A/N: I'm very sorry for the delay, I hoped you guys will like this chapter and please make sure that you will leave review after this.

Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroshitsuji

Chapter 24: That girl, discover the secret

FLASHBACK

The Winchester girl was feeling excited that she's going to pay a visit to her dear friend Ciel tomorrow morning. She was currently in her bedroom playing with her dolls and stuff animals while her maid; Susan was packing her young lady's dresses, bonnets and shoes. Unknown to them, the patriarch of the family was silently watching his only daughter playing and he couldn't help but grin, "Amelia was getting old. " he muttered to himself as he walked to the hallway and stared at the old paintings of his ancestors and relatives. He was stopped on a huge family portrait of the entire Winchester clan started from the first and second generation.

The Winchester family; one of the prominent noble families in England alongside the Phantomhives and Midfords in the Noble Society, According to some few people who knows about the Winchesters; their family was known on their long history on entering illegal transactions in the underworld that's why the Royal Family is wary of them particularly Queen Victoria who doubted about the Winchesters' rise to power and status but the Winchester couple didn't mind those rumors and just do their ways of living for the sake of their daughter. Earl Clarence Winchester was a decent nobleman with his mixed heritage as his great grandmother was a Russian and his great grandfather was an American; his grandparents migrated to England and started with humble beginnings; selling rifles that evolves into a huge company when a war broke out between the British and their neighboring countries and the military demands more rifles and their business grows to earn them became millionaires and after the British won the war; the Winchester Family was bestowed by King William IV noble status and they become aristocrats. As years went by, the Winchesters soon became infamous in the Noble Society as 'spies' by Britain's enemy; America but they were also famous for their artistic skills and embroidery as not only they selling weapons but they enter clothing industry as well but when King William IV resigns, his brother who succeeded them orders the soldiers to searched through the Winchester Estate and possibly killed the entire family but they were unsuccessful because the Winchester family already fled the country leaving their servants all been dead at the hands of the British soldiers.

On the year 1819, The Winchester family returned to England when they heard that England has a new ruler in the name of Queen Victoria; the scheming Winchesters at that time decided to get close to the new queen in order to benefit their status and name in the eyes of the Royal Family and one of them was Lord Patrick Winchester; Earl Clarence's deceitful uncle and operates the underground business of the Winchester Family while his siblings were focusing the clothing and gun rifle business. He tried to woo the Queen using his wealth and power but unfortunately, the queen seems not interested in anything he'd just displaying himself to. Feeling a bit humiliated, the noble Winchester badmouthed the Queen herself and the result was very ugly; the Royal Family found out his family's dark secret and found out he was guilty. Feeling a bit ashamed and defeated, he surrendered himself to the Royal Family but he made a condition that they will not harm his remaining family only himself in which the Queen agreed.

A month later, Lord Patrick was hanged in public and the aristocrats realized that this is the sign they shouldn't defy or insulted the current ruler of England.

In the present day, Earl Clarence still feels the curse of his uncle's crime as some aristocrats refuse to transact any business with him because of the bad reputation of his uncle track on the minds of the elder aristocrats who are still fresh of the memory of what Lord Patrick has done to the Royal Family. Unlike his deceased deceitful uncle, Earl Clarence was an honorable man who was raised by his parents with good manners and always respect the people above him particularly the Royal Family, he tried his best to save his family's bad reputation by supporting Queen Victoria's royal agenda to the country and even discarding his old family's business by concentrating the clothing company after his parents died. His other siblings were migrated back to America and some were different parts of Europe particularly France but his closest sibling; his oldest sister; Georgiana was in Moscow, Russia who married a Russian Baron and has two sons. He understands that his siblings were just trying to avoid the scandal as much as possible to live a normal life, to avoid the scrutiny that they have endured ever since they were in their youths.

"Is there something the matter, dear?" A woman's voice startled his deep thoughts and he stared at the beautiful woman who was his wife and the matriarch of this family. She looks exactly like Amelia but the color of her wavy hair was blonde, a rich blond hair, the same color as the ripe corn. She was wearing a worried face while looking at her husband, "You've been paled lately, Are you unwell?" she asked in a hint of worry but he denies it. "No, It's nothing at all. I was just looking at the portrait of the entire family. Some of them are dead and others out there didn't want to have any communication with us." He said sadly.

