You were from a poor, high crime area but your parents tried their best to provide for you. Your family was in debt to many creditors but they always made sure there was some type of food in your stomach - even if it was just gruel. Your house only had one bathroom and bedroom. Sharing a room with your parents wasn't that bad, except when your father snored at night.

You cleaned floors for an upper middle class household to help out your family however, the amounts you earned seem infinitesimal and the work was unrewarding. One particular evening, their daughter had been boasting about how she was invited to an extravagant masquerade ball at a manor on the outskirts of London. A small sigh escaped your lips as you continued to scrub their marble floor clean. Silently, you yearned to be invited as well but knew it was a goal unattainable to a peasant girl like yourself.

The girl's parents were friends of your mother and despised your father for quitting his job. Naturally, they felt pity for you. You couldn't hear their conversation with their daughter in the study equidistant from your rag bucket but assumed it was about the ball. A few moments later the girl emerged from the study and shot you an angry glare. You looked down, not wanting to cause trouble. The girl's mother beckoned for you to come into the study. You got up from the floor, dried your hands on your pants and sat down in one of the large, purple chairs sinking into it's soft cushions. She began "(y/n), you have been working very hard and we would like you to accompany our daughter to the ball at the end of the week. We will not be able to attend." Your mouth dropped as you heard this and all you could mutter was a weak "Okay." You looked to her father, who only nodded before the mother continued "Our carriage will arrive at your home, and then escort you to the Phantomhive manor. You may leave for today." She dropped a few coins into your hand for the day's payment before you stepped out of the study and headed home in their carriage.

A smile crept across your face, finally in realization that you could attend such a magnificent ball. A masquerade seems fun, too. You then remembered where you came from and frowned. Thoughts plagued your mind as the carriage neared your home on the autumn evening. How would we pay for a dress and mask? I don't even own a dress. That's it, I'm not going. I can't even dance.

Upon your arrival home, your mother greeted you warmly. "Welcome home, (y/n). How was work? I made some soup from our carrot garden and your father says he found a job in the paper!" You gave a slight smile before replying, "Oh, great". The enthusiasm was clearly missing from your remark and your mother caught on quickly. "What's wrong? Did they yell at you? Did something happen?"

You blurted out in an aggressive tone, "No their daughter got invited to a masquerade ball and her parents said that I could accompany her. I don't even have a dress, mother. And I know we cannot afford one." Your mother looked surprised, "The Phantomhive one that everyone is talking about? That's very prestigious." She sat on the stained, brown sofa and pondered in thought. "Nonsense, you are going. I will make you a dress and mask. I can sew, remember?" She seemed so determined to make you happy that you did not stay anything. "Now, get to bed."

You lied on your mattress on the floor of your parent's bedroom, unable to sleep. You awoke the next day, groggy. Since you didn't have to work today, you went downstairs to find your mother asleep at on the couch in the process of sewing some cloth. Tears welled up in your eyes, angry at yourself for putting her through this for your own personal gain.

Days passed and every night your mother stayed up working on your gown. On the day of the ball, your mother presented the dress and mask to you, proud of her work. She said, "Here it is! The mask was mine, but I want you to have it." You smiled and looked over the dress. It was a simple light purple color, questionably made, and lopsided with a few holes, but it was yours and that was all that mattered. The mask was very simple as well, just plain white with a few ribbons. "Thank you, mother."

She helped you with your hair and makeup. You stepped into the dress. The fit was a bit loose but it worked. The girl's carriage arrived at your house. You heard your mother tell you to have fun as you stepped into the carriage. Once inside, the two of you looked each other over. Her dress was very ornate and obviously expensive. She looked at you and laughed. "Where did you get that dress from, a vagabond?". You didn't respond, looking down as her slander only worsened. "Don't even come near me, you are just a filthy peasant girl who doesn't even deserve to attend a Phantomhive event. I'm only going with you because my parents are forcing me." Sighing you looked out the window, becoming engulfed in your own thoughts as you watched the scenery change from slimy ghetto apartments to luxurious and pristine mansions.

What's so special about the Phantomhive family anyway? They are just rich stuckup people like her.

The carriage turned swiftly onto a pea gravel filled path that seemed to continue endlessly. Finally it approached a large, well lit manor that was big enough to be a castle. Your mouth must have dropped open because the girl laughed at your reaction. At the front door, you and the girl were greeted by a tall man in a butler's outfit. His voice was smooth and welcoming.

"Hello, my name is Sebastian Michaelis. I am the head butler of this estate. May I see your invitations?"