"There are two female prodigies?" Out of the corner of your eye, you saw Grey nod.

"Looking away again, L/N?" your opponent asked, and you sighed.

"Would you just be quiet?" you grumbled, swinging the practice sword with a deft movement and instantly knocking the male down, your eyes sharp as you held the sword to his neck. Grey whistled.

"She's got skills; I'd like to fight her sometime." You smiled slightly. Grey seemed decently strong, so you wanted to fight him as well, but since the instructor was always looking for ways to challenge you, this was probably not an option. Like the child he was, the male below you refused to give up the fight, ignoring the instructor. Again, you sighed, allowing him to get up fully.

"You're just a girl, L/N. You can never defeat us," the boy growled, making you narrow your eyes. Unfortunately, he could not see those sharp eyes beneath your helmet.

"And he broke the taboo. What an idiot," Grey muttered to Phipps.

"Come," you ordered flatly, bringing your practice sword into a stance that hadn't been taught by the instructor. Infuriated by your boldness, the fool charged forward, directly into your trap. Whap! Whoosh! Smack! You hit all of his vitals in a flurry of deadly moves, undoubtedly causing bruises despite the practice gear you were both wearing.

"Grey, what exactly is the taboo?" you heard Phipps ask as the boy lay on the floor, now unwilling to move.

"Never tell her she can't do something. Because she will do it."

<><><>

Unfortunately, through the year you had been taught official swordplay, you never fought Grey or Phipps. But you had all but forgotten about the white-haired duo that had been rumored to be now serving the Queen; it had been over eight years since you had last seen them.

Now running your family's business on your own, you had been recently invited to the Phantomhive manor to discuss business opportunities, as well enjoy a lavish gathering with other nobles. Your business was confectionery items, the main reason the Phantomhive head wanted to contact you.

And so you sat, bored in the carriage as it ferried you to your destination, making idle conversation with your butler, B/N.

"With all due respect, my lady, I do not think a family head like yourself should be staring at clouds and claiming they look like cream puffs," your butler chided, and you glanced back at him.

"Have anything better to talk about, B/N?" you asked, resting your head on your palm. "The Phantomhive manor is quite far, isn't it?"

"Yes; over 60 miles, I believe. It is good that our horses are fit, or it would take us at least two days." You nodded and looked out the window; the clouds were starting to make you hungry; you hoped the Phantomhives would be ready with food.

<><><>

"Hm, an impressive manor indeed," you complimented as your butler helped you out of the carriage. "Perhaps I will have something to learn while I am here." You caught a black-haired butler at the front door eyeing you closely, and you gave him a cursory glance. He wasn't particularly astonishing in any respect, but even so, you could practically feel the strength radiating off him. It made you want to fight the man.

However, with a reminding glance from your butler, you smiled, releasing the gathering tension in your limbs, and the butler at the door curiously tilted his head. "Hello; I am Countess L/N. Earl Phantomhive invited me to this manor for a business proposition." The man smiled.

"My name is Sebastian Michaelis, at your service, Lady L/N. We have been expecting you." With that, the man drew the large doors open and bowed as you walked past. You could feel his red eyes lingering at your back with interest, but you didn't take much note of it as your attention was soon caught by the boy decorated like an Earl.

"Welcome to the Phantomhive Manor, Countess L/N. If you would please wait in the foyer until the rest of the guests arrive, I would appreciate it." You inclined your head slightly.

"Come, B/N," you murmured as you went to sit in a comfortable chair. You yawned behind your hand. "Wake me up when someone else shows up."

"My lady," your butler attempted to scold, but you were already on your way to dreamland.

<><><>

"Would you like a drink, Lady L/N?" You cracked an eye open to look at the red-eyed butler. He was holding a tray of glasses filled with what appeared to be champagne.

"I'd rather wait until other guests have arrived," you replied, closing your eye again.

"Pardon, my lady, but you have arrived quite early. The others shall not be here for at least another fifteen minutes." You smiled.

"Then perhaps you should entertain me, lest I become bored."

"My lady," your own butler warned, and you softly chuckled.

"B/N, would you relax? I'm joking. Besides that, it would be most rude to just fight a servant at someone's manor simply because he looked strong."

"If that is what would entertain you, then I would be more than happy to oblige," Sebastian cut in, and a smirk crept across your face.

"Sounds like fun, but," And at 'but', you caught faint sound of horse hooves on cobblestones. "It seems that contrary to your earlier estimate, other people have arrived. So I will have a drink." You then expertly took one of the glasses, opening your eyes again as you sipped the champagne. Sebastian smiled and bowed his head slightly to you.

"Seems you are correct. I shall attend to the door. And Mr. B/N, was it? You need not chastise your mistress for such matters. Despite how I may look, I am not as weak as I appear."

"He really burned you there, B/N," you mocked, taking another sip. You could tell he wanted to come back with something, but he couldn't for obvious reasons. Shortly afterward, three people flowed into the foyer.

The first appeared to be a philanthropist, a little on the plump side with dark brown hair and naturally soft eyes.

The second was perhaps a governor, tall and severe with short, black hair.

The third was a particularly odd case. With long, wild red hair, red glasses attached by a chain, and a red coat set almost carelessly on his arms, he appeared far too flashy for the butler's uniform he was wearing underneath. What was more, the man seemed to be trying to kiss Sebastian, to the latter's irritation.

