~Lucille's Point of View~

My body felt achy from all the riding and the cold of the past week. We'd run into many road blocks. Rose looked to be a bit feverish when she came into my room at the inn to help me change in the morning, though despite my most valiant efforts she wouldn't let me shoo her away to rest. Her caramel eyes were glassy and sported deep circles beneath them. After she nearly worked herself into a coughing fit I ordered her to rest on my bed and got myself ready for the day before half carrying her down to meet the others for breakfast.

"Rose, stop hindering Lady Chevalier." Casimir scolded as we made our way to the breakfast table.

"It's not her fault." I stood up for the lethargic deadweight currently slumped against me. "She feels feverish perhaps we should rest a day."

"We'll be arriving today." Casimir noted, "She'd probably be more comfortable resting at the manor."

My stomach churned unsteadily, we were arriving today? I must have paled because Anders and Silas rushed to my side thinking I had suddenly taken ill. Anders removed Rose from my side and Silas draped my arm across his shoulder preparing to support all my weight if I were to faint.

"Are you alright, Lady Lucille?" He asked concerned.

This was it, there was no turning back, today I was going to meet the man who was to preside over me as my husband and decide my fate. Meagerly I nodded and allowed him to steer me to the table.

"I'm sure you'll feel better after you've eaten." Anders piped in as he eased Rose onto the bench next to Enzo. She looked so small next to the large muscular man.

I had absolutely no appetite; I felt that anything I tried to consume would instantly eject itself from my body in the most horrendous manner. My head was swimming, my heart was racing, and it took all I had just to keep myself up right and functioning. I managed to shake my head at Anders' offer of sustenance and folded my hands into my lap as I began to fret over what the day had in store for me.

"You fools." Rose grumbled half slumped against Enzo, "She's obviously scared."

"Of what?" Anders asked curiously as Silas took a seat beside me on the bench and rubbed my back consolingly ignoring the strange looks he was receiving from the others.

"Think about it." Rose raised her head, "She's fifteen, she's just been uprooted from her home and shipped off to a new country to marry a man she knows absolutely nothing about. Anyone would be scared."

The guys fell silent pondering Rose's words as I mentally scolded myself for being too obvious. I was supposed to be stronger than this, this was just supposed to be a mission which meant once he'd served his purpose and we'd gotten the information we needed he'd be disposed of. Though after meeting his servants I felt losing him would upset them very much, they all seemed to like their master. What if he was a wonderful man? What if I actually developed feelings for him? My stomach lurched. That was absolutely impossible, he was an English noble, there was no way he'd be a decent man.

"He's a really great guy." Anders piped in with a smile, "And if you keep that temper, you won't have any trouble manipulating him."

Enzo laughed at this.

Casimir glared at Anders, "I think what Anders' is trying to say is that you have nothing to worry about, you will be treated with utmost respect."

Rose swatted at the others, "You're just going to make it worse. Leave Lucy-sama be." She offered me a reassuring smile.

After the others had eaten and failed at getting me to eat anything, Anders gave up with a sigh and raked his hands through his mane of dark auburn hair. "Are you ready, Lady Chevalier?"

Silas helped me to my feet and ushered me outside. Once in the brisk wintery air my head began to clear. My stomach was still in uncertain twisted knots and wrought with worry, but I was able to resolve myself. Worst case scenario, he'd try to accost me and I'd kill him with one of my concealed blades. I paused at the thought, was that really worst-case scenario? No, worst-case scenario would be falling in love with the English fop. I almost laughed at the thought that would be impossible. My father made sure I had all the skills I'd need growing up, I wasn't some lovesick sap. Silas said so himself, marriage didn't suit me.

The others joined us outside and shifted uncomfortably in the silence as Silas secured my riding cloak around my shoulders. He leaned forward pretending to struggle with the clasp so he could whisper in my ear, "We can still run away. I will gladly lay my life down, here and now, to help you escape."

Before I could stop myself, I reached up and slapped him across the face with enough force he stumbled back a few paces. How dare he say something so asinine?! I shot him a dark look and straightened my cloak on my own before stalking toward the others. Life without Silas wouldn't be worth living and I'd never forgive him if he sacrificed himself for me.

No one spoke as I reached the group. I knew they all had their suspicions about the nature of mine and Silas' relationship, but no one voiced their opinion. Anders held the lead of a beautiful chestnut mare and looked to Enzo as I approached.

"Excuse me, Lady Chevalier." Enzo bowed before lifting me onto the mare's back and seating me side style. I was growing tired of riding like a lady. It put me at a great disadvantage if conflict arose and I'd have to defend myself.

Anders bowed to me and repeated what Enzo had said before placing his left foot in the stirrup and swinging his right leg over so that he was seated behind me before grabbing the reins. I pulled my hood up so my face was covered and protected from the harsh cold winds, but mainly so no one would be able to see the tears burning in my rose-colored eyes. Despite the abilities I learned from the assassins that had trained me, I felt vulnerable and scared. I wasn't prepared for this type of encounter.