But the woman replied sadly, "It's not your fault. Clarence. So you don't have to stress yourself about this and besides, we are going to Paris to see your brother who is promoted as a School Director there tomorrow." She kissed him on the lips. The nobleman smiled at his gentle wife, "Thank you, Annabeth." He hugged his wife. His dear wife, Annabeth was his source of strength in all of his trials, without her support and love, he would have become like his uncle Patrick entering the underworld as the last option for survival.

That's why, he wanted to protect his only child, Amelia from that grim fate.

A small footstep suddenly interrupts the couple as their nine-year-old daughter Amelia carrying a stuffed animal in her arms with a childish look on her face. "Father, Mother, Can I see Ciel today?" The small girl requested her amused parents.

Lady Annabeth smiled kindly, "Why, of course, dear. Just make sure that Susan will be there to accompany you to the Phantomhive Manor. Do you understand?" The adult woman said while stroking her daughter's wavy dark hair; the same as her husband's.

The dark-haired girl nodded, "Okay. Mama. I'll be a good girl there." She kissed both of her parent's cheeks and ran to her maid, Susan who was waiting for her. As their daughter left, Clarence was wondering why their daughter was so attached to Earl Vincent Phantomhive's son; "Isn't that odd that Amelia was very attracted to Earl Phantomhive's son. I find it peculiar since our daughter never socialized to anybody." He commented as he recollects that Amelia was very shy towards strangers particularly children around her age but Lady Annabeth chuckles lightly, "No. She isn't odd but rather, she's a happy child that she finally be able to be open to somebody else. I fear that she can't have friends for the rest of her life." She said sadly as she painfully remembers that her child was bullied by kids around her age just because of the family's dark past.

Earl Clarence only nodded, "I agree, but still, I'm worried about our daughter." He muttered as he glanced at the portrait of his deceased Uncle Patrick Winchester.

Phantomhive Manor

Ciel and his younger twin were busy playing chess in the saloon room when the Phantomhive family butler Tanaka entered the room with a tray with sweet confectionaries and honey smell tea. "Young Masters, would you like to have some tea for this late afternoon?" the elder man said in a cheery tone. The Phantomhive twins happily nodded as they eagerly watched as their family butler serve them with delicious treats; a slice of strawberry cake for the older twin and the chocolate one for the younger one; each has a different taste but same dessert they desire.

The younger twin consumes his chocolate cake and noticed a carriage outside the front yard and to his surprise; it's the same dark-haired girl whom his older twin befriended, "Ciel look, it's your friend Amelia. She's coming over to visit." He told his older twin brother who was shocked and nearly choked his tea when he heard about Amelia's name. Does she suppose to leave for France today?

"Ah! Really?!... Sorry brother, but we will have to postpone our match today. As the next heir of our family. It is my duty to entertain our guest, Right Grandpa?" his pair of huge cerulean eyes landed on Tanaka and nodded to the future heir of the Phantomhive family. The older twin fixed his sailor uniform clothes and ran to meet his female guest who was his childhood friend.

As the older twin left, the younger twin was wondering why his older brother Ciel and that girl Amelia was so close despite Ciel already engage to their female cousin, Elizabeth. He should ask him about this next time because the previous one, he didn't get his answer.

Tanaka puts his hand on his chin, "Young Master Ciel was so nervous when it comes to Lady Amelia, I wonder?" he was in deep thought but he noticed that the younger twin was observing him and the old man chuckles, "You are curious as well, young master? Perhaps?" he asked the younger twin in which the little boy nodded.

Both Ciel and Amelia happily embrace each other as they meet at the main entrance. The servants of each family present were grinning at the two innocent children. They understand that this was just childhood crushes or just having a friendly affection with one another since both of the children were known each other since they were seven years old and they've been friends for three years.

"Hey, Amy! Do you want to see our beautiful garden? It was trimmed by our best gardeners last week and I was wondering if you would see it for yourself." The blushing young Ciel grins as he held the little girl's hand as he guided her to the Phantomhive garden. Amelia giggled, "Alright. Ciel. I can't wait to see it." She said excitingly.

