A/n: I'm terribly sorry for the long wait on this story! I'm such a horrible updater, but I finally gotten the motivation to type this chapter out! This was fun and hopefully, I keep this streak going.

Also, if interested, I have an introduction to my Tokyo Ghoul story out! Check it out if you have the time :)

Now, on to the story!

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Joker and I have been riding into the night for thirty minutes now. I've tried to keep my eyes open, in case we get to our destination soon, but the lack of sleep was now getting to me. I let out small yawn I couldn't contain. "Precious dove, if 'ee tired, please sleep. We still 'ave long ways to go," Joker told me. With one hand still on the reins, he used his free hand to secure my arms in place around him. "I will let 'ee know when we get there, ok?"

I burrowed my face into his back. "Ok, if you insist." I closed my eyes and let the beating of his heart lull me into sleep.

~Three Years Ago~

High ceilings, dazzling decorations in every corner, everything that seemed to glimmer and shine, so unbelievably impressive for a boy as young as Ciel to all own.

So this was the Phantomhive Manor.

There's no doubt this was possibly the richest mission I could succeed at. I just need to do as I always do, I can't disappoint my crew, not when I was bought by someone so high class. Not once have I failed one mission thus far, not when I still have my secret abilities to my advantage.

I just have to stay poised and professional.

The Earl Phantomhive demanded for me to clean up and change into the uniform they have provided for me. So with my ebony hair tired back into a high bun and dressed into a maid's outfit, I was ready to serve my new master.

Once done, the Queen's guard dog led the way to wherever we needed to go to next with the butler walking by my side. Dignified and proper, I kept my head up high, my hands folded in front of me as we strolled. "Miss Edlyn." My golden eyes shifted away from the back of the boy and onto the man besides me. "I can't help but ask if you have been a maid before."

"I have," I simply answered. It's not a lie...

"Ah, that explains it. You already have this professionalism to you. I'm delighted to know that I might have some real help around in the manor." I looked at him curiously as to what he meant by his words, but he didn't bother to give me any answer. "Your wounds still sore? We can apply medicine on them later in the evening."

I gently grasped onto my wrist. It healed by now, but he mustn't know that. "I'm fine for now. Thank you for the offer but I could apply the cream on my wounds myself."

Once making it to our destination, a dining room, we entered. Inside stood four people in a line, three men and one woman, no doubt working under Ciel as well, judging by their clothes. "Everyone this is Edlyn, she will be working here at the manor from this day on. Edlyn, other than Sebastian, these are my other servants, Baldroy, Mey Rin, Tanaka, and Finnian," the young lord introduced all of us. I glanced at each person and gave them a nod of acknowledgement.

"It's so great to finally have another girl in the manor!" Mey Rin, the bespectacled redhead, cheered as she grasped onto my hands into hers.

The shorter blond approached me as well, a bright grin to his face. "Please go ahead and call me Finny, Edlyn! We all can't wait to work alongside you." All I could do was nod slowly at him, a small, firm smile on my lips. "You're going to love it here!"

"And—" The other blond man, Baldroy, stepped forward, taking my hand into his bigger, rougher hand. "I will make sure you will love it here." He took out the cigarette that hung from his mouth and pressed his lips to the back of my hand. "You can go ahead and call me Bard." Behind him, the oldest out of them all, just smiled at me, hooting, and then taking a sip of his tea.

I quickly took away my arm from Baldroy. I was absolutely flustered by all of their welcomes, they're all so... kind. "I hope we all get along well."

"Young master, shall we show Miss Edlyn around?" Finny piped up to Ciel, a brand new enthusiasm fueling him. Both Mey Rin and Baldroy both joined into the begging of touring me around the Phantomhive Manor. I glimpsed over at him, interested on what the serious, young boy had to say about the three's behavior.

"Perhaps that is fine, but once you are done showing Edlyn around, I will need you all to get back straight to work. Once the tour is done, Edlyn, please report back to me in my study room so Sebastian can let you know what you have to do here," Ciel explained. We all nodded to his demand.

But before I knew it, I was already being dragged away by the overjoyed servants. "Right this way, Edlyn. We'll get started!" Mey Rin told me, clutching onto my arm as she pulled me out of the ballroom with Finny and Bard close in tow. "Where would you like to go to first? The kitchens? The dining room? Our gardens?"

