Author's Note: Hey Kuroshitsuji fans! It's good to see you all here. This OC just popped into my head after reading so many SebastianxOC fics so... Here. Also, since I want to really make sure the OCs are introduced properly, I'm going to be focusing on them for the first few chapters. I also made sure to do my research on names and history, but sometimes I might not be accurate. Please let me know if I make any mistakes throughout my story and constructive criticism is very much appreciated.
OC Information:
ALDRIDGE: Old English surname meaning "noble ruler"
ERIMENTHA: Greek female name meaning "Collector Of Thoughts", "Determined Protector", "high physical courage", "impulsive energy", and "fervid imagination".
WILLIAM: English male name meaning Strong-willed Warrior
ETTORE: Greek name meaning "to hold, to have"
RAEGAN: Irish female name meaning "child of the small king"
RAE (abbreviation for RAEGAN): Variant spelling of English Ray, meaning "wise protector."
Now that I've done that, enjoy the story!
Chapter One: His Maid, Superstitious
Superstition- a belief or notion, not based on reason or knowledge, in or of the ominous significance of a particular thing, circumstance, occurrence, proceeding, or the like.
It all started out with a mother. Doesn't it always? It was not just any mother; it was a mother of the finest social ranks. The business she was in had many dealings with affiliates of the underworld. Safety was very hard to come by for anyone with her dangerous occupation. Her name was Duchess Erimentha Aldridge and similarly to many members of the upper class, she held dear a beloved treasure. That treasure was her only son, William Aldridge. In order to protect her only child, she did what she believed any mother would. She wanted to protect her child. However, she was unsure who would be suitable for the task.
One day at a market, she encountered the most stubborn, dedicated woman she had ever met. The girl had been arguing with an apparently drunk merchant.
"Why do you even bother trying to be such a loyal dog? It's not worth it and you're going to have to do everything you're told." The man mused, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You'd have a much better life if you ran away from the dull life of a servant and came out to hang with the boys." He slid his hand down her back only for his hand to be slapped away.
"I would protect my master with every last fiber of my being and would be willing to carry out their dirty work and to even shed blood if necessary. I would ready to take whatever the world throws at me with a determined soul. Don't you ever insult me by even considering ;'d trade my dreams for a couple of drinks with scum like you." She said. Erimentha had seen such a bright light within the young girl and had decided to talk with her before she'd completed her errands.
"You there!" She walked over to the stubborn young woman with determination. "What is your name?"
The girl looked up at the Duchess with narrowed eyes. "Well wouldn't you like to know?" She picked up an apple and placed it into her basket. "If you're trying to sell me something, then you'd better get a move on. I don't have that much spending money." She began to walk away.
"I am the Duchess of Aldridge and I believe you are the perfect guardian for my son, William." She declared, holding out a picture of her late baby. She told the girl about all that she'd gone through with the underworld and why she needed someone to protect him.
"Of all people, why me?" The girl spoke up, dumfounded at the idea this Duchess believed she could ever take on such a challenging task.
"You are a strong-willed, determined, and stubborn young woman. You remind me of myself and that is why I believe you are the one I can ask to protect him." Erimentha looked at her with pleading eyes. "Please tell me your name. I will provide anything you ask, so long as it is within my power to give it to you."
"My name is Reagan Ettore and I was previously involved with criminals. I want you to clear my name because I am not the same person I used to be. I desire to pledge my loyalty to someone, after trusting no one in the past." She confessed, only talking about her past because Erimentha had.
"Of course, I promise I will." Erimentha told everyone her child was a stillborn except for Raegan. Ever since that day, Raegan had made an oath to be her son's guardian. She worked hard to protect the young master and had kept her promise completely. Working in the countryside, alongside the young lord, she found life to be picture perfect and quite frankly, both of them found it boring.
After 13 Years of Taking Care of the Earl of Aldridge (William Aldridge)…
"William, what would you like to do today?" I said, placing a cup of Earl Grey tea on top of his desk.
"Get out of this stupid mansion, that's what." He said, resting his hands on the back of his head, appearing annoyed.
"Don't be stupid." I said, scolding him.
"How long am I gonna be holed up in here? Honestly." He groaned, exaggerating his sighs dramatically.
"It's not like I'm keeping you hostage. I'm just making sure you stay safe." I huffed, inflating my chest with disbelief. It's thanks to me after all that he's hale and hearty after all these years of safekeeping.
"How dull." He said with lack of interest.
"Well, then what do you suggest?" I said, wondering what his answer would be.
"Let's go somewhere. Anywhere." He pleaded, glancing up at me with phony tears.
