Title: A Lady

Summary: The new lady Phantomhive is not someone to be messed with.

Pairing: Ciel (24) Elizabeth (25)

Setting: Birthday party for a daughter of Ciel's business associate.

"Elizabeth, please don't kill our princess." Ciel Phantomhive stood hesitantly by the bedroom door of his six year old daughter, Rachel Angelina Marie Phantomhive.

"I'm not trying to kill her! I'm trying to dress her!"

"Mama! Too tight!"

"Elizabeth, why don't you go finish wrapping Charlotte's gift?" The young earl walked quickly over to his wife and child. "I'll take care of Rachel."

"But-"

"Only you know how to do that and besides you can make the wrapping as cute as you want." Anything to make Elizabeth leave the room.

"You know how to properly tie a dress?" Elizabeth was obviously hesitant to let her husband attempt to dress Rachel, but the idea of cute gift wrapping was winning her over.

"Well, I do know how to undo them." Ciel gave her a devilish grin, making the blonde blush the color of roses. Rachel was too busy trying to breathe to hear her parents conversation. "It can't be that hard."

"Fine, but if she isn't dressed properly then we'll have to do it all over!" And Elizabeth was off down the hall in seconds.

"Oh dear, lets get to work then." He looked down at Rachel and immediately went to loosening the tightly knotted bow that pulled the dress together in the back. As soon as the knot was undone, Rachel took in a few gasping breaths ."

"Thank you daddy. I thought I was being punished."

"Mommy doesn't know her own strength. She's used to being bound by corsets and lace."

"K-kor-setsss. Whats that?"

"You'll know when you're older darling. Now tell me if this is too tight." Ciel gently pulled the bow strings together and tugged gently, making a knot.

"That's good." With that confirmation, Ciel began to tie the strings into a big bow at the back of Rachel's dress.

The dress itself was make of a fine ruby red silk. White lace lined the sleeve edges and collar line. The dress was tied together by small bows traveling down the back of the dress with a much larger bow tied at the lower back, holding the dress securely together. The extra tulle made the dress poof out from the waist down. Rachel wore white stockings and shiny red shoes with a little platform heel that Elizabeth had found to perfectly match the dress. The child's curly blonde hair was braided back and twisted into a high bun with a pretty red ribbon holding it up. Since Rachel had such long hair for her age, Elizabeth had kindly asked Sebastian handle the task.

What would have taken Elizabeth an hour, took Sebastian minutes. She would never understand how he did that.

"Are you excited to see Charlotte tonight?"

"Yes! I haven't seen Charlotte in so long!" The happy squeaks of the little girl made Ciel smile at her softy. Having a child had really changed Ciel. He was still the ruthless and cold hearted Watchdog for her Majesty, but his affection was only know to Elizabeth and Rachel in the comfort of his own home.

Tonight, the earl and his family would be attending a birthday ball for the daughter, Charlotte Kapple, of one of Ciel's business associates. She would be turning seven, only two months older than Rachel. When Rachel and Charlotte had first met two years ago, they became the best of friends in a heart beat.

Lord Arthur Kapple, head of three Funtom factories in Germany, and his wife Arabella Kapple had come to spend the summer in their London town house. While they lived in Germany for the majority of the year, they spent summer time in England and celebrated their daughter's birthday every year since she was two. Of course the Phantomhive's where among the very first to be notified of their arrival, as Ciel enjoyed meeting the man over lunch to check up on his companies over seas. Ciel enjoyed the mans company and admired his dedication to managing three factories at once while still being able to keep up when he came over for vacations.

Now, as for Arabella, she was a slightly different story. She was of German birth, while Arthur was from England himself. When they had met, Arabella had been a sweet and kind woman to everyone. She came from a family of very little money and as she grew, she worked with her mother making dresses in a tailor shop. When Arthur happened to come across her in the tailor shop, having a suit tailored for business travel, they feel in love almost instantly and the rest is history.

Over the years of marriage, Arabella had become cold and controlling. Of course she would never be this way around her husband. She loved Arthur very, very much and would never do anything to tarnish his good name, but it was her husbands name that turned her into the selfish woman she was now. Since she had no money as a child, she basked in the glory of the noble life. Her wardrobe was in top condition, never falling behind. Her pale face always colored with lip paints and eyes shadows. Her ears and neck never bare, but decorated with pricey gems and diamonds. She was a trend follower in Germany, but a trend setter in England, as the styles were slightly different.

