank you". My voice remained its usual low and soft tone.

They both jumped back, staring at me as if I had ten heads. "Is something wrong?" I questioned them curiously. They knew Drocell so why were they so surprised that I could talk ? I mean he's a living doll too! The young blonde was the first to recover. "No s-s-sorry , I thought you were a doll." She blushed with embarrassment. I turned my head to look at her. A clicking sound filled the room as I moved. My eyes were fixated on her. " My dear girl, I am a doll." She blinked slightly faster than before but didn't speak just simply nodded slowly. She analyzed me before smiling again.

"What's your name ?" Her voice was annoyingly high pitched. It would have hurt my ears if I could still feel pain. "Rose Keinz and you are ? " Her eyes widened. " Oh! You're Drocell's wife? That's SO cute!" I stared at her blankly not bothering to correct her. She straightened her posture. "I'm Elizabeth but you can call me Lizzy." He smile beamed as If she had been electrocuted . I vaguely wondered if she ever got tired of smiling. It was unnatural for someone to be that happy all the time.

I looked into her eyes and saw a deep sadness. It's quite odd but us dolls can sense a persons unhappiness. It's almost like a built in radar. We can usually sense how many humans are around us too. I already knew that these two were here and I know that Drocell was out in the shop but I felt other presences. The boy and his butler ? Yes, but that wasn't it. 3 others, servants maybe ? I could still hear their muffled voices.

"We'll be staying for a week, I hope were no bother." I just nodded stiffly and attempted to smile but I think I just creeped her out more. It's unusual that I smile at anyone other than Drocell so I'm not really certain how forced it may look.

The door opened again and this time a boy with teal blue hair and a butler strolled in. Three servants followed behind. One was blonde with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, the other was a girl with glasses and the last was a blonde boy with red clips. Drocell was last to enter. His eyes met mine and he smiled. My soft smile returned as soon as I saw that sparkle in his eyes. Elizabeth awe's loudly causing both of us to stare at her annoyed. Of course we didn't look annoyed. Doll's very rarely show emotion.

The only time Drocell even changes his expression is usually around me. If he's in a bad mood though he just avoids me. It upsets me but I have learned to live with it and move on. He doesn't like to be cheered up. Say's it makes him feel like a child which he clearly is not. I find it quite silly but it's better not to argue with him. You very rarely win only if he's too tired or annoyed to fight back. Then he just ignores you and starts humming.

Elizabeth had clung to the teal haired boy's arm. He was watching me closely along with his butler but the maid seemed to stare in amazement. After awhile he spoke, his tone held confusion and some concern. " Who are you ?"

"My name is Rose Keinz, pleasure to meet you Earl Phantomhive." I bowed slightly. Drocell had told me his name awhile back. The boy seemed slightly surprised by my action's. Its not "proper" for a lady to bow although I've always felt to curtsy was very unnatural. It makes my knees crack which {trust me} doesn't sound pleasant.

It wasn't long before Drocell and the young earl went off to a different room for private conversation. Leaving me, the butler, Elizabeth, her friend and the 3 servant to await their return. We stood in silence for a few moments before the butler stepped forward, all eyes on him. " I wasn't aware Drocell had a lover.".

"He doesn't tell a lot of people about me." Our conversation ended.

The next hour passed by in a blur. I showed the guests to their rooms, cleaned up the shop and made arrangements for supper. It wasn't exactly eventful, just regular chores. While I was busy folding the bed sheets Drocell had grabbed my arm, pulling me downstairs towards the workshop. That's how I ended up here, standing stiffly in the familiar presence of my fiance.

He sighed lightly, pacing back and fourth.

"I want you to be careful around them, alright ?" I didn't respond which was a huge mistake.

" Did you hear me !?" He hissed loudly.

I nodded resisting the urge to move away. If I moved he's just get more upset. Drocell glared slightly , his eyes analyzing me before grabbing my arm once more and pulling me into a tight hug. " I just want you to be safe, I don't trust them darling." His voice was like silk. I melted, hugging back just as tightly. Desperate to be closer to him. He chuckled , pulling me into a kiss. He was the first to pull away.

I don't know how long we stayed like that. Staring into each others eyes, arms wrapped tightly around one another. It could have been hours, it could have been minutes. To this day I honestly can't tell. " We should see how the guests are settling in." I nodded as he left.

I waited a few minutes before following, the soft touch of his lips still present. My smiled never faded. I was sure then that he loved me and that I loved him. Of course , I couldn't possibly have known what was to come in the new few weeks. I was going to be at a cross road very soon and only I would be able to choose my life's course. I would soon wish for the day's when I was trapped in that little shop.

My home.