Subconsciously, I glanced back to Sebastian. He gave me a reassuring smile and urged me to continue on. "I guess the gardens would be a nice start."

"To the gardens, we go!" Finnian chirped, nudging me along. With a sigh, I just let it all happen.

After all, I need to make everything seem natural for the plan to work its best.

~*~

"She's quite the perfect maid, ain't she?"

"Yeah! I should be worried, right? They'll no longer need me here at the manor! She was able to tidy up a whole room in ten minutes."

"Don't worry, Mey Rin. The young master wouldn't fire you, or any of us for that matter!"

"Although, all he would need, to be honest, is her and Sebastian and they would take care of everything just fine."

"You shouldn't say that. We were hired because they need all of us!"

"That's right!"

"Sure, whatever makes you feel better, I guess."

I let out a low sigh, having heard my three fellow servants behind me, as I dusted along the staircase. I turned my heel, the duster still in my hand, and gazed down at the people I've worked along with, three weeks now, at the bottom of the stairs. "Shouldn't all of you be working right now?" I called to them, a smirk pulling onto my lips.

Bard, Mey Rin, and Finny all froze in surprise, probably not expecting me to spot them at the fair distance they were at. Then, snapping out of their daze, they all scrambled away in different directions, all murmuring out their apologies. But a certain, tall blond zipped back around from the hallway he had been going down to and made his way straight towards me. I placed a hand on my hip and watched as he leapt every other step to reach by my side faster. "'Ello Bard," I greeted the cook. "What is it today?"

He leaned back against the wall next to me, his arms crossing over his chest. "I was wondering later, Edlyn, if you would like to have a stroll with me through the gardens under the moonlight." This was possibly the third time he had attempted to court me. Bard's persistence to take me out was admirable but quite a waste of time on both ends. "I can possibly make your favorite dessert for us to enjoy... By the way, what is your favorite dessert?"

"I don't have any," I replied with a small chuckle. "But, Bard, I'm sorry for the umpteenth time. I have to decline the offer unless it's a platonic outing."

Baldroy let out a low groan, throwing his head back to the wall with a dull thud. All too quickly, he straightened his pose and held his arms up in a defensive manner. "I get it, I get it. I am no Sebastian."

The blood rushed to my cheeks at the mention of the main butler's name. "What could you possibly be talking about?" I scoffed, turning around to continue my dusting.

"Oi, you are blushing! Don't try to hide it from me," the chef chimed in a playful tone. He craned his head so to get a better look at me. I glared at him before swerving the opposite direction to dust the vase nearby. "Honestly, I knew from the day you first came to the manor that you had your eye on the bloke."

I froze at Bard's accusation. I wasn't supposed to form any type of relationship with anyone on my mission. Developing such feelings can be fatal for me. But why is it that I'm in this manor, it's hard for me to fight it. I enjoy everyone's company... and Sebastian... There's just something about that man that puts my stomach into knots.

"Jeez, if you were so positive that I liked Sebastian, then why do you keep asking me out on dates?"

"Because I'm weak to kind, pretty lasses like you," he shrugged. All I could do was roll my eyes at him, despite him not seeing me do so. "Do you want a few pointers about Sebastian?" I gave him a cautious glance, my lips formed in a thin line. He wore a smug look, teasing me further. "What, do you not want any?"

"Stop that, Bard. You have no idea what you're talking about." I felt his arm slither around my shoulders, catching me off guard. I coughed a bit when he blew the smoke from his cigarette at my face. "Shouldn't you be doing something that's nowhere nearby me?"

"Huh? I'm hurt, Edlyn!" Bard whined out. We made eye contact with one another and burst out into a fit of giggles. He reached in and pinched my cheeks, earning a yelp from me. "Quite the tongue on you, eh?"

"What are you two doing?" Bard and I halted our little teasing war and pulled away from each other in a flash. Sebastian's crimson eyes were narrowed judgingly as he approached us from behind. His gaze seemed to glow in rage, earning us to shrink back in fear. "Baldroy, I need you to start preparing the meat for dinner."

"E-Er, yes sir!" The blond shot me an apologetic glance before disappearing down the hallway.

