Notes:
This idea came to me after watching Jane Eyre (2011). Besides that, I'm also a sucker for period AU.
So, here you go, a Levihan Victorian AU that no one asked ;)
P.S if you are like me who needs visual references, just search on google (1870s outfits) and work your imagination from there :D
MAY UPDATE: I made a Pinterest Board for this story! You can check it out here: pin()it/5HBk426 (change the parentheses into dot)
DISCLAIMER:
Shingeki no Kyojin / Attack on Titan belongs to Hajime Isayama.
ACT I
A NEW BEGINNING
CHAPTER 1: THE GLOOMY MANOR
It was the first week of March, and the year was 1871.
A horse was galloping along some country road, pulling a cart filled with hays and boxes. Behind that, a person can be seen sitting on the edge of the cart, she was wearing a maroon cloak which hides a purple dress underneath. A small strawhats with purple ribbon could also be seen resting on top of her head.
The said person smiles as she could feel a warm breeze grazing over her face and brown hair. She could also smell the sweet fragrance of flowers that was brought by the winds.
Spring at last!
Then, a pair of wrinkly hands tug a string of rope from around the horse, signalling the horse to stop.
"Miss, we have arrived," the old man said as he pointed at a road on his left, "That way, hidden behind those tall trees."
The woman hops out from the cart, patting her bustles from the dirts, before grabbing her trunk from the cart. She walked over to the old man and thanked him. Giving him her untouched packed lunch as a token of gratitude. The old man wished her good luck before turning his cart to the right.
After waving the old man goodbye, she walked to her left. Contrast to the brown road on the left side, this side of the road is greener. Which meant that this road was rarely used by anyone.
Suddenly, she felt her heart thumping on her chest.
Calm down!
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she walked past the tall trees, trying to mute her heart by focusing on the rustling of the leaves that dance on the trees.
Then, it was quiet.
She opened up her eyes and saw a vast array of green fields in front of her that looked so beautiful underneath the bright blue sky.
As she followed her trail with her eyes, she noticed that the road she was currently walking to will eventually lead her toward a building that stood tall on top of a small hill.
From where she is now, the building seemed small, but as she walked closer, it started to grow bigger and bigger. Eventually, she arrived in front of a manor, two story tall. The wide? Wide enough for her to know that she couldn't measure it by hands.
It was intimidating.
The grey walls of the manor also didn't help her much. In fact, it made her even more afraid. Despite the bright afternoon sun, the manor looked dark and uninviting.
She slapped both of her cheeks, trying to channel every last bit of courage from within.
Don't quit on me now! You are already in Trost! It's now or never.
Before losing her newfound confidence, she immediately knocked on the door.
She waited.
Time sure felt so slow when you were anxious.
Wait, this would be her first impression right? Will she meet the master of the house? What does he look like? Is he old or young? Is he mean or kind? Ah, she should've asked Erwin for the details, but she was too excited for the offer that she just accepted it without question. Wha—
Her thought was cut down when the tall mahogany door opened itself, and from behind the door, stood a young man with light brown hair with clean suits. He smiled at her.
"Good afternoon, may I help you?"
His voice was soft and he looked so kind and welcoming. She lowered her guards around him and smiled, "Hello, my name is Hange Zoe. I'm the new governess."
The young man opened his mouth slightly, "Oh!" he exclaimed.
"Pleasure meeting you Miss Zoe. Please, welcome in." He said with the same smile as before, moving away from the doorway to give Hange an access inside. She stepped into the foyer and took off her hat and cloak.
There's a big fancy mirror on the left walls of the foyer. She glanced at the mirror and saw her disheveled hair. It was supposed to look like an updo with hanging curls on the back, but now it looks like she has a thick curly ponytail on the back of her hair.
Not only that, she could also see some wrinkles on her dress.
Heck, even a few small strands of hays could be seen sticking on her.
She wasn't a fashionista, or even someone who cares about her own appearance.
But still, first impressions be damned.
Good job Hange Zoe.
"Excuse me, Miss Zoe." A voice called. The young man gestured to her trunk, as if offering himself to carry it.
"Oh, I could carry this myself. But, thank you for the offer…." She intentionally hung her words and it confused him.
"Your name?" She finally asked when she realized he just stared at her like she grew a second head.
"Oh!" He widened his eyes, "It's Moblit Berner, Miss."
"Pleasure to meet you!" She smiled, "I think you just became my first friend here— and please, call me Hange."