Arabella put herself above other woman, even over other noble woman who's husbands held high positions in the industry. She had to be the talk of every party, whether it was good or bad, her name left every mouth. She associated with a very small group of woman who, no surprise, were just like her. The upper class ladies who followed traditions and were the "perfect" little house wives who thought all woman should follow their rules and if not, then you weren't worth their breath.

A few months after her marriage, Arabella and Arthur had been expecting a child. They were blessed with a boy who they named Markus. The boy was a little ball of energy as the days of his life passed.

But tragedy struck the happy family only a month before Markus was to turn a year old. No one had expected the little boy to be attempting to walk when he was sat down in the drawing room to play with his toys. He had been on a blanket, not far from the unlit fire place. Arthur and Arabella had been having a deep conversation over tea and cake, paying little attention to the child, as they hadn't expected him to be up and about. Markus had taken unstable steps towards the direction of the fireplace. It was the closest wall to him so logically the boy would travel towards a source of support. When he managed to take five shaky steps closer, he hadn't expected his little foot to get caught on the carpet edge, his world spinning before his eyes as he came crashing down, backward, to the hard marble surface that wasn't covered by soft carpet.

There was a loud, shrill cry of a child, and then seconds later, the panicked screams of a mother. The second Markus had cried out, Arabella and Arthur jumped from their chairs and rushed over to the fallen boy. Arabella couldn't contain her screams as blood seeped from the child's head running steadily across the black marble surface and seeping into the plush navy carpet.

Arabella didn't care for the mess, she just picked up her child and held him close to her, her light pink gown becoming a rose red. She didn't know what to do. She tried pressing a piece of her dress to the open skin of Markus's head to stop the blood flow, but the material only became damp. Arthur had rushed out of the room to get the maids and butlers to help and to call a doctor.

By the time the situation was assessed, the family doctor had come right after the call.

Markus had died from too much loss of blood and a cracked skull. At only 11 months, he had no chance of survival. For two years, Lord and Lady Kapple were in a deep state of depression.

Then two years later, after a slow recovery from their loss, when Arabella had her daughter after two years of marriage, she vowed to keep her daughter close and safe and away from the "ragamuffin children" of the other nobles. Apparently, Charlotte was Arabella's life and she would do anything to keep her safe yet make sure she understood that she was above other girls her age as she grew. Arabella lavished Charlotte in pretty clothes and all her toys were from Funtom, one of the top toy companies in the country.

There was only one woman who Arabella had to force herself to accept.

Elizabeth Phantomhive.

The wife of her husbands employer. This woman, she hated above all the rest. Arabella may have had the good life on a silver platter, but Elizabeth had the world on a golden table. Her husband was one of the most handsome nobles in all of England who owned his own company and was currently expanding across the seas. Sure he only had one visible eye, but the eyepatch did nothing to mar his beauty. Arabella couldn't deny that she was attracted to the young man, but she would never purse him and risk everything she had torn away from her. She loved Arthur with her whole heart and couldn't bear to see him lose his job and status because of her disdain towards someone woman.

However, Arabella found any little reason to dislike or degrade Elizabeth. According to herself, Arabella had never met such an un-lady like woman like Elizabeth. She was a disgrace to British woman and British society. A lady did not play with swords or take part in any sort of competition. A lady didn't cling to her husbands arm in public and force him into whatever store she wanted to visit. A lady didn't speak her mind in public maters or try to over rule her husband. A lady stayed at home and took care of the children and the sewing. A lady spent her evenings practicing elegant instruments such as violin or piano. A lady was supposed to welcome her husband home and leave him be unless he called upon her. A lady never dominated her husband. Never.

Every little thing Elizabeth did "wrong", Arabella would run her mouth to her clones and usually the Lady Phantomhive would be the topic of most discussions. Just last week, Arabella brought up the subject of Elizabeth wearing her hair down in its natural curls while out shopping with her daughter. That simply wasn't done. If a woman went out without a proper hairdo, she was seen as a slob. Even yesterday, the group of woman were chattering about the fact that Ciel Phantomhive's first born was a girl. How embarrassed her must have been to receive a baby girl instead of a boy to carry on the name and become heir. Elizabeth should have been ashamed that she couldn't even do that for her husband.

