Disclaimer: I do not own Trinity Blood or its characters.
This has gone on far enough. I don't want to drag it out any further. So this is the last chapter of my fic.
14. Rose Waltz
He had not seen nor spoken to Bridget for a long time, at least not without a chaperone in the form of Aunt Vespesia or one of the elders. The new queen had lived up to the expectations of her subjects, proving herself capable of ruling over the kingdom. There was one other duty she had to fulfil. The first step to that was a suitable marriage. That marriage was going to happen tomorrow. A year and a half had lapsed since the funeral and the kingdom was eager for their young queen to be wed.
Even in the Ghetto, the excitement stirred under the monotony of machinery and activity. Vanessa noticed her brother stayed up late, although he came home sooner from work. Often, Mortimer brought him his meals in his room or at the piano. Vanessa often fell asleep listening to the faint strains of music he coaxed from the ivories.
On the two nights before the scheduled wedding, Virgil finally completed the programming of the music box. It was an exquisite piece of workmanship. The lid was engraved with the Albionian rose and it boasted a double tray for Bridget's jewellery and a repertoire of piano melodies beloved by their queen.
Pleased, he careful placed the gift in its box. He would get one of the elders to pass it to her through the Duke of Kent…
"Brother, you really like-her like her, don't you?" Virgil almost dropped the music box. It was Vanessa. The little girl stood at the threshold of the room. There was something in her eyes and tone that hinted that she was no longer a child and would not tolerate being treated like one. Yet she was still a ten-year-old girl, not yet turned.
"Vanessa, it's two a.m. in the morning. Go back to bed…" Virgil chided. He was tired and had no energy for this.
"I don't get it. She likes you, you like her and why are you just sitting here letting her marry that boring duke from up north? Why can't you two get married?" Vanessa blurted out.
"Vanessa, look, we have been through this already. Bridie and I are just good friends…"
"Liar. You have been slaving over that music box for the last month but you are not going to give it to her directly, aren't you? You intend to get Aunt Vespesia or someone else to pass it to her, am I right? You are going to hide here in the Ghetto while she gets married and you are not even bothering to pass that to her personally. Why? Because my brother is a coward and a…" Vanessa completed her sentence with a phrase that would have given Aunt Vespesia a fit.
"Vanessa Walsh, you are not to use such language ever!" a horrified Virgil snapped. The colour rose in his cheeks. "And you are wrong. I will go and pass this to Bridie personally…"
"Then you better do it before the council gets wind of it… unless you want to pass your gift to her in the presence of the entire council," Vanessa sniped.
"Lord's sakes! It's the wee hours of the morning! I'll pass it to her tomorrow night… if she's not too busy…" he faltered. His heart thumped wildly. This was insane. He couldn't be in love with Bridie. Why did her wedding unsettle him so much? Duty dictated that they could never cross that line. Better to bury those thoughts under work matters…
Seemingly satisfied, or tired, Vanessa stifled a yawn. "I'm sure she'll love it… you play the piano so beautifully… if only…" she yawned again and staggered off to bed. If only he played it more often… Vanessa wished she could hear those melodies, even if she had long admitted that she would never be able to play the piano herself. She had gone through seven piano teachers with nothing to show for it.
What the hell am I doing here? Virgil asked himself. It was a beautiful moonlit night. He had sneaked up to the palace gardens through the old tunnel. He was on the verge of returning to the safety of the Ghetto when he heard her voice.
"Virgil?"
"B-Bridie?" The words caught in his throat. Mutely, he held out the music box to her. "For me? A wedding present? How sweet… Thank you…" she gave him a peck on the cheek.
"Bridie, I'm sorry… but I have to say this." I love you.
"Hush, my dearest friend," the young queen placed a finger on Virgil's lips. "It is a lovely night, come…" Bridie took Virgil's hand and pulled him out into the moonlight. "Isn't it beautiful?"
"Yes, it is…" Virgil gasped. The roses were in bloom though it was late in the season. The moon cast a slivery glow over the silent garden. Smiling, Bridie spun round, arms outstretched. "Will you dance with me, Virgil?" She wore a plain dress with a full skirt. The simple design flattered her. Her hair was tousled.
"Sure, Bridie," Virgil smiled and offered her his hand. They danced a waltz amidst the fragrant roses under the silvery moon. When it was over, they sat down a bench in silence until Virgil spoke.
"Bridie, it is late. You should get your sleep before your wedding," Virgil said. "I wish you happiness, Your Majesty." He rose and bowed.
"You're right as always, Virgil. It is late. I wish you could attend but it will be held in the day at the cathedral. I wish you happiness, too, Virgil," she gave him a kiss on the cheek and left.
Author's Notes:
Thanks for reading. I'm ending this fic here.