He was truly perfect.

Edward, your master, was truly perfect.

He was kind, gentlemanly, skilled, and protective. He didn't treat you like a maid; he treated you like a member of his precious family. He talked to you at length, confided in you, gave you his happiness. It was too late you realized you loved him, and it hurt to know he would never marry a servant—it would place shame on the Midford family.

"F/N? Are you alright?" Edward asked you from behind, scaring the crap out of you.

"Stop doing that!" you protested as you turned around, placing a hand on your jumpy heart.

"Sorry, I just wanted to know if you were okay. You've been looking a little under the weather lately." You softened at his concern, and you smiled.

"I am well, thank you, Master Edward."

"You're sure? Lizzy wants to return to the Earl Phantomhive, and I don't want her to go alone again; would you mind coming with me? You don't have to force yourself."

"Of course I will accompany you," you replied with a smile. "I would not leave you for the world." You could swear Edward blushed as he ducked his head and scratched at his scalp before his clear face returned to you. Maybe not.

"Then we're leaving tomorrow morning," Edward replied with a smile, and you couldn't help but give him a genuine smile back.

<><><>

"CIEEEEELLLLLL!!" Lizzy cried as she ran to her fiancé and wrapped the reluctant boy in a hug, making you chuckle. Edward was already angrily blustering for the Lord Phantomhive to let go of his precious sister. There was another reason you had come to this manor, and that was to keep Edward's overprotectiveness under control.

"Lizzy, please, you're strangling me..." Phantomhive pleaded, tapping her on the arm, and she reluctantly let go. You could hear the boy's butler softly chuckling at the display as he lingered in the corner, ready to assist yet nearly invisible.

"F/N, why is my sister engaged to that guy?" Edward asked you, almost whining at you.

"Master Edward, you know that Lizzy loves the Earl Phantomhive," you replied with a smile, and he seemed to get ahold of himself, although it was obvious he didn't agree with you.

"Would you like some refreshments, Edward? I understand it has been a bit of a journey here. Sebastian is only too willing to work, isn't that right, Sebastian?" The Earl slid his butler what seemed like a vengeful smirk.

"Of course, my lord." Sebastian briefly glanced at you, seeming to consider asking something before he dismissed it. Probably helping the butler out; he had once remarked that he wished with a passion that you worked for the Phantomhives instead, as you were very skilled, apparently. You had thought there was nothing wrong with the current staff.

Edward continued to glare at his future brother-in-law, and you quietly disarmed him, making him protest as you placed his sword gently on the Earl's desk.

"No," you said.

"You can't take a man's pride away from him!" Edward protested, and you heard Ciel snort a laugh.

"Yes I can, if it threatens the peace," you replied.

"It's not threatening the peace!" Edward protested, trying to reach for it futilely, but he couldn't get to it without violating the gentleman's code. "F/N, give it back." You glanced at the Earl Phantomhive helplessly; you couldn't refuse a direct order. He shrugged at you, giving a brief glance to Sebastian, who had returned with tea and biscuits.

"Please don't use it here," you said as you obediently gave it back to your master.

"As long as Phantomhive doesn't do anything uncalled for, then I won't have to," he replied, and you sighed.

"I must say I feel sorry for your maid," Ciel remarked. "She follows you everywhere trying to stop your rash decisions concerning my fiance, yet you don't seem to ever listen to her."

"Earl Phantomhive!" you blurted, unable to help it, and he looked at you with one blue eye.

"What? I only speak the truth; you are never far from Edward's side, as far as I've seen, and you continue to advise him. In fact, I might almost mistake you for a married couple." You felt your face burn, and you pointedly looked at the floor.

"Earl, that is uncalled for!" Edward protested, and you felt your heart sink. Uncalled for, meaning the insinuation was offensive to him. You knew it was true, but it still sent a grievous pang through you. "Do you find pleasure in making my maid uncomfortable?" You shot your head up, surprised as Edward folded his arms, looking a little agitated.

"No, I had no idea such a statement would fluster you both so badly," the Earl replied, cocking one eyebrow as he sipped a few drops of tea. Sebastian was softly chuckling to himself, seeming to be trying to direct his amusement at the wall. You had the growing suspicion that both the boy and his butler knew exactly how you felt about Edward. "I apologize, Edward," the Earl said, his young lips curling into a smirk. "for poking a sensitive topic."

