Guardian of an earl

Private meetings

  It wasn't long before Tanaka informed us of our guests' arrival. Vincent, my brother, nodded to let him know to let the man in. Wiping away my tears, he smiled softly at me. "To think my younger sister might see her future husband I might need to get a new guard dog." I laughed until an explosion was heard outside, I froze in place, and Vincent did the opposite running towards the explosion. I wish I could run, but I could not; my legs were weak like my knees gave out, my palms were sweaty, and my mind was racing only one thought kept me going: are the boys OK? Getting the courage to move I start to run towards the sound through the hall my thoughts keep rushing about the boys and whether they were okay, relieved to find the twins were inside in the living room close to their mother Rachel holding the boys close to her. 

"There was an explosion outside Vincent went to investigate!" "I'll check on him, stay here with the children, and don't go outside!" I hurried outside to find a carriage on fire fortunately the fire did not harm the horses as the robes were cut for them to run away from the fire now it's only the fire. "Excuse me? Are you Miss (Y/n) Phantomhive?" I look in the direction of the wall of smoke and ash only for a tall man to immerse out the smoke with a black trench goat hanging on his shoulders while wearing a white suit with no black stains to be seen. I was in awe of how is this man still alive without any burn injury?!  " Oh my, goodness are you alright sir we were just in the game room when we heard the explosion."  "Yes, I was lucky to be out of the carriage before the explosion it was caused by one of the lamps breaking and catching one of the woods of the carriage on fire. Your head butler Tanaka hurried to get a bucket of water instead he got a bucket of gasoline which caused the explosion. Your brother is getting an actual bucket of water. " I let out a huge sigh of relief. Tenaka was old but I think his sense of smell might be off. "My apologies sir please come inside and we start business plans as soon my brother sorts out this fire"

"Here, some tea might calm your nerves" "Thank you but I assure you I'm alright why don't you sit down, it seems like you are the one in a bit of a panic." He smile and put his hand on my shoulder leading me to the couch and giving me the tea I made for him to me. He's quite a gentleman but something wasn't right with him screaming to run, was it his milky skin soft as silk? He took my hand to reassure me that everything was okay, staring into his amber eyes into mine deeper looking for any secrets I hold, it allures me to stare longer at him. "Are you alright you seem to be in a daze you must have been scared hearing an explosion like that I could just imagine the worry you had for your family." his voice calming like a small river. I wasn't able to respond silently drinking the tea I made realizing that it was already cold. "Yes, I was worried about the children they could have been close to the explosion luckily they were with their mother when the explosion happened." "I see if it wasn't for the predicament we're in I would have told you that you look lovely this evening."  my cheeks burn red at his compliment, how can this man make me so flustered, I just met him I have to keep my composure for the company and my reputation. Clearing my throat I look him in the eyes. "As we wait for my brother why don't we discuss your intention with the phantomhive company." Vincent is not here to hold me back I can see what this man truly wants for the company. To do so I have to use my voice is important as a woman to use our voice as it is our only weapon, to learn to use your voice is to learn to use a sword to know when and where not to speak, to know to listen and speak the truth or lie to gain what you need.

"Yes well, I would like to help your brother to transition to welcome your company into Japan a bit more smoothly" His shoulder straight as a soldier on duty, Notice how his soft voice becomes stronger and more determined to speak the matter this shows that this was his goal or that he is truly hiding his true self maybe it could be a beast waiting for his prey to show weakness slowly getting trapped by his claws. I am a black swan my wings as elegant as I raise to aim to be stronger as I have the power to burn his plans to ash if I see fit, he knows this as his eyes speak to me with a stare of demand. "We already planned a transition but it seems you like to push this is riskier than it might seem, the other is you said a courtship is in order. I don't see why marriage can benefit the company."  "Is more the symbolism imagine this my lady a marriage between a local and a foreigner shows there will be a tradition and western culture will combine and it has love and compassion in the company in it for the consumer." his response was smart but not of a business standpoint but it does show that there was thought put into the transitioning is like a family store open to show different cultures can mix it makes the consumer more comfortable to shop there. "You have a point but I like to know about you sir, you see sir I have ears everywhere and it seems that you are known to be a bit secretive you live in the dark no one saw you in the day only at night why is that?" "Can a man not be mysterious? Don't women enjoy the mystery in a man?" I was getting somewhere with this he has his guard up if I can just find a way for him to show his true colors. "I will mostly say you are hiding something like a pup hiding his tail. Are you a Coward sir? Because some who's Imperfect should never be part of the company." His eyes send chills down my spine showing I cross a line. "My lady I assure you I am the Perfect  man for this job if you are concerned about the marriage it will strictly platonic it will be false no papers nothing."

I found his weak point, he wants perfection and control he is truly a predator wanting a bite something dangerous but yet keeps his distance. "We won't speak more about this without my brother being alone with you already may get me in trouble." I stood up from where I was seated only to be stopped by him blocking the door. " Your Brother told me about you and your stubbornness if I may rather see myself as a partner, not as competition I do not want the company I won't be running it you will. I only ask is to be known as your husband to stay in  good light in the eyes of the people and I have control of most of japan's western supplies so please consider my proposal." He moved away from the door only for Vincent to open the door letting in Sebastian our white greyhound running tripping the man and me to the floor as Sebastian was on top of me. I turned my head towards the man for both of our eyes as we both were sent a burst of laughter that broke the tense Atmosphere we had as we both of us agree that this night was nothing but an ordinary night.

After some consideration and scolding from my brother, I agreed on a partnership with this man he might be mysterious but he is smart meaning he can do some good in benefiting me and the company. At the end of our night he went his way back with one of our carriages he gave me a small box "You should know the name of your business partner, my name is Muzan Kibutsuji, and you my dear?" I open the box to see a silver ring it was simply symbolizing our false bond "(Y/N) Phantomhive and nothing more."