Question of the story: Who should Arthur ended up with? Alfred or Francis?
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1922, Paris
The Paris Opera House was abuzz. Dancers, actors and singers were all busy rehearsing for tonight's play. Staffs, stage crews and directors ran through everything and rechecking them to ensure that all was in place.
"To the left a bit." One of the stage directors, Ludwig commanded. The workers did as what he asked. He watched as they placed the props at the designated location before nodding as an approval. He was about to move on to the next part when one of the actors suddenly clung onto him.
"Ve! Luddy, do you want to share my pasta with me?" The person asked with a jolly voice. Ludwig seemed to jump a bit before straightening himself. "Feliciano, I'm busy right now." He said, causing the other man to whine.
"But Luddy…" Feliciano pouted.
Ludwig let out a sigh. "Feliciano, the rehearsing is still ongoing, and you can't just came out halfway like that. We will have pasta together after all this is over." At his words, Feliciano regained his spirits and he bounced back to stage where the rest are preparing for it.
"Gilbert, how did the work up there go?" Ludwig asked, directing above. "Are the lights functioning properly?"
"Ja." A man with silver hair and red eyes appeared at the loft above the stage. "Everything's set and running."
"Good, the next thing is…" He was about to continue checking on the rest when someone interrupted him.
"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen." Everyone in the box froze at the voice. They all recognized this voice, though it may sounded friendly, it could be also meaning that he is out causing ruckus.
Ludwig sighed before turning his attention to the man who just entered the room. "What is it, mister Braginski?"
"Did I interrupt something?" He asked, gripping the pipe on his hand. Seeing his innocent smile only made people shivered in discomfort, their manager had the tendency to violence without a proper reason. He once broke a man's leg because the opera house almost went into bankrupt that he vented on him.
"No." A man dared to say. A small Asian man with long black hair tied in a ponytail scoffed at him. "Or should I say, yes?"
"Oh, Yao-yao, you never bored me out, da?" The manager grinned, Yao just rolled his eyes at him as if saying 'will you shut up?' "What brings you here, by the way?" Yao pressed on, motioning the rest to continue their work.
"Oh yes, I almost forgot." Ivan smiled as he snapped his fingers. Two men around the age of twenty entered the room. "As you all know I will be retiring soon, these will be your new managers for the future to come."
Everyone in the room heaved out a sigh of relief. Nothing could be better than Ivan Braginski, the current manager of the opera house retirement. It could've saved so many lives and heart attacks from happening.
Ivan turned around to introduce the men with him. "This is Alfred F. Jones and Matthew W. Jones. They will be running the opera house from now on." He directed at two bespectacled men with blonde hair and identical look. One of the men who had sun-kissed blonde hair with a cowlick and sky blue eyes beamed a charming smile that caused some of the girls to swoon. He took it as his cue to speak, "Of course, from now on, I, Alfred Frederick Jones will take over this opera house and support all its production. I'm gonna make it be the most famous place for music in the whole world." His brother, whose hair and eye colour were a bit duller in shades just smiled while nodding to the crowd.
Ivan smiled and turned to Yao, who did not flinch at his creepy aura. "This is Yao. He has been in the opera house for more than twenty years. He will show you around the people and the opera house so that you will get to know better of them."
Yao bowed before the new managers before he straightened himself. "I'm Yao Wang, and I'm in charge of taking care the actors, singers and dancers. Sometimes, I also instruct dance movement." He began leading them through the stage, Ivan treading behind as he oversee the rehearsing progress. "As you can see, we are now rehearsing for tonight's play as a farewell ceremony for Mister Braginski."
Yao directed them to where the cast were preparing to be on stage. They saw a beautiful young lady sitting at a corner fanning herself. She had unnaturally pale skin, long chestnut brown hair tied into a wild bun and viridian green eyes. Next to her sat a bespectacled man with dark brown hair with an aristocratic look, he was seen handing her a glass of water to drink. "That was Lady Elizaveta Hedervary, she is our lead singer." Yao introduced, "The man next to her is her fiancé, also known as the famous pianist, Roderich Edelstein."
They continued deeper into the backstage where they saw a group of young dancers and actors were busy practicing or putting up props for the play. Alfred dared to let his eyes flirted across the young dancing ladies and men, until his eyes landed on someone particularly familiar person.
"That is my son, Kiku." Yao said, directing at a petite black-haired young man who waltzed around gracefully, but the person that had caught Alfred's eyes was even better than Kiku. "That young man over there is Arthur Kirkland."
"Kirkland?" Matthew perked up at the name. "You don't mean the famous musician?"
