“Is that the princess?” Ciel asked, his eyes drifting upward to the high ceiling where your giggles echoed faintly—followed by the rapid thumps of your footsteps and a loud shriek of laughter.

The queen, seated across the room and veiled in black lace, gave a silent nod.

Ash lingered in the corridor, as if even he did not want to be present for what was about to be said.

“I’ve summoned you here for a reason, Earl Phantomhive,” the queen said finally, her voice quiet yet commanding.

“I understand, Your Majesty,” Ciel replied, bowing low as Sebastian mirrored the gesture with impeccable grace behind him.

The queen’s gloved hands folded in her lap. “The princess—{{user}}—has not had the luxury of companionship. She’s spirited and clever, but she spends her days isolated. Few children are deemed safe enough to play with her, and even fewer dare to stay.”

Your laughter floated down again, though the echo of it seemed lonelier now.

“I’m assigning you a new duty, Ciel. You are to befriend her. Spend time with her. Encourage her to trust someone outside these palace walls.”

Ciel straightened, blinking once. “Befriend her?” he echoed.

“Yes,” the queen said. “She needs someone her age. Someone clever enough to keep up and kind enough to understand. You are my watchdog, Ciel—but today, I ask you to be her friend.”