~Lucille's Point of View~

We were a little behind schedule due to some bad rain and a small bout of sleet and general wintery filth. It had taken us nearly a week to reach the rendezvous point at an inn on the border of France where we were to meet with the Phantomhive servants and Silas and I would continue our journey with them.

The inn was quaint and warm with several blazing fireplaces in the oversized lobby scattered with plush chairs and lounges. Beautiful French landscape pieces littered the walls of the lobby. It opened up into a large bar and dining hall where many guests were currently spending their time laughing, drinking and enjoying the good cooking.

Silas and I were sitting in the lobby hoping to catch a glimpse of the Phantomhive servants as soon as they arrived. The other servants that had accompanied us had already returned home as my father only told them to ensure I got to the inn safely.

"I'm bored." I sighed and prodded Silas in the side lightly disturbing him from his reading.

"I'd imagine you can find some way to entertain yourself, Milady." Silas chuckled as he resumed reading.

A mischievous thought crossed my mind, "Will you let your hair down?"

Silas glanced up from his book, "Why?"

"I'm going to entertain myself." I shrugged.

Silas sighed and let his long silvery hair fall freely. It was long enough that it fell way past his shoulders reaching almost to his waist. I smoothed my fingers through it and smiled at how soft and silky it was to the touch before gathering a few strands from the side into my hands.

"Lady Lucille, what are you doing?" Silas sighed once more as I began to braid the strands together.

"Giving you a new look." I giggled as I finished the neat small braid and leaned back to inspect my handiwork. He looked ethereal in the glowing firelight, the dancing flames reflecting in his silken hair and I found myself lost in my staring. Silas looked as if he had walked right out of a dream, like a knight of pure starlight. His long bangs that he usually kept neatly out of his face hung over his wild eyes, I had no idea how long they were before, he always kept himself so well kempt.

Silas smiled softly, but his smile fell short as he took a look to the main entrance behind me, "I think our escort has arrived."

My heart fell and I slowly turned to face the direction he was looking and spotted a small gathering of well-dressed people near the door all wearing clothes in the same color of dark pristine charcoal with subtle hints of azure. There were three men and a woman and they spotted us in an instant. I stiffened as they approached.

"Lady Chevalier." They all addressed me in unison and the three men swept into perfect bows as the pretty young woman curtsied. The man closest to me offered me his hand. He appeared to be in his mid-twenties and had a mane of dark auburn hair that hung down to his shoulders and piercing cat like golden eyes.

He kissed my hand like royalty before bowing once again, "I'm Anders, I serve Lord Phantomhive as a butler. I am at your service, Lady Chevalier."

I glanced over at Silas who seemed fairly amused with their overly formal introductions and the amount of attention we were gaining. He'd left his hair how I had fixed it and I smiled softly to myself, it suited him this way, though I still wanted to play with it more.

Anders stepped aside to let one of his companions introduce themselves next. A young man appearing to be around Silas' age, no more than nineteen, stepped forward and bowed to me. He had unusual snow-white hair and bright red eyes and was fairly short compared to his other male companions though still a few inches taller than myself. "My name is Casimir, I serve as Steward to Lord Phantomhive." Steward? But he seemed so young to be a steward. Casimir stepped aside after another bow.

A large muscular bulk of a man who easily towered a foot taller than everyone else stepped forward and bowed gracefully despite his size. He had a well kempt mane of black hair and a tidy beard. His eyes were sharp and the color of molten amber. "I'm Enzo, that little runt's older brother," he indicated Casimir, "I serve as groundskeeper to Lord Phantomhive." It was hard to determine his age due to his facial hair he looked older, but I had a feeling he wasn't much older than Anders.

The young woman rushed forward and clasped my hands in hers catching me off guard and causing the men to cringe not knowing how I was going to react to such informality. She was a pretty young woman who appeared to be at least five years my senior and had pretty shoulder length auburn hair and warm caramel colored eyes. "I'm Rose and I'll be serving as your handmaiden." She beamed, "I hope we become great friends, Lady Lucille."

"Rose." Casimir hissed trying to reprimand the girl for her informality.

Rose smiled bashfully, "Sorry, too much?"

I couldn't help but smile back at her, "Not at all."

Silas got to his feet and stood at my side sizing up the other servants his trained eyes noting all potential flaws and weaknesses and gauging who would be the biggest threat if things went south. I noticed the men sizing up Silas as well and decided to introduce him.

"This is Silas Grave," I paused for a brief moment not sure what term to use to describe him, if I said bodyguard or protector they may take offense, "he serves as my valet." That would have to do, it was the closest thing in the servants' hierarchy to describe his tasks and would explain why he was constantly at my side. Valets served as a personal companion and protector to their masters and accompanied them on outings.

"Poor dear," Rose sighed, "you must have to beat the girls away with a stick to keep them from that one." She winked at me.

I stared at her blankly for a moment unsure of what she meant and heard Silas snicker softly at my side.

"Rose!" Casimir once again reprimanded the young woman.

"That is hardly the case." Silas responded politely, but I noted a hint of mischievousness in his voice, "Though I can't say the same for when Milady goes out."

I swatted at him in annoyance, "Silas, do feel free to stop being insufferable at any moment."

Rose giggled, "They're so cute." I paused realizing I had already messed up. We were master and servant we shouldn't act this close. The men were already suspicious.

"Lady Chevalier, have you eaten yet?" Anders asked to break the sudden tension that had begun to grow between the men.

I shook my head deciding it best not to speak and bury myself any deeper.

"I apologize, but do you mind sharing a table just to be considerate of the inn staff and patrons?" He asked politely.

"Not at all."

Anders smiled, "Very well, give me a moment to make arrangements."

Rose sidled up to my other side and folded my arm into hers, "I'm so excited for you to see Phantomhive Manor. Master Cyril had seamstresses rushing about all last week to ensure you had a perfect wardrobe upon your arrival." She grinned. "It was so sweet."

I turned to her curiously.

She sighed melodramatically, "It'll be so nice to have another woman in the house."

"There aren't any other women in the house?" That seemed unusual for a noble house; didn't they always have a number of maids for different chores?

"Nope." Rose continued, "I was a little wary when I took the position, I was so worried the manor was going to be a stable considering how long it had gone without a woman's touch, but the men weren't too bad at keeping up with the upkeep." She smiled.

"That's because sometimes we liked to put Casimir in one of those frilly aprons and make him dust the entire estate." Anders added upon his return.

I stifled a laugh at this as Casimir became flustered and scolded his companions. The Phantomhive servants were certainly a lively bunch.

"Lady Chevalier, our table is ready." Anders bowed and offered me his arm.

I threw a quick look to Silas and saw the disapproving frown on his face. He recovered quickly and gave me a nod motioning for me to accept the butler's arm. Hesitantly I placed my arm in his and allowed him to escort me to the dining hall. He had managed to secure a large somewhat private table that was situated in a corner of the room near the rear exit. From an assassin's point of view, it was probably the best table in the establishment and provided the best vantage points and possible escape routes. Not only were they lively, but it seemed the Phantomhive servants were quite skilled. Anders pulled out a middle chair for me and claimed the seat to my right. Our table was the only one adorned with a fresh clean table cloth and expensive tableware, which I assumed had been Anders' doing. Silas quickly took the seat to my left as Rose claimed the seat directly across from me.

"Can I call you Lucy-sama?" Rose asked with a big grin.

"Lucy-sama?" I asked confused.

"Enzo's late wife was Japanese." Rose explained, "They have the cutest little boy, Tanaka." She rambled on.

I smiled politely, "If it pleases you to do so, you may call me Lucy-sama."

Rose grinned.