"Arthur was his child." Yao answered. "He came to the opera house as one of our dancer and actor when he was eighteen. Though I treated him as my own son, he has a promising talent like that of his father."
Alfred fell into a trance as he watched Arthur twirled and spun gracefully on his feet without tripping. Beautiful, Alfred marvelled at Arthur's graceful movement like a swan and light-footing like a butterfly.
Ludwig clapped his hands to signal that they began with the play. "Miss Hedervary, are you done yet?" He asked. With a nod, Elizaveta stood up and strode to the stage to begin her role as the lead singer. The conductor, Feliciano directed the band to begin the music which she would be singing.
Elizaveta sang quite well, her voice smooth and well in-sync with the notes, but just as the melody was about to reach the highest point, her throat could not take the pressure and she ended up in a fit of coughs. Roderich immediately went to her side rubbing her back soothingly.
"Miss Hedervary, it was the third time we try this and you still can't get through it." Ludwig just shook his head in disappointment. "You usually do better than this."
"Ve, Ludwig, she was sick. You shouldn't pressure her too much." Feliciano piped in, not wanting Ludwig to keep ramble on.
"I don't think… I can make it tonight…" Elizaveta choked, her voice sore from singing and coughing. "I try, but I really can't."
"But…" Ludwig was about to say something but Roderich shot a glare at him. "I'm afraid Eliza isn't in her top form today and she needed some rest. She won't be able to perform tonight." Everyone in the opera house fell into desperation as the lead singer decided to quit for tonight. Roderich frowned tightly, finding it hard. "I'm sorry…"
"But what are we gonna do?" Alfred yelled from afar. "Without the lead singer, the play won't be a success without their star and we will have to refund the tickets to the audience."
"We can't let that happen, da?" The creepiness began to double and everyone could feel the room temperature dropped drastically and they shivered. "It is not easy having all these done and now that you want to cancel it?" Elizaveta could felt a pair of eyes sizing up at her and her knees somewhat became weak under those purple glare.
"It's not that she wanted to…" Matthew said, but Ivan did not hear him. Yao stood aside, his face as calm as ever as he was weighing the situation. The rest sank into desperation.
"I-If… If there's something I dare to say…" Elizaveta said weakly. "I have a suggestion." All eyes directed at her, and she felt her fear dissipated a little. "I would like to suggest Arthur Kirkland as my replacement for the time being until I'm recover."
At her suggestion, everyone was shocked and all the eyes soon shifted to Arthur. Arthur's emerald green eyes could only widened in shock when Elizaveta recommended him to take her place, as the lead singer.
"Very funny joke, Hedervary." Ivan mocked. "Though I would say, he has a very pretty face." Alfred sent a glare at Ivan as if he was going to snatch away his treasure.
"I believe in him." Elizaveta stood to her ground. "He has been quite a good singer and even takes singing lesson."
"B-But… I can't…" Arthur stuttered.
"A dancer, leading the play?" Ludwig quirked his eyebrow questionably.
"Why not give him a try?" Alfred said. His heart leaped in joy that someone had finally noticed Arthur's talent.
"Well, better give it a shot than having to refund." Feliciano commented. He signalled the orchestra to play the melody. Arthur took a deep breath before he began to sing. Unlike Elizaveta, his voice seemed to fuse together along with the melody. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to look at Arthur in amazement, Elizaveta, Yao and Alfred were smiling brightly, Ivan and Matthew were relief by the fact that they won't have to refund the tickets.
The night was a success. Arthur proved to be a prima donna of splendour and radiance. Dressed in a white gown, his voice seemed to travel to all corners that infected the audience. He sang of the snow, the Northern Lights, and the beautiful yet lonely adventure. His voice brought them to the vast sea of endless journey and a meadow filled with beautiful blooming flowers. The house went into uproar that the audience began cheering and clapping.
Arthur sang on, along with the music, and finally hitting the last note beautifully on a high pitch. The toll seemed to have taken on Arthur as soon as he finished his last note, he fainted before the audience. The staff ended up carrying him to the prima donna's dressing room.
As Arthur was carried away, Alfred could only watched from above, hoping that Arthur will be alright. Matthew patted his shoulder to get his attention, telling him that he must greet the audience while took control of the situation.
Alfred and Matthew hurried to Arthur's dressing room where the crowds were gathering, holding flowers and eager to meet the new star. "It looks like we got more than we hope for." Ivan commented.
"Told 'cha." Alfred said, lightly punching his shoulder. "It is a fortune."
"And what would you do now?" Ivan asked.
