Corpse Brides (Corpse Bride X Fem Reader)

2. It's very nice to meet you

{3rd Pov}

Victoria Everglot. Despite a pretty, sweet young girl.
laced into tight corsets by what her mother thinks, she's at the moment, she is being her elderly maid, Hildegarde.

[Victoria Pov]

"Oh, Hildegarde, do loosen it a tiny bit." Hildegarde hesitates, then quickly loosens the corset. She helps Victoria put on a gray, high-collared dress. Victoria 'I usually find comfort when confiding Hildegarde. 'This is different than anything I've been prepared for.' "Hilde, I'm nervous. What if Victor and I don't like each other?" Victoria subconsciously said out loud. Yet there is a shocked, severe laugh from the doorway. Victoria and Hildegarde whirl to see the imposing figure of Maudeline. Finis is at her side. Maudeline speaks with humor more than sarcasm. "For heaven's sake, Victoria! 'Like' each other? As if that has anything to do with marriage? Do you suppose your father and I 'like' each other?"

Victoria slightly raised her voice in concern. "But surely you must, a little?" Finis and Maudeline looked at each other then back at Victoria to answer in unison. "Of course not!"
This only Victoria cower more about this arrangement. She spoke softly to them."But, you had me, didn't you?" Finis replied with. You were conceived in a fit of ... What's the word? Responsibility!"

{3rdPov.}

The cathedral-like doorbell echoed through the mansion. Maudeline turns on her heel. Without looking back, walking away from the situation. Maudeline spoke authority and in a rush making herself clear. "Get those corsets laced properly! I can hear you speak without gasping!" The Van Dorts and Y/N's carriage arrived miraculously at the same time; they now stand before the massive front doors. Nell softly spoke to Victor with words of warning and encouragement. "You really should be grateful, for everything we've done. Who else would sacrifice so much for the good of their son?" Y/N and Victor looked at each other with both seriousness that shared subtle concerns before walking with everyone else.Now with everyone here on time in the Everglot entry Hall. Finis and Maudeline step down the grand stairway. It's cold and imposing, feeling more like a financial institution than a home. They are the very image of old world high society.
Nell felt the need to mention.

"Marriage is a partnership,
A little for that. You'd think a lifetime watching us might have taught her that."
All four parents stand together.
"Everything will be perfect,
Once everything is perfect.
Assuming everything goes ...
According to plan!"

The Everglots butler opens the door, regarding the Van Dorts with barely concealed disdain. The two mothers offer each other false smiles. Maudeline mumbled to Finis, under her breath. "Smile, darling, smile..." With tremendous effort Finis' mouth twists into a forced smile. Finis whispers to Maudeline short and brief under his breath. " Let's get this over with, shall we?" With a loudly said voice. "Well Hello! What a pleasure. Welcome to our home." The parents come together in an awkward ritual of handshakes, bows and air-kisses. William Van Dort shakes Maudeline's hand. William says, turning to Victoria's direction. "Why, you must be Miss Victoria. You don't look a day over twenty! " He winks to Finis as Nell cringes with embarrassment. Maudeline turns toward the Butler. Maudeline with an urge to get this over with. " We will be having tea in the west drawing room. We still await Pastor Galswells." Only with an afterthought she reminds a nearby butler. " Tell Victoria that the Van Darts have arrived." The parents turn as a group and head for the drawing room, leaving Victor and Y/N standing in the hallway, forgotten.

Victor and Y/N stand in the sudden silence, unsure of what to do. Looking around nervously, his glance falls on a nearby room across the hallway. The door is ajar, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of a piano.
He hesitates and looks at Y/N, then slips into the room. She followed after him. They now stood in the Everglot music room. A large dreary room with drab, formal paintings dominated by an enormous piano, the size of a small boat. Victor as is Y/N irresistibly drawn to it. He sits and touches the keys caressingly. Y/N sat on the other side of the piano bench. On the piano he notices a small vase holding a single stem of winter jasmine. He begins to play, at first haltingly, then losing himself in the music. Y/N soon joined in and they worked in unison. Their songs shun as sad but dreamy.

{Victoria's Pov.}

Victoria is nervously adjusting her dress when, the music from the duo
suddenly floats up to her. She decided to follow the blissful sound. Victoria stops, transfixed, then continues down the steps, following the sound of the piano.

{3rd Pov.}

From the entry hall she peers into the doorway of the drawing room, where the parents have gathered. William Van Dort relates a boring tale, gesturing ever so slightly as he speaks. William at this time is speaking. "I never understood why men needed black shoes .Lille brown shoes, when a quick coat of paint can turn one into the other!" Nell cringes, mortified. The Everglots sit with stern scowls frozen on their faces. Crossing to the other side of the entryway, Victoria comes to the music room. She quietly enters. Victor and Y/N are seated at the piano, both of their backs toward the door. They play, lost in the music they've branded. Victoria speaks to them. " How lovely." Startled, Victor jumps in his seat, banging his knees on the piano, causing the lid to drop with a loud, reverberating thud. Y/N gasped then giggled at his misfortune. They turn to see Victoria, looking pretty as a picture, standing behind them.

Victor is pretty flustered, almost shuddering. " Oh ... I ... do forgive me. I ..." Victoria talks with an almost cheeky voice. "You both play so beautifully together." Victor shyly speaks. "I ... I do apologize, Miss Everglot. How rude of us to ..." Victoria comes over to them impetuously, then asks. " The song. What is it called?" Y/N reply was almost unsure. "Oh, it was ... just something we came across." Victoria was curious. "Came across where?" Victor says." Well ... It was inside, I guess." Victoria seemed content with that answer. " How nice you found a way to let it out." Victoria sadly speaks. " Mother won't allow me near the piano. Music is improper for a young lady. Too passionate, she says." Victor nervously rubs his aching knees.
Victor found his voice again to speak up. "If I may ask, M-Miss Everglot ..." Victoria stops him before he can continue. "Perhaps, in view of the circumstances, you both could call me, 'Victoria.' " With minds like Y/N and Victor spoke at the same time." Yes, yes, of course. Well, Victoria ..." Victoria sensed that the scene had become duller from before, and Victor had something to say. " Yes, Victor?"
Victor slowly talked. "Tomorrow we are to be ..." At a loss for words as if he can't say it. Victoria smiled sure of herself. "Married. "
Victor stumbles across his words." Yes. M-Married." Y/N moved from her seat to offer it to Victoria.

She sits down beside him on the piano bench. Victoria started with a small voice. "Since I was a child, I've dreamt of my wedding day. I always hoped to find someone I was deeply in love with. Someone to spend the rest of my life with. Silly, isn't it?" Y/N smiled in the background at the display, and went quietly to explore. Victor is more confident. "Yes. Silly! Ha!" He looks at her. " N-no. Not at all." They both laugh nervously, moving a tad closer. Victor accidentally knocks over the small vase. He grabs the scarf from his pocket just as Victoria takes out her handkerchief. As they both hastily clean up the spill, their hands touch. They look at each other. Suddenly in the doorway is pastor Galswells, who fixes them with a stern, forbidding glare. The parents are clustered behind him. Victor hastily stuffs the flower in his pocket. Pastor Galswells thundering voice says. " What impropriety is this? You shouldn't be alone together! Here it is one minute before five, and you are not at the rehearsal. You might be late!" Victor anxiously stands up straight. " Oh dear ... we ... we ..." Maude Line coldly addresses them." Come at once."

Word count:1409