What these brainwashed snobs didn't know, was that Ciel loved everything about Elizabeth. He loved her hair down, free and soft so he could run his fingers easily through it. He admired her strength with swords and was proud to say he had a strong and independent wife. He love to go out shopping with her every Sunday afternoon and let her pull him into whatever store caught her eyes. And most importantly he certainly not embarrassed that Elizabeth had birthed him a daughter and not a son. Ciel Phantomhive never much cared for ideal gender for an heir to be a boy. Elizabeth and her mother were living proof that woman could be just as strong willed and intelligent as men in society, although it was often frowned upon by the public.

Ciel treated Rachel like a little princess since she was born. Elizabeth was beyond terrified at the gender of her first born and the reaction her husband would have. A million thoughts ran through her mind that late night. Would he disown her? Divorce her? Have an affair with a woman who could give him a son? Would he have their firstborn killed? All of these thoughts may have seemed absurd, but you'd be surprised what some English noblemen would do in a situation like this.

Elizabeth had to have been the luckiest woman alive because when Ciel was permitted to enter the bedroom after Rachel was born, he held the little pink bundle with such care and love. Ciel had kissed Elizabeth senseless and she could have sworn his eyes were slightly misty, but she said nothing of it.

"I'm sure she's going to be very happy to see you as well, darling."

"I wonder if she'll like the pretty dress mama and I bought her! There are matching shoes and gloves too!" Ciel sighed internally. Trust his daughter, the spitting image of her mother, aside from inheriting his sapphire eyes, to be attracted to cute things. He made a mental note to introduce her to chess soon. At least he could rub something off on her.

"I'm sure she will. Now, please do try to stay clean until we leave. Your mother will murder someone if you ruin your clothes. I don't understand why it always has to be me though." The young man mumbled that last sentence to himself, although Rachel did hear and covered her mouth with her hands as she let out little giggles.

"And what is so funny, little lady?" Ciel inquired, letting his playful tone show.

"You are funny, daddy." The child smiled and stepped into her fathers arms. Ciel stood up with Rachel and tossed her gently in the air, causing her to erupt in full laughter. Ever since the child was born, the house had become...less dull, and certainly happy.

The Phantomhives' were currently piling into their expensive, private carriage. It was almost four in the afternoon and the party would be starting at five. They would surely make it there a half hour past five, but Ciel hated being among the first to arrive, yet he never arrived too late for festivities.

"Oh dear, Rachel I told you not to roll about the floor and now your pretty bun is lopsided." Elizabeth lightly scold her daughter.

"It's not that bad, Elizabeth. It just needs to be set right and the ribbon retied." Ciel went to do it himself but his hand was smacked away by his wife's petite but harsh hand.

"No, you'll only make it worse. Come here Rachel let mommy fix it." Ciel just sat there and blinked at Elizabeth, holding his stinging hand and saying nothing. He was smart enough to never fight with Elizabeth when it came to her fashion.

Once Rachel's hair was properly fixed and Elizabeth had calmed down from her slight hissy fit, the two engaged in light conversation as their daughter watched the scenery go by from the window.

They had made it to the town house, not too late but thankfully not too early.

"Master, Mistress, we have arrived." The three occupants turned to face the door as Sebastian stood awaiting to assist them out. Ciel got out himself, Elizabeth taking hold of Sebastian's had as she stepped down, and little Rachel, insisting she could do it herself, climbing down the carriage steps. Of course Sebastian was ready to catch her should she stumble.

"Would you like to hold the present, dear?" Elizabeth bent down slightly to hand the six year old the pink package with a big green bow on top.

"Yes! I want to give it to Charlotte myself." Rachel took the box, holding it close to her as if it were a bomb.

"Sebastian, take the carriage around back." Ciel ordered the butler.

"Yes, my Lord." With that, Sebastian boarded the diver's seat and took the carriage off and towards the stables.

