【On a rainy day, A femme fatale was misled into a trap...】

F/N. That was your name and nothing else. Or at least, this is what you would have everyone believe.

A mystery you were, befuddling the minds of every man you passed. Anyone who had crossed your path called you 'The Black Temptress'. It wouldn't have had anything to do with your appearance even if you wore all black every day. No, it was something else, something hidden deep inside that only a select few could see.

Your bewitching face was often concealed behind a veil, whether to keep others from staring or to hide an evil smile, sometimes even you did not know.

But one day, you wandered into a place that changed everything...

"D/N, are you sure?" you asked, tempted to yell over the rain, though you knew they could hear you no matter what volume your voice was at. D/N laughed their odd laugh and smiled their odd smile.

"You see, my mistress, you have but two options... Ask the lord of that manor for a favor, or stay out here on this moonless night under the pouring skies. We both know you would be able to acquire the benevolence of that lord, so why hesitate?" You scoffed.

"Hesitate?" you asked, making your way towards the manor door, the demon's smile broadening. "Since when do I hesitate?"

"Now that's my mistress~" They sung as you ascended the steps to the manor. "You know what to do when you are unable to do anything on your own. Simply ask, and I will come." With that, D/N disappeared like always, and you knocked on the manor door, shivering. For two full minutes, you stood there, waiting. Again, you knocked, louder this time, when you suddenly found yourself falling.

"Be more careful," a velvety voice murmured as you felt an arm around your midsection bring you back to standing. "Leaning against a door you are knocking on can be quite painful if it opens suddenly and without warning." When you were upright again, you met the eyes of a pale man with scarlet eyes wearing a butler's uniform. He was a demon, you knew from experience, though encountering one was rare.

"Thank you," you spoke, smiling, not that he could see it behind your veil. Once you removed it, he would be ensnared in your trap, demon or not.

"No need to thank me; it was simple advice," he replied, smiling with his eyes closed. "What has brought you to the Phantomhive Manor in such dreadful weather?"

"Well actually..." you mumbled, "I was caught in the storm, and I need a place to stay the night... Could you spare a room? Please, just sleeping on the floor will do!" The butler appeared to have no pity for you, only thinking to himself.

"I will have to consult my master to allow any visitors to the manor," he replied with a smile. "So if you will wait here." You nodded, shivering, a sly smirk spreading across your face. No one here would ever forget you.

<><><>

"What is your name?" the young Earl asked in his seat across from you, his revealed sapphire eye seeming to stare into your soul.

"F/N. Just F/N," you answered.

"And what is the reason for the veil you wear?" You nervously chuckled.

"I'm a little self-conscious about my face... do you mind?"

"There's no need," the butler interjected, walking over to you, "for you to be so uncomfortable with your appearance, Miss F/N. I insist that you remove it."

"A-Alright," you feigned hesitancy as you slowly removed the veil, placing it atop your head. Lord Phantomhive's eyes widened, though the demon seemed unsurprised, displeasing you.

"I do not understand why you are insecure, F/N. Your visage is a marvel to see."

"R-Really?" Alas, you could not feign a blush; that would have been the cherry on your deception. Just then, four people burst into the room. One appeared to be a chef, the next a gardener, the third a maid, and the last a footman... with snakes all around him. You'd seen stranger things though.

"What is it, you four?" the butler asked irritatedly.

"It's ehm..." the maid started.

"I called them here, Sebastian. Did you forget what day it was?"

"It must be Thursday then. I never could get truly grasp Thursdays," Sebastian muttered.

"What nonsense are you mumbling? It's their pay day, you idiot."

"Yes, of course. Miss F/N, these are the servants of the manor. Baldroy the chef, Finnian the gardener, Mey-rin the maid, and Snake the footman." The three males were openly gaping at you, and though you couldn't tell with Mey-rin, she was blushing.

"Oh, she's a lovely one alright," Baldroy complimented as the gardener nodded.

