My name is Samantha Hope Brooks. "Hope" is my middle name because my father was "hoping for a boy". And because of that wish, I was raised as such. My beautiful mother –a French noblewoman- was never happy with him and his dream. He thought that she had been plagued with two twin girls, but to her, it was a blessing. So, behind his back, when he was out, she taught me about being a girl. My mother is very peculiar. She loves different nations, and she enjoys sewing. As a child, her mother used to school her in the cultures of other nations, forging a love for them in her. She taught me that as well, and, since she's French, I have to speak the tongue as well to communicate with her when in public places. She likes to make fun of people, and she usually does that in French.

My father will always see me as his, "son" until I get married off at least. My twin sister, Marie, is the eldest, born nine minutes ahead of me, so therefore, she's the heiress of our estate and title. She and I are fraternal –meaning we don't look alike. However, we still have some similarities, obviously. We are both of the same build –taking after Mother's small people. She stands slightly shorter than me, being 4'9 while I am 4'10. I am sure my height will be mocked by other "boys" as I fulfill my role as "The Great William J. Brooks only Son!" I am not of the male species nor will I ever be, but I must be a part of Father's ridiculous scheme until I am of marrying age. I don't really understand how this would work out –to raise me as a man, and then expect me to be the perfect wife? The very thought of having to be submissive repels a part of me, the side that my father raise. But the other part, the one that assures me I'm a girl, wants to be married to a gentleman. One that will care for me, and will put his life on the line for me. Sadly, I doubt I would ever find anyone like that. Oh! And he's got to be handsome as well. It just won't due for him to be ugly.

I'm always filled with opposing thoughts and feelings. Father would not be pleased.

"Samantha!" Marie's light voice called. I didn't turn towards my door, but stood facing my mirror. I closed my eyes, listening to the sound of her footsteps running down the hall, heading for my room. I sighed, "Sammy!" I could hear mild panting behind me, "Samantha! Father wants to see you!" Marie called.

Opening my eyes, I held my silver brush in my hand, meeting her green eyes as I ran the brush through my tresses. Mine were a chocolate brown color, while hers was a light brown –much like caramel. However, our eyes really were identical.

I began to pile my hair onto the top of my head, "Come now Marie," I put my cap on, shimming is firmly on, making sure it was snug on my head, "what is it this time?" I finished, "I just finished my morning lessons. I cannot possibly fathom a reason as to why he would need to see me."

Marie huffed with agitation, "How should I know? He just said that he wanted your presence before noon. Oh! And he needs you to pass for an acceptable boy."

My twin walked over to me, and started pulling on my long-sleeved, collared shirt. Then stepped back, putting a hand to her chin as she looked me over, "Well, it could be worse. Honestly! What is that dreadful man thinking? We're 12, and already developing. I doubt you'll be able to pull of this disguise for much longer. And would you get your bangs out of your eyes? Mother says that it's very ignorant, she says that our eyes are such a lovely hue, that we should show them off. And what do you do? You cover them up with hair! I have bangs as well, but at least I let mine grow out and I clip them back with Grandmother's hair clips. But you don't! You just cut them short!"

Scowling I replied, "Marie, my eyes are too girlish. If I don't cover them up, it makes my gender obvious."

"I know that! But the point still stands. I bet Mother that you'd reel in a boy with your eyes, and she says the same! You're not the heir, so you wouldn't have very many requests for you hand, like me. I really hate those suitors."

"That's obvious, really. You lock yourself in your room and I have to sneak your food by climbing up the trellis."

"I love our house, don't you?" she asked, looking around at my silver walls, "We each have a balcony! Which play Shakespeare wrote again? The one with the veranda?"

"Romeo and Juliet," I answered, sitting down in my chair, crossing my legs, "Why?"

"Wouldn't it be so romantic if someone proposed from the bottom? While we'd be dressed in a princess dress, singing to the birds whilst they flit around us and then he appears, riding on a white horse, wearing a suit of brilliant armor. Then, he'd call up to us, and we'd look down, see him, and our eyes would soften, and then he'd ask for our hand! Oh! And he'd be all out of breath because he was fighting his way to us!"

"… Marie, isn't that a bit farfetched?" I asked, rolling my eyes. She glared daggers at me.

"Shouldn't you want something like that? It's not like any noblemen are falling head-over-heels to be you fiancée. I would think you'd need a prince!"

It was my turn to glare, "What was your promise? That you'd only marry for love, and not just any love, but love at first sight? I wouldn't expect you to play the courting-card Marie."

Marie looked thoughtful for a second, fingering her plait, "I guess you're right, Sammy. Anyways, what did you learn about today?"

"Well," I began, "Father really pushed on my physical education. I ran all over the grounds, lifted weights, fenced, worked on the martial arts –you know, the skills father learned when visiting his foreign business in Asia? –and then I did my sciences, mathematics, biology, and I had a piano lesson with Madame Maxwell."

"The robust woman?"

"Yes, although it's not very good to categorize someone by their stature."

"Our cousin Eleanor would call her a squab, or some other queer word."

"Eleanor also dreams up body parts," I snorted.

"Oh Eleanor."

"Yes, but really, he had me up at the crack of dawn! And I deserve my afternoon break before I have "Senora Alberta" come and begin my Spanish lesson. How was your day?"