"Lord Phantomive! You've arrived, come, come, a few guests have been asking for your presence!" An elder man, maybe in his fifties, spotted Ciel and his wife.

"Good evening Lord Connolly. I trust you've been well?" Ciel replied.

"Quite well, Earl. Ah, how lovely it is to see your wife and child." Lord Connolly, a good business friend of Ciel, turned his attention to the beautiful blonde and the little girl beside her. "How do you do, Lady Elizabeth? Keeping your husband in line?"

Elizabeth light laughed behind her hand at the mans remark towards her husband, while said husband turned his head away slightly flushed and annoyed.

"As best as I can, my Lord." She replied with a charming smile, taking her husbands arm.

"That's very good. Let us venture inside now, shall we?" And so they mingled in with the other guests, Elizabeth keeping a good eye on Rachel in the crowd.

"Rachel!" A high pitched squeal rang near the group as a blur of dark blue and black attacked the little Phantomhive girl. "You're here! I've missed you so very much!" It was none other than little Charlotte Maria Kapple.

Her long black curls done up in a high pony tail, her bangs just above her eyes and a pretty blue flower sat tied in the ribbon that held up her hair. her dress was a midnight blue made from satin and a sheer sequence layer covering the skirt.

"I've missed you too! Happy Birthday, this is for you." Rachel handed the little girl the pretty box and smiled. The smile was returned and Charlotte grabbed Rachel's hand and encouraged her to follow her. "Come! Let's go play!" Rachel turned her head to look up at her parents for permission to go.

"Go on darling. Go have fun." Elizabeth bent down and smiled at the two girls who rushed off instantly in a blur of red and blue. "Those two." Rachel smiled to herself and stood back next to her husband.

"She deserves this night to have fun. Doesn't happen very often for her." Ciel placed his arm around Elizabeth's waist and pulled her along to chat with the other adults.

"Where has that girl run off to?" Arabella mumbled to herself, scanning the crowd for her rambunctious child.

"Mummy!" Speak of the little devil.

"There you are! What did I tell you about running around, Charlotte. You're a young lady, you don't run about like a mad child." The woman lightly scold her child with a calm face but a very serious and frightening tone.

Little Charlotte's happy expression dropped at her mother's tone. She shrank away a little, head bowed and biting her lip lightly from crying. She learned that if she cried and embarrassed herself and her mother in public, she'd be punished later. Charlotte shivered at what her mother would do.

"I'm sorry mummy, but I found my friend." The little girl said softly, almost frightened.

It was then that Arabella noticed the blonde and blue eyed child who held her daughter's hand. The little girl looked up at the woman, unfazed by her strict tone towards Charlotte. As much as Rachel wanted to comfort her friend, she was taught by her mother to keep out of other's affairs unless necessary. Charlotte was her best friend, wasn't she? So wouldn't this call for stepping in? Rachel was stopped by the thought of what Arabella would do if she did. She may be six, but she's not stupid. Growing up in a noble family will tend to make you realize somethings sooner than other children.

"Where is your mother, child?" She didn't even bother keeping the harsh tone from escaping her lips as she stared at Rachel like she was a stain on a window.

"Mama is talking with daddy. They're over there." Rachel said quietly and pointed to a group of nobles chatting in a small circle. There, in fact, was Elizabeth and Ciel happily conversing with a few other couples.

"Charlotte, come." At her mother's request, Charlotte looked at Rachel and made to pull her along as well, until...

"Charlotte, I said you, not Rachel. Now come." Arabella's tone promised a spanking later if she wasn't obeyed.

"I'll be back, Rachel." Charlotte let go of her friends hand and smiled.

"Okay." Rachel smiled back, a little worried. This wasn't how she wanted her evening to be. Why was lady Arabella being so mean to her now? Rachel knew that she wasn't really the kindest woman, but she had never spoken to Charlotte in front of her in such a way.

Rachel watched as her friend trailed off behind her mother. Taking a deep breath and letting out sigh, Rachel stood by awkwardly, no other children nearby and adults just talking and paying her no mind.

"Hello." Rachel was startled by the soft voice to her left and turned her head.

A young girl, maybe an year or two older than herself, with short blonde hair and hazel eyes stood next to Rachel in a dark green dress that contrasted nicely with her pale complexion. She seemed nice, but shy.

