I awoke early, I snuck out of bed hoping Alois wouldn't notice, and He didn't. I slipped into my clothes soundlessly. I put on my purple jacket and pulled the hood over my head. I sat down on the floor and slipped into my knee high red boots. I laced them up, I was capable of dressing myself; I had to learn as a child only having one maid in the whole house who only spent the night with me. Images ran through my head of the night previous; I shivered and stood back up. I opened the door quietly.

I'm sorry Alois but I didn't mean for that to happen, I slipped through the crack in the door and closed the door. I sighed and forced myself down the hall. I ran down the stairs and into the main hall. In between I and the door stood the triplets. They stared at me.

"We know what happened last night, where are you going in such a hurry princess?" The three demons said. I looked at them and sighed.

"Its okay princess, you don't have to tell us, we already know, now hurry up before he wakes up, now get going" Timber said with a slight smile.

I smiled and curtsied, "Thank you Timber, please, don't tell Alois where I'm going, okay?" I said approaching them. They smiled and nodded. I ran out the door and down off the stairs and took off toward PhantomhiveMansion. I was in very well shape so I could run for a while, I sighed as I was running out of breath I saw carriages go by all of them looking at me they thought they knew me, so they never gave me a second look.

"Rosalie Clark!" A squeaky voice said. I turned on my heels and there stood Elizabeth Ethel Cordelia Midford. "Where are you coming from?" The Young girl sounded angry.

"I wasn't with your cousin, if that's what you're asking!?" My voice was harsh, the same tone I had caught Ciel use with her several times. "Now go away Elizabeth! Ciel doesn't want you! He never has! Do you have any idea how much he means to me!?" I screamed. I took off running again, I felt hot tears roll down my face and I felt a lump grow in my throat. I swallowed hard and gave my head a shake, Maybe he won't want me after what happened last night, everything was like the dream I had about Ciel, maybe I'm lucky and Ciel doesn't know, He probably does, and he'll probably hate me, I shook my head again and kept running until, a very elegant carriage pulled by three white horses pulled over to the side of the road, and Ash stepped out.

"Milady, please come in you'll get sick if you stand out in the cold, please we'll take you to where ever you need to go!" Ash insisted. I nodded as he got out of the carriage and held his hand out for me to balance me as I stepped into the carriage. He smiled and followed me in. I sat down across from a young woman, resembling Ash, in more ways than one, but I didn't bother asking.

"Mistress Rose, this is my twin sister Angela, I'm just coming from Houndsworth to get her. So where do you need to go to?" the driver was still awaiting orders. I was more silent than usual.

"Phantomhive Mansion, do you think you could take me there Ash?" I asked.

"Of Course, my princess," Ash said with a smile. "Driver, To Phantomhive Mansion, then take me back home!" the driver nodded. I sat on the opposite side of the carriage, from the twins. I sat more quietly hoping that the pair would just reminisce about the past and not worry about me. I sighed as the carriage came to a rolling stop, "Well, Milady do you want me to help you out?" He asked. I looked at him and shook my head.

"No it's fine, I can do this my own Ash, but thanks for bringing me this far!" I tried to smile and I exited the carriage. I approached the giant double doors of Phantomhive estate; Ash stopped me.

"My lady wait Your grandmother needs to you to give this to Lord Phantomhive, I hope this won't bother you too much, it's a few letters, give them to him when you deem it necessary, but remember, it must be today, it's very important, it's about you and your new status, you remember don't you?" Ash asked. I turned around and walked back toward the carriage.

"Yes I understand, I will give them to the Earl when I think it necessary, I promise." I said walking back toward the doors. I approached the doors when I heard arguing coming from the other side, whoever it was they sounded angry with the each other. I reached up and knocked on the door.

"Ah, young lady Clark my master would like to have a word with you, come with me, he's in his study." Sebastian said. I saw Mey-Rin standing there cowering in fear.

"O-Okay," I said quietly. I just wanted to talk to Ciel, and only him but I couldn't tell Sebastian that, could I? I followed him up the stairs and to the door of his study. Sebastian knocked on the door.

"Come in Sebastian," He called not looking up from a sheet of paper he was holding. I walked in and bowed.

"Lord Phantomhive, please forgive my heinous acts, for I have broken your heart last night, I didn't mean to freak out you, and I certainly didn't mean to do anything else that might have happened last night, will you forgive me Ciel?" I asked.

"Lady Clark, please stop being ridiculous and sit down right here and explain your acts," He replied. I sighed and sat down across from him. "Now milady, do explain," Ciel replied now looking up from his paper work.

