Chapter 25
Fuming in the back of a black Royal Royce, I glared daggers at the driver in front of me. We are leaving the airport now and it was deathly quiet in the cab. This "driver" was supposed to drive me out to Ciel's mansion, but I wanted him to drop me off at the art college that Sammy boi goes to. This fucker almost left me stranded at the airport for this one bitch. Ya know, how some people try to dress up in fake fancy clothes and try pulling off that they're rich? Well, that was this bitch.
Flashback Few Minutes Ago*
Looking back and waving at the Passport Security lady, I skipped out to the luggage area. The airport officers are so much friendlier in the UK than the US. Well at least to me, I saw one guy having trouble with this passenger, but I'm scotch free. Passing the maze of people, I reached the dining area with the gift shops and whatnot. I was tempted to grab something to eat, but Sebastian would have better food waiting for me. Now, where exactly is the driver? I was told he should be waiting outside. Ah! There he is! I skipped over and land right in front of him with a shit eating grin. Need to get things moving. I must keep moving or I'll pass out from exhaustion.
"Good afternoon! My name is Cassandra Leach."
The driver raised an eyebrow at me and squint his eyes. Had to be in his thirties, dark brown hair, and a little bit shorter than me. His body instantly tensed up as I waited for a response. However, before I could get one, a high pitched nasal voice spoke up from behind me. Where the hell did she come from?
"Actually, I'm Cassandra Leach and you are my driver, yes?"
I gradually turned to the voice and found a tiny woman with honey blonde hair and piercing hazel eyes. She practically breathed confidence with her head held high. Even though I am taller than her, it still looked like she was glaring down at me, daring me to say something against her. Oh? We're playing this type of game? Now, I know very well that two people can have the same name. However, something was off with her. I turned my head to the side and took a better look at her. She was wearing an over the top black fur coat and some fake jeweled necklace. I stopped there. She's pretending to be rich. She's a dishonest person.
"There are no other signs holding my name. And I was told I was getting a driver." I explained to the driver, ignoring the woman beside me. He stepped aside me and offered to take the woman's bags. We are playing this fucking game! "Wait. You're not even going to ask for IDs?"
"Miss… from the looks of it, you're a student. And quite frankly you would be significantly out of place at this lady's destination." He replied sharply, avoiding eye contact.
I glared at the smirking bitch and told her to tell him her destination and then I will.
"I don't have to prove anything to trash like you."
I inhaled a deep breath and exhaled through clenched teeth. I hate playing power cards. "I'm going to the Phantomhive Manor. And you can bet your ass as soon as I reactivate my England cell phone I'll make sure the Earl will speak to your boss. Who the fuck doesn't check credentials?" The driver turned pale and instantly dropped the bitch's bags. He tried to stutter out an apology but I stopped him. Ciel's name is very powerful.
"Yeah, that's right. I'm your passenger. So sorry if a trashy person has to ride in your car." I straightened my uniform and walked past the flustered bitch trying to pull anything out of her ass to get her way.
"And you. Why don't you do something with your life instead of being so deceitful? You spent so much time trying to come off posh but anyone could tell you're wearing counterfeit clothing. Emelia Anderson's clothing line might use faux fur but it sure as hell looks better than that." I slammed the car door in her face. I made sure to sit behind the driver so he couldn't look at me in the rear-view mirror.
"Miss Leach, my deepest apologies! I was only doing my job."
"Oh your job is to judge a person's appearance? My, my I'm sorry that I didn't have the time to change out of my boarding school uniform. Or is it my hair that you have a problem with? What about her? Her jewels were plastic. I'm sure you heard of Allister and Emelia Anderson right? I know they use this company to drive their guests, as well as being good friends with your boss. I grew up with their kids—"
"What do you want from me?" The driver snarls under his breath. So testy.
"Silence. Because I know you meant what you said back there. Even if I was the wrong person, you need to act professionally in front of a potential client. Just drop me off at the Royal College of Art by Hyde Park. I'll meet up with one of the Anderson's boys." I know I sound like a brat. Trust me, I know. But I'm so tired and I hate being treated like I'm dirt. I always get treated like this when I hang around the Anderson family, either by one of the family members or a person working under them and not realizing I'm a family friend. Sammy boi's mom, Emelia, had given me permission to use her name when these situations pop up.
