Tea & Biscuits (V.2)

Brats

"Matilda, have you ever heard of the word 'composure'? It's something a young lady such as you and I require." I sighed in anger. "If you do not like the flavour, simply don't eat the lollipop. I cannot see how that is so hard to grasp."
"Abigail, please understand!" Matilda groaned as she leant back in her chair "How am I to know if the flavour is one I like when I haven't tried it?" Matilda pouted, flinging her arms and legs around in the air like a toddler.

"Well, understand this Matilda. I am not  giving you another!" I scoffed as I turned to my butler, Alfred. People say my name is strange, but whoever calls their child Alfred should be investigated for child abuse, but I digress. "Alfred, I am in need of something calming. May you please brew up some tea?"

"Of course, mistress." Alfred leaves the room slowly with a fake grin spread from ear to ear. Matilda seemed to notice how irritated I was when her body quickly jerked into a composed and polite pose. Many moments of silence pass as we wait for Alfred to brew our tea.

At last, the weight on the air was lifted as Alfred returned to pour our tea, a whiff of the scent floats to my nose as I let out a sigh of relief.

"Chamomile?"

"Of course, Mistress."

Me and Matilda take a sip from our own cups. "So, Abigail, how's the Acacia family treating you?" The question seemed abrupt, but there wasn't much I could do.

"I suppose I should say great, considering I'm the only one in it." I sighed. "But, I'm sure they would've been proud to see me come this far." I chuckled sadly, looking at my reflection in the tea. "Can you believe it? I'm 16 this year." I hesitated a small bit, counting the years in my head. It still feels as though it was only yesterday...

"I'm still shocked you lived beyond 9 years, I'm sure they were waiting for you" The words she spoke sounded strange, I didn't believe the things coming out of my very own cousin's mouth. I tried to brush off what she had said, but the words still lingered.

"That, or they anxiously await the day I die. They'd most likely prefer me alive" I attempted once more to ignore her seemingly threatening words, but those haunting words kept echoing in my mind.

"Miss Matilda, if you wouldn't mind Lady Abigail has some errends to attend to." Alfred cut in, almost as if he could see how afraid I was - I just hope Matilda couldn't. I was saved once again.

I put my face in my palms "I am so saddened that we could not finish our tea, but I terribly wouldn't want to miss them." I dramatised, I was definitely overselling it, but I wanted absolutely nothing more in this moment than for Matilda to leave.

"Oh Abbie, of course, dearest. We'll let you get to that right away" she gleamed brightly. "Joshua, come now. We have outstayed our welcome." Her butler nods as he helps her stand, slowly walking her out the door. I watched her carriage trot away slowly as I sighed in relief.

"Careful Mistress, you almost broke your 'perfect' facade." Alfred chuckled as he cleaned the mess and collected the dishes left by our surprise guest. "You have the same as every Monday, Mistress. We must also give your other eye a wash, lest it get infected."

"How incredibly dull, what ridiculous outfit shall I wear today?" I groaned. "It never ends, does it Alfred?" An underlying tone of sadness haunted my voice as the question left my mouth.
"Don't be discouraged, mistress, one day I'm sure something will spice up your endlessly boring days." He smiled, his voice was filled of hope, almost as if he believed it himself. He was probably hoping for it too.
"And what about Matilda? She thinks she can just walk in like she owns the place! Did you hear her earlier as well? She must feel entitled to the money." Those words sounded nothing less than like my brother's. They really are the same person, at least it seems like it.

"I'm sure she'll leave you alone some day. Perhaps she'll have a moral eppiphany."  Alfred was always reassuring me that things will eventually change, but I've lost hope. It couldn't have come sooner enough. "Anyways, the sea green ballgown may be a good pick, Rolland wants to see how much of the waltz you remember."

"oh, erm... I don't think I remember much." I tried to recall those lessons and I completely blanked. Rolland is going to be so disappointed. I sighed softly, saddened thinking of what he'd say.

"I'm sure you'll be fine, it has been 4 years after all." I nodded, stretching when I heard Alfred gasp loudly. He quickly flips through his diary, with an almost scared expression on his face. "Misstress, apologies, but I forgot to mention that you're having lunch with Earl Phantomhive at 12:30."

"Earl Phantomhive? As in the Earl Phantomhive? The founder of the Funtom company?" I felt numbed, surely this wasn't happening. There must be some mistake.
"I knew you'd be excited Mistress, apologies for not asking beforehand, but I knew you'd say yes." Alfred smiled whilst collecting my dress. "Can I trust you to get mostly prepared?" He gave a slight smirk and a quiet chuckle.
"of course!" I grinned. I felt electricity rush through my body as Alfred practically confirmed that this was actually happening.
"Mistress, don't let one boy break your facade." Alfred taunted playfully as he left the room.

Ignoring what Alfred had said, I slipped into my undersuit and pulled up my crinoline. All I needed now was help with the ribbons at the back, which Alfred then helped me with.

"Mistress, do you believe you have feelings for the Earl?" Alfred asked, genuine concern lingering in  his deep and coarse voice.
"How could I? I've never even met him." The question seemed pointless, I replied harshly. I was already worn down from dealing with Matilda this morning.
"Do you believe you will have feelings for the Earl?" Alfred repeated, looking me directly in the eyes.
"Would it even matter? He probably just wants some money or something..." I paused for a moment, I'm sure the Phantomhive estate already has a large deposit of money, why would they even bother coming for lunch? From what I've heard the earl doesn't enjoy wasting his time. "Wait, did they mention what they wanted?"

"No, Mistress." His voice was monotone, he clearly wasn't bothered.

"What on earth could they want from us?" I pondered for moments, what do we have that they don't? What on earth could they possibly want? Alfred tied the final bow. I didn't look half bad in this, look out Ciel Phantomhive! Haha, joking. I'm way out of his league of course. I can picture him as a jerk, too.

Although, I have always enjoyed Funtom corps. products, meeting the founder may not be half bad. I feel as though I'm making a deal of it, but honestly if I tried to explain how I felt with words my brain just might implode on itself. I have heard rumours of how great his butler is. I wonder how he'll compare to Alfred?