"I like her... said Brontë," Snake spoke after a snake hissed. Mey-rin seemed to be speechless.

"That's enough gawking, you four," Earl Phantomhive interjected, beckoning them forward with a hand and gesturing to four sealed envelopes. "And please don't discuss your pay with each other while you're in here again; the last banter gave me a headache." The four nodded dutifully and picked up the envelopes with their names on it before they walked out again, leaving you alone with the boy and his butler.

"So... may I stay the night?" you questioned, earning a chuckle from the boy.

With a seemingly devious look in his eyes, he replied, "Be my guest, F/N. We shall show you every hospitality. See her to her room, Sebastian."

"Understood," Sebastian replied, motioning for you to follow him.

"Thank you, Earl Phantomhive," you intoned, nodding at him with a smile before Sebastian closed the door to the study behind you and began leading you towards a room, making you smirk from behind him. They were so—

All of a sudden, you were pinned against the wall by the butler, halting your thought process. His eyes were glowing like D/N's.

"S-Sebastian, this is rather improper..." you stuttered fakely. This wouldn't have been the first time you've been cornered.

"Did you really think you could fool me with that terrible act?" Sebastian asked flatly, leveling his head with yours.

"What act?" A cold, gloved finger trailed up your neck to your chin, two fingers harshly grasping it.

"Did you think I wouldn't notice if another demon appeared near this manor? Don't test my patience, F/N. I can see that tainted soul of yours, so coveted by that demon. Why are you here?" A demonic smile crept across your lips.

"As expected of a demon. But my actual intention was simply to stay the night." Sebastian's eyes narrowed at you, and his cold fingers strayed back down to your neck.

"A pathological liar, it seems, cannot speak the truth. I am surprised you are still aware of who you are." Sebastian grabbed your throat. "But however surprised I may be does not change that I have let something wander into the manor that should be left outside." Your smirk did not fade.

"Even if my looks do not faze you, you will be snared in my trap soon enough. It doesn't matter if you throw me out or if you kill me; you will be mine." Sebastian chuckled softly.

"I'm dreadfully sorry, but my adoration is reserved for felines. I have no interest in the looks of a human woman who speaks of more useless things than my master."

"We'll see~" you spoke next to his ear, easily slipping past him. "I believe you were going to show me to my room, Sebastian?" He chuckled slightly.

"Amusing you are," he said before he started walking ahead of you and eventually unlocking a door. "I do hope you will enjoy your stay, Miss F/N," Sebastian said bowing as you walked in the room. You slipped him a smile.

"Oh, I intend to. Thank you for your hospitality."

<><><>

You woke early the next morning while the sun was still not showing its light. Your veil was draped half-way across your decorative dresser, and you smirked at it as you turned the knob to your room.

However, on the other side of the door was the young Earl Phantomhive, making you step back a few paces, straight into a pair of arms, though they made no move to harm you.

"Do tell, F/N," the Earl began. "why you are awake at such an ungodly hour?"

"A gentleman should not ask about a lady's problems, Earl," you reprimanded lightly, though the boy was unfazed.

"You were right, Sebastian. I can see it now."

"See what?" you asked, tilting your head adorably.

"Every time you lie, your mouth twitches in only the slightest bit. Not bad." You frowned; this was disappointing.

"The Black Temptress," Sebastian's voice sounded from behind you. "I thought I'd heard your name somewhere before, so I checked with some of the people you had ensnared. They described you as a seemingly innocent woman with the same charms as a succubus." You chortled.

"Did they? I'm flattered."

"Yes. As 'innocent' is something you most certainly are not, isn't that right? My dear half-demon." You paused. Half-demon? Did D/N do something to you?

"Perhaps," you answered with a mysterious smile, glancing back at the handsome raven-headed butler. "But I really must go, you see..." You softly kissed the butler's cheek and did the same to the Earl before you raced out of the room, vaulting off the banister of the main hall to land on the elegant carpet set out. "Now..." you mumurmed, glancing about before darting into a doorway.