End of Flashback*
With my hand on the handle, I release myself from the awkward chamber of the car. We were only a block away and I had my backpack on me. I just wanted to get away from this driver. I sat in the park across the street; he should be leaving class soon.
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"Are you serious?"
"Yeah, that's why Sam and I do not take the same classes anymore."
"That's hilarious! How come you didn't start taping it for me?!" I slapped Sammy boi on the back as his friend, Ben, laughed at his despair.
We were having dinner at The Dove. It's a cozy little gastropub and I always love coming here. Each time we come here, we sit in a different place. My favorite place to sit is in the garden terrace but since it's a bit frigid outside, we're sitting in the indoor terrace.
I was being caught up with Ben's life since I haven't seen him since the summer and I was telling him about mine as well. He's a cutie. A little bit taller than Sammy boi and I, has a stocky figure with chestnut brown hair always pushed straight back. I once tried to push it forward but… that didn't go according to plan. It's like he has eyes in the back of his head and always knows when something's coming at his hair. It's actually a bit unnerving as well.
"Like I bloody knew it was going to happen!" Sammy boi stuck his tongue out at us before taking a drink of his ale. Something is up with him. He won't make eye contact with me and if he does, it doesn't last very long.
"Okay. What's wrong with you?" I poked his arm, "And don't think about lying, I know you too well."
"What are you on about? I'm fine, Cassie."
"You're more quiet than usual and won't look me in the eyes. We always look each other in the eyes when we talk and now you're avoiding me. You're also a tiny bit fidgety and I know you're not even buzzed yet. Tell me what happened."
Sammy boi glanced at me with a raised eyebrow. I guess he doesn't realize how much I pay attention to body language. He looked over at Ben and groaned a little.
"Are you sure you want me to say this in such a public space?"
"Uhh we're the only ones back here? Most people are inside. What happened, Samuel?" I narrowed my eyes in concern and scooted closer to him.
"It's about Ciel," he took one more sip of his glass, "Madam Red passed away, recently, Cassie."
I sat up straight in my seat and looked towards the back wall. Not really staring at anything in particular but just to be looking at something instead of their faces. "When did this happen? Why—how did this happen? She wasn't even in her mid-forties! What the fuck happen?! Oh my god is Ciel okay—" I stood from my seat, almost knocking the table over in the process, but Sammy boi pulled me back down.
"This is why I didn't want to say it in public. Cassie. Ciel is fine. We found out when we came back from Nebraska. Madam Red had a brain aneurysm. There wasn't anything, anybody could've done to prevent it," he placed his arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer so my forehead was touching his. I almost, instantly, relaxed my posture. "The funeral was wonderful. She was a great doctor and a great lady. Also please don't bring this up around my mother. She almost went into hysteria over the news."
"I am sad but I'm actually more concerned over how Ciel is taking this. He bottles up everything, ya know. Were your mom and her good friends?"
"You could say that," he chuckled, "My mom would design her clothes and Madam Red delivered her children."
"Madam Red was your mom's OBGYN?" I pulled back in surprise. It's a small world. I like finding out the connections through people, but I still get shocked sometimes.
"That's what it says on our birth certificates. You probably shouldn't bring up the topic with Ciel, until he brings it up to you. Promise me?" Sammy boi held out his left pinky to me.
I narrowed my eyes at him, "I'm pretty sure he won't bring it up. Why must you torture me?" I grabbed his finger with my right pinky and pulled him towards me. "I've missed you so much!" We embraced into a hug and finished up our meals.
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Sammy boi's driver, Tom, dropped me off at the Phantomhive Manor. I could have said Ciel's place but saying Phantomhive anything makes me feel fancy as fuck. I'm definitely not classy enough to be around Ciel, but he makes me feel welcomed at his mansion.
Just as I reached the front entrance, Sebastian opened the doors.
"You're quite late."
"Hey it's only 8pm" I walked through the doors. This place never seems to stop amazing me. "New paint job? Did Baldo have fun with the flame torch again?" I chuckled as Sebastian facepalmed.
"No. Unfortunately, Mey-Rin spilled candle wax on the wall and the young master took the opportunity to change the wall colour."