Standing up, you decided to greet the trio. When you approached, their attention naturally focused on you as you politely smiled. "Excuse me. I am Countess L/N. May I have the privilege of knowing your names?"

"Viscount Clements," the governer-like man replied stiffly as his opposite beamed.

"Baron Twaddle, Lady L/N." You smiled back and then looked at the flamboyant male, whose arm had been taken to breaking point by a very irritated butler.

"Excuse me for this aggressive display, Lady L/N," Sebastian spoke pleasantly. "But Mr. Sutcliff was being very improper."

"Oh, but Sebby, isn't it better that way?" You softly chuckled as Sebastian twisted Sutcliff's arm.

"You see, I would much prefer it that Mr. Sutcliff had not attended, as he does very little for my lord and often acts without regard for the social rules." With a sigh, Sebastian let go of Sutcliff's arm. "However, he has been invited nonetheless."

"That reminds me," you said, glancing back at the door. "Who else was invited? As I recall there were four others supposed to be here, not three."

"Ah, yes, of course. Earl Grey should be arriving shortly."

<><><>

Grey? Surely not him. However, when the door was opened yet again, you recognized the face of the man you had encountered eight years ago. But what you definitely didn't expect was for him to recognize you.

"Oh, F/N! Long time no see!" He then spontaneously hugged you and you caught him saying. "I want to have a match with you, L/N." You could hear the smirk in his voice as he whispered, "After dinner. Whether you're ready or not." You had to suppress your own grin as he leaned away with a huge smile. "Have you been doing well?"

"Just fine, Charles." He raised an eyebrow at your use of his first name, but other than that, his face was perfectly unreadable as he grinned, his silver eyes gleaming like the sword he carried.

"Well, since everyone is here, I will call you all by name to enter the dining hall," Sebastian intervened, clapping his hands once. "First, Countess L/N." You eyed Grey for a few more seconds before turning your head and walking towards the dining hall, vaguely noticing your butler trailing behind you. But seeing the food arrayed on the dining table was what made you stop paying attention. Your stomach was killing you.

<><><>

Together, you and Grey had eaten over 30 full plates of food, and Grey still wanted more. Many people had commented on your monstrous appetite, but Grey was on another level; in this, he had beaten you.

"So Earl Phantomhive, when would you like to speak of business?" you questioned the boy staring somewhat aghast at your small mountain of plates, which were discreetly taken away by one of the servants. He cleared his throat.

"We shall discuss those matters later. For now, why don't you enjoy yourselves?"

"Don't mind if I do!" Twaddle interjected with a laugh.

"That is not what I came here for," Clements spoke flatly. Suddenly, you realized something; though you had been distracted because of your hunger, you hadn't seen Sutcliff at any point during the meal. You closed your eyes, tuning out some argument between Clements and Twaddle, wondering if you could hear the distinctive voice of Sutcliff.

"S-Sebby, this isn't what it looks like..."

"Oh really? It looks like you set my cat free and are attempting to impersonate it." You held back a laugh.

"W-Well, maybe this is what it looks like. B-But come on! Meow!"

"Do you want me to kill you right now, Grell?"

"What's with the creepy smile on your face, F/N?" Grey asked you as you hid your laugh behind your hand.

"Nothing," you said, still faintly amused. "It just seems the butler is having quite the problem with our friendly red-haired guest. I suppose he had too much to drink." You smiled mysteriously, and Twaddle laughed heartily as if that was the funniest thing he'd heard in a long time.

"How did you know that, Lady L/N?" Earl Phantomhive inquired curiously, and you tapped your ear.

"I listened," you replied simply, and the Earl shrugged with a slight smile, standing up.

"Intriguing. If anyone would like to join me, I will be in the game room."

Despite his earlier protests, Clements followed Earl Phantomhive while Twaddle seemed to want you to go first.

"You go on ahead, Baron Twaddle," you called with a smile, making the man who was now certainly taken with you blush and move on before your gaze shifted to Grey. He grinned and threw one of his gloves in front of you. "A formal challenge, hm?" you questioned, feeling as if your face could split from the excessive amount of smiling you were doing today.

"My lady, please not in the dining room," your all-but-forgotten butler implored. You sighed.

"Yes, yes. Before we duel, may we go outside, Grey? I would rather not create too much of a stir; I am a guest after all." Grey drew his sword.

"Accept my challenge, and you'll find out." You giggled slightly as you picked up the glove and immediately started running, unsheathing the sword you kept hidden within the confines of your clothing. You quickly made it to the front door and opened it with ease, turning around with your back to assorted greenery.

"You know, Grey, I've always wanted to fight you," you said as you blocked his attack, coming back with an attack of your own.

"Likewise." CLANG! "But I'm better than you now."

"Really now?" you asked, delivering a series of blows, each of which was blocked and returned.

"You can't beat me now." Your mouth opened in a demon's grin.

"Now you've done it," you intoned, shifting into a your favorite stance. Recognition lit Grey's eyes.

He only had time to say, "Shit," before your sword was at his throat. He sighed. "I forgot the taboo. If I hadn't, I would have beat you." You lightly chuckled.

"I wonder about that~ You seemed a little distracted, Charles." Surprisingly, Grey blushed.

"Wh-What? Don't be stupid!"

"Liar, liar, liar~"

"Ah, shut up!"