"I've committed a terrible crime my lord, I've chosen against you my lord, and I took the wrong path, I've come to right my wrong doings, will you ever forgive me my lord?"

"Done wrong, my lady what are you talking about?" he looked at me with curious eyes. Ciel set his papers aside and rested his head on his hands. I felt the tears roll off my face; they felt hot against my cold face. He didn't take his eyes off of me.

"Please forgive me for what I am about to say my lord, I do however understand if you don't… after all I didn't forgive you last night about the whole Alois Trancy incident. In this case Alois and I were the main characters in a very" I fell silent and Ciel's hand met his mouth. "Sexual partnership last night," The tears kept rolling off my face.

"Lady Clark, What do you mean?" Ciel asked, with a confused look.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean for it to happen! I didn't, I'm so sorry My lord, please, won't you forgive me, I didn't know what I was doing, I promise you… it won't happen again! I promise you my lord!" I said.

"Call me Ciel, of course I forgive you, but now I have a question for you my lady, will you forgive me of my heinous acts? I was only lying to protect you; I'm sorry lady Clark,"

"C-Ciel," I reached for his hand. "Call me Rosie," I said looking straight at him. He smiled and nodded.

"Of course I will," he grabbed my hand. I heard a slight sigh of relief coming from outside the door. "How long are you going to stand outside the door?" He called. He saw the door open and in walked his tall butler.

"I'm sorry for intruding my lord, but I was wondering; would you like some tea for your meeting? I could bring some desert as well?" Sebastian asked, with a smile so many could fall in love with.

"Yes Sebastian… anything to the Lady's preferences," Ciel and Sebastian shared a look. "Oh and would you mind setting up the chess board, I would like to have a game with the princess here so we can discuss business," he said. Sebastian bowed and set up the chess board, he left the room when he finished. Ciel stood up and looked at me. "Well are we going to play Lady Rosalie?" I looked at him and stood up. I smoothed out the skirt on my dress and smiled at him.

"Yes, let's play Ciel, but I'm warning you, I never lose," A sly smirk came across my face.

"Than this should be most intriguing Rosalie," He smirked. "You know how much a hate losing, but who's it going to be, who's going to come out of this the winner, and who will be the loser?" He sang. We both sat down at the chess table, making the first move the game began.

Pawn after pawn, I took them out one by one; it came down to me with most of my pawns and my king and queen. He had but two pieces, it was apparent who the winner was going to be, and it wasn't going to be CielPhantomhive. I saw the sweat bead off of his forehead he quickly dabbed his forehead on a handkerchief he pulled from his pocket. He made one move I had his king and queen closed in, he had no choice I had him wrapped around my fingers. I took out his queen.

Am I pawn, or am I his queen, who knows I have him wrapped around my fingers entwined in my web, wrapped up he cannot move there's nowhere for him to move "Check mate!" I said taking his king after he made his move. Ciel stood up and slammed his hands against the small table frightening me slightly.

"I declare a rematch!" He ordered. Sebastian walked back in and handed me a small plate with a piece of chocolate cheese cake and a small cup of tea. He set them in front of me and Ciel.

"You two can have a rematch after you're afternoon tea break sir," Sebastian bowed. He held his hand to his chest as I had seen Ash do on more than one occasion; I smiled at him and picked up the small plate with the cake. "Served with the cheesecake is a small dollop of freshly picked cherries and cherry jelly made by the capable hands of Chef Barderoy. On that note, he also made a whipped topping for the cheesecake as well, I hope it is to both of your likings," Sebastian said with a grin. I saw Ciel's face go from enjoyment to utter disgust. "And today's tea is a special brew made perfectly for the princess' preferences, I hope you enjoy your light snack, I will get on dinner preparations at once."

"You made Lady GreySebastian?" I asked.

"Yes my lady if I couldn't make a guest of my young lord's happy-"

"What kind of butler would he be, really?" Ciel intervened, sounding a bit irate.

"You took the words right out of my mouth master," Sebastian sounded happy. I dug into the cake and smiled, it was good, I was enjoying it, and there was no way Barderoy could have made something so delectable. Oh well, there was no time to argue about it now, I finished my cake and tea and put them on the cart beside me. I looked up at Ciel and back at the chess board; I hadn't realized Sebastian had reset it; Sebastian left the room to prepare dinner.

"Lady Rosalie what are you here for, it's not just to apologize for the crime you've committed toward me, have you come on Royal protocol?" Ciel asked, making the first move. I looked up at him and made my move.