"Hello." Rachel turned fully to the girl and smiled politely. Her parents always told her it was polite to smile when meeting someone.

"What's your name? I'm Genevieve, but sometimes people call me Jen." Genevieve held her hand out timidly, a small smile on her lips. Rachel smiled at the girls hesitation, finding it quite amusing only because no one has ever been hesitant to say hello to her before.

"My name is Rachel. It's nice to meet you. I've never met you before. Are you Charlotte's friend?"

"No, I don't know anyone here, but my mother and father said we were going to a birthday party, but I don't even know who's birthday it is." Genevieve gave an awkward laugh, causing Rachel to giggle.

"It's my friend Charlotte's birthday. I'll introduce you to her when she comes back. How old are you Jen?"

"I'm eight. What about you?"

"I'm six. I'll be seven in two months!" Rachel stated happily. She had been anticipating her birthday for the past few weeks now.

"Oh, I hope you're not bothered that I'm older. It's alright if you don't want to talk to me."

"You worry too much." Rachel giggled at the older girl, causing said girl to blush. "Of course I want to talk to you. I love making friends and I hope we can be friends."

"Oh, I'm glad then!"

"Lord Phantomhive, it's so nice to be graced with your company once again." Arabella came to stop beside the Earl and smiled forcefully towards the circle of guests. The woman purposely avoided greeting Elizabeth.

You see, even though Arabella despised Elizabeth Phantomhive, Elizabeth herself knew she was unwelcome by the German woman. Elizabeth preferred to be much more mature and ignorant about the mater. She refused to let other woman of society get to her head and tell her how to be a lady. Her family loved her the way she was, she wouldn't change for the world.

"Ah, good evening Lady Kapple. You've been well I take it since we last met?" Ciel started a light conversation.

"Yes I have. I hope the same has been for you."

"Hello, Charlotte. You ran off so fast I didn't get to say hello." Elizabeth bent down to Charlotte's height and gently took the little girls hands in hers, giving a sweet, motherly smile.

"Charlotte, say hello." Arabella said in a not so sweet voice, but not harsh enough for anyone to suspect something.

"It's very nice to see you again." The little girl pulled back her hands and curtsied properly to the woman. Elizabeth was quite shocked. Charlotte was such a free spirited child and usually greeted Elizabeth with a big smile and even a big hug.

Not wanting to make anything awkward, Elizabeth laughed lightly and stood.

"Well, have't you become quite charming. Growing up now are we?" Elizabeth playfully pet Charlotte's hair.

"Mama said a proper young lady must greet people properly." Her sweet little voice melted Elizabeth's heart.

"Charlotte, run a long now." Arabella dismissed Charlotte, who was more than happy to escape from the adults. She was off to locate Rachel once more. She wanted to spend all the time she could while she was here.

"Charlotte!" Rachel's eyes brightened at the site of her friend coming back to her.

"Who is this?" Charlotte asked curiously, referring to the older girl beside Rachel.

"This is Genevieve. She's my new friend and I want to introduce you to her." Rachel turned back to said girl. "Jen, this is Charlotte, it's her birthday today."

"Happy birthday, Charlotte."

"Thank you! It's nice to meet you, would you like to be friends?" Charlotte asked sweetly. Just like Rachel, Charlotte enjoyed making new friends, even if they didn't last very long.

"Of course! Lets's go play!" Charlotte grabbed both girls hands and dragged them off to a place down the servants quarters hall to escape the noise and chatter of the boring adults.

"Where are we going?" Rachel asked. The servants hallways was a little dark and Rachel was absolutely terrified of the dark.

"To the kitchen! I know where the cook keeps all they yummy treats." At the mention of treats, Rachel's and Genevieve's eyes brightened with excitement and they both hastened their pace towards the kitchen.

The evening had gone by quickly and night had settled upon England.

"Darling, it's quite late. maybe we should be going now." Ciel pulled out his pocket watch and saw that it was indeed late.

"Yes, I suppose so. Why don't you find Rachel and we shall go." Ciel kissed Elizabeth's cheek and the blonde woman went to search for her child.

"How has little Rachel been? I have yet to see her this whole evening." A young woman in the circle of nobles inquired to Ciel.

