Contrary to Heinz's expectations, Andrea managed to convince the two children to accompany her on a shopping trip in the city. All it took was a few words that went along the lines of "Kate needed some new clothes" to make Ciel nod in agreement.
Kate, on the other hand, thought that she had more than enough clothes already. She didn't want to reject her Mama Andrea's offer, but her closet was already full. Andrea bought new dresses for her almost every week. Kate looked askance at Ciel, but the latter only smiled and held her hand.
It had been close to six months since Ciel rescued Kate from the men who tried to capture her in that dark alley, and the two had been inseparable ever since. Andrea loved children and was devastated when she saw Kate's malnourished state and heard her sad story.
The beautiful woman wept while hugging the young girl in her protective embrace; even promising her that from that moment onwards, she would treat her as her daughter. At first, Kate was anxious, but due to Andrea's beauty and cheerful personality, she slowly opened up and accepted her.
Ciel's father, Vincent Summers, didn't agree or disagree with his wife's decision. While he accepted Kate as a new member of the family, he kept her at arm's length and didn't interact with her unless it was absolutely necessary.
He was a prideful man, but he loved his wife so much that he was willing to compromise and be civil with her "new daughter."
He only had one condition, Kate would not be adopted into their family and she would keep her family name. Andrea didn't argue with her husband as a sign of respect for him and Kate's biological parents.
Thus, Kate remained as Kate Williams. Surprisingly, Ciel didn't say anything about it and just let things go. Andrea got curious one day and asked him about his thoughts about changing Kate's family name to theirs.
Ciel gave her a mischievous smile and simply said, "I have already made plans, Mother. You don't have to worry about changing her surname. Just wait for a few more years."
Andrea didn't know whether to laugh or cry at her son's reply. She was not dumb and knew perfectly well what his son was hinting at. Although she knew that Ciel was smart and mature for his age, he was still too young to understand the consequences of such actions.
'Well, it's not like I'm against it.' Andrea thought while patting her son's head. 'Besides, both of them are still young.'
While the two children went to their respective rooms to bathe and change, Andrea was sitting comfortably on the terrace of the manor drinking her coffee. She was reminiscing about the time when Ciel returned home with Kate.
"Heinz, how long has it been since Ciel met Kate?" Andrea asked absentmindedly. Her faithful servant who was standing not far from her thought for a few seconds before giving a reply.
"Five months and eighteen days, My Lady."
"Five months and eighteen days," Andrea placed the coffee cup back on the table. "For me, it was like yesterday. You know, Heinz, I still remember that day vividly."
Andrea heaved a sigh and closed her eyes. "Skinny, hungry, and covered in bruises. Heinz, no child should suffer like that." Andrea paused for a bit before opening her eyes.
It took a few months, but due to Andrea's coaxing and insistence, Kate started to call her "Mama Andrea", which delighted the young mother to no end. Ciel was her only son and due to the nature of his birth, she was unable to give birth to more children.
She always wanted to have a daughter in the family. So for her, Kate was a gift given to her by the heavens and she took great care in nurturing her.
After a few months of proper food and care, Kate transformed from a skinny, soot-covered girl, to a very pretty and lovable child. With Ciel's assistance, she overcame her shyness and started to open up more.
"You already told me how Ciel came to her rescue, but what I didn't understand was how did he find her? You were beside him all the time and you didn't hear anyone cry or ask for help, correct?"
"It is as you say, My Lady," Heinz replied. "Back then, the young master just finished buying his gift for your birthday. We were on our way back to the car when he suddenly stopped in his tracks and started running."
Like Andrea, Heinz would never forget what happened that day. "I believe that we were at least three to four blocks away from the young lady's location when the incident occurred. It was raining, so there were not many people on the streets. It's surprising how fast the young master could run. The guards and I almost lost sight of him that day."
"What happened next?" Andrea asked with a smile on her face.
"When we caught up with him, he was standing at the entrance of the alley shouting at someone." A rare smirk appeared on Heinz's face. "The next thing I know, the young master ordered me to teach some "rascals" a lesson they would never forget. You should have seen him back then, My Lady. The young master looked like a hero saving a damsel in distress."
Andrea giggled at her butler's analogy. She too wished that she was there to witness her son's heroics. "I hope my son doesn't develop a habit of saving every girl that comes in his way. Do you think he'll grow up as a playboy after a few more years?" she added with a worried expression.
'Ciel as a playboy?' Heinz frowned. He didn't even want to think of such a possibility, but the future was uncertain. He sincerely hoped that his young master wouldn't stray to the wrong path as he grew older.
"I pray that it doesn't come to that, My Lady. However, the young master has an uncanny ability to find girls in 'unusual' places. Like, the young lady Chloe for example."
"Ah!" Andrea exclaimed. "You're right! How could I forget Chloe!?"
[A/N: pronounced as Chloee or Chlowee. Repeat after me, Klow weee!]
Heinz nodded. "Whenever young lady Chloe would go missing, only the young master could find her. Maybe he found young lady Kate using the same method?"
"This… yes, it's very possible." Andrea placed a hand on her forehead "You know, I asked him this question before. 'How are you able to find Chloe whenever she goes missing?' Do you know what answer Ciel gave me?"
A strong breeze blew by and ruffled Andrea's hair. Her blonde hair danced in the wind as if it had a life of its own. She was not the least bit concerned about her current appearance and even had a devilish smile on her face. Her gaze remained on Heinz, waiting for his reply.
"He could hear her cry for help," Heinz said without batting an eye. "Or something similar to that. Am I right, My Lady?"
"Che, you're no fun." Andrea fixed the lock of hair that obscured her eyes. The butler handed her a small comb that he took out of his pocket and waited for Andrea to fix her untidy appearance. Heinz marveled at how she could still look good in her messy state.
Andrea brushed her hair absentmindedly, "So, you find this strange as well right?"
"Yes, My Lady," Heinz admitted. "I wasn't able to resist asking the young master because I find it very 'intriguing'. How is he able to pinpoint the location of the 'damsels' that need saving? This is truly a remarkable ability."
Andrea lightly coughed before giving Heinz an admonishing look. "Whatever that ability might be, he better not use it to pick-up girls left and right when he grows up. I don't want him to become a Casanova."
"Become a Casanova?" a youthful voice spoke nearby, startling the two adults. Andrea and Heinz glanced at the handsome boy and pretty girl standing a few meters behind them.
Andrea gave an embarrassed laugh, while the butler bowed to his young master and young lady.
"Darling, how long have you been there?" Andrea asked nervously.
"Long enough to hear that you don't want me to become a Casanova," Ciel said, smiling. "You don't have to worry, Mother. I don't intend to become a Casanova." He then guided Kate to the side and whispered in her ear. "What is a Casanova?"
"I don't know. But, for some reason, it doesn't sound good!" Kate whispered back. "Ciel, don't become a Casanova or whatever that thing Mama Andrea was talking about."
"Don't worry, I won't become one." Ciel hugged her and lightly kissed her cheek. "Are you going to sneak again in my room tonight?"
"I'll think about it," Kate answered with a mischievous smile.
Andrea and Heinz looked at each other in dismay. The two children, on the other hand, went back to their own little world disregarding everyone around them.
"Are they really kids?" Heinz asked in a disbelieving tone.
"You ask me, who do I ask?!" Andrea snapped back at him.
Andrea and Heinz sighed in unison. The day had just started, yet both of them felt that it would be a long and exhausting one.