Author's Note: Hello, readers. I've decided to rewrite this story because the last time was due to technical issues. But anyway I'm back and hope all of you will enjoy this story. It will follow the manga storyline, so nothing changed.
I don't own the Kuroshitsuji/Black Butler or its characters which all rightfully belongs to Yana Toboso. I only own my OC, Celia Phantomhive (who is not a Mary Sue) and other fan made characters that will appear in the story.
Super natural beings are real.
That much I know.
I…I've seen them all my life.
The first time was when-
No.
I can't bring myself to tell anyone.
Otherwise, I'll break my promise.
And I never want to break a promise.
It's best that you found out yourself.
The first thing I should tell you about me is I'm a lady born in a family of nobility known as the Phantomhives.
My name is Celia.
I'm the Lady of the Phantomhive.
But the head of my family name is entitled Earl (or Countess) and sniffs out those who violate the commandments of the British Underworld and disposes of them.
The Watchdog of the Queen.
That was my father's job.
Before him, my grandmother's, my great-grandfather and so on.
Now that role belongs to my brother.
The very person that I cared about the most and wanted to always be with him.
Unfortunately, he wasn't himself anymore after everything we cared about was taken away from us.
I know you have questions.
What bane had befallen the Phantomhives?
What tragedy had bestowed on us?
What had driven my brother to willingly consort with something so sinister?
I can simply say was because we had to learn the hard way that the world is not always a gentle place.
It could be very cruel.
And we were only ten years old when we learned that.
However, to get to the heart of my story, you have to go back to the beginning.
That is all I can say.
For now…
The Earl's Sister
/
Origins
/
Act 1
(Year 1879)
"Hesitating will get you no where!"
Celia flinched at her aunt's strict tone as she held her épée on her hand to block from getting another strike hit from her Aunt Francis' épée.
Francis Midford was a woman with light grey hair in a tight bun, save for a slightly curled cowlick at the front and bluish purple eyes. She wore a dark purple shirt-waist with loose sleeves but tight over the wrist, a matching light-weight skirt reaching to the knees and black canvas shoes.
Celia Phantomhive wore a blue puff-shouldered cardigan, which had a lacy collar and hem. Her dress was in two parts; a top that was a lighter blue than her cardigan and a matching skirt that had a frilly hem. Her bluish black hair was styled loose and wore short white socks with blue flats on her feet.
The six year old bluenette yelped when she was overpowered once more and hit the floor.
"Ow!"Celia groaned and rubbed her waist."That hurts!"
A scoff escaped from Francis' face.
"Not good, Celia. You allowed yourself to be touched by my sword."Francis retorted."Let's start again."
"And when do we finish?"Celia asked.
"Until you get it right."Francis declared grimly.
Celia sighed in silent agony as she stood up on her feet and picked up her épée to start her fifth fencing match against Francis.
This wasn't fair.
Her brother and cousin were playing outside the manor while she was ordered to stay inside to practice fencing with Aunt Francis.
Her aunt was married to a family of knights known as the Midfords and was rumored that she first encountered Alexis Leon Midford when she defeated him in a fencing tournament held by Queen Victoria. She chided him for being weak, despite his position as England's lead knight.
Francis eventually got married to Alexis and they had two children together: Edward and Elizabeth.
So why Francis was training Celia?
Because Celia was betrothed to her cousin Edward which meant one day when she will reach the age of marriage and become the next Marchioness of Midford.
Celia let out a whelp as she once again hit the floor and dropped her épée as Francis let out a scoff.
"We are done for today, Celia."Francis declared."But we'll start your training again next week."
"Yes, Aunt Francis."Celia responded.
The young Lady of Phantomhive then made her way outside to join her relatives at the garden of the manor.
In the garden was Ciel Phantomhive (Celia's twin-like older brother) and Elizabeth Midford.
Ciel was a six year old boy with greyish blue hair and rich peacock-blue eyes. He wore a buttoned white long-sleeved shirt with a blue-ribbon tie underneath the collar, dark blue shorts with suspenders, a pair of blue-and-white striped stockings and a pair of blue shoes.
Elizabeth was a seven year old girl with lemon blonde hair that were styled in two small drills with small brink pink ribbons and emerald-green eyes. She wore a white polo dress with short puffed sleeves worn with a brink pink overall dress that had a bow behind it and white frilly socks with pink flat shoes.
"Hello, everyone."Celia greeted."I'm back."
"Welcome back, Cellie."Ciel remarked.
"How was your training with mother?"Elizabeth asked.
"Tiresome."Celia sighed."I thought it would never end."
"That's too bad."Elizabeth pouted.
Celia looked at her cousin.
"Why is that, Lizzy?"Celia asked.
