Kate’s Return to London

Only a week remained before the entrance exam for Saint Claire Academy began. After spending the last few days in the countryside, Andrea took the children back to the city. Although Arthur and Alice would miss the kids, they knew that it was time for them to go.

They gave them a big farewell party at the Belle residence and even invited Ethan to join them. After a tearful goodbye, Kate found herself looking out the car's window and seeing the familiar city.

London, the city where Kate fled to in order to escape the pursuit of an organization whose name she didn't even know. The city where she spent a few years of her life wandering the streets in a struggle to survive. It was also the same city where he met Ciel. A city that changed her life forever.

Ciel noticed Kate's sorrowful look as she gazed outside the window. They were just a few minutes away from the Summer Residence where their family lived. Chloe and Claire had already been escorted back to their own home by Bruce and the others.

"What's wrong?" Ciel asked. He wasn't able to bear looking at Kate's sorrowful look. It made him think that she was probably reminiscing about the time when she was still homeless and wandering around the streets of London.

"Nothing," Kate replied softly. "Un, it's nothing."

Kate didn't expect that she'd feel this sad once she returned to the city. In the countryside, everything was so simple. All she did was, eat, play, sleep, and study. Here, she spent her time running away from people, hiding in the streets, begging for coins, and scavenging the trash cans for food.

Her past was such a striking contrast to her present reality that Kate still thought that she was living in a dream. A shudder ran through her body and she instinctively backed away from the window.

Suddenly, a pair of small, yet strong hands, embraced her from behind. She turned her head to see Ciel looking at her with kind eyes. He didn't say anything and gently used his hand to pull her head closer to him. Kate buried her face into his chest and silently wept.

"Don't worry," Ciel coaxed her as he gently patted her back. "It's all in the past. Everything will be alright."

Kate hugged Ciel in a tight embrace. The two held each other until Kate's tears finally subsided. Andrea was sitting on the front and saw their exchange. Her eyes were a bit moist as her heart wept for Kate. She didn't say anything and just looked at the front of the car. Now that Kate was her adoptive daughter, she would make sure that she would not suffer ever again.

(A/N: Although Kate is Andrea's adoptive daughter, she still retained her family surname Williams instead of being replaced by Summers.)

A few minutes later, the black Mercedes entered the driveway of an elegant looking residence. Kate looked at its familiar white walls, its distinct European design, and the stylish main entrance of the Mansion where she stayed after Ciel saved her.

The maids that worked in the mansion were all present at the main entrance. They were waiting for their arrival and prepared to welcome them. Kate felt a gentle warmth spread from her chest into all parts of her body. The fear and coldness that she felt when she arrived in the city was washed away completely.

"I'm back," Kate muttered ever so softly.

"Wrong," Ciel said as he held her hand. "You should say, 'I'm Home.'"

Kate nodded her head and smiled. She gripped Ciel's arms and stared at the mansion with a determined look. She opened her lips, and this time her words were stronger, louder. "I'm Home."

Andrea hugged her from behind, "Welcome home, Kate."

"Welcome home," Ciel said with a smile. He then pulled on her hand as they made their way towards the entrance.

The maids bowed their heads in unison, "Welcome back, Madam, Welcome back, Young Master, Welcome back, Young Lady."

"We're back, Olivia," Andrea greeted the Head Maid of the Summer's Residence. "Thank you for your hard work."

The Head Maid, Olivia, smiled at her employer. "It's my duty, it's not really that hard. Madam, please, come in. We've prepared a feast for your arrival."

Andrea placed her hand over Kate's shoulder. "Did you hear that, Kate? Olivia prepared a feast. I'm sure she prepared some of your favorite dishes. Isn't that right, Olivia?"

"Indeed," Olivia answered while nodding her head. "Young Lady, look forward to it!"

"Thank you, Olivia," Kate beamed happily. In the past, she wanted to call the Head Maid of the Summer's residence Big Sister Olivia, but the latter firmly refused. Olivia told her about the proper etiquette of the maids and the rules they adhered to. Left with no other choice, Kate decided to not cause any more trouble for the caring Head Maid and just called her Olivia.

"Thank you for our hard work, Olivia," Ciel said. "Make sure to keep some cookies in the pantry. There's a cat that needs to be well fed at all times."

Olivia's lips chuckled softly, but she nodded her head in understanding. "As you wish, Young Master. Starting today, there will always be cookies in the pantry."

"Good."

Kate pursed her lips, but didn't say anything. 'I don't sneak out of my room in the middle of the night just to eat cookies ok? I also eat nuts and dried fruits!'

[Isn't that worse?]

'Of course not. The pantry is overflowing with them. Taking a few dozen wouldn't make any difference!'

[This is the reason why Darling calls you a glutton.]

'Hmp!'

Andrea led the way inside the house. Ciel and Kate followed behind her, while Heinz and Olivia were a step behind.

The head butler and head maid shared a knowing glance at each other. Both of them nodded at the same time. The two of them had things to talk about, but it would have to wait until their Masters had rested.

The three people returned to their respective rooms to change into something comfortable. After a few minutes, Ciel knocked on Kate's room so that the two of them could go to the dining room together. The feast that Olivia prepared for them was so scrumptious that Kate was unable to stop eating until she was full.

It was then that a man, dressed in a suit, suddenly walked inside the dining room. It was none other than Vincent Summers, Andrea's wife, and Ciel's father.