Serving the Earl Phantomhive (A Finnian x OC Fanfiction)

Prologue

-The Streets of London-

LARKSPUR'S POV:

I was alone in the streets. After losing my parents a year ago, I was on my own. I took some cleaning jobs, but the money was only enough to feed a small child, which I am not. I'm 15 with chocolate brown hair and hazel eyes. I'm of average height. I'm quite slim, but I have enough of a figure for people to notice that I'm a female. I saw a black cat meowing in pain. I walked over and said, "Oh, you poor thing. The carriages never stop for you, do they?"

The cat meowed, "No."

That's something else. Ever since I was really little, I was able to speak to animals. I don't know how I earned this ability because no one in my family has been able to. I ripped a piece of my dress and wrapped it around the wound. I smiled, "Feeling better?"

The cat nodded. Then I heard a deep, masculine voice say, "My, what a caring person you are."

I looked up. It was a tall man with short, black hair and red eyes. I was surprised because he was wearing a tailcoat. I assumed he was a noble. He said, "Not many people would stop and help a defenseless creature, much less a cat."

"Well, I'm not many people. I'm not rich nor am I part of the working class." I replied.

"Do you have an occupation, by any chance?" the man asked me.

"I do some maid work, but the employers never keep me around." I answered.

"If you would like, I have a permanent job for you, if you're interested." he told me with a smile on his face.

"Where would this job be, exactly?" I asked.

"Have you heard of the Phantomhive manor?" he wondered.

"Yes, I have. It burned to ashes 2 years ago." I replied.

"Well, it's back up from the ashes and Ciel Phantomhive is the current earl." he informed me.

I knew of Ciel Phantomhive. He's the only child of the previous earl. I read newspapers about the fire. I said, "Why not? I literally have nothing to lose at this point."

He smiled, "Thank you, Madam..."

"Larkspur. My name is Larkspur." I told him.

He led me to a carriage and we rode to the manor. I asked, "I never got your name, sir."

"Sebastian Michaelis." he answered.

When we reached the manor, an old man holding a cup of tea was there. Sebastian opened the door for me and helped me out of the carriage. Sebastian said, "Hello, Tanaka."

"Ho, ho, ho." greeted Tanaka. I would've asked about that greeting, but I saw four people walk our direction.

"Sebastian, who is this girl?" the young boy with the eyepatch asked. I could tell this was Ciel because of his ring and the air of nobility that surrounded him.

"My lord, this is Larkspur. She has agreed to be our new maid." Sebastian explained.

"Really? Well, I guess it can't be helped. I take it you already know who I am, so I won't waste my breath with introductions. You three, get well acquainted with her." Ciel replied.

The blonde guy with the pins in his hair happily said, "My name is Finnian, but you can call me Finni! I'm the gardener here."

The only female said, "I'm Mey-Rin. I'll be assisting you, I will!"

The tall blonde man with the cigarette hanging from his mouth said, "I'm Bardroy. I'm the chef."

Everyone seemed very nice and energitic, but I didn't mind. I bowed, "It's a pleasure will be you all."

Sebastian smiled, "Now that we settled that, Mey-Rin, do you happen to have an extra uniform for Larkspur?"

"I do, but it's too big for her, it is!" Mey-Rin answered.

Sebastian sighed, "Everyone, get back to work. Larkspur, come with me."

Everyone left, then I followed Sebastian to a separate room. He pulled out a tape measure, then started to take my measurements. He said, "Alright. Tanaka!"

"Ho, ho, ho." Tanaka said, walking in.

"Lead her to the others. I'll be back shortly." he said, walking away.

Tanaka led me to the rest of the staff. They were all in the kitchen. Finni smiled at me, "So your name is Larkspur. Pretty name to match a pretty girl."

I felt my cheeks grow hot. Mey-Rin said, "Finni! She just got here! You may scare her off before her first day!"

"No, it's fine. I'm just not used to compliments, that's all." I told her.

We heard a knock on the door. It was Sebastian holding a maid uniform my size, "Here, this should fit just fine."

I looked shocked, "That was quick, even for you."

"I know people who make fast work. Mey-Rin, help her get changed. Bardroy, be sure to have her old clothes burned." Sebastian ordered.

"Yes, sir!" Mey-Rin and Bardroy responded at the same time. Mey-Rin took me to her room and helped me into the uniform. It did fit and I'll admit it didn't look bad on me. I carried my tattered clothes to Bardroy.

"Just leave it to me!" He laid the clothes on the ground and pulled out a flamethrower. Finni ran over to me.

"Larkspur, do you want to see the garden?" he asked excitedly.

"Sure." I said. He showed me around the garden. I thought it was very beautiful.

"It's beautiful our here." I muttered.

"I'm glad you think so." Finni replied.

"Finni, what are you doing?" Sebastian asked.

"I was just showing Larkspur around the garden." Finni answered.

Sebastian chuckled, "Well, it is important for her to be familiar with every inch of the manor. Larkspur, the master would like to speak to you."

I nodded, then said, "See you later, Finni."

He waved goodbye and I followed Sebastian. He said, "My lord, she is here."

"Alright, Sebastian. I'll call you when I need you." Ciel replied.

Sebastian bowed and said, "Yes, my lord."

I looked at Ciel. Does he ever smile? He asked, "Larkspur, do you have any experience being a maid?"

"Yes, I would clean small houses and shops." I answered.

"How old are you?" he asked.

"15." I said.

He looked away in thought, then he looked up, "How did Sebastian find you?"

"I'm not sure if you would believe me." I replied.

"Why not?" he asked.

"You may think I'm mad." I told him.

"It can't be any worse than what you may read in the newspaper. Please, tell me." he softly commanded.

I sighed, then said, "When he found me, I was conversing with a stray cat. I've been able to talk to animals since I was very little."

It was silent in the room, then he said, "Well, that's certainly not the strangest thing I've heard."

"You don't think I'm mad?" I asked.

"Believe it or not, there are things that are stranger than someone who can speak to animals. You may leave now." Ciel explained.

I walked out of the study. I had a feeling that I would have an interesting time in the Phantomhive manor.