"Because…you're it!"Ciel admitted.
Ciel tapped Celia on her shoulder before he and Elizabeth started running away from her.
"Hey! No fair, Ciel!"Celia giggled."You and Lizzy cheated!"
Then excited laughter was heard at the garden of the Phantomhive Manor.
The three children were playing tag with Angelina while Rachel sat down on a chair watching them.
Countess Rachel Phantomhive wore an elaborate lavender dress with white gloves and purple heels. On her hand she held a purple parasol to shield her from the warm sun.
Baroness Angelina Dalles had red eyes and crimson hair styled as a bob cut. She wore a red waistcoat, a ruffled white blouse, a long red skirt and black gloves. She was Countess Rachel's younger sister, making her an aunt to the Phantomhive siblings.
Ciel, Celia and Elizabeth laughed excitedly as Angelina bent down to catch them in her arms as Rachel smiled warmly at the sight.
As the group continued playing together, there was barking heard from inside the manor.
The barking belonged to Sebastian, who was a large black Borzoi and pet dog of the Phantomhive household.
The Russian wolfhound was barking at Astre Phantomhive; the younger brother of Ciel and second older brother of Celia.
"I'm not going outside!"Astre scowled as he held the chair. "I'm just going to look!"
Astre moved the chair to a nearby window causing Sebastian to start pecking his back with his nose.
"Ow! Ow!"Astre cried out in pain."That hurts!"
Astre went up on the chair to open the window to watch his Aunt Angelina play with Ciel, Celia and Elizabeth.
Sebastian suddenly went off, leaving Astre by himself.
Ciel, Astre and Celia were triplets.
Since Ciel was born a bit earlier that made him the older brother to Astre and Celia.
The three siblings looked alike and their parents would often mistake them for one another. Especially, when Celia dressed up in her brothers' clothes for fun. Everyone was fooled easily by the blunette pretending to be one of her brothers. Except their parents that is.
But then around the time the Phantomhive triplets turned the age of five, Astre started to cough a lot and he was diagnosed with asthma just like his mother. Whenever Astre was sick, he had to stay home at the manor while his siblings went off to play outside.
So, the second son of the Phantomhive family felt sad being left out that he was the only with the weak constitution.
"Oh, look!"Ciel's voice rang out."It's father!"
Astre snapped out of his thoughts when he caught off Vincent coming into the garden.
Vincent Phantomhive was a handsome man with short bluish black hair, copper orange eyes and was dressed in a light slate green suit with a red ascot and black shoes. There was a beauty mark under his left eye.
"Hi, Uncle Vincent!"Elizabeth greeted.
"Welcome home, papa!"Celia giggled.
Ciel and Celia rushed over to Vincent to give him a hug.
Astre watched the sight with a sad sigh, wishing he could join them.
"That looks fun."Astre said softly.
A While Later…
Ciel, Astre and Celia all stood together watching their father speak with Baron Diedrich, who was a German nobleman and his long-time friend.
"Looks like something interesting is going on."Ciel assumed before smiling at his siblings. "Let's go have a look."
Celia grinned. "Great idea."
"Huh?!"Astre said with a hint of worry."I don't think we should…"
Ciel and Celia both caught Astre's hands to drag them along with him.
"It will be fine, Astre!"Ciel encouraged."Come on!"
"No need to be nervous!"Celia giggled.
The Phantomhive triplets followed Vincent and Diedrich.
The two noblemen headed to one of the small dining room which had green-curtained windows and a small table with a tea set and a small tray of desserts accompanying it.
Ciel, Astre and Celia peaked from behind an open curtain causing Diedrich to notice them.
"Hey! Children of Phantomhive!"Diedrich called out."You don't have to be so afraid!"
"You heard him."Ciel remarked. "Let's go."
"I'm right behind you, Ciel."Celia assured.
"Ciel!"Astre said nervously, remaining near curtain."Celia!"
Vincent lightly chuckled as Ciel and Celia went towards him.
"They're only scared because you always look angry."Vincent complemented.
"But I'm not!"Diedrich retorted.
"I know."Vincent responded as he placed Celia on his lap."And I also know you're a kind and reliable chap."
"What's with all the compliments?"Diedrich questioned.
Vincent looked at Celia, Ciel and Astre.
"That's why I am sure…that something whatever happen to me, he'll be there to help the three of you out."Vincent stated and smiled at Diedrich. "Right?"
"Is that an order?"Diedrich scoffed.
"More of a request really."Vincent remarked.
"Besides, you think you'll kick the bucket before me?"Diedrich asked.
"Who knows? The future is never certain."Vincent commented."That's why I'll be counting on you if it ever comes down to that."