"In fact that's just the reason my lord, I have come on royal protocol, the newest case, My grandmother thinks you'll need my help, she wants you to figure out what's going on about all the prostitutes dying, the iJack the Ripper/i case, she believes that with my help you could accomplish a great deal of things." I took out another one of his pawns.

"Is she off her rocker? As if I'm letting you go anywhere near my life! There's no way Rosalie, I swore to protect the queen and serve as her royal guard dog, but she's going too far trying to shove you in the underground society! I won't do it Rose! I won't!" Ciel looked at me angrily. "Why would she ask such a task of me?" he said. "I don't believe she would Lady Rose!" I looked at him and handed him an envelope.

"I got this from Ash this morning before I arrived here, he asked me to give it to you; it's from Nana, everything you need to know is sealed within. I can't forge my grandmother's handwriting, I may have good penmanship but Nana's is very solid and very difficult, nor would I have had the time, I woke up got dressed and left Trancy manor and came here." I watched Ciel's eyes scan the paper. He slammed the paper down knocking some of the pieces over.

"No, I'm not risking you getting hurt Rosalie, you mean iway/i too much to me, I couldn't live with the guilt if you got hurt on my account, I can't do that, this is the one task that I'll ever turn down coming from the queen. I always obey, this time, I can't." he said. "Understand, if you begged me to let you help I would still decline, if you threatened me saying you'd never look at me again if I didn't let you help, I would still have to decline, I'm sorry Rosalie, I cannot allow you to help, I couldn't risk it, I'm not going to either!"

"I-I'm sorry Ciel, Let's just get back to our game, enough about this, we'll drop the subject," I said quietly. Ciel looked at me and nodded. He picked up the pieces that he had knocked over. "I-it was your move Ciel," I squeaked. He made his move in front of my pawn there he stood, I could take him, but could I risk just that, what was he planning what was so dangerous about this case he's working on, why was he so angry, who was he angry with? These were just a few questions running through my head as I took his pawn. Before I knew it Ciel and I were in the same position as we were the game previous. I hadn't realized that we were playing the game in complete silence.

"How, that's my question, how did you get so good Rosalie?" Ciel broke the silence.

"Checkmate." I said taking his king. Sebastian came back in and reset the board for us we played several games. I saw Ciel make every move according to plan, as if I was going to lose to him, I don't lose, not today not ever. I looked at Ciel and smirked. The game was over in four moves. I saw his calm face twist with anger and hatred I swallowed hard I never thought I would see that look on his face not ever. "C-Ciel, a-are you alright?" I asked.

Ciel lifted his hand, I thought he was going to slap me, "Come my dear let us go for a walk, but first, your maid is standing at the door, and she wants to have a word with you in private." He said with a sly smirk. I stood up and smoothed out my skirt, I walked out the door and looked into her eyes.

"Oswn, where the Hell have you been!?" I demanded. She looked at me with sweet innocent eyes. "I'm not liking where this is going Oswn, have you been here, could you do my hair and makeup please?" I said.

"Yes I've been here, I do need to spend some time with the man I love my fair lady," she said tying my hair back with two waterfall French braids. She smiled. "I mean even a maid has to spend time with a man she cares about, right?" She asked.

"Who are you talking about Oswn, you don't mean Sebastian do you?" I asked with a concerned look.

"Why yes of course my lady, Sebastian is the only one for me, I always have loved him," She said smiling. "Now what do you think my lady do you like it?" She held a mirror up to my face. I brightened up and didn't look so gloomy, no walk of shame, Ciel was just happy I came to my senses.

"Yes it's very beautiful Oswn, thank you!" I cheered hugging her neck.

"Well My lady if I couldn't merely do something as simple as that, what kind of maid would I be?" She asked with shimmering pink eyes. I walked back in and Ciel had his hat on and his cane in his hand. He smirked at me and his mouth hung open a little.

"You look fantastic Rosalie, Are you ready? I'm thinking just a little walk around the grounds and then the outdoor garden for a little dinner, and then maybe we could go watch a play, I have two tickets for hamlet for tonight, would you like to be my date?" He asked.

"Sure thing Ciel, We'll talk about the real reason why I'm here." I took a pause. "I haven't told you it yet, we'll speak on the walk," I put my hands in my muff hanging off my neck. Ciel smiled and grabbed my arm with his empty hand and we began walking. We started down the hall and walked down the stairs into the grand hall. I saw Mey-Rin out of the corner of my eye, and she gave me a small smile. I looked back down at the floor and followed the young British noble out of his manor.