"Rachel is just fine. She's been quite the burst of energy lately and my wife and I find it difficult to keep up with her." Ciel replied lightly.

"Ah, children are such and it's good for them to have as much of a childhood as they can. I wonder if my young Alexander would enjoy little Rachel's company. He's quite the social one himself."

"Just as long as your song has nothing but being friends with my daughter in his mind." This remark caused the small group to laugh at Ciel's protectiveness.

"Where did that little girl go?" Elizabeth mumbled to herself as she weaved through the crowd of nobles. Elizabeth saw no sign of her daughter anywhere.

"Excuse me miss, can I help you? You seem a bit lost." A young maid came up behind Elizabeth.

"Oh, I'm just looking for my daughter. I can't seem to find her."

"I can help you look miss. What does your daughter look like?"

"She's about this high, she had blonde hair and blue eyes and she is wearing a red dress. She should be with the Kapple's daughter, Charlotte."

"Oh, then it's easy to see why you cannot find her. Madam Charlotte likes to escape from the "bothersome adult talk", as she puts it. She does this often when her parents host social gatherings." The young maid smiled. Elizabeth guessed the maid was to locating Charlotte when needed.

"Do you have an idea where they could be?"

"Well, forgive me miss. Madam Charlotte never stays in one place for long so it sometimes takes me a while to find her for the Lord and his wife. I shall go ahead and look for you." The young maid curtsied and went off to search for her Ladies child and the blonde woman's daughter as well.

Elizabeth gave a sigh of relief but was still a bit worried so she began to search for her little girl in the main ballroom.

Arabella was scanning the ballroom calmly in search of Charlotte. She hadn't seen the girl or the Phantomive's daughter anywhere for a few hours now.

However, given her knowledge for Charlotte's sweet tooth, Arabella could only guess that her daughter had wandered off to the kitchen with her little friend, as this was the case when they would host parties and Charlotte did not enjoy being around anyone who wasn't her age.

Arabella had become livid. Charlotte should have known better than to run off in the middle of her own party. What ungrateful child would just brush aside all the hard work their parents went through to make this one day special for them?

Oh, was Charlotte going to get it when the party was over. She taught her daughter better than that. She didn't care if the girl was only seven. She was smart and old enough to be taught how to be a proper young woman in society. There was no time for fun and play.

What Arabella would give to slap some sense in the Phantomhive daughter. That little thing was a bad influence to Charlotte. She was all play and no grace. She needed to be taught a lesson.

"Are you alright, Bella dear?" Arthur, her husband, placed his arm around her waist and looked at her concerned. She had been spacing out for a minute or two.

"Oh, forgive me dear. I was just thinking about something, Please excuse me. I shall return shortly." Arabella excused herself gracefully, slightly embarrassed from being caught in her thoughts. Especially in front of Lord Phantomhive.

When she saw no one really paying her much attention, she snuck off down the servants hall way and to the grand kitchen.

"Ciel, I can't find Rachel anywhere. One of the maids went searching for her but I can't help but worry."

"What? Don't worry Elizabeth, she can't be in any real danger. Perhaps she ran off with Charlotte to play."

"I hope so. She's never run off where we couldn't see her before."

"Excuse us. It was lovely meeting you all again this evening but I'm afraid we must be leaving now." Ciel announced their departure and to the group and pulled Elizabeth away from them and in the direction of Sebastian, who had been standing along the wall with a few other Kapple servants.

"Sebastian, find Rachel and lets go." Ciel ordered the raven butler, who bowed and smirked.

Sebastian knew exactly where Rachel had run off to. He had been keeping his eyes on her the whole evening making sure she was safe during the festivities.

And even if he hadn't been watching her, Sebastian could still make out her sent and the direction it traveled.

"I shall return momentarily." The butler turned away and off to the servants quarters.

"I'm coming too." Nor Ciel or Sebastian refused her wish. They both knew how protective she was of Rachel.

So Elizabeth left behind Sebastian. Elizabeth was a little confused as to why they were heading down the servants hallway, but Sebastian knew what he was doing so she didn't question it.

"Rachel! Get back here!" Charlotte was currently chasing Rachel around the kitchen island. Rachel had snatched a piece of chocolate right out of Charlotte's had and playfully dangled it in front of the girls face. Now they were on a cat and mouse chase.

