After the Phantomhive Household was rebuilt, Ciel and Sebastian arrived at the manor after recovery. The earl arrived at the study only to find the woman sitting at the desk, waiting for him.
“Good, you have arrived. Just who I want to see.” [Y] greeted the child.
“It's you…” Ciel furrowed his eyebrows as the woman took a sip of her tea. “Why are you here? Who are you?”
“Like I say, Ciel. I am referred to as father. Have some manners.” The woman scolded the new earl, making him flinch when they made eye contact. The woman then stood up and walked over to Ciel, “Let us head to the drawing room and talk. Butler, prepared us some tea and gave this child some treats.”
“Understood.” Sebastian bowed. The woman gently led Ciel into the hallway while Sebastian went to get some tea and treats. As they head to the room, [Y] starts a conversation, “You may have seen me with your father sometime, but we haven't had the chance to talk. I am [Y] Arlecchino, and I will be your guardian. From now on, you will call me “father” rather than my name.” [Y] stated as they reached the drawing room. The woman opened the door for the child, letting him inside before her.
“I don't understand why you even help me. It's true that I've seen you with my father, but I don't trust you. And I would never call you father.” Ciel narrowed his eyes as the two took a seat. [Y] hummed, “You just needed some time to understand me. I understand you, child. You already heard of the Knave, correct?”
“...The Knave. He's the fourth of the Eleven Harbinger, right? Father told me about them.” Ciel mumbled. “I've heard that they mentioned you as the Knave.”
“Indeed, I am. Do you wanna know why I became Arlecchino, the Knave?” [Y] inquired.
“...What is it that makes you become the Knave?” The earl questioned.
“You see…” the woman grabbed a king chess piece and placed them on the table, “There's a rule, where the children must become the “king”. As my mother previously stated, we are forced to fight and kill each other for the title as the “king”...I was forced to fight my sister…”
“...! Did you…?”
“Unfortunately, yes. I was able to put my mother in her place and become the current Arlecchino. In the House of the Hearth, you are to fight for the title.” [Y] finished, knocking the king chess piece. “Now that you're the earl, you are the king. Those who fall into your hand, are nothing but pawns. Do you think you could keep the title as the king? Are you willing to let those pawns take advantage of you? You'll fight to keep the spot, will you?”
“...”
“The choice is yours…” [Y] mumbled as Sebastian arrived with the tea and treats. “Take your time.”
“...This lady, why is she helping me? The Fatui Harbinger are dangerous to the society and the city of London are in their debt.” Ciel thought, taking a sip of his tea, “Is she pretending just to let my guard down?”
“You have been staring for a while now. You're overthinking it. If I were to fool you, I would have a carefree appearance. I'm not like your demon butler.” [Y] told the child, causing Sebastian to softly huff. The woman took a sip of her tea before placing it down on the table. “Now that everything is settled, I trust that you'll do fine with your demon now that he's in your debt. I'll punish him once again if he causes you harm.”
“Again?”
“...The Knave has multiple contracts with multiple demons just for a game. Other demons weren't so lucky…” Sebastian explained.
“No wonder you follow her orders…” Ciel sweatdropped.
“Now, please excuse me. I have business to attend to. I will come by and visit you whenever I have the time.” [Y] told the earl as she stood up from her seat and walked to the door. “Remember to take care of yourself properly. And do not forget what you're fighting for, Ciel. And you mustn't cry. Tears are the product of emotion and weakness. Remember…”
“...”
“Butler, make sure nothing harms him.” [Y] demanded the butler. Sebastian nodded, “Understood.”
“Good day, child…” the woman then exited the drawing room, leaving Ciel with his thoughts. He then walked over to the window and watched the woman step into the carriage and rode off. “That woman…is she…?”
“She's not lying, my lord. Everything she says is the truth. She owned an orphanage that the previous director ran. That woman is taking genuinely care of the children at the House of the Hearth.” The butler stated. “Though, she still remains as strict and unfeeling as ever.”
“I see…” Ciel mumbled.
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The woman arrived at a room where Undertaker is watching over the sleeping resurrection child resting in the bed. [Y] walked over to the undertaker and the bed.
“So you have returned…” Undertaker mumbled. The woman hummed before holding out some bag of candies with a rabbit plush, “A gift for the poor child.”
“...” Undertaker glanced at the woman. He was suspicious at first, but knowing a strict and heartless woman, she has a soft spot for children which is why she slaughtered the entire cultists at the cathedral. He accepted the gift, “A rabbit…?”
“He looks like a pure rabbit to me which is why I brought it.” [Y] said, taking a seat in a chair.
“...How’s the younger Phantomhive?” Undertaker asked. The woman responded, “He's alive and well. He'll be taking his brother's place as the earl and as for the butler, he's watching over him.”
“You're really gonna trust that demon watching over that child?” The undertaker asked the woman.
[Y] sighed, “He's under my command. He won't do any harm when I'm active. You remember I use to have contracts with so many demons.”
“Just a game, yes. You're lucky you're not like the previous head of the House of the Hearth…” Undertaker mumbled. “I would've ended you. However, knowing you, I know you miss Vincent and Rachel, too…You're her childhood friend, aren't you?”
“You arrived at the Phantomhive Household every day and left gifts without bothering to speak to them face-to-face.” the undertaker stated as the woman remained silent. He placed the plush and bags on the nightstand as he continued, “You have spoken to “Ciel” once, he grew to like you even if you have the appearance of a cruel woman.”
“...” [Y] continued to remain silent and listen to the male, but he went silent. Undertaker leaned on his elbow, “...”
“[Y]...Even if you don't show much emotion, I know you're feeling the rage within you. Don't worry, you won't have to lose another Phantomhive…”
╭ ⁞ ❏. facts
┊ ⁞ ❏. [y] is the childhood friend of rachel
┊ ⁞ ❏. [y] do miss the phantomhive and will do anything to protect the remaining phantomhive
┊ ⁞ ❏. undertaker has once meet [y] when she was a child