Welcome Back

Part 2

The blizzard had not died down.

It had been two weeks after the outburst but the snow kept on falling, even harder now than before.

Ciel sat behind his desk, looking out through the window once again. He did this so often it had become a routine. Not a day passed by that he wouldn't let his gaze wander past that glass. Even if the storm was horrible, he would still look out beyond the terrace of his mansion.

His elbow was resting against the arm chair as his head leaned against his hand.

He closed his eyes.

He kept them shut for a while.

He needed rest.

He needed sleep.

Ciel couldn't come out of his studies. He couldn't go to his chambers. Elizabeth would be waiting for him if he did. His wife's eager face would appear to please and soothe him in any way.

He scowled.

How foolish of her.

Yet, something in him felt pity for her. So young and childish to think everything was a fairytale. To think 'I do's' would make everything better.

He shook his head.

He needed to stop thinking.

Ciel opened his eyes and gazed out of the window one last time before turning around to face his desk. He looked down at the papers before him. Contracts, greetings, transactions, every little bit of business and social events in front of him. Every little bit of useless and tedious work to do.

Thump

Thump

Ciel didn't look up. "Come in."

The door opened to the studies.

"Master, I brought you dinner."

Ciel only nodded.

The butler made his way into the studies and placed the salver on the empty side of Ciel's desk.

"I also brought you Earl Grey Tea."

"Thank you, Tanaka."

The butler nodded and walked away from the desk, but not before saying something.

"I do hope you eat your food this time."

Ciel looked at his butler but Tanaka was out of the room before he had a chance to say anything.

Turning to his food he saw roasted pork and potatoes placed on his plate with vegetables as decorations.

He picked up his cutlery and took a bite of the pork. Ciel wasn't hungry. He hadn't had an appetite for a very long time but he forced himself to eat. At least for his own sake. He couldn't look frail or weak. Not in this world, he couldn't. Any sign of weakness and he would be eaten alive in the social class, especially when it came to conducting business. Who would take an infirm and limp man seriously?

He frowned.

No, he couldn't be weak. Ciel couldn't let anyone hurt him. He couldn't let anyone surpass him. He needed to be on top, he needed to be number one, he needed to be superior from all other people that wanted to see him crawl and beg. He wouldn't give them the pleasure. He wouldn't give them the satisfaction to see him lower his status.

Not an inch of his body would let him.

No, he wouldn't.

Ciel forced himself to eat. Forced himself to take bites. Keeping strong was the only thing motivating him to devour his food.

Bite after bite he ate. It wasn't what he wanted but he had to.

He rested for a little bit, and then looked down at his plate as he sat the fork and knife at the side of his platter.

He needed tea.

Stretching out to grasp the cup, he looked down at the dark honey-sweetened tea. He knew he would get full if he drank it all but one sip wouldn't hurt.

Minutes passed by and he was almost done with his roasted pork when another knock came from the door.

How weird, he thought. No one used to bother him around this time of night. Elizabeth usually took care of things if there was a minor problem around the mansion. He looked at the grandfather clock and saw it was ten past eight.

Thump

Thump

Thump

"Come in."

"Master, I am really sorry to disturb you," the maid said, bowing down, "but we have a guest."

Ciel lifted his eyebrow. "A guest?"

"Yes, Master."

Ciel looked at the disheveled maid. "And who is the guest, Mey-Rin?"

The maid shook her head. "I'm sorry Master but I didn't get his name. Tanaka told me to get you at once since he is taking care of the guest at the moment."

"I'll be right down."

He turned around and looked outside the window. There was a carriage outside of the mansion. He could see the gardener getting a hold of the horses' reins to take them to the shed.

Who could it be?

And in this weather?

What kind of person would be crazy enough to willingly put themselves in danger?

Ciel got up from his chair and looked outside once again. The carriage was gone but he could now see the tracks of the wheels precise as day. Someone that he knew must be the guest since his mansion was far away from London. No one would be able to know how to get to his mansion during the winter unless they'd been there before.

But who in their right mind would be traveling at this time?

Ciel frowned, who?

He was ready to leave his studies, dragging his boots towards the door when he caught sight of his own reflection in the full-length mirror. Ciel came to a halt, straightening his coat and rearranging his disheveled strands. He couldn't look unpresentable, especially being the head of his mansion. After exiting the room, blue eyes were facing straight ahead, never once turning to look at the opulent decorations he passed. The glistening glass vases and luxurious pottery failed to catch his interest. He couldn't appreciate their beauty anymore.

He turned the corner to stop right on top of the staircases leading down to the foyer.

The guest's back was facing Ciel, admiring the decorations of the mansion. The figure was holding on to his hat. The snow on his coat had started to slowly melt away from the warmth of the mansion.

"Sir, if you could please give me your hat I will gladly accommodate you."

"You haven't changed Tanaka," A deep velvet chuckle came from the person, "you already know what to call me. Please, no formalities."

No.

"Now do me a favor." Turning around, the guest gave the butler a smirk before rolling his deep brown eyes right up to land on Ciel's lean form. "Why don't you give me some Earl Grey Tea? For old times' sake."

"As you wish." Tanka slightly bowed his head and left.

No.

Ciel locked his gaze with the male in the foyer.

"Well isn't it a pleasure to see a wonderful face in this dark stormy time." The guest looked Ciel up and down. "I see being gone has done wonders for you."

For some odd reason Ciel's body wasn't responding, his voice wasn't working and his head went blank.

The male grinned at Ciel. "Your wife didn't seem very pleased to see me. Though I can assure you; I am not here to cause any trouble."

Elizabeth...

"She took it upon herself to fix the guest bedroom if you are wondering where she went. That maid of hers has a habit of not doing things properly."

The guest slowly approached the staircases, every tap of those leather shoes slowly becoming louder as they made their way up the steps.

Ciel couldn't move. He couldn't say anything.

"Cat got your tongue?" The male smirked. "I have to repeat; time really has done wonders for you."

Ciel looked up to him.

He was several inches away but Ciel felt his heat. He felt his presence.

"What are you doing here?"

"Can I not see an old friend of mine?" The figure looked around. "Marrying Elizabeth has really given this place a feminine touch."

"Michaelis..."

"Please, you of all people should know better. Call me, Sebastian."