But just before you were about to enter the kitchen, you caught sight of a harp, and you found yourself drawn towards it. Before you knew it, your fingers were already on the strings, creating a lachrymose melody you didn't know the name of if you had been taught it.

Your mouth opened, and your voice melded with the sound of the strings, creating a full, rich song. Something wet hit your leg, and you knew you were crying.

Unbeknownst to you, the people in the manor were all listening, some of their faces sodden with tears as well. When the final note rang out, you stared at the harp, running your fingers along the tuning pins. You shook your head and wiped your tears with a hand. What had you been doing? The kitchen? Yes, yes...

You were about to leave the room you had been in when the six who had been listening to your song burst in. Well, four burst into the room. The other two merely stared at you curiously from the doorway.

"MISS F/N, THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL, IT WAS!" Mey-rin shouted excitedly, her face showing evidence that she had wept for your performance.

"IT WAS SO SAAAAD!" Finnian whined, still crying with his hands balled in front of his eyes.

"It was a killer piece just like you," Baldroy mumbled, looking away.

"I think I like you...said Oscar," Snake spoke. "The music was delightful...said Oscar." Despite these compliments, this was actually quite embarrassing. To be caught showing weakness was a disgrace in both yours and D/N's eyes. The Earl Phantomhive walked forward, making the servants part.

"That was a truly grandiose performance, F/N," Lord Phantomhive said with a smile. "It would please me if you could play such a piece for our guests this afternoon." You resisted the urge to yell 'no'.

"I appreciate your kind words, Earl Phantomhive," you said. "But I'm afraid I'll have to decline."

"Why not?" Sebastian asked with a smile you knew had a more sinister meaning. "From what I can see, you are quite adept and have no reason to fear being scorned." You laughed softly.

"Ah, but I have truly bad stage fright. I had no clue that the six of you were listening in."

"I can help you to overcome that," Sebastian spoke with a smile. Trapped.

"If you insist, Sebastian," you said with a slight chortle, walking past them all, trying to contain yourself. They had something in store for you; you knew it. But an evil smile soon lit your face. All you had to do was destroy the harp.

<><><>

It was after breakfast that you started trying. Strangely enough though, one of the servants just happened to be cleaning the room the harp was in every time you were about to walk in with a weapon.

No matter; you had your methods. Target the weakest link.

"Hey, Finny, can you help me a minute?" you asked of the strawberry-blond teen who had been previously putting a small vase in the room.

"What is it, Miss F/N?" he asked over his shoulder, his innocent eyes bright.

"My dress seems to be caught on something, and I can't get to it." Finnian almost instantly ran to you.

"I'll help you, Miss F/N! Where is it caught?"

"I believe the train."

"I see it! Carefully..." Finnian successfully removed the cloth that had gotten stuck, joyfully standing, making you smile.

"Thank you, Finnian," you whispered like a demon before kissing his cheek. Instantly, Finnian's face lit up in a bright red blush before he fainted, making you chuckle. Child's play.

You brought up the small pair of scissors you had managed to pilfer and grinned as you quickly snipped each harp string. For good measure, you also broke the tuning pins before you left the room.

"Hey, Finny, it's my shift—oy, Finny!" Quickly, you darted around the corner as Baldroy came into view. "This isn't funny; you can't sleep on the job!"

"Miss F/N..." Finny mumbled, seeming to be seeing visions.

"Look, we all know she's got looks, but this is work! Get up before Sebastian has both of our heads!" You softly chuckled. You wouldn't be performing anytime soon.

<><><>

Guests began to arrive after lunch, and you were often stared at when they caught sight of you. You couldn't help the sly smile that slowly slipped across your face; it was perfect.

"Are you truly that happy to be playing for them?" someone asked.