Moblit, who had already widened his eyes, continued to further widen his eyes. Out of shock? Out of confusion? He looked like he didn't even know anymore.
"Wh— What? I can not!" He exclaimed.
"Why not?" She nonchalantly asked.
"Well… You are older, and you clearly have a higher position than me, Miss."
"How are you so sure I'm older than you?" She asked innocently, and it made him panic.
"What?! I don't mean you are old— Well, I mean, I'm only 20, so I guess a governess that looks so intelligent like you would be… older than me." He explained, at least, he tried. The sight amused Hange, she likes him already!
"Yeah! That's correct! I'll turn 23 this year — and relax, I know you didn't mean to say that I look like an old lady," Hange laughed, "Putting that aside, I get what you are saying. But, I don't see myself as higher than you. We are the same, working in this big manor just to get by each day, right?"
Moblit blinked once or maybe thrice before opening his mouth, "You are right, Miss Hange." He said with a smile. "You can call me Moblit."
He still addressed her with Miss, but at least he was willing to use her first name. So, she grinned, "Well then, nice to meet you Moblit— Now, where should we go?"
Moblit led her to a grand door at the end of the foyer.
As she stepped into the room behind the door, she was welcomed into a big hall —really big one— decorated with paintings and sculptures. The floor was made out of shiny marbles and the wall was lined with white, black, and gold wallpaper.
At the end of the hall, there's a grand staircase that branched into two stairs, one to the left upper hall and one to the right upper hall. The railings were made of carved woods with such intricate design.
She looked up to the high ceiling to see a grand big crystal chandelier hanging on the center of the hall.
What an entrance.
Hange could work everyday until she died and would never be able to afford the whole room.
Damn rich people.
Moblit took her to one of many doors that surround the great hall. She arrived at a drawing room that was decorated with many green and golden furnitures. Even the walls were plastered with the same color wallpapers.
The drawing room was large and filled with so many chairs, couches, and sofas. On the corner of the room, she could see a grand piano.
Moblit instructed her to wait there for a few minutes. She sat on one of the couches while drinking the tea that Moblit quickly prepared for her before disappearing behind the door.
From where she was seated, she could see a large painting hanging on top of the fireplace. It was a portrait of a young woman wearing a white off the shoulder dress. Her black hair was parted in the middle, and there's big curls hanging on both sides of her face. A white roses flower crown was worn on top of the hair to complete her look.
She had a sharp jawline, thin pointy nose, and protruding cheekbones. On the first glance, she could come across as mean.
But, she wasn't like that at all. Her dark hooded eyes were sparkled with life. There was also a sweet smile painted on her thin lips.
She looked kind and beautiful.
Creak.
Hange shifted her attention to the source of the sound.
As the door opened, Hange saw Moblit and an older woman with black dress entered the room. Hange could spot a few strands of grey hairs in between her knotted blonde hair. The old woman introduced herself as Mrs. Weiss, the housekeeper.
As Hange stood up from her seat, Mrs. Weiss scanned her from up to down.
She looked unpleased with whatever sight she saw in Hange.
She didn't say anything but her eyes said it all.
Mrs. Weiss sighs before opening up her mouth to speak.
"I'm here as the representative of Mr. Levi Ackerman, the headowner of Ackerman Estate. He left me with a message, saying that he was sorry that he could not welcome you here by himself, as he has urgent business at the capital. But, he had already written me information that he would actually give to you if he met you in person."
Hange was surprised and relieved at the same time when she knew that whoever this Mr. Levi Ackerman is, he will not be there on her first day.
"Be grateful now Miss, that the master wasn't here to see your —lack of professionalism in appearance." Mrs. Weiss said with a soft yet mocking voice.
Hange wanted to protest but she knew that she had to endure this.
At least for now.
"We'll talk about your appearance later," Mrs. Weiss said as she pulled out a stack of papers from her pocket.
Hange had a bad feeling about that.
Mrs. Weiss cleared her throat, "Miss Hange Zoe, I welcome you to the Ackerman Manor. As you know, you will work here as a governess for my younger cousin, Mikasa Ackerman. You will work from Monday to Friday from 7 AM until 8.30 PM. You may do anything on your day off, that is Saturday and Sunday. Also, I may not be there when you are working, but I have eyes everywhere in the manor, so don't ever think of slacking off."
Hange has to stop herself from laughing from the silliness of the deep voice Mrs. Weiss does for impersonating the master of the house.