I stiffened when Sebastian stepped closer to me, barely giving me any room to breathe. Just why is it so hard to act normally around him? "And you, Edlyn, I need you to make some tea for the Lord and bring it over to the ballroom." I nodded my head hastily and stepped to the side to start going to the kitchen, except the butler easily blocked my way once again. "And once you arrive to the ballroom and serve the tea to him, I will give you further instructions. Understand?"

"Yes, Sebastian, I understand." I tilted my head into a bow and hurried to make that tea.

I entered the kitchen and saw Bard pounding the slabs of beef for the upcoming meal. His blue orbs landed on me and his brows furrowed in worry. "I didn't get you in trouble, did I?" he asked me.

I shook my head along with a gentle smile. "No, you didn't. He just wants me to make some tea." Sebastian had me memorize the lord's schedule, so around this time, I knew he should be doing some lessons right about now. Whether it may be sword fighting or dancing, I knew I should make some green tea to rejuvenate his energy. I quietly made the tea, while adding some ginger and lemon. "I'll go ahead and take this over to the Lord." I placed the teapot and the fancy cups onto a cart. I shot Bard a warning glance. "Oi, don't use your flamethrower while I'm gone."

The blond grinned widely as he continued to pulverize the meat. "No guarantees, Edlyn."

With a sigh, I left the kitchen and rolled the cart all the way over to the right ballroom. I knocked first until I heard Sebastian's voice call out that it was ok. I gently opened the door and pushed the cart over to the side of the ballroom where the tables and chairs are. "My lord, I have brought some tea for you," I told Ciel as I poured the hot drink into the teacup. To my surprise, the young Earl sat down into the chair near me with a thud, causing the chair to squeak. Beads of sweat spotted his forehead and ran down all the way to his neck. From the bottom level of the cart, I took out a chilled towel, in which I kept cold in a bucket of ice. "Please do rest up, my lord. You do not want to overwork yourself."

Ciel wavered to my words and he took the towel I held out to him. "Very well. Thank you, Edlyn." He sighed in relief to the cold cloth pressed against his heated skin.

"Is there anything else you would like for me to do, my lord?" I asked, my hands locked in front of me as I waited for his commands.

"Well, there is something we need for you to do." My cheeks flared as I felt Sebastian's presence besides me. "Do you know how to waltz, Miss Edlyn?" the butler asked me, his smile sending my heart soaring.

"My, I only know a little bit, I'm afraid," I replied.

"That's more than enough. I need for you to dance with Sebastian to demonstrate it for me. I don't seem to be getting the moves down on my own. Plus, it would be easier to dance with an actual woman while practicing. Mey Rin isn't the most graceful dancer," Ciel chimed before he took a sip of his tea. "Please begin."

I turned towards Sebastian and saw that he already had his hand out for me to take. "Milady." My heart pounded for the man that stood before me. He took my hand and placed a delicate kiss along my fingers. "May I have this dance?"

"You may," I replied.

I curtsied as he bowed. We came together, my right hand clasped onto his left hand and my left resting just at his forearm. And in sync, we began to move along with each other, our steps astoundingly falling into place. We swayed to the non-existent music, stepping onto the beats that we have established ourselves. A few times, he would twirl me around and dip me ever so cautiously. I couldn't help having fun with the butler, a delighted smile on lips as he spun me in his arms. {A/n: Please refer to the video I have provided above!}

I felt so secure in Sebastian's arms. Being able to have this opportunity of dancing someone I actually tolerated was far better than I expected. In my past jobs when I had to attend parties with nobles, there were plenty of men I danced with. But none had my heart swelling in joy like right now.

Maybe, Bard was right. Maybe I do have a crush on Sebastian.

That's only going to serve as a disadvantage on my part.

"Miss Edlyn, if you don't mind me asking, what were you and Bard talking about earlier?" Sebastian asked me in a whisper. My golden eyes widened at the question. He wouldn't know how to read minds, could he?! "Does it happen to be that you're talking badly about me behind my back?"

"We weren't talking badly about you," I uttered to him as we still waltzed.

"But you two were talking about me nonetheless?"

"Seriously, Sebastian, it's nothing for you to worry about." I felt hot under his intense gaze and to make matters worse, he held me even tighter.

"I absolutely do have to worry if this possible chat will ruin the balance of the system we have here at the manor." He dipped me once again, causing me to grip tightly on his shoulders to keep me from falling my head back. "Unless it was another one of Bard's useless attempts to ask you on a date?"

