I do not own the characters from Hellsing nor do I own Vizcaya. Vizcaya is a Italian villa built in Italy, tore down, and then rebuilt in Miami, Florida. I based this story on pieces from the movie Marie-Antoinette, so if you see a familary storyline- thats why. Please read and review and enjoy!
BTW yes I did re-do this story from a Phantom of the Opera fic to a Hellsing one. I could find anything to keep the Phantom fic going...so I redid it! Sorry lol
1840
As the curtains where pulled aside, sunlight bathed the young woman in bed. She awoke with a soft yawn and stretched in her bed. She smiled a small smile as her maids stood beyond her bed with her skirts in hand. The maids smiled sadly back, knowing they would never see the young woman again. They curtsied low as the young girl stood from bed.
"Today is a beautiful day…" the girl said as she looked out the window "But the feeling isn't here…"
Beneath the rising princess, Her Majesty Queen Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing stood in her study as she watched an elegant black carriage, followed by guards on horseback, roll up to Buckingham Palace's entrance. The Queen was a striking woman, with golden blond hair tucked under her crown and ice blue eyes that would make a soldier cringer under her gaze.
The moment she saw the dark carriage, she felt her heart wrench in sadness, but dare not show it. The Queen was known for her cold personality and only showed the slightest smile to her only love; her daughter of 17.
"Today is a day to be made in history," the queen spoke quietly. "As arranged for the Alliance of England and Romania, my daughter Seras Victoria, will become future Queen of Romania,"
The moment after she spoke, the doors to her study opened. There in the threshold stood her daughter, Seras. Unlike her cold hearted mother, Seras was praised in her country as a loving and kind princess. Similar in looks to her mother, Seras had platinum blond hair and cerulean blue eyes. The princess stood before her Queen mother in a cream dress with black lace trim and black embroidery on her bodice. The princess approached her mother and curtsied.
"The time has come, Seras,"
The Queen took her daughter's hands and held them in her own. Both realized the fact that she was leaving was harder to accept then what they thought.
"In the Romanian court, the people are not like the good natured people you find here in England,"
Seras listened intently to her mother's words. She tried to give a small smile but failed miserably when her mother glared at her.
"You must not offend anyone in His court, do you understand me? These people do not forgive easily," the Queen said sharply. She squeezed the princess's hands. "You must also consummate on your wedding night or the marriage will be annulled,"
"How could I ever love a complete stranger?" Seras finally spoke. Her eyes where creased with worry. The Queen touched her daughter's face, closing her ears to the sound of carriage horses.
"There is no love in this marriage my dear,"
Seras knew her mother would say so.
"Then what if he is cruel to me, mother?"
"He is not a cruel man," The Queen cringed inwardly, knowing the unworthy habits of the Prince of Romania. Integra leaned forward and placed a kiss on her daughter's forehead; the most emotion Seras had ever seen out of her mother. She felt tears sting her eyes. Secretly she wished to be the little girl she once was, within the arms of her mother…
Seras watched with mild interest as the world beyond the moving carriage passed her by. They have been traveling for a few weeks now. Inside the carriage she had found a note and a small box next to it. It had been written from the prince, or rather her fiancée.
A small wedding gift. I expect to see you wearing it when you arrive.
Curious, Seras pulled the top of the lid to find a string of small black pearls inside. She smiled as she touched the smooth stone between her fingers as she took the necklace out of the box. She had no necklace on now, and it matched her dress perfectly. She inwardly thanked her fiancée and looked at the note again, only to find new words written in…
You are most welcome…
Seras sighed and pulled her shawl around her. She had put her pearls on; having to have wrapped them around her small neck several times, and pocketed her note. In her mind she thought of many different things, on of them was Vizcaya.
Vizcaya was the estate, or so another gift from her fiancée, that she knew of prior to her departure. The name of the estate sounded Italian or possibly Spanish. Her mother explained that until she became pregnant or became Queen, she would live in the estate and not with her husband. It must be a Romanian tradition…
Seras was born in London and was raised by her mother. Her King father had died when her mother was only weeks pregnant and nearly lost Seras from the grief. Seras could feel a heavy weight on her chest. She often heard of arranged marriages to align two different countries, but never thought on day she'd be in one of them.
She felt the carriage turn and head downward; they had turned into a gated estate. Seras sat up and opened the window to the carriage to get a better look. She could see the gate begin to close behind them. On either side was a long flowing stream fountain that seems to descend with the road and meet level road at the end in a pond fountain. The carriage strolled slowly round a cul-de-sac and stopped at the iron doors of Vizcaya. She could see a mass of people standing at the gates of Vizcaya, wondering witch of the men where her fiancée…
Seras carefully stepped out of her carriage, her cream dress trailing behind. Adjusting her shawl around her shoulders, she scanned the many faces that stood before her.
