Rebirth (Trinity Blood Fanfic)

Chapter 1: Home at Last

Esther paced back and forth in her room, occasionally whisking the curtain slightly open to take a quick glance out the window. The night seemed much darker than usual to her, but to others it would seem that it was Esther's spirit that was deprived of the light. Esther was a relatively patient woman however at that particular moment, she was unable to keep still. She knew that if she didn't settle down anytime soon, she would drive herself insane so instead, she did the only reasonable thing she could think of at that moment.

The Empress stopped pacing, opened the curtains of the windows and knelt down on the hard wooden floors. With her hands clasped together in front of her, she began a silent prayer.

Dear merciful Father in heaven, if it is your will, may you spare him from your condemnation. If it is your will, grant him the strength to accomplish his goal and the endurance that he may return. Please Father, whether he succeeds or not, allow him to return. Please bring him back to me only if it is your will. But if it is not dear Father, then thy will be done.

"Amen," said a voice behind her. It was soft and gentle, a voice of a child. Esther looked at the window and saw the reflection of a young girl who seemed no older than the age of 10 standing behind her in the doorway of her chamber. Esther stood and faced her with a smile.

"I made some tea," the girl said as she entered the room and set down a tray with 2 teacups on Esther's bedside table. "Since you haven't left your room in 2 days I thought you would need it." Her voice had a strong Russian accent, so although it was young, her tone was somewhat rough with authority. This was because although the girl seemed so youthful in physical appearance, she was really more than 3 centuries old.

"Thank you Seth but really, I'm fine," Esther said as she gestured for Seth to take a seat at the chair affront Esther's mirror and drawers but Seth shook her head gently with a smile and went to close the door.

"You're driving yourself mad with the way you're acting. Everyone in the castle will think you've been murdered in your bed if you don't make an appearance anytime soon," Seth took a seat on Esther's bed as she took up her cup and began sipping. "Really, it's only been 2 months. Abel's been gone for much longer before. Why are you worried?"

Esther shot her a disproving look and sat down at her window seat. "I'm not worried about Abel..."

"Yes you are," Seth said with a grimace as she continued to drink. Esther was about to dispute this but was silenced by the look she was given. Instead, the Empress went and picked up her own cup, silently taking the tiniest sip of her tea. Tea wasn't her most desired drink but it would have to suffice for indeed, she hadn't had a proper meal in 2 days. Come to think of it, she hadn't really eaten anything at all since Abel had left, making her wonder what the castle dinners were like when she wasn't there.

"Roast beef and potatoes," Seth stated, staring into her empty cup before she set it back down on the tray. Esther rolled her eyes.

"Stay out of my head. You may be older than me but that doesn't give you the right to invade my privacy," Esther said as she avoided eye contact with her companion however she could still feel the power of Seth's subconscious gaze. So she filled her mind with images of intimate moments with Abel, who just happened to be Seth's brother and with this, the poor little Dutchess shuddered and ceased with her antics. Esther laughed quietly.

"That's incredibly rude Your Majesty. I don't actually want to know what you and my brother do when no one is around. It's not something I want to see," Seth said with a frown.

"So consider that a lesson learned," Esther said as she placed her cup down on the tray despite the fact that it was still half full. Once again, she stood in front of the window and gazed down at the city below her. She heard Seth scowl at the fact that her tea went unfinished as the tinkling of the teacups filled the silence. Seth lifted the tray to leave.

"Oh thank you Seth, it was so kind of you to go out of your way to bring me tea that I didn't really want but you brought to me anyway because you're a lovely friend," Seth mocked. "I really do appreciate your efforts and am... ah!" Esther turned, startled at the scream that escaped her friend's mouth.

"Oh, dear me, I'm so sorry my lady. Forgive me, I didn't mean to startle you." A servant was standing at the door and had just pulled out a handkerchief, which he handed to Seth, who was wiping down some spilt tea off her dress.

Despite the young Duchess' reassurances, the servant was still apologizing relentlessly when Esther asked him what was the matter. He must have remembered that it was of great importance because he completely forgot all about attending to Seth and his face became morbid.

"Your Majesty, there is someone waiting for you in the throne room. He claims that he brings news of Nightroad however he will only speak to you," the humble servant reported. Esther and Seth wasted no time in heading down to where the said guest was waiting however both royals were stopped at the doors.

"Apologies my lady Seth, but the visitor has requested for the Empress alone," a single guard bowed politely at the seemingly younger girl while Esther watched to see her reaction. Unsurprisingly, she saw a warm smile in place of what would have been a scowl for anyone else. For some strange reason, many guards in the city of Grantham did not receive the respect they deserved. Nevertheless, the citizens had no choice but to obey, much like Seth did then.

As soon as Esther entered, all the remaining guards dispersed, leaving her alone with a hooded figure standing in the centre of the room. Esther took her place on the throne and waited for the figure to speak. She was anxious but she made sure that her face remained composed.

But the points of her lips spread from ear to ear in a smile as she watched the figure removing his hood as he knelt before her, revealing the face of the man she loved. She leapt from her seat and into Abel's arms but still, there were no words exchanged. Instead, Abel had pressed his lips gently on Esther's and kissed her as though they had been separated for years. The smile never wavered from her face. However, when they finally pulled apart, the Empress noticed something strange in Abel's eyes. Worry?

"What troubles you?" she asked gently as she cupped his cheek. He smiled meekly as he took her hand from his face and kissed it.

"Forgive me my dear, for I have not returned alone."