I was about to sputter out that he was correct just so he could drop the subject, but I didn't need to. "Alright, that's enough. I've seen plenty," Ciel called out to the two of us. Sebastian pulled me back onto my feet and let go of me. I wonder if Sebastian could feel how fast my heart was pounding by how close we were. "You're quite the decent dancer, Edlyn. I didn't expect for you to follow Sebastian's moves so easily."

I blinked in surprise by the compliment. "It was nothing, sir. He was just a wonderful lead," I commented, my cheeks flared.

Ciel stood up and walked over to where we stood. He shooed Sebastian to the side and took his place. "I believe I can follow his steps as well. Sebastian, watch while I dance with Edlyn this time. Play us something so I can dance to it."

"Yes, my lord."

And so for another hour, I've waltzed with both Ciel and Sebastian over and over in hopes the lord perfects the dance. Dancing and even watching the two males bicker over the smallest things were so amusing for me and there were times I couldn't help but lightly laugh over. They surely were the dynamic duo that the others told me so much about.

"Sebastian, please go run me a bath. I'd like to be clean before I eat."

"As you wish," Sebastian obeyed. The butler left the ballroom with long strides, leaving just me and Ciel alone.

"What would you like for me to do, my lord?" I asked as I wiped away the sweat I've collected with my handkerchief.

The young Earl glanced at me with his lone, sapphire eye. "You may rest until dinner."

I was taken aback with shock. "Are you positive?"

"Yes, you have worked hard and have danced with both me ad Sebastian nonstop. You must be tired. So, go ahead and rest." With a nod, the Earl Phantomhive also left the ballroom. I sat down in one of the many chairs of that ballroom and let my mind wander.

Why did he have to be so nice to me? Why do they all have to be so nice to me?

I should try to finish my mission soon.

~*~

It has been a full three months now since I first began working in the Phantomhive Manor. At this point, I knew it was nonsense to think that everyone I've known in the manor were nothing to me. I knew the humongous hole I have dug when I began enjoying myself more with all the servants, Sebastian, and even Ciel. With as much time that has passed, I knew I was running out of time for my crew.

Then, one day, no, one hour was all it took to show me that this manor and the people within it was not one to be reckoned with.

I was dusting the study room that day, making sure everything looked as clean as the Earl would want it to be.

CRASH!

I let out a shriek as shattered glass showered over my fallen body. I tried to shield myself with my arm but that didn't do anything as the glass managed to cut through my uniform and leave cuts along my skin. I glanced over to the broken grand window and saw men with guns scattered at the forest ready to charge.

"Miss Edlyn!" I whipped my head to the doorway and saw Finnian rushing to my side. "Oh my, you're hurt! Are you ok?" I glanced down at my arm, which was now badly cut because of the shards that fell on me and the blood was staining my uniform. "Oh no. Miss Edlyn, you need to be patched up right away!" Before I knew it, I was scooped up into the short blond's arms. As much as I was appalled his small body could have so much strength, I didn't question it and let him carry me. He ended up bringing me to the living quarters that I share with Mey Rin and set me down gingerly onto my bed.

From outside the room, I could hear frantic footsteps echoing around the whole building, along with multiple gunshots. Reasons as to why men wanted to attack the manor while Ciel and Sebastian were out were beyond me. If anything, criminals could've attacked while Ciel was here for a chance to kill him.

I winced at my own horrible thoughts.

That was supposed to be my job, right?

"Are you in pain, Miss Edlyn?" Finny asked me, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"I'm ok, Finny. I can clean these on my own, thank you," I told him.

"Finnian!" At the door, I saw Tanaka... Tanaka?! Since when can he talk? "We need you out here. Please go outside and deal with the men at the gardens."

"The gardens?! Yes, sir!" Finnian shot me one last glance and bolted out of the room.

Tanaka bowed at me apologetically. "I'm sorry you have to experience all of this, Miss Edlyn."

"No, it's ok... But are we going to be ok?" I asked him with genuine worry. "How many men are attacking us?"

"It's about thirty or more."

"Thirty or more?!" I gaped. I went to stand up from my bed but Tanaka held me down. "I should help, right? We're clearly outnumbered!"