I hummed in response as we walked down the corridor to Ciel's office. I'm surprised he's still up. I did call to inform them what happened earlier and that I'll be late. It takes about an hour and a half on a good day to get out here in the country.
Sebastian opens the door to find Ciel eating some sweets. "Now young master you must brush your teeth after this so you don't receive another cavity."
"I always brush my teeth-"
I cut him off by running up to him and pulled him from his spinning chair into a tight hug. I can't believe he's almost thirteen. Finally giving him his personal space, I pulled my bookbag off my shoulders and delicately brought out the wrapped tea set.
"Consider this an early birthday present! I also got you some Japanese sweets too" I placed the goodies in front of him.
He gently undos the bow and unwraps the blue rice wrapping paper. I'm so happy that the tea set arrived unbroken.
"It's called Flume" I said as he set the teapot and cups onto his oak desk. "Each one is unique and it made me think of you. I hope you enjoy it!" I cheered hoping to spread the happiness.
"Thank you Cassie, I'll put it to good use." He chuckled at me.
The next hour, since we were alone without the other servants, I explained how my life at Cross Academy was going. Vampires and all. It was nice to open up to someone other than October or Chaotic. Ciel understands because he works in the Underground Society too. Not that he interacts with vampires often. But it's still nice to open up to someone that understands the situation. I even told him about the situation with the Level E and showed him how my arm is healed with no scars.
"By the way, how did you find me in Japan? I don't recall telling you I was attending a boarding school?"
Sebastian bows with his right hand over his heart "I'm simply one hell of a butler" cue both Ciel and I groaning.
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I woke up to birds chirping outside my window and sunshine shining through the curtains. I stretched in bed before climbing out and pulling back the curtains. Just as I was rubbing the gunk outta my eyes, gunshots echoed through the yard.
I threw myself to the floor and army crawled towards the door. We must be under attack, I gotta get to the safe room! I reached up and opened the door only for a note to fall onto the floor.
"Young Master went hunting with his Aunt Francis and Miss Lizzy. Come join us downstairs when you wake up xx -Mey-Rin"
Are you fucking kidding me? Here I am, in the corridor, on the floor, in a band tee and booty shorts thinking we're under attack. What the hell has become of my life? I pushed myself up and cautiously made my way back into the guest bedroom. I grabbed my bookbag for new clothes only to reread the note.
"Oh fuck Aunt Francis!" Lizzy's Mom is fucking hardcore! She also goes by the Marchioness of Midford and she demands respect. She's good friends with Sammy boi's parents so I met her through them but she's scary. I mean she has helped me with learning the social standards of the elite. However, she's so intense and strict that Sammy boi had to save me last time. And he's not here this time!
I quickly took a shower and took time to make my purple hair look decent. The fact that Takuma cut my bangs has helped me so much for today. She hates bangs in the face and would be likely to cut my own bangs herself!
I put the only nice looking clothes I have with me. Yep that's right, my school uniform! I left my prefect sleeve back at the dorms. I raced downstairs to find the dining hall a mess. There's roses scattered everywhere… I feel so bad for Sebastian and his daily doses of this madness.
"Cassie! How do you like the roses?" Finny cried out behind me causing me to jump. In his arms were more roses! With thorns and they were pricking him all over. This sweet angel I know he means well but holy shit!
"Finny, I will be right back please don't touch the tablecloth…" he places the roses on the table where the little droplets of blood spot the tablecloth. I glanced down at my pure white uniform and ran to my room to change into black clothes. Aunt Francis is nothing compared to this emergency!
I raced back out of the room only to pass by a door where I heard a crashing of dishes dropped to the floor. I don't even have to open the door to know that's Mey-Rin! I have never met a clumsily maid like her. I'm picking my battles and I choose Finny. Grabbing the bandages from the bathroom I ran back to Finny. This mansion will give you a workout I swear!
"Drop what you're doing and give me your hands, Finny" I placed gloves on my hands as I took his and began wrapping his hands. It's like he couldn't feel the thorns and it bewildered me. Or maybe the pain is so insignificant that it doesn't bother him. "Where are your gardening gloves? Find them and use them!" I set him off back to the garden and headed back over to where I last heard Mey-Rin when an explosion went off towards the kitchen area. You know what, I'm not even getting paid for this shit so I'm not even going to bother with Baldo. We have had many arguments before about his "artistic tastes" and I just can't. Not today!
