Trinity Blood

Heir to the Throne of Roses

Ch.2 If Only

At the Orden

"Isaak," Contra Mundi asked the dark man at the controls, "Where is my darling little play mate today?"

"He is entering Albion sir." The iron voice of the Magician answered. Removing a thin cigarillo from his thin lips, he turned to face his master.

"Hmm." Cain said thoughtfully. His eyes shone deviously, remembering the girl who wept by Abel's coffin. He licked his leps, but not at the girl's body. If he was correct, she had been Crowned just before Abel deserted the AX. 'Thrilling' he thought to himself, 'how predictable he is.'

"Do you have any plans sir?" The man said humbly.

"Not yet Isaak, let's wait this one out. Get me eyes in the palace." He commanded coolly. The girl would no doubt welcome him in. He smirked at the entertainment a few days of spying would provide.

"Mechanical or flesh?" offered Isaak, spinning his lit cigarillo through his fingers, sending swirls of thin smoke up into the already clouded room.

"I always prefer flesh." Cain said with a sneer, "The young Earl of Memphis, is he in Albion as well?"

"Yes sir, he is accompanying the priest."

Cain's excitement was visible. His teeth lengthened into fangs several inches long. "You make it painfully easy for me, Abel." He half snickered in anticipation.

Back on the train

The train came to a screeching halt. The clumsy priest jumped awake, smashing his very high head on the overhead storage with a bang that frightened the nearby passengers.

"Ow ow ow" he whimpered, rubbing his red forehead.

"Finally." Ion complained, narrowing his eyes at the persist that just a minute ago was sleeping with his mouth wide open.

The train started again to a slow chug and braked, aligning itself with the station platform.

"Stupid trains." Abel muttered under his breath. "That wasn't even necessary."

"Ion?" he called quietly, looking up at the suddenly melancholy youth.

"Esther." Ion whispered aloud, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath of fresh air. He wished he could breathe in her sweet scent, like moonlight. The sun was setting in stunning purple hues over the ancient city, and he couldn't wait to wash off the UV gel he was wearing. He felt his biceps with disappointment. Frowning, he strained his body to look larger, older.

The awkward priest noticed him checking himself out and said in his silly voice, "You know, Esther never cared too much for muscle men." He remembered her encounter with Father Leon, and laughed. "You don't have to worry about that."

"Yes but, Esther has aged so quickly, she's a...a w-woman now" he blushed and shook the thought from his head. "Like Astha said, terrans can parish so quickly in our lifetime." He admitted his worries sadly. A second passed in silence as Ion thought Abel was taking in the painful truth. He was wrong.

"Ohh" Abel said, frozen still. "So you want your chance while she's still young?" he teased in his goofy voice.

"I-It's nothing like that!" The irritable boy yelled, just about ready to club something into his goofy face.

"Attention all passengers, last call for Albion station MA2354. Boarding for MA5637. Thank you." The announcer said over the PA.

"C'mon, let's just go." Ion spat, fuming over Abel's immaturity. He secured the gunner cloak he was wearing and pulling the hood over his shimmering blond hair. He grabbed his baggage and sped out of the train and under the cover of the station. But the tall silver-haired priest still gathered his few bags slowly, pensively. A crease formed between his eyebows.

Ion would outlive Esther, and he would outlive Ion. Would he ever find the right time to tell Esther his feelings? He would remain alone. How many more years of hunting would it take to finally end the Contra Mundi? He could be killed again. Then Esther would be left alone either way. There was no fairy-tale ending for him. He either fought to eternity like Catherina said, or he died fighting the one who ruined his entire existence. He cursed his brother's name.

The train began moving again. The whistle blew outside, and the boarder rung the bell.

"Wait-wait!" Abel cried, scrambling out of the cabin and leaping out onto the station.

"Whew" he sighed. He caught his breath for a second, but not before he felt a Methuselah-strength tug on his ear.

"Fa- ther-lets-go!" Ion yelled, struggling to drag the heavy man along the platform an out into the streets.

At the Palace

"Lady Esther," Mary addressed the pouting Princess. "Is no one good enough? Do you know how many Princes have hung their heads in this room?"

"Too many." She repeated for what was probably the 100th time. The only thing she hated more than the arrogant Prince's and their pointless gifts was Mary's speech after each one.

"You do know that you must begin producing heirs or else-" she was cut off by a very PO'd Esther.

"Produce." She quoted her hatefully. "Like I'm some kind of factory!"

"You are not a factory but you need living blood in the Palace in case of a tragedy!" Mary finally spit out what she didn't want to get at. It was true, if Esther died, there would be a scramble to find a ruler. Like it was before, the Methuselah would revolt, the city would go mad. Mary's fists trembled in impatience.

"Hmph." Esther turned her cheek and buried her face into the cushions of the elaborate sofa she laid on.

"Oh!" Mary stormed off, at the end of her wits with the stubborn Princess. "God send me a miracle!"

Now alone, the tormented red head pulled the rose from behind her ear and twirled it in front of her sad eyes. Roses took forever to wilt after being cut, she marveled at its pale blue veins, fresh with a dreamy scent.

"Abel…" she spoke his name longingly. "I wouldn't settle for any other prince."

Esther closed her eyes to push the tears that were pooling in her eyes down her cheeks. She let them run, the heat collecting in her eyes. Sleepily, she held the blue petals against her lips and fell into a light slumber.