Comforting Darkness

Chapter 34: The Tutor, Safe Haven

Diedrich never cared to explain how it was that he came and found them in the middle of the 'cursed' forest, or how he knew where exactly to find them. But he also never explained why he had not arranged for a carriage or something to receive them from the end of the railway, since he already knew its existence and had thought the possibility of using it; therefore, they walked many miles from the railway to his estate... which was an actual castle. It was in the afternoon when they finally knocked the door and the formal elderly butler opened the door, only to slightly lose his composure by widening his eyes as he was met with a strange group of people, obviously having gone through quite a few hardships the previous day.

"Welcome home, herr Diedrich. But goodness me, I must say... you have gotten into more than a spot of mischief this time." He said as his gaze travelled up and down the figure of his obviously tired and displeased master, and then roamed from the smiling elderly butler all the way to the younger one, also smiling and holding a little girl in his arms, that was... dressed in a boy's outfit, while in front of them stood an exhausted and grumpy child that... should be a boy even though it was dressed in a dress and wrapped in the butler's coat. "A strange lot indeed." The poor butler thought and sighed, while making way for them to get in and calling the rest of the house staff to help.

As soon as Diedrich entered the manor, he ordered Heinrich, as the butler was called, to call for a physician and prepare baths for everyone. The elder butler spoke then and by his calm and gentle voice Heinrich realised he knew the man, although he looked more worn out than what he remembered; he was Mr. Tanaka, the so capable and loyal Phantomhive butler. Well then, that meant the boy in the dress should be the earl's son, the new earl Phantomhive, Tanaka confirmed it and Heinrich bowed and greeted Ciel in perfect English to the boy's relief.

"I glimpse quite a bit of the previous earl in you." The butler said and smiled in a good intended manner.

"Please, do excuse my attire..." Ciel said obviously displeased with the image he presented to strangers.

The castle was really majestic, not only outside but inside too. Great stairs and columned alcoves decorated the great main hall, and chandeliers were shedding their light on the so elegant plaster elements of the place and the dark wooden details of the furniture. Finny and the others were left with eyes and mouth wide open in awe and amazement at the building that was obviously double the size of the manor they were running. They were even more astounded when the butler informed them that this castle was rather small compared to the principal residence of the... something barony; no one really understood the name he said. Selina having forgotten her injuries or the pain, even though she walked more stiffly, was rather excited just in the idea of walking into a real castle and even Sebastian was looking around with quite an appreciative look in his eyes.

"You are actually a sheltered young master, are you not?" Ciel said Diedrich in quite a moody manner.

"Well, is that not the pot and the kettle?!" The round man growled to the boy while crossing his hands on his belly.

More servants rushed in, bringing a stretcher and some first aid kits if they were needed. Sieglinde was worriedly looking as Wolfram was gently placed on the stretcher, and Finny helped moving the heavy man to some upstairs room where the doctor would examine him. Snake and Bard had their thankfully superficial wounds treated and Selina could not avoid the help, so she allowed a maid to change bandages to her slashed hand. Mr. Tanaka and Mey-Rin took the initiative to offer their help to Heinrich if they needed two pairs of extra hands.

Soon the baths for the young master Phantomhive and the young lady Sullivan were ready, but the girl seemed hesitant and perhaps a little afraid when a smiling maid approached Sebastian and announced she would help her take her bath. Sieglinde huddled up closer to Sebastian's chest and the demon for the first time looked like not knowing what to do, as he had to attend his master, but the girl was not ready to trust some strangers, even though they looked very pleasant. Selina saw that and as soon as her hand was cleaned and newly bandaged stepped in.