Opening the door to find Mey-Rin cleaning up the broken china. The regular ones, not the good China. The good ones are hidden along with my tea pot gift.
"Oh Cassie, I didn't see you there!"
I sighed and grabbed the broom that was off to the side. Honestly, thank goodness we don't have any vampires here because she cut her hands on the shards.
"Mey-Rin try to take things down one at a time so stuff like this wouldn't happen please" for the love of all things holy I finished in my head. I don't want to be rude to her because she's a sweet person but she makes me wanna scream sometimes. I finished cleaning up the shards and took time to bandage up her hands before helping her carry the plates to the dining hall. Finny was gone but the roses were all placed. I didn't have time to fix them because I wanted to see what Baldo was doing.
I walked into the kitchen and saw him and Finny working on what I guess was a cake. I took a deep breath and went over to Baldo and bandaged his hands because it looked like he burned them a little. Actually, he managed to hurt his right arm pretty badly and I had to put a sling on it. Apparently, I'm the Phantomhive nurse now. I chuckled to myself as I returned to my room to put my uniform back on and wash up.
However, when I went back to the dining hall, everyone was there. Mey-Rin just announced that she set the table which was mostly me but whatever. I quickly ran up to join the trio and hopefully block the spot on the tablecloth where there was tiny bloodstained from Aunt Francis.
"And I'm the one that bandages everyone up!" I gave a shit eating grin before addressing the Marchioness. "Hello Lady Midford, long time no see!" I cursed myself in my head for being so informal.
Luckily, she didn't seem to mind. She greeted me and then turned to Ciel and wished him a Happy Birthday. You could hear an audio sigh of relief from Sebastian. Ciel gave this wonderful smile that seemed to light up the room around him and it caused me and Lizzy to dawned over. And then Finny started the happy birthday song and everyone joined in except Sebastian left the room. I didn't mind though it was nice to spend time with Ciel without a demon looming overhead.
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I was back at the Anderson Manson waiting for the maid, Sasha, to finish dry cleaning my uniform. I sat in Sammy boi's painting room as he touched up a portrait for the Queen.
"So tomorrow we, you and me, are going to the palace? Me? A small town Nebraskan girl with no class? Me?" I laughed at Sammy boi as I questioned his sanity. He's visited Queen Victoria before but I have no class. Even with Aunt Francis training I'm still years behind of being in the presence of royalty.
"It'll be fine Cassie just follow my lead. She's inviting us for tea as a guest. She knows I'm bringing a friend-"
"You told her about me?"
"Not exactly her but one of her butlers I believe his name is John Brown"
Sammy boi began wrapping his painting with skill as he's done many times before. As an 18 year old, it's a surprise that he's commissioned by the Queen. Sammy boi is an inch taller than me standing at 6'1. He has slightly short jet black hair with beautiful blue eyes that are slightly covered by his bangs. I guess he dresses emo as some would say. He's an identical twin. His full name and his brother's name put together is Samuel Adam. Their dad, Allister, loves to make puns. Not named after the founding father of the US but the beer in America. Emelia, Sammy boi's mother, didn't find out until years later.
"Honestly, Cassie, she's a very understanding woman. There's nothing to be afraid of," he side hugs me and sets his painting to the side.
"The only nice clothes I have is my uniform. I'm going to wear my Night Class uniform to visit the Queen, how embarrassing."
"I'm sure my mom would lend you some clothes since you know she's a fashion designer" he chuckled at me before sitting in front of me face to face. "Your uniform is pretty elegant. I think you need to show it off with pride. It's not everyday that someone joins the Night Class and you're a Prefect. Hold yourself at confidence Cassie you got this"
I blinked tears outta my eyes and looked away. I never had someone be so passionate in cheering me up. I can do this.
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"Would you like some more tea Miss?"
I was staring wide-eyed at everything. Just taking it all in. Arriving at the palace and walking past the tourists with a guard by our side felt so surreal. And the inside was extravagant; it felt like I was walking into a history museum.
"Miss Leach?"