Genevieve sat near the pantry, a small plate of cookies in front of her and a cup of milk beside that. She watched amused as Charlotte chased Rachel.

The three had no idea of the trouble they were about to face.

"Charlotte Marie Kapple! What on earth do you think you are doing?" If looks could kill, the three little girls would be a body pile on the floor at the moment.

Arabella had swung open the kitchen double doors and stood with her hands on her hips, her eyes hard slits as she looked menacingly down at her daughter and Rachel.

This caused all three children to freeze and turn wide eyed to the older woman.

"M-mama. We were just, um..." Charlotte was at a loss for words. She knew she would get in trouble if her mother had caught them, but she didn't think they would have actually gotten caught. She had done this so many times before.

"You know better than to run off like that. On top of which, you were in the kitchen! This no place for a proper young lady! And you were eating sweets weren't you!" Arabella marched to the girls and grabbed Charlotte's hand, not gently either, and inspected the sticky appendage. "This is unacceptable! You will go to your room this instant!"

"Wait!" Rachel shouted and went to aid her friend, attempting to stop the woman from ending their fun.

However, in a rush of trying to pull Charlotte away from Arabella, Rachel stumbled on her feet and tipped forward. The closest thing for her to grab on to was a dark red fabric, which happened to be Arabella's dress.

A loud rip sounded through the room as Rachel barely touched the floor, her little hands still grasping the fabric.

"You stupid girl! What have you done!"

Rachel immediately let go and stood up quickly, averting her gaze to the side. She didn't see Genevieve anywhere, so she assumed the girl had fled.

"Sebastian, where are we going?"

"I saw the little miss follow her friend down the servants quarters. She shouldn't be far now." Sebastian kept walking, Elizabeth nodding and following behind

Sebastian stopped however when a little girl came running down the hall in their direction.

Elizabeth didn't recognise the girl, but she wondered if she knew where Rachel was.

"Excuse me, darling." Elizabeth stepped in Genevieve's path, causing the child to stumble back in fright. "Don't worry, i'm not going to hurt you. I just want to ask you if you have seen a little girl named Rachel." Elizabeth asked sweetly. She noticed how this child seemed frightened, which made Elizabeth worried internally.

'Is Rachel in danger?"

"A mean l-lady came and s-started to y-yell." The child replied shakily.

"Mean lady? Do you know Rachel?"

"Rachel? She's my new friend." Genevieve looked at Rachel with wide eyes.

"Where is she sweetheart?" Elizabeth's tone was still calm but with a hint of anxiousness.

"Down there, in the kitchen." Genevieve pointed down the hall to a more lit room.

"Sebastian." Elizabeth looked up to the butler, a silent order in her eyes.

"Yes, my Lady." Sebastian walked briskly down the hall towards the kitchen.

"Now, what is your name?"

"Genevieve."

"Why don't you go back to your parents, honey. I'm sure they are searching for you as well." Elizabeth smiled gently to the child. Genevieve liked this woman, she was very kind.

"Okay." And with that, the girl continued down the dimly lit hall and back to the main ball room.

"Arabella, you better not have touched my daughter." Elizabeth said to herself. She just knew it was Arabella that Genevieve spoke of when she said "mean lady".

"I-I'm so sorry."

"Mummy, it was an accident."

"Charlotte, I want you in your room, now!" Arabella was livid at the state of her expensive gown, now torn at the skirt. The fabric now hung and grazed the floor.

"But mummy-"

"Go! Before I beat you right here!" The frightened child turned and ran in tears and little sobs, leaving behind Rachel to face Arabella's wrath.

"Now, as for you. Your parents will be hearing about this. A proper punishment will suit you well. You're such a spoiled little girl. You're a shame to your family name! I can't see how your parents decided to keep you at birth." The woman's words hit the six year old deep. Rachel understood perfectly well that she was being criticized and her family name was being slandered.

"Y-you're wrong. My mommy and daddy love me! You're a mean lady and I'm going to tell them that!"

"Oh go ahead you stupid girl. Who will they believe? a little girl with a wild imagination? Or an adult, who is a proper woman in society and far more than you will ever be in your life?"