"Please don't worry. This isn't anything we couldn't handle even without Mister Sebastian's help. Please rest and tend your wounds. Surely, I wouldn't be forgiven if you were injured further." I opened my mouth to argue but he stopped me once again by placing a hand on my head. "Baldroy, Mey Rin, and Finnian were not only hired to be servants here at the manor, Miss Edlyn. They were hired specifically for occasions like today. They all have lived a dark past and have these abilities that help us. They come here for a new life and to help protect this manor. So, please rest while we take care of everything. Plus, Sebastian and Ciel should be arriving home soon."

"Alright, if you say so."

BOOM! "BARD, THAT WAS AN EXPENSIVE PAINTING!" Mey Rin's voice screeched just loud enough for me and Tanaka to hear all the way from our room.

"I should go, please stay here while we take care of everything." Tanaka then rushed out of the room, closing and locking the door behind him.

I was stunned by everything that was happening. I had this huge urge to run out and help everyone who was risking their lives at this very second.

With my mind made up, I went over to the door to open it but only to be cut off by the door being kicked down. At the other side were four men, all big and rugged. "Hey something not worthless in this bloody place."

They all advanced towards me at the same time. I stepped back and called out towards them in a boastful voice, "Do not come any closer!" Simultaneously, they all froze at my command. "Drop your weapons this instant." Their guns clattered onto the floor. "Now, slide it over to me." And then, they obeyed even that command. I picked up one gun and easily shot all of them dead.

I quickly fled the bedroom to find any more men to kill for infiltrating the manor. BANG! Swiftly, I dodged the bullet that was zooming towards me. I knocked down a decorative table nearby and used it as my shield. There was no way I could use my charmspeak over the ruckus of guns shooting everywhere...

So as best as I can, I shot the men to the best of my abilities, despite the fact I wasn't the best shooter in the world. I managed to get four men down with my shooting but soon enough, I ran out of bullets in the gun I was using. I tossed the useless gun to the side and scanned around at my surroundings for anything else useful to me. My eyes glimmered in joy when I spotted an armor for a knight just feet in front of me, one with a sword in its hands.

With one swipe, I gotten the sword into my hands. I smirked manically, the hilt of the sword molding into my hands just perfectly. "EDLYN, WHAT ARE YOU DOI—" I droned out Mey Rin's voice as I let my whole body focus on my sword.

Clang!

Clink!

Clang!

With every bullet, I used my sword to protect myself and ricochet it back to every man in sight. My speed only increased as more bullets shot my way and I blocked each one. "What is she?! Is everyone in this manor some monster?!" one of the men shouted in terror. With one swing of the sword, I was able to shoot another bullet into that very man's chest.

I zoomed over to where a group of men were gathered. "That's right, I'm a monster, what of it?" I hissed at them zealously. I thrusted and sliced the sword into each of them, successfully killing each one. Their blood splattered onto my face and clothes, but I didn't care.

I will do whatever to protect this manor.

I whipped my whole body around and continued my spree with sword in tow. "Edlyn!"

I froze entirely at the new voice. "Sebast—" BANG! A searing pain burst into my thigh and I crumpled onto the floor in writhing agony. The bullet may have missed the bone but it managed to shoot right through to the opposite side of my leg.

A bearded man towered before me, a devilish, crooked smile on his face. He kicked away my sword from my grasp, rendering me useless. He pointed his gun towards me, right at my head. "I don't know what the bloody hell you are, but one less of you would be better than nothing." I closed my eyes to wait for my anticipated fate.

But it never came. I felt a breeze and the loud cry from that man. I opened my eyes and saw Sebastian now before me, his own uniform bloodied. I glanced to the side and saw that the butler had taken care of the man for me. Other than that, the whole manor seemed all too quiet now. It seems like we have won this fight. "Edlyn, you're hurt." He lifted me up into his arms, careful not to place too much pressure onto my injured leg. "What were you thinking?"

"I couldn't just sit around while everyone else is fighting. I'm not useless!" I defended myself with a scowl. He walked me over to the closest couch and set me down onto it, using a pillow to elevate my head. He ripped a strip off the bottom of my outfit and lifted my skirt. In a fluster, I pushed his face away. "What are you doing?!" I screeched in embarrassment.