The two children together with Tanaka and Amelia's maid, Susan were in the said location filled with exotic roses, trimmed hedges, plants that Amy has yet never seen before and few benches and trimmed landscapes. It was beautiful. The two children stared and each other and laughed as Ciel dragged her to the flower beds while Tanaka excused himself to the Winchester maid and the children as he prepared snacks for them in the manor. Amelia was astounded of how pretty the flowers are and she was smiling at the cutest expression of her beloved Ciel. She decided that she will be her future husband and no one else. So, she picked some handful of flowers and knitted them together with Susan who was next to her young lady. As it finished, she placed them prettily on her head and ran to Ciel, "Ciel! Look!." She blushes as she showed her flower crown and the little boy was a bit confused about the girl's behavior.

"What is that? It looks pretty." The Phantomhive heir said curiously.

The dark-haired girl giggled, "Girls my age do this kind of stuff like making flower crowns."

"Why would you do that?" Ciel cocked his head to his side bemusedly

"Silly! To make us look like a princess!" She said with a smile, and twirling around with her dress gleefully.

Realizing what his female friend just said, Ciel could only smile, "Oh. I heard that from Lizzy." He said to the dark-haired girl. Amelia froze and stared down at Ciel.

"W-Who is Lizzy?" She muttered, her whole body turned cold upon hearing the boy she loved saying another girl's name.

The Phantomhive boy smiled, "Lizzy is my cousin. Father and Mother said that she's going to become my wife in the future." He told her innocently. Amelia's face faltered. She then, realized that her dreamed to become Ciel's bride was shattered.

Feeling brokenhearted, the dark-haired girl stepped backward and ran away ignoring her female servant's voice and Ciel's worried expression. The dark-haired girl ran to the second floor of the mansion and tried to hide her embarrassment and tears, she just can't believe that Ciel just hurting her like this.

As Amelia brushes off the tears on her eyes, she noticed a boy similar to Ciel together with the boy was a black huge dog. Seeing 'Ciel' been so cheerful with that dog, Amelia's anger rose and went to confront 'Ciel'.

The younger twin noticed the anger on Amy's face startled him, "Is there something the matter?" This dark-haired girl probably Amelia or Amy as Ciel calls her, she was so pretty in person but her cold expression is kind of scares him.

The dog Sebastian noticed the cold aura around the little girl and shielded his human master, the younger twin surprise as Sebastian growls with hostility at Amelia who was screaming for help and scared at the huge dog glaring at her.

Tanaka and Susan came to her rescue and the younger twin quietly explained to Tanaka what happened in which the old man believed him. "Miss Susan, May I suggest that you would tend the young mistress Amelia to the saloon room while I will escort the young master back to his bedroom." He said to the young woman.

Susan nodded, "Of course, Mister Tanaka. I'll take care of the young missus." She leads the young mistress as per instructed by the Phatomhive Family.

The day ended as Amelia decided to leave the Phantomhive Manor together with her female servant; Susan. She didn't say a word to Ciel as she tried her best not to look at him, she didn't want to look at him upon realizing that he was engaged to someone else rather than her.

As Amelia went back to the Winchester Estate, she told her maid to leave her be and refused to eat supper with her parents tonight. Lady Annabeth felt worried about her daughter and confronted Susan about what happens to their daughter.

"My lady, You see, When the Young Master Ciel told the young lady that he was engaged to his female cousin. She became upset and never talked to him." She said in a quiet tone afraid that the young mistress might hear her gossiping about what happened, she could be fired by the young mistress.

"Is that so? Thank you, Susan. You may rest now. I will talk to Amelia about this." The matriarch says as she went to her daughter's room. "Amelia, It's me. Please open this door." Lady Annabeth said and in relief; Amelia was not being rebelled against her. She was very obedient to them despite all of her flaws.

The dark-haired girl cried, "Mother! It hurts!" She wrapped her petite form around her mother's waist, her tears won't stop at the pain and sadness she had felt on her young age. Annabeth was surprised but realize that this was her daughter's first rejection of her first love.

"Don't worry, Amy. It's fine getting hurt." She ushered her daughter to the soft mattress as both mother and daughter hugged each other, "This is one step of being an adult, you just learned to accept the truth so that you can move on. Amy, you are still young and need to learn more things, I'm sure...once you are in a right age, you will find someone as great as Ciel in the future and I'm sure that person will love and accept you for who you are." Annabeth says in a soothing voice to calmed her depressed daughter.