Alfred grinned, "Well, if you all excuse me, I need some private moment with Kirkland." He said, taking a bouquet of roses from one of the crowd before heading to the door of the dressing room. But before he could knock or barge into the room, the door swung open and a man stepped out from the room. Alfred managed to regain his footing from hitting onto the man.
Wait, a man? What is he doing in Arthur's room?
"Excusez-moi?" The man standing before him had shoulder-length blonde hair, sapphire blue eyes and a little stubble on his chin. His smile was a little of a flirt and charming that could made the ladies fell to their knees.
"Who are you?" Alfred asked, more like he was demanding an answer. He could feel anger rising in his chest. "And what are you doing here?"
The man ran a hand through his hair before saying. "My name is Francis von Bonnefoy, patron of the opera house. And I just came to pay Mademoiselle Angleterre a visit."
"How dare you just enter like that?!"
"He fainted, I must see him to make sure he is alright, rien d'autre?" Francis said, closing the door. "He is my friend, I have the right to be concern of him."
Friend… he say. No, it was more than that.
"No one but me is allowed to get close to Arthur." Alfred spat. "You better stayed away from him or I won't let you go alive."
Francis frowned. "My, what kind of a directeur you are…" A grin then broke out from his lips. "Looks like we are interested in one thing common, non? We will have to fight and see who will win Arthur's hand."
"Do it." Alfred almost yelled it out. "Arthur loved me more than anyone else."
The two were to continue their argument but Yao suddenly appeared. He noted the crowds that were gathering outside Arthur's room and Alfred and Francis were bickering just by the door with everyone watching. Shaking his head, he demanded everyone to stop and asked the crowd to leave the place.
"If you two want to argue, please find somewhere else but here." Yao sent them a glare. "Arthur was stressed enough with today's matters and he is not seeing anyone tonight." He then sent them away from the dressing room. Alfred saw Francis smirked under his lips, he probably thought himself victorious for being able to see Arthur under Yao's nose. He was not having it, he won't let Francis had Arthur, Arthur belonged to him.
Alfred walked away from the group as they split. Once the coast was clear, he snuck behind the props that were placed outside the dressing room. Making sure that no one was around, he walked up to the door and gently knocked on it. But there was no reply, Arthur probably was still laying on bed resting. He gently turned the door knob and crept into the room.
The room was dark, the only light source were the few candles in the room. The extravagant room was filled with roses and flowers given by the crowds. Alfred looked around the room, but it was void of human presence.
There's no way Arthur left the room, could he? No. He had been standing by the door with Francis all the time and it was not even five minutes when Yao forced him to leave. Also, he was sure that no one entered or exited the room other than Francis. Alfred stood in the middle of the room, stunned. There was a breeze, which blew off the candles and he shivered as chill crept up his spine. Weird, is there something wrong? Knowing that he won't find Arthur in the room, he left the room, unknown that someone was watching him.
What do you think of the story? I have been dying to write this forever. There are not much Hetalia story that revolves around POTO. There were a few that involves USUK/FrUK, but they were discontinued which I find it disappointing. This is why I decided to come up with my own.
In case you all wonder about what happen in the gala. In the original story, Christine actually fainted after singing. People ended up crowding outside her room but Raoul was the one who stopped them, so hope you like this part.
In addition, I decided to introduce the characters and their role here.
Arthur Kirkland (England) – Christine Daae, the new prima donna of the opera house.
Francis Bonnefoy (France) – Raoul, Vicomte de Changy. In the original novel, Raoul was said to have 'small, fair mustache, beautiful blue eyes, and a complexion like a girl's and an air of "just having left the women's apron-strings." Also, in the 2004 film version, Raoul had a resemblance to Francis, which I think it suited France the most.
Alfred & Matthew Jones (America & Canada) – New managers of the opera house.
Ivan Braginski (Russia) – The former manager of the opera house
Yao Wang (China) – Madame Giry, a lady had private communication with the ghost.
Kiku Wang (Japan) – Meg Giry. Kiku's last name changed to Wang since he was Yao's son.
Elizaveta Hedervary (Hungary) – Carlotta. I decided to make her character better instead of the proud and arrogant hype.
Ludwig, Feliciano, Roderich and Gilbert are a bit of a side-line character since I don't recall who those minor staffs were and they just make little appearance in the story.
And you all would wonder, who is the Phantom? The truth is, I haven't decide who should be the phantom. I was just too soft to make an antagonist. But for now, the phantom's identity will be kept hidden in the shadow. When the right time comes, his true face will reveal. So, which character do you wish would be the phantom? Do read and review, I appreciate it so much.
I had posted a poll on my profile page. It is up to you all to decide whether this story should be USUK or FrUK. Go ahead and vote your decision! ;)
Rien d' autre – Anything else?