"Master, we talked about this," you said, trying to calm him down after his hand settled on the hilt of his sword. Lizzy looked between her brother and Ciel worriedly, the latter of whom still peacefully drank his tea before he broke a biscuit and ate it by the morsel.

"He's insulting your honor!" Edward protested. "Doesn't that make you angry?!" You felt touched. Normally, the disgrace of an affair with a servant fell on the master for stooping so low, yet Edward believed the shame would rest more on you, thus a greater offense to you than himself. It was just like him to not care about the trifles of nobility and let his actions speak for him. If King Arthur had really existed, you imagined he had been a lot like Edward.

"I am not offended, as to be as lucky as to be your wife, it would be offensive to be offended that he insinuated that I was so blessed as that," you replied, and Edward's cheeks pinkened substantially, and his hand darted to the back of his head.

"You're so cute together!" Lizzy squealed with a happy grin and bright eyes. "Why don't you kiss?"

"Lizzy!" you squeaked, feeling your face redden with embarrassment. At some point, you had accidentally confessed to Lizzy about your feelings, and you really didn't want her to let the cat out of the bag; God, that'd be embarrassing!

Mysteriously enough, Edward's blush had escalated, and he tried not to look at you. You told yourself it wasn't possible continually, but mounting hope fluttered in your chest despite the oppressing presence of Edward's mother and father disapproving.

"Th-This room is feeling a little stuffy. Come on, F/N, I need some air," Edward said, taking you by the hand and leading you out of the room. Soft chuckles from the boy seemed to follow you as you made your way to the drawing room.

A long silence lingered between you two as Edward sighed, ruffling his hands through his blond hair. You blushed as you thought of doing exactly that after he had closed the gap between you for a ki...

"Aaaaagh!" you groaned, rubbing your own head furiously. You couldn't afford to be thinking like this about your master of all things!

"F/N, are you alright?" Edward asked, the picture of concern, and you felt your face warm again. Why did he have to be so... him?! Damn your heart!

"....fine, Master Edward."

"You don't look like it," he said, standing up. "Please, tell me if something is bothering you. I can't just watch you being tortured as you are." You looked at the blond, whose green eyes were so reminiscent of his sister's though far more mature. "Please?"

"You truly are an English gentleman, Master Edward," you replied with a smile, curtsying slightly. "But I assure you I am perfectly alright."

"F/N, please don't lie to me because you think it will make me feel better," Edward rebuked sharply. "Something's been bothering you for a long time now, and I know I should've asked sooner, but I didn't, so I'm making amends."

Your heart pounded in your chest; he was so close. You needed to get away now.

But when you stepped back, he stepped forward. And as you kept inching backward, you soon found yourself against a wall, or rather the door it seemed, as the distinctive shape of a doorknob was pressing into your back. Edward placed his hands on either side of you, looking determined and no doubt making you a blushing mess. Right... escape...

"F/N," Edward murmured, and you felt your heart practically beat against your ribcage. Away. Now. Your hand moved behind you to grasp the doorknob, but Edward saw you and grabbed your wrist. "Why are you trying to run from me?"

He glanced at the wrist clutched in his hand and he blushed and let go, backing away before he bowed his head. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to be so forceful!"

"Master Edward, please, it's fine," you assured, your hand leaving the doorknob as you instinctively made to comfort your master and tell him all was well.

"But what about 'ladies first'?" he asked miserably.

"Please, Master Edward, I understand you were frustrated."

"But force gets me nowhere! It just makes you unhappy! And did I find the source of your distress? No!"

"Master Edward," you said, taking him by his tough biceps. "If you insist to know, no matter the cost, I will tell you, since I cannot stand to see you dejected. Do you wish to know?"

He nodded without hesitation.

"I've grown very fond of you, Master Edward, very, very fond. But I cannot be at your side. I am a servant; you are a noble who must marry another noble. That is what grieves me, Master Edward."

Edward looked at you, surprised before he wrapped his arms around you.

"I never thought you'd feel the same way," he mumbled. "F/N, I'm more than fond of you. I want you to be my fiance."

"But the social hierarchy—"

"To Hell with the nobility," Edward replied, squeezing you harder, and despite the weight of his statement, you felt your heart lighten with pure happiness.

You would make it through together.