"So what is the reason for coming to my estate? If it's not to apologize about last night and it's not on your grandmother's wishes, then why is it?" Ciel asked as we were walking on the crisp autumn leaves.

"I'm here on my own business, I want to help you Ciel, I do; please let me help you, help yourself." I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"What do you mean Rosie?" Ciel stepped in front of me and held my shoulders. "Rose what part of I want to keep you safe don't you understand!" I saw Ciel's eyes start flowing with tears.

"Ciel I understand it completely, I do, I-I just don't want you to get hurt either, I mean after all, who would dare try and hurt me Ciel, I'm the queens grandchild, plus, I have two demons who will do anything to make sure I'm safe, There's nothing to worry about Ciel, plus I've been looking into a case, I think I know who did it… I think its lord Viscount Druitt, but that's just me."

"Looking into it, Rose do you have a death wish!?" he said. He shook me back and forth. "I want you to be happy; I don't care of the consequences, please! Be careful around me let's just go for a walk around the estate and then back inside out of the cold, I do need to cool off a bit anyway," Ciel said putting his arm through mine. I only had on a fall jacket, it was just a few weeks before the first snowfall, I could tell the weather was cold and dry; it seemed every year since Ciel returned the weather has been pretty well the same. It got cold and dry a few weeks before the snow hit, and when it does, you want to be ready, we always got a lot of it."It's getting cold Rosie it's only a few weeks before we start getting snow, don't you think?" Ciel asked.

"I-I guess." I said trying to sound entertained.

"You aren't having a good time with me are you?"

"I-I'm sorry I just expected this date to be going a bit better than it is, that's all, and I have something on my mind."

"Want to share?"

"Mey-Rin was telling me how a few days before I came back Elizabeth freaked out and broke your ring, the ring you care so much about. And she said you went to hit her, but you stopped, I thought that maybe it was because you love her,"

"When I went to slap Elizabeth I stopped myself because when I looked at her I saw you, and I stopped, I couldn't imagine hurting you, and that's what I saw when I went to hit her, Don't get the wrong impression Rosie, I love you, and only you," Ciel said staring at the ground.

"C-Ciel, What exactly do you mean by that?" Next I knew it Ciel was standing in front of me. He stopped dead in his tracks grabbed my shoulders and pulled me close to him; he kissed me, very unexpectedly. I took my hands out of my muff and wrapped them around his neck. I was on my tippy toes whereas he was a few inches taller than me.

"I meant that as long as I love you I can never hit a woman with blonde hair and someone who might resemble you in anyway," He said. "I don't love Lizzy, I love you Rosie, I want you to choose me, and not Alois but that's you decision to make not mine."

"Thank you Ciel, I wasn't sure how you felt about Elizabeth, I thought you might like her, I mean, you are cousins so no matter what you have to be able to tolerate her, she saw me on my way back from Alois' mansion, she seemed quite irate with me, I guess it's because I've stolen you away. I was wondering Ciel, where will we be having dinner tonight?" I asked eagerly. He pulled out his pocket watch and glanced at the time.

"Rose sweetheart, it's only four in the afternoon and we just had lunch how can you still be hungry?" He asked.

"I didn't have much to eat yesterday, and I didn't get breakfast I woke up and I got dressed and left Alois was still asleep, so yes I am a bit hungry," I said.

"I'll get Sebastian to make us something, let's wait to dine in the new stone garden," he replied. I nodded and we walked up to it hand in hand. I saw Finnian and Mey-Rin sweeping the small wooden dining area attempting to tidy it up. They looked up once they heard our footsteps making our way toward them. They stood straight as we stood before them.

"Hello young master!" They exclaimed. "Oh, Lady Clark, how do you do!?"

"I'm fine you two, do you mind leaving please, I was looking forward to talking to Lord Phantomhive alone." I said with a plastered on smile. They bowed and left rather quickly.

"That was rather odd, even for them," Ciel said. We sat at a small round table for two and we shared a smile, a real smile. He blushed

I hesitated to reach for his hand. Ciel looked at me and smiled. I took my hand away quickly, I grabbed it and smiled. "Its fine there's no need for you to hesitate." He put his hand on mine. He slid a ring on my finger. "I hope you like this; it's a gift, for you, I got it a little while back when Sebastian first told me you were home," he said hesitantly.

"C-Ciel, I want to thank you, thank you for always being at my side, like the trusty guard dog you are, Like the man I see in you." Sebastian brought out a platter with some food for us.

