Chapter 3: Welcome back!

I screamed. Moments later, warmth hit my face. I opened up my eyes, and realized I was looking right at the sun. I put a hand over my forehead and turned my head away, trying to get my eyes to adjust to the light.

As I lowered my hand from my head, Sebastian's face came into view. It seemed as if he was leaning over me. That's when I realized that my feet weren't on the ground-they were out in front of me. Sebastian was holding me in his arms. My face turned red.

''You have an awfully loud scream,'' he said, smiling. "You're lucky we weren't at your house when you let it out."

My mouth gaped open, confusion coming over me. I started looking around, trying to determine where I was. Though as soon as I turned my head towards the left and saw a grand, eloquent mansion, it was quite obvious where my new location was.

"You brought me back to the Phantomhive Manor?'' I exclaimed.

''I told you my lady, we were running out of time," said Sebastian, "had we waited much longer, your family would have seen me."

I looked up at Sebastian, a smirk on his face. ''F-fine. But put me down! Please."

Sebastian lowered me onto the ground, and the heat slowly left my cheeks. However, as my feet hit the ground I realized I wasn't barefoot anymore. Nor was I wearing my normal clothes...

''Wait a minute,'' I started, looking down at the long garment I was now wearing. ''I wasn't wearing a dress before. Where did this come?''

Sebastian put a hand to his chin. '"Perhaps you don't remember what happened?'' I shook my head.

''I seem'' he stammered. ''Well then, I'll inform you. Before you blacked out, I had shown you this dress and asked you to try it on. You did, and I gave you a pair of shoes to go with it."

I put my hands on my temples, rubbing gently. ''I really don't remember that." I bit my lip, a wary feeling running through me. I wonder what else I don't remember. ''D-did anything else happen during that time?"

Sebastian's smile didn't waver. "Nothing at all. Afterwards, we came here."

''Alright,'' I responded hesitantly. ''But...I still have one more question. Can you tell me how we got here?" The question was one I had dying to get an answer too. For some reason whenever I traveled between worlds, I never saw how it was done.

Sebastian chuckled. ''Humans really are curious creatures. But I'm not willing to reveal all of my secrets just yet." He put his index finger by his lips, and winked at me.

I frowned. ''You're unbelievable."

''No,'' he stated, putting a hand on his chest, "I'm simply one hell of a butler."

Moments later, Sebastian was escorting me towards the front of the manor. I smiled as I strolled through the garden, remembering how it looked during my last visit. It was only a few months ago that I was here. Yet it seems like nothing's changed.

Although, I knew things had changed. At least for me they did. I wasn't as confused or flustered like I had been the last time. Nor was I perplexed as to how Ciel and Sebastian knew of my existence. I had met Ciel, Sebastian, and many others from the Black Butler universe already. The fact that I was coming here again almost felt like I was visiting old friends.

Sebastian smiled at me as we walked up the stairs to the front doors. He pushed them open, gesturing for me to step inside. Once I stepped into the mansion, the first people that I saw were the Phantomhive Servants: Bard, Mey-Rin, Finny, and Tanaka.

''Hello, everyone!'' I said, walking in.

''Good to see you back here, Lady Cynthia." Bard exclaimed.

''We're so happy you've returned!'' Mey Rin chimed.

''Yeah, we are!'' agreed Finny, practically jumping with excitement.

''Ho, ho, ho," came from Tanaka.

''It's good to see all of you too," I said brightening.

''Come, my lady,'' Sebastian said, as he walked up beside me, ''the young master is waiting."

I waved to the servants as I left the room. They waved back, smiles on their faces. Though for some odd reason, I could detect the slightest bit of sadness in their eyes.

Sebastian and I continued our walk through the mansion until we got to Ciel's office. Sebastian knocked on the door, and it creaked open slightly.

''Come in,'' I heard the Earl say.

''Young master,'' Sebastian began, stepping inside, ''I have done as you requested I brought Lady Cynthia with me."

Ciel was standing in front of his desk, his back towards us.

''It's nice to see you again, Ciel," I exclaimed, stepping forward.

''The pleasure is all mine,'' Ciel replied in a gentle manner. He turned around so he was facing Sebastian and I. However, as soon as I saw his face, I felt my heart sink to my stomach. No, no, it can't be!

Ciel's left eye was crimson red.