"I have to stop the blood loss in your leg, Edlyn. Don't disobey me." I shifted my gaze away as he continued his ministrations. I flinched when he wrapped and tied the cloth at my bullet wound, causing me to grip onto his arm for support. I was in a daze from all the blood loss but I managed to keep myself conscious. "You're ok, now."

I looked down at my bare and bloodied thigh, seeing the treated wound. The blood may be seeping through the cloth but it will do for now until we could rightfully treat it. I let out steady breaths to calm myself. I pulled down at my skirt and let myself rest on that couch, still clinging onto Sebastian so to know this was all real, that the pain flaring in my leg was real. "Who were they? Why did they attack?"

"They happen to be goons of one investor of ours that didn't agree with the lord's recent changes in their deal. We'll have to deal with that investor later," he answered me in a tender voice. "Edlyn... your eyes are..." I smacked my hand over my eyes and turned my head away from him. How could I forget! I can't believe I have been so thoughtless about my eyes. Just the way my eyes glow like a cat's in the night, golden and pupils slit, which only appears whenever I... fall more into my other self.

"Edlyn, you don't have to be frightened. They're quite striking." His hand pried my arm away from my eyes so he could get a better look. My cheeks burned as his crimson eyes bore into mine. "If anything you look even more enchanting right now." He held onto my hand tightly in his, running his gloved thumb along the back of it.

"Sebastian, stop. You're embarrassing me," I muttered.

"But you do have the most charming expressions, my dear."

I pushed his face away again, much softer this time. "Goodness, Sebastian. Stop." Then, a thought finally came up into my mind. I straightened up and looked around. "Where is everyone? Are they ok? Is the Earl Phantomhive ok?!" For the third time today, I was picked up like I weighed absolutely nothing. Sebastian carried me over to the lord's own bedroom. Inside, everyone was already there, along with Ciel. "Everyone's ok?" I asked everyone.

"Edlyn!" Bard, Finny, and Mey Rin called out in pure concern at the sight of me. I wouldn't be surprised by the amount of blood I was covered with. They hurried over to me and Sebastian. "Oh my, I thought you would be fine, Edlyn. You were so brilliant with that sword that I didn't think you'd need my help and I left you! I'm so sorry!" Mey Rin burst out with tears brimming her eyes.

"No, you're not at fault here. This was because I gotten distracted," I told her with a small smile, reaching out to pat her shoulder. "All that matters is if the lord is ok."

"I am fine, Edlyn," Ciel answered, stepping forward to me. "What had happened?"

"She was shot in her left thigh, my lord. Even though not breaking any bone or tearing any muscle, the bullet pierced through all the way through," Sebastian replied for me. "I have covered her wound so to stop the blood loss."

"Go ahead and treat her wound properly," Ciel demanded.

"Yes, my lord."

He turned and brought me back to my and Mey Rin's room at the opposite side of the manor. "It seems that the lord is fond of you." He set me down onto the bed as cautiously as he can. "And oddly enough, I'm quite fond to you as well."

I laid my head back on the pillow, my heart beating even faster than the battle we merely finished. "If the blood loss doesn't kill me first, it surely will be from all the unexpected kind words you speak," I grumbled, which only earned a light chuckle from the very man I have shamefully fallen for.

~*~*~*~

"My dove, we 'ave arrived." The soft call and the light touches urged me awake from my sleep. Craning my head up, an unknown mansion was in my sight. I blinked once, twice until my vision was clear enough. I sat up properly and glimpsed to the redheaded man in front of me. He hopped off the horse and carefully hauled me down onto the ground. "My apologized, we 'ave arrived minutes ago but 'ee looked so at peace as 'ee slept. Pleasant dream?"

My blood ran cold at the question. I have agreed to escape with Joker so to forget my past and love I had for that damned butler, so why just now have I been dreaming of him? Visions of my cherished memories... I bared my ringleader a grin. "I don't seem to remember, quite frankly. But, I feel refreshed."

"Wonderful. Morning is close and we will be able to meet father. Come."

Gazing at the manor once again, an uneasy feeling settled in my stomach. Doll had mentioned before I left that there will be secrets revealed that won't be admirable to reveal. But looking at Joker, all I have known him to be was a caring and adoring man who has done nothing but show me affection.

Family after family, my Noah's Ark Circus troupe has to be one I could finally rely on, right?

With my hand in his, Joker led me into the chilly manor.

Here comes the moment of truth.