"You're Majesty,"
All at once, the people before her bowed and curtsied. She felt slightly overwhelmed by the rush of instant respect. A young man approached her and bowed low before her. Seras idly wondered if this was her prince and curtsied.
"Welcome to Vizcaya," he said curtly. The man offered his arm to her and she took it gently. He began to lead her through the crowd that parted for her. The first thing that she noticed was that the majority of the crowd were young people. Beautiful women and dashing men. She offered a smile to the people, but no one returned her smile. She also noticed that they all wore deep dark colors…
"She looks like a child," a young woman whispered behind her fan to her friend, who nodded in agreement. Seras choose to ignore the comment; looking up to her new home.
The villa house was not at all grand in size. It seemed that the two main houses that sat next to each other where connected by the single, smaller one in between. Seras picked up the front of her skirts as the gentlemen led her up the stone steps and after opening the elegant iron gates, pass over the threshold of the marble archway entrance.
As soon as she passed the archway, her first sight was that of a nude statue fountain connected with an open row of columns. Tropical trees that the heiress had never seen stood beside the statue, blocking all view of what might be behind him. Seras giggled at the statue that had no sense of modesty as he poured his jug of water into the fountain at his feet. She then realized that they had not yet stepped 'inside' when she felt a breeze. It looked like she was in a loggia of sorts; doors at either where she guess lead to the inside of the main two houses. She followed the columns until an opening was found and beyond the trees was a closed in private courtyard.
Seras was in awe as she stepped into the courtyard of stone. An elegant iron chair and table where set up in the middle of the courtyard, directly in the sun's warmth and light. She could see a balcony upstairs; they must connect to other rooms. As she turned in circle to get a full look of the inside courtyard, she noticed two different entrances and a staircase to her left. It must lead upstairs.
Eager, Seras was about to make her way up those marble stairs, but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder.
"Lady Seras,"
Seras turned and was faced by an elderly man with grey green-eyes. The man bowed before her before putting on a charming smile and kissing her hand.
"I am glad to see that you made it safely to Romania. My name is Walter C. Dornez; butler to this estate and to you and my Lord,"
"It's a pleasure to meet you Walter,"
The elder man known as Walter was the caretaker of Vizcaya. A man of his mid 50s, Walter was strict, proper, kind and highly respected among the servants. His black grey hair was tied into a ponytail, his clothes where dark and simple with a ring of keys on his belt. He had a temper to boot as well when crossed. His grey-green eyes bore into Seras's blue ones, but then softened into a small smile.
"I trust your trip went well then?"
"It was very long and tiring, but I had enjoyed it,"
"Very well. You must want to freshen up for supper then?"
"Yes, I would like that very much,"
After climbing the marble stairs Seras had seen earlier, Walter brought the young princess across the connecting balcony on the second floor to the other building and stood at an oak door. He pushed aside the door and stepped into the room, gesturing Seras to follow.
Immediately Seras saw that her trunks had already been brought up to her room. She smiled as she glanced around the room. The room was a soft green trimmed with dark oak wood crown molding and dark floors. Three windows where draped with soft gold curtains, matching perfectly to the drapes hanging from the four-post canopy bed in the middle of the room. Across from the bed was an oak wood vanity and golden mirror. Near the vanity were a lounge chair and a small table that already had a glass of white wine and grapes waiting for her. Seras crossed the large carpet that covered most of the dark wood floor and sat herself at the vanity. She smiled at herself in the reflection of the mirror.
"I've never had anything like this before," Seras said. She turned to see that the caretaker had crossed the room to the door by her bed, and pointed across to its twin on the other side of the bed. An elegant hand opened the door nearest to her to show a bathroom beyond the threshold. Walter also explained that if she needed to bathe, to call the small phone that was hidden in the wall of the bathroom, and a maid would come draw the bath for her.
"And the other door?"
Walter paused and looked at the door on the other side of the bed.
"This is a two floor estate. This is the only second floor and it leads to another room above this one in the tower. Only the Master enters that room," Walter said, tucking a sole strand of grey hair back in its proper place. Seras found this a bit odd and was about to ask until a maid came into the room and curtsied. Walter placed a gentle hand on the maid.
"Yumi Takagi. She will be your maid," Walter said with a smile. The maid, Yumi, smiled and curtsied again; brown blond locks falling from her shoulder. Seras smiled at the young maid who couldn't be more than a year or two younger than herself.
"It is a pleasure Miss," Seras said. Walter watched as Yumi went to one of the trunks and then spoke to the princess.
