This chapter was supposed to be a flashback chapter but I realized that I badly wrote this so I'm changing it. I am still keeping Nina Hopkins in it because I really like her. Revised on May 11, 2020

Chapter 17:

There were only four days left until the arrival of the queen's cousin and there was still much to prepare for. The rooms were already prepared, save for the continuous cleaning the rooms have to undergo until the arrival of all the guests. The dinner got the guests' were arriving the day before the guests, which meant that our schedule was going to be hectic to get everything prepared.

I walked around the manor, ensuring the cleanliness of the mansion and ensuring that nothing was broken by the three stooges. I kept walking until I ended up in the kitchen, looking around and spotting Bard once again trying to annihilate the food in the center of the island.

"Bard! What are you doing?!"

"I'm trying to cook the young master's lunch faster, of course."

"Bard," I smacked a hand to my forehead, "the fact that you think this is going to work after countless attempts is beyond me."

"I'm just trying to master an art of cooking, sweetie."

I brought my hand back down to my side and glared at the blonde in front of me. "If you don't put that the flamethrower away Bard I will personally dislocate your arm myself."

Bard sweatdropped at me and out his left hand behind his neck, rubbing it nervously.

"Alright, you don't have to threaten me like that."

"Bard, your self inflicted pain is more of a threat than mine. Now hurry up so we can finish this lunch before Sebastian comes and takes over."

As Bard put away his flamethrower I rested my backside on the edge of the island and sighed through my nose.

That dumb ass...

The door to the kitchen opened and in walked Sebastian. He seemed busy as he rolled up his sleeves, but stopped as he noticed me standing in front of him.

"What are you doing here Celesta?"

"Making sure Bard didn't destroy the kitchen today. Though I have to admit, for the past few days he was doing a good job at not doing that."

He scanned the room, face emotionless, and eyes moving slightly to assess the situation. His gaze returned back to me as Bard's footsteps came tapping back in.

"Hey, Sebastian. How's it goin'?"

Sebastian faced the direction that Bard was in. I noticed the lack of flamethrower or any destruction-inducing machine and exhaled a small sigh of relief.

"I came to prepare for the young master's lunch. Bardroy, I would like it if you went to town to get the ingredients for tonight's dinner. Here is a list," he handed Bard the list in a swift motion, " and I expect you back in time for me to begin preparation."

Bard left without another sentence uttered and I turned to face Sebastian as he took off his gloves. I had never seen his hands before and it was strange seeing a demonic symbol for the first time. It looked to be in latin but I wasn't completely sure. His nails were pitch black and his fingers looked a lot more slender and longer than I expected.

"Is there a problem Celesta?"

I hadn't realized I was completely staring until I noticed his red gaze on me.

"No. Nothing at all."

I went and sat on the stool that I grabbed from under the island and rested my head on one stretched arm as the other began drawing circles in the wood.

"The young master's tailor is arriving in a few hours. He is in dire need of new clothes for the upcoming event. I would expect you to be on your best behavior."

"Why would I not be? I'm a person, not an animal Sebastian. And besides, who's his tailor?"

"Miss Nina Hopkins." Sebastian picked up a knife and began slicing lettuce he had grabbed from the pantry. I watched as I talked.

"A she? I would've assumed it was a he."

"Miss Hopkins is very skilled in her profession. The young master deserves only the best."

"What time is it now?"

Sebastian wiped his hands on a small cloth next to the cutting board he was using and took out his pocket watch.

"12:16. She will arrive no later than 3."

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"I wonder if you'll ever grow up. You're still so small. Which reminds me, will you ever wear that handmaiden dress I made you."

Nina Hopkins showed up at the manor at the exact time that Sebastian said she would. It hadn't been nearly an hour and she had already made an impression of herself. Groping Mey-rin and I the moment she saw us, questioning me and how I came to work for someone like the Earl and talking our ears off about the new pair of trousers she started designing for women. I couldn't help but admire them. They seemed loose and comfortable unlike the tights that I wore for my performances.

"What?!"

"It's a shame that I didn't get to see you in that dress," she sighed dejectedly.

I stifled a chuckle by placing a fist in front of my mouth.

"Your measurements are very splendid. Smooth boyish legs, delicate shoulders, a slim waist... I GOT IT! MY IMAGINATION IS OVERFLOWING! THE OUTFIT WILL CONSIST OF..."

Nina was just a rambling mess. Saying things of how the Early will look handsome yet delicate during the small party he was throwing.

"NOW WE'LL HAVE SOME RED ON IT AS WELL AS SOME-"

"Hold on," Sebastian interrupted her, receiving a glare in return, "those colors do not suit the young master well. Calm colors would be more appropriate. He's small, those colors will make him seem child-like."

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT I HAVE NO INTEREST IN BOYS OR GIRLS UNDER FIFTEEN!"

"I don't care what you do in your spare time," Ciel said, dismissing the subject altogether.

I coughed into my fist, hiding the small laugh that came through. I stood in the corner, facing away from the trio to not laugh any further.

"Instead of focusing on the trends, you should focus more on tradition and grace. I can't agree with the red tie," Sebastian spoke up.

Sebastian and Nina glared at each other, causing the tension in the air to grow thicker and almost choking me.

"This is why I don't like Mr. Hot Stuff. I will not listen to the whining of an amateur!"

"Celesta."

I turned around and faced the Earl with a questioning gaze.

"I would like for you to get fitted for proper clothes. I can't have one of my servants representing the Phantomhive Estate with circus clothing for casual wear."

"Get out! No men allowed in here!" Miss Hopkins pushed the two males out of the room and made a beeline towards me with the measuring tape wrapped around her neck and paper and a pencil sitting in both her hands.

"Um, Miss Nina..."

"I want you to take off your corset. I can't get a proper measurement with it on."

I began taking off the corset with the help of Miss Hopkins and felt my eyes become sore at having to raise my arms.

"If you don't mind I would like to request a pair of those trousers you're wearing."

"Yes! Of course! I"m glad to hear someone else who believes that women should be able to wear trousers like men!"

"They're more comfortable."

"I will throw in the trousers with whatever the Earl wants to get you."

"Thank you."

She looked up from writing down my arm and bust measurements with a calculative look on her face.

"I didn't get your name sweetie."

"Celesta. Celesta Bird."

"Such a beautiful name you have."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Oh please don't call me that. It makes me feel old."

She wrote down my measurements telling me that she has what she thinks I would like. I told her my favorite colors were dark colors like red and black and she thought that was very depressing. Of course I had to make up something that made sense for the reason why I love those colors, but in reality, I loved them because they were simple.

"Alright Celesta, I'll get you when I've finished making the clothes."

Ok so I'll probably finish the next chapter tonight or tomorrow but until then BYE _