Neko Ai [Black Butler fanfic]

Chapter 4

I couldn't have been more surprised by the sight of the person sitting behind the desk in the study. I had expected a man, but Lord Phantomhive couldn't have been older than 13! What he lacked in age, he made up for in harshness as he turned an irritated gaze towards Sebastian and I. "When did you decide to start letting filthy street urchins into my study, Sebastian?" he grumbled, looking me up and down. "And what the hell are those things on her head? Is she wearing cat ears?"
I felt tears pricking up in my eyes, but I wouldn't allow myself to start crying in front of the young earl. Instead, I helplessly looked to Sebastian to explain the situation of my arrival. "Miss Ailsa is a neko, my lord. I crossed paths with her in London while I was shopping for the household. She's homeless-"
"That much is evident by the state of her." Lord Phantomhive raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me this is for the sake of your cat obsession?" My eyes widened slightly at the earl's words; I wondered if this "cat obsession" had anything to do with Sebastian stroking my ears when we met.
"No, my lord," the raven-haired butler responded. "I merely thought we could provide the lady with a meal, and perhaps a room for the night. The sun has already set, and it's quite a ways back to London on foot."
"Am I to be expected to begin providing room and board for all of the homeless people on the streets of London, or just the ones you fancy?" The young earl's retorts were ruthless, and I couldn't see much hope of me being fed, let alone allowed to stay.
Before I could stop myself, I blurted out, "P-please! I can work it off. I can clean, and I know how to cook..."
Sebastian took this moment to interject, "That puts her ahead of the current competency level of the staff." A thin smile ghosted across his lips. Ciel scowled at him again, but this time, the light in his eyes suggested that he was considering my plea.
"Give her a guest room for the night, and put her to work in the morning. I'll wait to hire her until I see her skill level." A flood of relief washed over me. I was going to have somewhere warm to sleep tonight, and if I could prove that I was worth my keep, I would be able to live here! "Now get out of my study. Come back to ready me for bed after you've fed her."
"Yes, my lord." Sebastian bowed to Lord Phantomhive, then gestured to the door. "Follow me to the dining room, milady."