"But…Mother, I loved Ciel. He's the only boy who accepted me, the other kids bullied me for no reason but Ciel befriended me with no hesitation." She said in an emotional tone. The adult woman leans her daughter to her chest, "Oh, Amy…I understand your feelings but you needed to let him go." She said in a sad tone.

A Month Later…

Earl Clarence Winchester decided to visit Earl Vincent Phantomhive regarding business affairs and it happens when his wife decided to bring Amelia along much to the girl's surprise. They were finally back in England after their two-week family vacation visit to their relatives in Paris and Amelia's strange behavior hasn't changed a bit and it worries her mother greatly.

The two of them were greeted by Tanaka and the Phantomhive servants and the old man's amused eyes landed on the dark-haired girl's confused expression, "Good day, Lady Amelia." He greeted the young lady in which Amelia replied, "Good day too, Grandpa Tanaka. I came here with father to meet Earl Phantomhive." She said in a reluctant voice in the last part.

The elder butler chuckles, "Alright. This way, Milord and Milady." the Winchester parent and child follow the elder butler but it seems that it was only her father was allowed in the library office. Amelia stared at her father, "Father, I'm just going to wait for you in the saloon room." She said in a sweet tone in which the Winchester patriarch nod in agreement, "Alright, Amy, you can stay there so behave well, okay?" he winked at her and thanked Tanaka for escorting him.

As the two adults closed the door, Amelia decided to confront Ciel and apologize to him. Her mother was right, she needed to apologize to him directly, it was unnerving of her for being such a brat, she was supposed to be his friend and friends should never ignore each other all the time. Sighing, she will search for him everywhere.

Phantomhive Twins Bedroom

"Hey Ciel, can I ask you a question?" his younger twin suddenly speak while reading his favorite book. Ciel, however, was playing building blocks towers. The Phantomhive twins had so many toys in their bedroom.

"Yes, What is it?" Ciel replied while building his towers, whatever his younger twin asked him, he answers them.

"It's about your friend, Amy. Just what are your feelings for her? She seems to like you, Ciel." His younger brother said the same questioned he heard from him a long time ago.

Sighing, Ciel stared at his younger twin brother in a bored look, "For a thousand times, Amelia is just a childhood friend." He said annoyingly.

The younger twin's brows raised, "But Grandpa told me that she was crying after you told her that you are engaged to Elizabeth. It's kind of weird that she was upset about that unless she likes you." The younger twin said logically.

Ciel was speechless, he had never heard his younger brother spoke about relationships to him in their younger age, "My, I surprise about that. If Amelia does like me in that way, I guess, I will…probably…I don't know…I want Lizzy as my wife…but still…." He was very confused about the whole idea of Amelia and Elizabeth.

The younger twin observed his older brother, Ciel was still in a confusion stage when it comes to relationships. He can see that Ciel cares about Amelia but Ciel also wants their female cousin, Elizabeth because he made a vow to her that they'll become a married couple soon. As his brother's spar, he was quietly happy that he didn't indulge his older twin brother's dilemma about dealing with girls. When he gets older, he will choose a woman to become his wife who will be loyal and love him forever just like their mother Rachel has to their father.

He stands up quickly as he decided to play with their dog Sebastian, "Ciel, I will go and find Sebastian. Are you alright with here alone?" he asked his older twin as he was about to twist the doorknob. Ciel shook his head, "No, I'm going with you. What if you get sick all of a sudden-." as his younger twin was about to open the door. The twins froze in shock as a female petite figure was standing before their bedroom door with her pair of wide purple eyes as she can't believe what she just saw.

Two Ciels.

Ciel had a twin brother. So identical to him except with their bangs have opposite directions, she stepped back.

As the older twin, Ciel stepped forward and tried to explain to Amelia everything. He didn't mention his younger brother to Amelia in fear that she will drag him outside and play with her. Amelia was a type of girl who didn't take no for an answer and that is what Ciel feared for his younger twin who was secluded in their mansion because of his illness.

Amelia cleared her throat, "Ciel, What is going on?"

A/N: Please leave a review and tell me what you think...