I reflected on those memories as I tried to calm myself down. Those few days I would try to forget. The carriage stopped in front of the door. Rain warped my view of the large house, but I assumed it was grand.

"I know I can do this," I whisper to myself, building up my courage.

The footman holds an umbrella out for me as he opens the door. Together, we dash to the front steps. He returns with my suitcase.

"Good luck, Countess ________," the footman says.

"Shh, these people can't know my lineage. If they did, what do think they'll do?"I whisper.

He smiles kindly. "Of course ma'am," he says before dashing off the the carriage.

I take a deep breath and press the doorbell. I hear the extravagant bells from outside. Then, the doorknob turns, and the beautiful, dark doors open. A tall man with midnight black hair and ruby eyes stands there. His eyes quickly scan over my damp figure.

"May I ask who you are?" he politely asks. His voice reminds me of a strict teacher who wants things done and done right, but never gets that. It sends shivers down my spine, either that or it's just the cold wind.

I give a short curtsy.

"I am _______ _______. I'm here about the job?" I ask timidly. The man has such a regal aura that it's hard not to be a little scared.

"Yes, of course. Please come in out of the rain," he says politely, though he never breaks his serious expression.

I step into the fanciest house I've ever been in. Even my old manor was not near as nice as this one.

"The young master is in his study. I'll take your things and ask if he would like to interview you now. Can you please wait here?" he asks after closing the door behind me.

"Yes sir," I say quickly.

The man, whom I assume is the head butler that I've heard about, walks away. I admire the elegant decor throughout the room. Candles light the darkened house. My heels tap against the detailed tiles and break the thick silence. This room alone causes me to be filled with awe. Then, the butler returns.

"He will see you now," he says before turning and walking away.

I assume he wants me to follow him, so I scurry after him with my heavy suitcase in tow. He stops in front of a door and knocks.

"Young master? She's here now," the butler calls.

"Send her in!" another voice calls from inside.

The butler opens the door. The first thing I notice is the young boy that sits at the desk. I give a quick glance around the room in search of the Lord Phantomhive, but there is no other person inside. Based on the butler's bow next to me, I assume this boy is the master of the house. I quickly follow the butler's example and curtsy in a startled manner. I was not expecting such a young boy to be in charge of such a young estate. Then again, if my estate hadn't been sold, I would have to be married at only seventeen because women can't own estates by themselves sadly.

"Please sit," the boy says, gesturing the chair in front of him. I notice that he has an eye patch on his right eye.

I take a seat in the plush chair across from the desk.

"Sebastian, you are excused," he snaps.

"Yes, my Lord," the butler, Sebastian, says before closing the door behind him.

The boy straightens his back and turns to me.

"Now, please address me as sir, or Earl Phantomhive until further notice."

"Yes, sir."

"Do you have any references?"

"No, sir."

"Your qualifications must have matched our requests otherwise Mr. Addams would not have sent you. So, do you think that your skills would be up to par? Would you be able to fix a charred dinner? How about a grassless yard? What about a special guest that requires a glass filled without a single drop spilled? Could you do that?"

I fumble around for an answer and then one of my lessons from Tabitha pops into my head. This is what she said to my father in order to get hired. "If that is what is required, then I must certainly be above that par to deserve to work for you, Earl Phantomhive."

The Earl smirked. "I believe that is the best answer I've had yet. I usually get yes's and a few no's because all of them are timid. I don't want timid servants. I want confidant servants. I've learned my lesson with hiring timid servants. You start work tomorrow morning. For the rest of the day, Sebastian will educate you on your duties."

"Really? Thank you, sir!"

I stand and curtsy.

I exit the room. Sebastian is waiting outside.

"I'll start explaining your kitchen duties. Please follow," he says with a serious tone. 

'How did he know that the Earl expected him to do that?' I think to myself.

As we walk, he asks, "Do you know any dishes, Miss_______?"

"I know a few that I've learned over the years."

"Good, that's more than our cook knows sadly. What about directing others? Can you do that?"

"I've told my own father when to come home. I can certainly do that," I smile as confident as possible.

"I am starting to like you , Miss _______. You seem like a dependable member of this staff."

Like an idiot, I blush at Sebastian's complement.

Then, we stop in front of a door.

"This is the kitchen. Bardroy, our chef, is probably inside. I'll introduce you to him. You will be his assistant as well as the other staff and the young master. It seems like a lot, but I'll be helping out, too, as I always do. This is why we required more experienced staff such as yourself."

I smile. I can sort of see that his bitter shell is beginning to chip away with each moment I'm near.

He opens the door. I immediately cower behind his back. A blonde man is using a flamethrower on a chunk of meat. Sebastian smirks at my startled behavior. It's a bit unnerving. Sebastian looks at me as though I am mere food to play with. Then, he turns to Bardroy.

"Bardroy! How many times do I have to say no flamethrower a in the kitchen!?" Sebastian snaps at the man.

Bardroy turns to us. "So... sorry Sebastian, sir. It was taking too long, and we need lunch soon. Who's that?" Bardroy suddenly asks, gazing at me.

I step out from behind Sebastian and give a timid smile and a curtsy.

"This is the girl that will take over assistant duties. Her name is________. Can you please go and get the others together? I only want to fully introduce her once."

Bardroy nods and leaves.

"Now I understand why you are so strict about servants," I laugh.

Sebastian just gives another smirk. His garnet eyes glint with suppressed laughter.