"Master, your breakfast, I hope it is to your liking," Sebastian smiles putting the plates down in front of us. "For breakfast, we have poached salmon, potatoes served with a spinach salad, and a scone, please enjoy." The butler says with a grin. He leaves the small stone garden but still staying relatively close, wanting to only protect his young master. I took a piece off of the salmon and sighed as it melted on my tongue.

"Sebastian is simply one hell of a good cook as well; this breakfast is simply fantastic; this is marvelous. Thank you for preparing something so delectable, Thank you!" I exclaim. I smile at him and take another bite. "Ciel, I have something for you, it's a letter from my grandmother! I got it in the mail today, I'm not quite sure what it's about but it seems to be quite urgent!" I said hurriedly. "I don't know how she knew my whereabouts, but I guess she just assumed." I wondered aloud.

Ciel opened the smile white envelope stamped by Nana's signet; he pulled out the small letter, and began reading. "Dearest Ciel, I understand you are conscious about my granddaughter's safety," he began. "However, I know what's best for her, so in doing so I have hired a female to help you around the underworld," Ciel continued. "She is the Queen's Lioness, word will rise, I d not want you to look into this case; this is merely between you and I. This has nothing to do with the Scotland Yard. This is extremely confidential and shall not be told to anyone, I hope you understand, Her Majesty Queen Victoria!" He finished reading and slammed the paper down on the table. "What is she talking about? Hired a new worker for the underground? What is she thinking, especially a woman!" He looked at me who was enjoying my salmon. "Rosalie, Do you have any idea who this Lioness is?" he asked hoping I did.

I looked at him with a puzzled look, something I was terrific with, of course I knew all about who this lioness is, I know her job, but of course I couldn't tell him who she was, he'd be furious. "No I'm sorry Ciel, I have no idea, but even if I did, I couldn't say or not, I'm sorry but that's how things truly are, myself and Nana are the only ones who know, I can't say." I said honestly.

"Oh you mean to tell me that even if I tried some sort of stunt that put you and me in a very awkward position?" He asked. I looked at him and shook my head in disgust.

"No matter what, debauchery, tom-foolery, no matter what, I can't say a word, I cannot give out the identity of the queen's Lioness. I'm sorry but you would be furious!" I snapped back. Ciel grew very silent and went back to eating his breakfast; I looked at Ciel and went back to eating. We finished and he ushered me back into his manor. He could tell I was getting colder. We sat in his study, and went back to playing Chess. My muff hung off the chair with my coat. I was warmer and heating up. I had already won four games plus the two we played before breakfast. After about the tenth game straight he slammed his hands against the board.

"How the hell do you keep winning?" He screamed. I was shocked myself, I thought Ciel was going easy on me I had forgotten how to play chess, every game Ciel and I used to play, I had forgotten everything, those memories they disappeared after my parents did, I'll never know the true meaning of happy birthday again.

"I don't know! I'm sorry!" I exclaimed. Oswn walked back in the room and frowned slightly.

"Sorry for my intrusion my lady but it's getting a bit late, and you have work to do at home, so it's time to go," The Dark haired woman said with a smile.

"Work what kind of work would you have waiting at home for you?" Ciel asked

"Auntie Maria wants me to take place as the head of Mother's clothing line, after all it would make more sense I mean Maria was only mother's sister in law. Auntie Maria wasn't related to Mother by any means, so I have some paper work to fill out before I can start getting the clothing line back where it was." I smiled.

"Oh okay. I understand well Rosalie Clark, I bid you farewell, I'll see you another day," Ciel said. I nodded and walked out of the room, and walked out of the manor. My brother stood at the carriage door and opened the door for me, Anthony held out his arm.

"Sister, I hope the meeting went well, I suspect you told him who you really were." Anthony said with a smile. I shook my head. He understood. "Oh but why didn't you tell him Rosalie?" Maybe he didn't understand as well as I thought.

"I just couldn't okay Anthony? That's all that matters, I just couldn't tell him, I couldn't gain the courage, I'm sorry," I said with a frown.

"It's okay, I understand. I nodded and watched as Oswn gracefully stepped into the carriage. She closed the door behind her and Richard took off down the path.

Ciel stood at his window watching the carriage take off, he ran a chess piece through his fingers. A queen the same queen she had knocked over so many times throughout that day. He sighed and gave an eager look to the butler who was standing a few feet from him. He looked back out the window. He threw the piece at the ground. He watched it roll around. I shall have my queen; no one shall get in the way of that! Ciel thought