After a few hours of riding I could sense lightness in the air radiating from the servants. We must be close now; they all had that look of belonging. I scanned the surrounding area there were plains as far as the eye could see rolling green plains spattered with a dusting of white from the terrible wintry mix that had fallen the evening before. After a while I saw a stretch of woodland and a beautiful elegant manor tucked within the woodland. There was a rider at the front gate sitting astride a sleek black steed with a long flowing mane and tail wearing a black cloak. My heart stuttered in my chest, surely it was a grim sign the shrouded figure looked like a harbinger of death.

"Oh look, Cas." Rose giggled from behind, "Your scolding must have worked, the master is there as ordered."

"Well it's only right for him to receive his bride and carry her over the threshold himself." Casimir grumbled, but I could detect a smile in his voice, he was happy to be home.

Anders chuckled, "Yeah I think that carrying over the threshold thing only applies to the wedding day for good luck."

"He could use some extra luck." Enzo piped in causing the other Phantomhive servants to laugh.

Anders leaned forward, "Hold tight, Mistress." His golden eyes were aglow with excitement and I quickly gripped the saddle as he urged our horse into a gallop.

I cringed at the bitter cold air currently piercing through my garments and pricking me all over and kept my head low to keep my hood from flying back. Our horse slowed to a canter as Anders began to rein her in after a good distance. Peeking from beneath my hood, I spotted the Lord Phantomhive atop his intimidating black steed his hood now lowered. He was a handsome man with long midnight hair that appeared black with faint blue hues revealed in the sunlight. His eyes were dark endless pools of azure. He had sharp angular features and looked like he had a rather cold personality which set my nerves on edge.

"Good Afternoon, Master Cyril." Anders' smile was evident in his voice as he reined our mare to a stop, "I see the manor is still standing in our absence."

"Luckily." Came the reply from my intended, his voice was dark and rich and sent a shiver down my spine. "Though cook nearly set the place ablaze last night." He commented casually.

"I told you not to insult his cooking." Casimir scolded as he joined us near the front gate.

"Remind me, Steward, why I have a cook who can't cook." The master chuckled.

"He's a veteran from the Napoleonic wars." Casimir hissed and I felt the color drain from my face, he was absolutely going to despise me.

Anders chuckled, "Care to inspect your little bride, Master Cyril?" My heart began to race, I wasn't ready.

I sensed his gaze was elsewhere and breathed a small sigh of relief.

"I appear to have gained an additional servant." Lord Phantomhive noted indifferently and my body stiffened as I realized he'd spotted Silas. Was I not allowed to bring a servant with me? We were at a disadvantage if Silas were going to strike him down I was not confident I'd be able to dismount Anders completely unscathed.

"His name is Silas." Casimir stated matter of factly, "Lady Chevalier's valet."

"Looks more like a bodyguard to me." Lord Phantomhive chuckled and I tensed. Anders shifted uneasily feeling the tightening of muscles in my body from our close proximity. "I'd imagine even the bodyguard has better cooking skills than my cook."

"Master Cyril." Casimir scolded.

Anders shifted our steed so that we were side by side with Lord Phantomhive and his intimidating black mount. "Are you taking your bride, or shall I keep her to myself?"

He didn't say a word to me. In the next moment a slender hand clad in an expensive looking black glove extended into my line of sight. My hand trembled slightly as I released my hold on the saddle and reached out to accept the hand he offered me. His hand was strong and radiating warmth through the rich glove. It easily engulfed my own hand and I nearly gasped as he gracefully pulled me from the chestnut mare and onto his great black steed in one swift motion. My back was pressed against a perfectly molded torso and I scrambled to grab hold of the saddle so I could sit freely without leaning against him for support. With only direction from subtle movements in his feet in the stirrups the steed turned and headed through the front gate.

We rode in silence through the courtyard. A few minutes passed, though they felt like hours, and we slowed to a stop outside the elegant manor. Lord Phantomhive dismounted swiftly and I jumped as I felt his strong hands at my waist. He lifted me from the great steed as if I weighed nothing and lightly set me on my feet at his side.

"Well that was painfully awkward." Anders remarked as he halted his mare next to us.

"Honestly, Master Cyril, where are your manners?" Casimir scolded as he dismounted from his own steed. "And as for you." I jumped as he rounded on me and cringed as he wrenched my hood back nearly blinding me with the sudden light.

I blinked for a few times before turning to Casimir with a glare.

Lord Phantomhive chuckled at this, "Cas, try not to anger my little bride. Happy wife happy life after all." His gaze swept over me for the briefest of moments before rising as the others halted their steeds around us. "What happened there?" He asked upon noticing the perfect small red handprint upon Silas' face.

The others shifted uncomfortably and I nearly flinched when I felt his gaze pass over me then back to Silas as if he were working things out.

Rose threw me a reassuring smile, "I think we all should show Silas the ropes around here." She urged the others.

Enzo nodded, "Marvelous idea."

Casimir nodded, "Then, Master Cyril, I leave the tour to you." His ruby eyes sparkled maliciously as he looked to Lord Phantomhive.

His dark azure eyes were upon me once more, our gazes met and I held my breath fearing what would happen next. Was he simply nervous, or was he deliberately being cautious?