Ciel and Celia smiled brightly at Diedrich.
"We're counting on you!"Ciel remarked.
"Yeah!"Celia grinned."No idea what for though!"
Diedrich glared at Ciel and Celia.
"Brazen little ones just like your father."Diedrich scowled.
The German nobleman then brought his attention on Astre, who still hid behind the curtains.
"Hey, you! Other one!"Diedrich called out."As the younger son, you should learn from your brother in that respect. The second son doesn't receive the title, nor does he receive any land to his name. Eventually you'll have to leave this house and make a living on your own."
Astre felt hurt by Diedrich's words and went out of sight.
Diedrich glanced at Celia, who ate a small creamy apple tart.
"And what of you, daughter of Phantomhive?"Diedrich questioned.
"I am going to be the next Marchioness of Midford!"Celia admitted happily."So, I've already got a future!"
"Then we can all hope you are capable of that role."Diedrich commented.
Vincent took out a napkin to clean Celia's mouth.
"Oh, Diedrich. You are so impatient."Vincent chuckled."These children just barely turned seven."
"What?!"Diedrich said angrily."You are the one who brought up the topic!"
Astre sighed sadly as he walked in the hallway, staring down on the floor.
Ciel and Celia could easily strike up a conversation with anyone right away.
Even at the parties that they were specially given permission to attend, his siblings were able to greet someone, unlike him.
He was the middle child, but why was he different-
Astre snapped out of his thoughts when he dropped on the floor after he accidentally bumped into somebody.
"I'm sorry-"Astre started.
Astre became horrified upon seeing the Undertaker.
Undertaker was a tall man with long grey hair with a part of it is tied in a single braid on the right side of his head. He wore a black robe, a long crooked top hat and a grey scarf strapped across his chest and knotted by the hips. He wore black earrings; an emerald ring on his left index finger; a band of prayer beads around his neck; and, formerly, a chain with seven mourning lockets around his hip. He had black fingernails and a jagged scar across his face, neck, and left pinky finger, but he had more scars all over his body.
"Well. If it isn't the little Phantomhive."the Undertaker sneered smugly."Which one might you be?"
Astre shivered in fear and his teeth chattered nervously at the man before him.
"Ah well, I suppose it doesn't matter."the Undertaker commented."From my humble point of view, you three are all Phantomhives."
Then Ciel and Celia came over to them.
"Oh!"Celia remarked brightly."There you are, Astre!"
Ciel and Celia helped Astre up his feet.
"Don't just walk off like that."Ciel complemented.
Celia smiled lightly as she walked over to the Undertaker though deep down she actually found him a bit scary.
"Hello, Mr Undertaker."Celia greeted with a curtsy."It's nice to see you again."
Undertaker lightly ruffled Celia's hair a bit.
"Likewise, little minx."the Undertaker replied with a grin.
Celia closed her eyes and grinned as the Undertaker looked at her in sudden silence.
Then Pitt walked up the Phantomhive triplets and the Undertaker.
Pitt was a young, freckle-faced man with short, fair hair and a flat cap on his head. He wore second class clothes and held a camera in his hands.
"Oh! It's Mr Vin's little triplets!"Pitt said with a smile."This is the first time I've seen the three of you together!"
"Fancy meeting you here, Mr. Newspaper Reporter. You're visiting as well?"the Undertaker commented."You're quite the chipper this morning."
"Yup! My report on one of Mr. Vin's completed cases sold for much more than I expected you to see!"Pitt declared, revealing his new fancy-looking camera."So, I went and splurged on a brand new camera."
Pitt got an idea as he looked at Ciel, Celia and Astre.
"I know!"Pitt remarked."Since the three of you are here, how about I take a picture of the three of you?"
"Huh?"Ciel, Celia and Astre said in unison.
"I need to test her out a bit more anyway."Pitt stated with a wink."So let's take one for the memories."
Ciel and Celia became excited except Astre, who had an unsure look on her face.
"Wow!"Ciel chuckled in joy. "Really?"
"That's a great idea!"Celia giggled.
"I'm not sure…"Astre started.
Ciel and Celia both held Astre's hands to give him comfort and to take part in the picture.
"Let's take a picture together."Ciel insisted.
"No need to be shy."Celia assured.
Astre smiled. "Okay."
Ciel, Celia and Astre then stood together holding hands as Undertaker helped Mr Pitt made the living room a bit more grand for the photoshoot.
Once everything was ready, Mr Pitt took the picture of the Phantomhive triplets.
The three of them looked exactly the same, but they were completely different.
Ciel, the strong, friendly and reliable one.
Celia, the compassionate, kind and giddy one.
And Astre?
The one unfit to be the Earl of their family.