"His Majesty will arrive here by nightfall. He had me tell you to wear the gown he chose for you…"
Yumi pulled from the trunks the dress and held it before the princess. Seras's mouth dropped as she took the dress in her hands. The dress was deep red with black embroidery on the bodice; the skirt itself was ruffled. The chemise was black as well; it was silk.
"Have her ready, Yumi," Walter said. He then left the room and left Yumi to help Seras into her dress.
It was well past ten o'clock when the guests began to arrive. Seras was dressed to the Nines. The red dress fit her well and the corset beneath her bodice pushed her already generous bosom to man's greedy view. Yumi had arranged her blond hair into curls and pins; a single black feather stuck from one of her pins. And as requested, Seras wore the black pearls that seemed to cover her whole neck. The English Princess stood out like a ruby jewel amongst the others.
Walter led Seras down to the South Terrance; one she had yet to see. She was amazed yet again to see so many people filling out the grander courtyard. Various tables where set out for the guests and the waiters and waitresses where busy attending the guests. The scenery was absolutely breath taking; the full moon shining down in all its glory.
And that's when she saw him.
Far back in the South Terrance to The Mound was the seated Prince; Seras's fiancée. It then dawned on her that she didn't even know his proper name. She had always heard him being called 'Prince of Romania'. A sudden chill went through her body.
"Is that…His Majesty the Prince?" Seras whispered to Walter as he weaved them in and out of the crowd. Getting closer, one could see that the Prince was rather handsome, but she couldn't see his eyes. He was slouched over his temporary throne and rested his chin on the palm of his hand. There where a few woman hanging over him and where talking slurry to him. Seras wrinkled her nose. Have those women have any pride at all? She could see one of them in danger of loosing her bosom…
Seras could then see a sly smile come across the Prince's face as one of the mistresses whispered something in his ear.
Walter let go of Seras's hand and gave her a smile. He seemed to notice the Princess's distress and tried to cheer her up. He touched her shoulder briefly and smiled.
"Everything will be alright,"
Seras watched as Walter left her side and walked up the steps to the prince. As if the woman could sense him, they moved away from the prince when Walter approached. Walter bowed before the prince and spoke to him, though what Seras couldn't hear. She turned to look around at the guests for they had all suddenly stopped talking….
"You're Majesty,"
Seras jumped slightly as Walter took hold of her hand again. She looked at him, confused.
"It's time to meet your fiancée,"
Seras had to swallow the lump in her throat the moment he spoke. She held her head high as she felt all eyes on her. Seras was careful in her step as Walter led her the short distance to the stone steps. As she climbed them, she came in view of the prince's boots…then black pants…
"You're Majesty…" a young gentleman announced. Seras knew she had to look up, but found herself scared to do so. She must look him in the eyes, or else shame him in front of his court….
"You must not offend anyone in His court, do you understand me? These people do not forgive easily,"
"…it is my greatest honor…"
Deep breaths Seras. He is just a prince….just a man. Mother said he wouldn't harm you….
"…to present to you and the Royal Court…."
Do it…just one look….just look up!!
"….Her Majesty the Princess of England…"
Seras forced her eyes up and…
"…Seras Victoria Hellsing,"
Seras nearly fainted and fell back into a curtsy, lifting her hand to her chest as was customary. All the while she could not look away from her fiancée. Never in her life had she seen such a handsome man before. Such pale skin he had…his face was beautiful yet masculine; ebony hair grazed his shoulders. He was quite tall, much taller than Seras. But what really attracted Seras to him was his eyes…
It took a moment to realize that the prince was holding a hand out to her, which she gave him. He kissed her gloved hand, never once looking away from her.
"My Lady, may I present to you the Prince of Wallachia, Vlad III Dracula,"
"My dear King," Seras spoke softly as the crowd applauded the meeting. Vlad had not let go of her hand and kept staring at her. It was not a fond expression as she might have hoped for…but a Cheshire smile graced his lips.
"We wed tomorrow night," he spoke. His voice was like deep velvet, causing little chills in Seras's back.
"Yes…" She felt her cheeks grow red, feeling silly. She also noticed the crowd of women had left his throne…
"They know their place. They would never touch your throne," Vlad said. He took his fiancée's hand and led her to the throne, which had a twin beside it that Seras failed to notice. He sat her down before seating himself and they both watched the crowd bowed before them.
"This is my Empire. This is my Reign. And soon…you will be my Queen, Seras Victoria," Vlad spoke, keeping his eyes on the crowd with that grin on his face. Seras didn't like being called like a possession, but felt no need to say so.
"And…please call me Alucard,"
"Alucard,"
Seras was taken aback at the new name. The prince, or rather Alucard, smiled as he liked the way his name sounded on her lips. Oh yes he would have fun with this one. She seemed like a strong girl with good morals…it will be fun to watch her break beneath him…