"Absolutely not. What if we ran into trouble? I promised your mom to-"
"C'mon! Restraining me won't prepare me for anything!" He begged, tugging on my shirt as if his life depended on it. I shifted uncomfortably under his determined gaze for a few seconds before I finally gave in.
"Very well. We should probably stay away from the city where many dangers lurk. Any place other than there?" I said, making sure he'd at least stay out of trouble after me finally agreeing to this long-wanted escape from the mansion.
"Let's go for a short trip! A trip to an island! A trip to the beach! Let's go to the club!" He said eagerly. I checked my wallet, finding only a small amount of money from the reserves his mother had left us. I sweat-dropped.
"A-Ah well…. There won't be any clubbing. And… we don't have enough savings to waste on a vacation to an island. And… you don't even know how to swim, idiot!" I said, getting ticked off.
"Well then what do you suggest, Miss Raegan?" He narrowed his eyes at me angrily, as if waiting for me to suggest not going at all. I glared at him, wondering whether he'd wring my neck if I proposed exactly that. I looked out the window, pondering the consequences when my attention focused on the striking landscape of the mountains.
"W-Well, how about a trip to the mountains?" I put forward, hoping it would capture his interests. He was taken aback for a moment and then began shaking his head fervently in agreement.
"It's decided. We'll leave tomorrow then? I'd better start packing! Adieu!" He scurried out of the room without looking back.
"W-Wait a minute! William!" I whimpered after him. At least we've come to an agreement. I suddenly felt cheated. He's surely going to take advantage of this risky little trip! I had better be especially on guard. I looked down at my tea only to remember that earlier when I had made the tea I had mistakenly forgotten to put the tea into the pot before pouring on the boiling water. A sudden chill ran down my spine. No wonder I had felt particularly unsettled about this trip! That's definitely a bad omen!
I whizzed over to the young earl's room only to find him humming to himself relaxedly while packing bags for the trip through a crack in the door. He looked so content. I watched him for a little while longer, before heading back woefully. Perhaps it is just me being over-cautious. I carefully changed into my nightgown and gathered my belongings inside of a leather bag. In my last efforts to extinguish whatever uncertainties I had for the next day, I blew out my candles and dreamt of salt and rabbit's feet. Though I stupidly believe in ridiculous superstitions, it wouldn't do any harm to wish avoiding broken mirrors, stepladders, crows and black cats, would it? I just hope I didn't jinx anything…..
After a Night of Unnecessary Worries and Ridiculous Superstitions…
"Ngh! What?" I woke up with a jolt, my hair disheveled and my clothes in disarray. They appeared to be wet, but I was too weary to notice.
"Hurry it up, would you! You said we'd go on that trip! You can't back out on me now!" William stood at the foot of my bed with an empty pale of water. I checked the clock.
"It's 5 am, you inconsiderate spawn! Go away!" I nuzzled my head underneath my pillow irritably.
"Get up! My mother didn't hire a lethargic maid!" He yanked me from the warmth of my bed and threw the clothes I had layed out the night before on me. "Here!" He stomped out of the room only to come back five minutes later with his suitcase to ask why I was still sitting there with a blank look on my face.
"It's too early… Just five more minutes~!" I headed back towards the bed drowsily.
"Oh no you don't! Come here!" He grabbed me and sat me down in front of him.
"I'm gonna come back in five minutes. If you haven't dressed yourself in that amount of time, then I'll do it for you!" He taunted me easily. "Hurry, Hurry." He left the room.
I took of my clothes so quickly, any stripper would have been left awe-struck. I paced myself, putting on all my clothes in the small amount of time I was given. I brushed my teeth quickly and fixed my hair in a somewhat messy braid.
"It's been five minutes~!" William sang. "Are you ready yet? I'm coming in, ready or not." He opened the door only to find me trying to untie a knot in my shoelaces.
"What? I'm ready." I grumbled, gesturing at my fully-clothed self. I grabbed our bags and headed out the door.
"We're going to climb the mountain you know." He said, directing me to the kitchen. "Pick out some food for us to bring." He shoved me into the pantry, taking the bags.
"Whaaa... Since when?!" I was surprised, but began looking for food anyway. It's not every day he decides not to use a carriage to go somewhere.
"Since we arranged this yesterday." He shrugged, not worried in the least. I gathered everything I believed was required and split it in half. Half for me and half for him. I strapped my bag on to my shoulders, then helped William get his on correctly. "Alright. Let's go!" He said, expressing a beaming white smile.
"Let's go…." I muttered, knowing this was going to be a long walk.
What will await the Aldridge Residents at the top of the mountain?
Find out in the next chapter of "His Butler, Parental Guardian"!