Chapter 1: Home is a New Place
A brief sigh slipped between her pale, pink lips as she gazed longingly around the deserted bedroom. Memories good and not so good belonged here as well as her sense of self and who she loved very dearly. She had not revealed to him her plans of departing for the Americas. She did not want to burden him anymore than she had already. Gently, slowly she walked around the room, her hands touching the bed post and tracing over the marble vanity almost as if she were trying to retain the images of her old life. She knew that once she was gone, her beloved cousin would most likely be devastated. In fact, he would be furious…
She smiled to herself, almost laughing at the present thought that occupied her mind. Of course he would be furious! He was always angry when it came to her wandering off by herself. He constantly reprimanded her whenever she ran away to his mansion. Certainly…he would see this as running away from him. Soon, very soon she would come back to this place. She would come back not as Lizzy, not even as Elizabeth. She would return…a changed person whoever she might be.
"What does it look like, Helen?" The young woman listened as the sound of a door sluggishly squeaked open. Instantly, the aroma of years old dust and another sharp smell she could not quite make out filled her nostrils. Coughing, she set down her bags in the sunlit corridor, holding her kerchief to her nose.
"I think, my Lady you made a most horrid mistake begging the servants not to clean this room in your absence! Look at all this dust! Look at this filth!" Helen was a middle aged woman, tall and lean with auburn hair pulled back tightly in a bun. She had attractive features, her stature that of a mature woman with ample experience of the world's workings. She frowned as Elizabeth smiled; throwing herself on the white sheets that covered the large bed. All furniture was covered with white sheets and dirt old cobwebs hung from the ceiling. The floor was too dusty, as she made foot prints when she walked on it.
"It's been so long since I last walked into this room…how long ago was it? Hm…let me think." Twisting a short curl around her index, she cocked her head to one side in deep though.
"Exactly thirteen when I left…I am nineteen now. So it has been seven years…"
"That is a long time I suppose, Lady Elizabeth."
"It's longer in dog years."
"My Lady!" Elizabeth grinned and shrugged.
"It's true!" She abruptly slid off the bed and walked to the large window seat. During the years, the window had been closed shut. She frowned as she tried to undo the lock, pushing harder and harder until it finally gave away. Grasping the sill quickly, she managed to regain her balance.
Helen nearly screamed as she saw Elizabeth's form hanging half way out the window, but sighed in relief that she caught herself.
"You really must be careful miss, truly you must!" Elizabeth smiled gaily.
"Now, Helen it was only a quick reaction. I just forgot how difficult that lock is."
The sunlight basked the room in warmth, bringing what was once in the dark now into its light. Not much had changed in London since she left. The road was the same old cobblestone, perhaps with a few new bricks. Her home was the same, except the new addition of a light blue painted in the drawing room. Yes, everything was the same. The feeling of finally being where she belonged almost overwhelmed her. How the young woman had longed for London during those seven years! How she had desired for her old life, for her family and for Ciel.
I thought that during those seven years I would come across a kind hearted chap. One that would take my heart away and sweep me off my feet into the rainbow sunset. Alas, my childish mind! I could never once during those years…forget about Ciel. Have I not grown at all?
Elizabeth wanted to see him so badly. Only one thing kept her from going to the Phantomhive mansion. Ciel…had he forgotten about her? Perhaps he was so angry with her for leaving suddenly that he would never speak to her again? The thought made her want to cry in uncertainty.
I did not even say goodbye to him. I did not even send him a letter…
She looked around the room greedily, trying to take in all things at once. Her green eyes settled on the fireplace…igniting a memory she never wanted to regain.
After the Great Fire of London, her mother had insisted she study in the Americas with a friend of the family. At first she did not want to leave. But her mother insisted and said that Elizabeth's good friend Hannah was leaving as well. Eager and excited to go to a new world she had readily agreed. But there was more to the picture…she had really just wanted to get away from dreary London and the young boy who never gave her a second glance.
"My Lady I suggest we begin unpacking your things. After that how about a cup of tea with your brother? The maid said he should be arriving in half an hours' time." Elizabeth nodded in agreement.
"Have the servants bring my things up please, Helen." Helen nodded. She rushed out the room calling for the handmaids. The young woman continued strolling around the room, almost in a daze. Was she really home in London? Yes, of course she was. Sitting down at the vanity, she placed her comb, brush and rouge on the marble top.
I am a lady now…I find it funny that seven years ago I couldn't dream about wearing rouge or belladonna.
"Lady Elizabeth, do you remember this mirror? Look at how well it has been taken care of!" Helen pulled the dingy white sheet off the large mirror, allowing Elizabeth to view herself. She had not grown much taller; sadly she remained at a mere 5"2.
That was not the only thing that changed though. She was curvaceous…her bosom had increased in size significantly and those small hips (her brother said that they resembled twigs) had now grown out giving her the appearance of an ample young woman.
Smiling, she turned around and around. Yes, she was a young woman now.
"I've changed, Helen. Haha! It's so hard to look at myself now."
"Of course, Lady Elizabeth you have changed. You have grown so much. Not just physically, but also in mind and heart. Now, it is nearly late afternoon. How about a bath before you see your parents?" Helen lovingly patted Elizabeth on the shoulder. Sighing, Elizabeth followed Helen into the washroom.
Hello everyone! So...as you all could have guess this is the first chapter of His Butler: Genesis to New Demons! I hope you all like it, love it, and favorite it! This chapter was a bit hard for me, because I was trying to figure out where I wanted the first part to take place. I don't want to rush it, but at the same time I don't want you, the audience to be bored either! Anyway, please review and tell me what you think! I will try to update this story once a week. "Training the Heart" will be whenever I can..haha. Thanks for reading and reviewing!