"I'm certain Lady and Lord Phantomhive would be more that happy to hear what their daughter has to tell, Madam Kapple."

Both Rachel and Arabella snapped their heads over to the door and there stood a tall dashing butler with ruby eyes and raven hair.

"Sebastian!" The little blonde ran over to her family butler, said butler picking up the child who latched herself on to his long leg.

"Are you alright, little mistress?" Sebastian said with a smirk. He knew she was in no real danger, but if she was physically harmed by this woman, there would be Hell to pay.

"I want to go back to mama and daddy now." She said softly and held onto Sebastian like a giant teddy bear.

"Don't worry, princess. Mommy is right here." Stepping into the room, Elizabeth held a calm expression and a steady voice, despite her earlier worry for her missing daughter.

"Oh, it's you. Take your filthy child and servant away. You are no longer welcome here!" Arabella clenched her fists at her sides.

"You know, Arabella." Elizabeth began, little expression except maybe a hint of killer intent. "You may be one of the most influential women in your country. You may see that you belong atop a high pedestal who is to be worshiped and desired and envied. You may think you can tell woman of society of MY country, what to wear and how to may even threaten me and try to ruin my life and everything I've worked so hard to have, but the one thing you have no right to do is threaten my child and my husband." Elizabeth had taken slow steps towards the older woman who glared Elizabeth down in hatred. "I know what you think of me. I know how much you wish your husband was as successful as mine. I know maybe you've even wanted my husband at some point. Well, I'm sorry to say that for once in a very long time, you're not getting your way tonight, Arabella." Elizabeth came to stand in front of Arabella.

Green eyes bore into hazel ones.

"You will never be good enough for any man, Elizabeth. You're too stubborn to know your place. Your daughter will eventually turn out the same way. Rubbish."

As soon as those words left Arabella's mouth, her head was snapped to the side and a sharp sting graced her right cheek.

"Don't you ever, ever, speak about my daughter that way again. I'd be careful if I were you, Lady Kapple. You may find your future a little less, fancy, and your husband a little less, wealthy." With one last sharp look, Elizabeth turned gracefully on her heels and walked calmly towards Sebastian, Rachel still in his arms. "Let us go now, Sebastian. It's getting late and Ciel must still be looking." Elizabeth's tone was a bit lighter now, a bit satisfied, and Sebastian only grinned and bowed lightly to his mistress.

"Yes, my lady." Sebastian could never be bored with the Phantomhives. They were the most amusing and peculiar humans he had come across in his existence.

"Elizabeth, there you are." Ciel walked up to his wife as she made her way back into the grand hall, Sebastian trailing behind her with little Rachel in his arms. "Rachel, darling, where did you run off to? You had your mother and I worried." Ciel took Rachel from Sebastian and the little girl hugged her father tightly.

"She was off playing with Charlotte in the kitchen. They wanted to get away from the crowd and play alone." Elizabeth lied to hide what really happened.

"Where is Charlotte?"

"One of the maids came and took her to bed. It's very late and we should be going." Ciel bought his wife's explanations and turned to Sebastian who bowed his head slightly.

"The carriage is waiting, my Lord."

"Very well, let us go."

That night, Elizabeth was quite satisfied with herself for standing up for herself, her husband, and her daughter. For years, she knew she was un-liked by many woman in society. Her mother always taught her to be strong willed and dominant in secret. Never let her dominance shine over her husband, but silently let the world know with her grace and poise that she was not a woman to be messed with.

Elizabeth was very well aware of how to manipulate other with this power of hers. Her threats to Arabella were empty. She would never put little Charlotte into a situation like that. That child was the only thing stopping Elizabeth from seriously ruining Arabella's life. Even so, Elizabeth wouldn't really stoop so low as to get revenge. No, she'd rather let Arabella sit in constant fear of what may become of her wealth.

Ciel had rubbed off on her since their marriage.

A/N: I hate this. Don't know why i posted it. I just do. I wrote this while i was sick, still am. I guess I thought i'd feel little better if I posted something. I really don't like this though. Tell me what you think? It's okay if ya'll don't like it either. I might take this down a re write it again. I don't feel like it's as good as the other ones. Eh.