"I started with a good breakfast, then went with mother for my multicultural lessons on Japan and China. Then, I worked on my Polish and learned about their economics and political parties. I'm also learning about the inner workings of our own family. Plus, I wrote to Grandmother in France."

"How fun, I'm guessing you had a good time?"

"Of course! And don't worry, I wrote that you wished her well and that you say "Bonjour!" even though you haven't said anything like that at all. You can thank me later, because right now, you need to go see Father."

"I do hope it's because he wants to congratulate me on my lessons, but how should I know? Do I really have to be going now?"

"Yes, Sam, now go!"

"I do hope we don't have any guests. Usually when I'm in the manor, I'm allowed to have my cap off," I stood up and lightly touched the brim of my cap. I began to walk out, closely followed by Marie. Together, we made our way down the hallways and to the parlor room where we entertained our guests. There, I saw father, and two mysterious strangers.

"Ah, Samuel, Marie, you've come. As you can see, we have guests today," he turned to face his, his blue eyes glaring as his blond locks waved around his face. I leaned and looked around him, spotting the two, they were sitting on the lounge chairs, one was sipping tea, "Marie, idź i towarzyszyć swoją matkę. Ona sama podczas haftowania i jestem pewien, że ona cieszyć się."

"Ale ojciec! Nie chcę iść i haftować! To głupie i bez sensu! Dlaczego nie mogę Sam? I chcę rozmawiać z gości też! Dlaczego nie mogę? To niesprawiedliwe!"

"Sam jest twoim bratem, i trzeba, aby zakończyć klas. Nie masz w lewo?"

"No! I don't!"

"Father," I cut in, relishing in my plan to embarrass the man. He's the bane of my existence after all, "Isn't speaking in a tongue incomprehensible to the company considered rude?"

He looked at me, his lip twitched, "Yes, but they don't need to hear what I'm telling your sister, do they?"

"It's still inconsiderate," I told him, "And disrespectful to all company. I don't speak Polish, and you still talk in the language regularly."

"I have to agree with what the runt is saying," the smaller of the company said, "I don't speak Polish as well."

My father glared down at me, "Samuel, quand vous reviendrez, je te ferai fouetter si dur, votre tête va tomber!"

"However, I do speak French," the Lord said, his mouth turning even farther down than it already was.

"Excuse me, Earl Phantomhive, it is a standing joke with my son and I. I mean no offense to you."

I looked over, noting that Marie had just retreated to the door, making "camp" beside it and watching with intelligent eyes as our conversation played out.

"Really? No matter, let us continue to our business, shall we?"

"Of course, but as far as I had figured, our negotiation has already been finished and all you needed was the boy."

"Yes, it has. But I still need to meet your son if he's going to be serving my family for years to come."

"Definitely."

"Wait!" I screeched, my voice rising out of "male" octaves, "What do you mean, "all you needed was the boy" and "serving my family for years to come"? I mean no disrespect, but I have not been informed of any of this prior. And I would like an explanation!"

"I am sending you to work as a servant for the Phantomhive family. Lord Phantomhive here is going to be taking you to his estate." My father's intimidating light blue eyes glared down at me, knowing I would not be pleased. And I wasn't. Working for a lord? Another noble? Blasphemy! Ridiculous! How dare he sell me! In the words of Marie: That's so unfair!

But I couldn't protest. Not if a deal had already been reached, and Father knew that. I also knew that he's extremely angry at my "insanely high voice for a guy". I completely forgot to drop it lower to something slightly higher than a normal 12 year old "boy". And he's terribly irate right now.

"I see," was all I said as I lowered my gaze, hearing the gasp Marie tried to stifle.

"You will be working as my physical "coach" as well as helping the other servants, being my messenger, and a "companion" to me," the earl told me, "According to my butler, Sebastian, I'm not receiving enough physical activity."

Now it made sense why Father had been pushing me in my workouts.

"But in all honesty, Lord William never mentioned your height, and I highly doubt you'll be much help since you're such a runt."

I bristled, scowling, "I can assure you sir, that I'm perfectly capable of pushing you to your limits. Of course, I'll have to be made aware of all limitations, if you have any, of course. I know a bit of kinesiology, but I will push you. Hard."

My father squeezed my shoulder, most likely making a bruise, "As you already know, I have approved this work. You have my full backing." He then used his hand to shoot me forward, towards the other males. I felt my hat begin to come off and I slapped my hands over it, not taking a chance and forgetting to balance myself. As soon as I realized I was going to fall on my face, I sent myself into an awkward turn, landing in front of the two.

"Sorry sir, I tripped…" after a short pause, I came up with the only thing I could think of, "air. It won't happen again."

"Sam your belongings will be sent over later today," my father said, his penetrating gaze digging into my back.

"We'll be taking our leave now," the Earl said, standing and setting his tea on the table before turning towards the door. His butler, Sebastian, I'm guessing, followed, opening the door. I came last and sent a look over my shoulder to Marie.

She sent me an apologetic glance before lightly closing the door behind her.

Well, this is my first Black Butler/Kuroshitsuji fanfiction. I'm going to be following the anime since I haven't finished the manga yet. I might even make a companion to this story later on when I've finished and that story follow the original manga.

So, this is my newest OC, Samantha Hope Brooks alias Samuel Harley Brooks. Yes, she's short, but her mother is 5'0 even and she's still growing, meaning that she'll stop around that point.

Review! I hope you've enjoyed, and the next chapter will come soon enough!