PhantomInspector: Ah, I was hoping that I didn't mess the timeline that much. Helga dies so fast in the story? A pity, really. Well, I was hoping that she was still around when Esther becomes Queen. And thank you for telling me the King's name. I wanted to use Ludwig II, but I had forgotten his name and I had a picture with a character named Waltraute and...Well, since it looked like a woman, I assumed it was the King of Germanicus (XD what, no one can blame me for assuming that, if they saw the picture of the king from the novel). As such, I changed the name to the real one, thank you for the information.
That being said, I hope I managed to portray the king decent enough (what a great start, though... Mixing his name. Sorry, again)
I do not own Trinity Blood
-2-
If one were to compare a history-book picture of the old Berlin to the city of today, the clear signs of attempts to replicate it while rebuilding could easily be seen. Still, some monuments had been left just the way they were and new buildings have been reconstructed around them - although a similar architecture had been used.
However, the other countries had done the same, Germanicus being special because it chose to keep some of the destroyed monuments as a constant reminder that peace is something fleeting and that their enemies could level them once more.
Yet, despite the morbid reminders of what happened that also served as warnings of what could happen again, the people of Berlin were much more carefree than the rest of the world. They filled the streets even at night and enjoyed themselves, sure in their hearts that their beloved king would protect them from anyone who would want to harm them.
Tonight the citizens were even more excited and the streets fuller, for tonight their protector was set to embark a train from Berlin Hauptbahnhof and visit the whole country for the first time since he became king. Many had gathered in front of Charlottenburg Palace, their gloved hands clutching the cold metal of the large gates, wanting to catch a glimpse of their ruler.
"I am saddened to hear that you cannot join me on this trip, Countess." A young yet powerful voice said, its echo bouncing on the throne room's walls.
"Your Majesty, I am equally if not more saddened by this fact. Yet, urgent business requires my full attention back in Vienna," a woman replied, her voice not strong enough to create an echo.
The figure that was sitting on the throne looked very much like a woman, yet no one from Germanicus would dare mistake their King for a woman. King Ludwig the second was very misleading, for he looked fragile, but was powerful, a good tactician and merciless to those who did him wrong.
"I do hope that you won't have too much trouble fixing them, Countess Anhalt," the King continued, resting his face in the palm of his hand as he gazed at the woman who was kneeling in front of him, her head bowed, but her cold-blue eyes still pouring into his.
"Your Majesty, I am honored that you show such concern for me, but it isn't needed. I will deal with the problem and rejoin Your Majesty in time for 'Die Frau ohne Schatten'."
The two exchanged a few more pleasantries and then the young countess left the palace through the backdoor -much to her annoyance. She considered it to be a great offense, but forced herself to offer the King a smile and assure him that she understood.
"As if anyone would mistake my car for that infirm Terran's!" The countess announced, frowning and pursing her lips a bit, her sharp nail tapping her sharp and well manicured nails against the purple stone of her staff. "And those two incompetent fools! I am sure that they will fail our Lord again! I was near the King; I could have ended his pathetic Terran life in an instant."
"My dear Helga, you mustn't concern yourself with these things. I do not trust the boy and his keeper either. And, although I am sure that the priest would have understood who did it, it wouldn't have been a personal message - the kind that our Lord wishes to send his stray lamb of a brother." A blue-haired man replied in a calm voice, pushing his glasses up his nose, a small and almost unnoticeable smile appearing on his lips.
"Oh? My dear Melchior, is there a plan that you wish to inform me of?" The woman asked, giggling a bit as she put her elegant fingers above her mouth -careful not to touch her lipstick- while leaning a bit closer to the man.
The car continued on its way, the girl that was driving it carefully maneuvering the machine around the busy streets while the other two occupants discussed things. Her master -the girl thought to herself- would surely present the Eis Hexe with a perfect plan that would calm her nerves and keep her calm.
Meanwhile, with the king now seated in his car and the gates slowly opening, the guards quickly occupying their designated positions to ensure the safety of everyone, Berlin was slowly becoming more agitated and full of life.
A long corridor of humans formed that framed the street the King's car drove on, claps and cheers meeting the sleek, black vehicle.
"I am distrustful of the Countess," the king suddenly spoke, addressing one of his advisors that had been tasked with accompanying the crowned head. "I will appoint someone to keep an eye on Vienne," the young man continued, his advisor quickly writing the words down and nodding, keeping his mouth shut while the king pressed his forehead against the window and stared at his loving people.
"Ohhh! Look at all the food, Father Leon!" a voice suddenly rang out through the train, a clapping sound following the words.
"Nothing less for a King, I suppose." A rougher voice followed, boredom dripping from it. "I can't believe that this train is full of men or old ladies! The King surely has horrible tastes in women."
Two priests were already on the royal train, a tall and well build one that had long hair lazing around on a chair whit is feet on another one and another one, with long white hair and blue eyes that jumped from one table to another, his blue eyes almost sparkling.
"Father Leon, how can you say that about a man that has this much food?" the white haired priest chipped in, hands on his face.
The other priest sighed, closing his eyes and putting his hands on his stomach. He had stopped being amazed about how much Abel could stuff in his stomach and still maintain a thin body a long time ago. Although, if one were to ask Abel about how he does that, the white haired priest would be sure to start a long rant about how his money never last long and about how he has to go on for a long period of time without any sort of food.
For his part, Leon didn't really care about how the food looked or smelled like. He had gotten used to the prison food and he somehow ended up enjoying that more than anything else. There was no reason for him to get used to any taste, for as soon as his mission was over, he would be sent back to his cell.
"A man is entitled to his opinion." Someone spoke up, causing Leon to open one eye and look at the elegant figure that sat in a wheelchair, softly tapping the armrest.
Abel slowly turned around, his mouth full of food while sauce stained his chin and nose, quickly starting to swallow, in an attempt to hide what he was doing.
"You two are Father Leon and Father Abel from the Vatican. AX agents." The King stated, brining a hand up and tapping his nose a bit. "Also know as Crusnik and Dandelion. Well, the Vatican must really be desperate if they sent their secret weapon to defend me against the Orden."
The two priests remained silent for a moment, Leon slowly getting up while Abel's face turned serious, all food forgotten. The two had been told that Germanicus was being ruled by a competent and sly King, one that liked to thoroughly analyze all those who would come in his presence. Still, it came as a sort of a shock -to Abel, mostly- that the frail looking King knew so much.
"So, Father Abel... What is it about me that entices the Orden's leader?"
'Die Frau ohne Schatten' - The Woman without a Shadow by Strauss.