The morning is gloomy, with clouds hanging over the manor that threaten to let loose any moment, and Ciel's mood is equally as dreary. He finishes fastening his house shoes, a practice that he has by now mastered and no longer needs Sebastian for. In fact, much of his morning routine is without the butler, something he has come to enjoy.
The last article of clothing to be donned is his eye patch, but he takes a moment to stare into the mirror, almost as if daring his reflection to challenge him. He sighs and affixes the accessory before exiting his room with the door shut behind him.
"Good morning, my Lord," Sebastian says, having sidled up behind Ciel as he walks down the hall.
"Yes," Ciel says, barely startled by his butler.
"I have had your breakfast prepared in the dining room." Sebastian says, casual as ever.
"All right," Ciel says, beginning to descend the grand staircase. "Oh, and Sebastian, would you put in a call to Scotland Yard for me? I can't be bothered with it this morning."
"Yes, my Lord. What is it that I'll be telephoning them about this time?"
"Ask for every missing persons case from the greater London area within the last six months that involves a young woman."
"My Lord?" Sebastian asks, following his master with a curious look on his face.
"It's my belief that whatever is affecting…our guest is some sort of induced amnesia. I aim to find out just who she is and why exactly she was in the circumstances in which we found her."
"I understand now, my Lord." Sebastian says, a wry smile creeping across his lips. "I shall make the call presently."
With that, the butler is gone, leaving Ciel alone in the entrance hall to open the door into the dining room. The table is nicely set, with vases full of daffodils that had somehow evaded the early spring frosts and two places arranged at opposite ends to the table.
Ciel lays eyes on the young woman, who is sitting quietly at her end of the table, looking blankly out the window to her right. She's wearing a light yellow dress - probably one of Mey Rin's – and her hair is done up in a bun according to the latest fashion trend. Hearing him enter, she looks over at him, smiling and bowing her head.
"Good morning," Ciel says, taking his seat. "I trust you slept well."
"Yes, my Lord." She says, nodding. She bites her lip, looking away for a moment, puzzling Ciel, but he shakes it off.
"Careful, Alexander." Mey Rin follows the little boy into the dining room from the kitchen, her hands filled with a tray of sliced ham and his little fists wrapped around a plate of toast and butter. He look very serious and determined, his brow furrowed as he walks cautiously up to the table and sets the plate down next to the young woman.
"Well done," she coos, smiling at him. He blushes, clinging to his mother's skirts. "Have you helped to make breakfast this morning, Alexander?"
Alexander looks up at Mey Rin, who smiles and nods, and he lets go of her skirts and takes a deep breath before speaking softly.
"My papa made the breakfast." He says, crumpling the hem of his shirt between his fists.
"Really?" The young woman says. "Could you do me a big favor, Alexander?"
The little boy's eyes widen and he grins from ear to ear.
"Can I, mum?"
"Just so long as you behave yourself." Mey Rin says, going about setting out plates and filling them with food.
"Can you go tell your dad to come out here so I can thank him?" She smiles again, eyes following the boy as he nods energetically and runs out of the room.
"Pardon me, miss. You really shouldn't encourage him." Mey Rin says, chuckling as she sets down a plate in front of the young woman. "He's too much like his father, he is."
Alexander runs into the room, pulling Bardroy in after him.
"What's all this nonsense he's going on about?" Bardroy says, looking around the room. "I got a pot on me stove I need to watch."
"I wanted to thank you for making breakfast," the young woman says. "And you for being such a good messenger," she says to Alexander. "Thank you both."
Bardroy nods and musses up his son's hair, shaking his head with a smile as he returns to the kitchen.
The whole time this is going on, Ciel is watching, completely awestruck at the whole spectacle. Her genuine kindness, the respect with which she treats his servants, and even how she caters to Alexander. Something wrenches painfully in his chest, and he tries to swallow it down with another forkful of ham.
"My Lord," Sebastian says, having appeared behind his master's chair. "The man at Scotland Yard assured me that he would look into it right away and send someone with the files right away. I expect the messenger to arrive sometime early this afternoon."
"Thank you," Ciel says, patting his lips with a napkin. "If you'll excuse me, I've a few matters of business to attend to."
He stands, smoothing out his jacket before looking back to the young woman.
"I'll call for you when I'm ready to begin our search. Is that satisfactory?"
"Yes, my Lord." She says softly, nodding.
"Please feel free to use any of the amenities my manor has to offer. Until then, good day." Ciel then exits the room, followed by Sebastian, who casts a lingering glance at the young woman before shutting the door behind him.