"Not really; I do not think your lessons have helped very much, Sebastian," you replied, your smile becoming sweet. "Though I thank you for the effort nonetheless."

"I am sorry to hear that, my lady," Sebastian said, though his voice contained not an ounce of remorse. "Because I have a feeling today's guests will be utterly stunned." With that, Sebastian walked away. They would be stunned alright. But not by what either you or Sebastian assumed.

"Thank you for accepting my invitation today," the Earl began, catching the attention of the guests.

Someone shouted out, "No problem, Ciel!"

Ignoring this, the Earl continued, "And to start off this gathering, I would like to introduce to you a skilled harpist, F/N." You took your cue and smiled at the oddly mixed crowd, dipping into a slight curtsy. "So without any further ado, we shall start the performance."

You thought the guests would all be shocked by the state of the harp, but no—you were. The harp was now made of glass instead of wood, the strings absolutely perfect and the pins stylized silver. It was truly beautiful—you'd never seen anything like it. Realizing your mouth had been hanging slightly open, you quickly closed it.

Slowly, you walked over to the harp and sat on the designated seat. How could such a thing make a sound? But seeing Sebastian's and the Earl's smiles, you knew the instrument would play.

You lightly ran your fingers across the strings to find it was already tuned. Now the switch in you had been flipped. The harp's sound rang out in the silent hall, many of the guests watching you move with bated breath. And that's when the melancholy melody started from your mouth and flowed out into the air.

Great sorrow and turmoil wove its way into your song. Longing and dread. Anger and regret. Indecisiveness. Sacrifice. Loneliness.

"What is life, really?" you questioned. "When they just forget about me."

A long, cruel note swept its way into the song.

"Tell me, my dear... what is it you wish from me?"

"I want them to never forget. I want an image of me burned into their minds forever."

"Hahaha. Very well. To engrave you into their hearts so that they shall never forget."

The next notes were filled with an indescribable emptiness. A hole that could never be filled.

"Very good, F/N. Your soul will be truly wonderful to tear into pieces." You glanced back at the demon.

"What am I, D/N?" you asked sadly, and D/N frowned.

"You are unhappy?" You nodded, and D/N walked closer. "This is most displeasing..." they whispered, drawing a claw down your neck.

You finished the melody, numbly standing up and lowering your head to the silence greeting you.

"Arise, F/N," D/N said. You glanced at them out of the corner of your eye before you got up, yawning.

"Who is next on my list?"

"Earl Ciel Phantomhive."

When your head raised again, the crowd had mixed expressions of pensiveness and absolute sadness, four of them bawling on the floor. Someone was howling like a dog missing its master.

Someone finally broke the spellbound silence when they cleared their throat.

"If everyone would, we will begin the dance, so please enjoy yourselves!" At first, you had no idea what was happening until the sound of a violin playing broke you out of your stupor. When you listened closer, you realized the song was Danse Macabre, the first true melody you had ever heard before you had been taught to play the harp.

"Hehe~ Broken Doll, would you care to have a dance?" a man with silver locks asked of you, a strange smile on his face. A Grim Reaper—and an old one at that. You smiled graciously.

"Of course, good sir," you replied delicately, taking his hand and swaying the the slightly discordant lead he gave.

"Say, you wouldn't happen to know something funny for me, would you?" Something funny? You thought quickly.

"My friend says to me, 'What rhymes with orange?', to which I respond, 'No, it doesn't.'" The man cackled, and as his fringe shifts, you catch a glimmer of green, his green Reaper eyes.

"Got anything else for me?"

"I couldn't figure out why the cricket ball was getting larger. Then it hit me." Now the man chuckled a little harder, and a smile more devious than before stretched across your lips. "And the lord said unto John, 'Come forth and you will receive eternal life'. John came fifth and won 20 pounds." Now the man was full-on laughing, and had you not been dancing, you didn't doubt the man would have fallen to the floor.