"Oh! Yes please!" I scooted the tea cup and saucer closer to him. I believe his name is Charles Phipps. He has short white hair and a serious expression most of the time but he seems friendly. He baked the pastries set out before us. I of course had to compliment him for his amazing skills at baking. Could almost compete with Sebastian's.
Then there's another Charles. Couldn't forget his name since he's named after the tea Earl Grey. Well not specifically him but Sammy boi said his past relative was since his family was so well known. He's a cocky son of a bitch. He has this air to him that you just wanna punch the motherfucker. He has white hair framing his face with a long ponytail and I was worried about my hair color but it seems to be natural to have unnatural hair color here. It's not like they're old, I think they're in their early 20s. Except for John Brown. He looks more around my age. He has short, shaggy white hair that asymmetrically frames his face. He also has these huge black out goggles on his face so I wonder if his eyes are sensitive to light. I know I have a small crush on Senri but this guy is awfully good looking. Why must I fall for people out of my league?
"Cassie goes to Cross Academy in Japan" Sammy boi pointed out and brought everyone's attention to me. He must hate me.
I give my polite open mouth smile, "Yes I'm actually a Prefect of the Night Class," I close my eyes as I smile brightly at everyone. I gotta fake confidence until I make it. "Cross Academy is made up of two classes. The Day Class and Night Class. The Night Class consists of the Elite. However, I'm not a part of that. I switched over for educational purposes since the Night Class tends to be a bit harder." I shakily sip my tea, burning my tongue slightly.
"A Prefect? That's amazing. You must be a really smart young lady" the queen praised me.
"Oh no, I get by but I'm still learning though" Aidou gives me lessons to catch up with the Night Class a few times a week but she doesn't need to know that.
"Oh and humble too. You better keep this one Samuel," the queen WINKS at Sammy boi. I feel like I'm dreaming.
"Oh Queen Victoria, we're just best friends-"
"Best friends" I nervously laughed while trying not to faint. "We've been best friends for what?" I place my left hand over my mouth and crinkle my eyebrows, "eleven years?" I'm hoping this will change the subject and Sammy boi picks up what I'm doing.
"Yes, we met because of my older cousin Maddie"
"Oh that's splendid! I remember my lifelong friend. My late husband Albert! Oh how I miss you, dear!" The Queen cries over her late husband. Sammy boi did warn me about this behavior but I was still worried. Then John came to the rescue with a hand puppet? As he reassured the queen with the Albert hand puppet I began marking off what I saw in him. Compassionate, caring, kind are all the traits I would want in a boyfriend. As I began to daydream Sammy boi kicked my shoe signaling that we'll make our departure soon.
As the queen calmed down and apologized for her behavior, I cut in. "You don't have to apologize, Queen Victoria. We understand that grief is a treacherous thing to go through. I'm glad you have support around you to help you get through this tough time." I unknowingly placed my tanned hand on her left pale white one. I have no idea what I was thinking touching the queen like that but I just knew I wanted to comfort her. I went to take my hand away but she grabbed it instead. Holding my hand tightly as if she was afraid that I would leave her? She looked at me with tears gathering in the corner of her eyes and I honestly wanted to hug her. I never felt that strong of an urge to overwhelm me like that.
"You have a pure heart, dear. There's not many people like you left in the world"
I rubbed my thumb on the back of her hand before she let me go. Maybe she's touched starved? It must be lonely being royalty.
Who knew that one simple gesture would end up getting me invited again to the palace the next time I visited.
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"So you think she really meant it?" I asked Sammy boi as I sat down next to him in the living room back at his mansion.
"About you having a pure heart?"
"No, stupid! About me coming back to visit her the next time I come to England! Me? A small town girl? Me?"
"If she says it she meant it, Cassie. Oh and my mom called to congratulate you on your first meeting with the Queen," he sips his chamomile tea, "pretty ballsy to grab her hand like that"
"I don't know what came over me. I was doing the action before I realized what was happening. I'm just happy she didn't ban me from her country!"
He barked out a laugh and handed me a biscuit, "you should go to bed now Cassie. You have a long flight ahead of you tomorrow."
I got up and headed towards the staircase, "Yeah eight different time zones!" I cackled and threw back my head. Time to go back to vampy land!