"When you agree to do this job, I take that you are also prepared for any rules that are set in this house. Listen here now! First, do not touch anything. Second, do not come into any room in this manor without approval from Mrs. Weiss. Third, do not come into the manor with dirty shoes or dress. Fourth, related to point number three, make sure to clean yourself before entering the manor. Fifth— "
Hange already lost it by the fifth point.
It wasn't her doings, it just happened. Her brain decided to shut off.
"Miss Zoe!"
"Yes!" She exclaimed, startled from the sudden mention of her name.
"Do you have any questions?" Mrs. Weiss asked.
"Uhm… no." She answered, trying to sound as convincing as possible. It seems to be working as Mrs. Weiss smiles, although it comes more like a smug.
Mrs. Weiss grabbed another thing from her pocket, it was a small book.
That pocket must be so deep.
Mrs. Weiss gave the book to her. Looking closer, it was a thin book that was made full from paper, even the cover.
'Ackerman Estate Book of Rules' was written on the cover.
Mrs. Weiss said that everyone that lives in the manor has that book. Like what the title implied, it was written by Mr. Levi himself. There are 132 points of rules that had to be obeyed by everyone.
In retrospect, Hange had just ignored Mrs. Weiss' explanation of the said 132 rules.
At least she heard five of it, no, four of it.
Yet, she couldn't fathom the thought of someone making 132 rules and made a book out of it. Although, from the look of it, it was more of a bible.
Violation is equal to sin with the master as the God.
"Now Moblit will show you your room. If you need anything, just ring the bell." Mrs. Weiss said, gesturing to Moblit before leaving the room.
Hange nodded and followed after Moblit. He led her up to the grand staircase, toward the right wing of the manor. She walked on a long hallway before arriving at a door at the end of the hall.
Moblit opened the door and the room was beyond Hange's imagination.
This, in fact, was not her first time working as a governess. She had slept in many guest bedrooms of some wealthy family's manor and they were decent.
But this room.
Saying the room is nice would be an understatement. This is the epitome of a guest bedroom that you would let people stay just to flaunt on your wealth.
The room was big, even bigger than her own room back at home. It could fit a big fluffy bed, a table and a chair, two armchairs, a fireplace, a cupboard, two bedside tables, while also still giving the room enough space to walk around.
She had to ask Moblit five times, just to make sure that he didn't give her the wrong room. Each time, Moblit would answer that the room was directly chosen by Mr. Levi himself.
Did he really want to show off his wealth to her?
Not to mention his bazilions of rules.
She hasn't met Mr. Levi Ackerman yet, but if she could say anything about him.
He seemed to be a pain in the ass.
That evening, just before dinner, Hange met her student for the first time, Young Miss Ackerman.
If Hange could describe her appearance, she would say that she looks like a walking gothic doll.
Everything about her is black and dark. From her hair, her eyes, her dress, her shoes, and even the way she talks and walks.
No wonder she lives in this gloomy manor.
She just turned eleven last month.
Although, by the look of her two obsidian orbs, she was definitely much older than that. Hange wondered what might have happened to this child.
Not only that, she also didn't show a lot of emotions.
She was... interesting.
Besides meeting Miss Ackerman, she also met the lady's maid.
Her name is Nifa. She was the one whose job was to accompany Mikasa to wherever room or nook of the Manor she decided to be.
Nifa seems to be a sweet girl. Although she was still 18 years old, she took her job very seriously. She always makes sure that Miss Ackerman is well provided, whether physically or mentally.
Looking back at the small girl, there's a lot of questions roaming around her head, begging to be answered. However, Hange decided to not bother the girl tonight.
After the awkward and silent dinner, Hange excused herself to her room.
Hange took off her clothes and changed into her nightgown.
After blowing the candles off, she lay herself down the bed. As she stared at the dark ceiling, she remembered the tour that Moblit had given to her earlier that day.
She couldn't see any speck of dust on every corner of the Manor. Everything has their place in this manor, be it the objects or even the servants.
It was a textbook definition of a perfect home.
Yet, it didn't help the dull and eerie atmosphere that came out from every wall of the manor.
It may be a perfect home, but it was not a perfect house.
Miss Ackerman would not be able to learn a lot of things with this kind of atmosphere. Especially when she was left alone in this big manor by her supposed cousin and guardian.
It seemed that she needed to do something.
This would be tough though, but she would do anything to stay in this job.
Hang in there, Hange!
- Chapter 1 End -
Notes:
After two years, alas, a new fanfiction project!
Thank you for tuning by! Any comments are very much welcome!
((I intend to finish this before April,,,, wish me luck!))