For You, My Love Will Reach You
Pairing: Enterprise x Belfast
Genre: Drama/Romance
Disclaimer: I do not own Azur Lane or any of its characters
The hospital room is filled with a family of 5. One of them lay in bed with an IV bag attached to her arm. The heart rate monitor beeps slowly. The one beside her, named Enterprise, takes the older woman's hand, squeezing it gently.
"You can't leave us..." Enterprise begs as tears fall from her eyes. "You have so much more to accomplish. The business cannot move on wkthout you! Who will take your place!?"
Enterprise's younger sister, Hornet, the blonde in pig tails, turns around and sobs quietly. The older woman, who is named Yorktown, just smiles a gentle smile.
The parents watch their dying eldest daughter, also shedding tears themselves. Yorktown manages to reach her hand up and caress Enterprise's cheek. All she can do...is smile. Just smile. Enterprise gasps softly as Yorktown leans forward a little to kiss her on the cheek.
It is then that Enterprise can feel something being put in her hand. Looking down, she sees that it's a pearl necklace that Enterprise gave her elder for her birthday last year.
"Yorktown-nee-sama, I-" She starts but the response she gets is still a smile and a nod.
Then, Yorktown lay back down on the pillow as the beeping slows down. Her eyes flutter shut. The beeping goes on for a very...long time.
Enterprise buries her head on the sheets where Yorktown lays. Hornet and her parents embrace each other, crying. Yorktown, the eldest daughter, who was the head of the company, passed away from a terrible illness she was struck with after a long business trip. Enterprise, raises her head, tears still falling and staring at the now deceased elder.
The father gently puts a hand on Enterprise's shoulder.
"My daughter, we thought about this for a long time," he says. "And I think it is right to choose you...as the next manager of this company. Are you willing?"
Enterprise nods, no emotion is worn on her face. "Yes, Father. I will do whatever it takes...to keep the business alive."
On the day of the funeral, everybody, friends and family who knew Yorktown come. But the most wonderful friends of Yorktown that are even friends of Enterprise are more mournful than the rest. Illustrious, her dear old friend, Wales and Illustrious's little sister, Unicorn. They stand in the front, crying as they stare at the lovely picture of Yorktown in front of the coffin.
Then, there is a person that is most dearest to Enterprise, as well as a very good friend of Yorktown's. St. Louis, who became Enterprise's girlfriend because Yorktown could see that the two work well together. However, since Yorktown's death, St. Louis has been noticing that Enterprise is distancing herself from her. She wants to comfort her and hold her and tell her everything is going to be okay. But Enterprise is having none of it.
Some would say that St Louis' parents were having a laugh, naming their beautiful, beautiful child like that, but in truth, she was practically just like her namesake.
She needed to be. St Louis had to have the patience and tolerance and acceptance of a saint to be able to stay by Enterprise's side for as long as she did during the earliest days of the silver-haired young woman's descent into solitude and self-isolation.
Dinners at Enterprise's great dining hall with sparsely a full sentence shared. Barely an insipid kiss on the lips at the threshold of the manor before St Louis had to return home to look after her sweet little sister, Helena. Communication eventually came to a complete stand still. St Louis had to resort to write letters and have Enterprise's loyal maids deliver them to the lady of the house's chambers.
Not a single word of reply, verbal or written.
St Louis knew Enterprise never meant to hurt her with her sheer silence and neglect. Enterprise's isolation was just her way of coping, her way of keeping herself as distracted from the sorrow of losing her elder sister as possible.
But eventually, it had to give. One of them had to give up and it was Enterprise. Another insipid dinner and St Louis had downed her glass of fine white wine before Enterprise spoke.
"St Louis...I'm sorry. I won't hurt you anymore...we need to be apart. You deserve better. We're through. We're finished, St Louis." She said cold as she could, pure stoicism on her beautiful face, her eyes looking across the table at her former beloved, looking into her beautiful, glimmering eyes.
"...I tried, Enterprise-san. I did my best...I'm sure you did, too. I'm...sure you did..." St Louis did her best to keep her voice, gentle and soft as it was, as strong and calm as she could, yet she knew she needed to leave right away lest she break down then and there.
"Please...if you don't want to see me again...at least remember me. Ok? Just...remember...me. Excuse...excuse me...!" St Louis then stood up and smoothed down her absolutely beautiful, beautiful and sexy-elegant silver, glossy dress and then, she turned around and made for the door, her glossy silver high heels clacking hurriedly on the smooth floor...loud and quick enough to mask St Louis' soft sobs.
Enterprise bit her lip and pushed away her dinner plate, her food barely even touched.
"I'm sorry..." She grit her teeth.
**2 Years Later**
It's as if time flew by. And fortunately, during those two long years, Enterprise's business has been staying strong. The "Eagle Union Corporation" has been more and more active thanks to her management.
However, even though business has been successful, Enterprise herself hasn't been taking care of herself. She has worked herself until very late at night, ate little meals, as she refused to take one of her maid's foods, and distanced herself from the ones closest to her. For two whole years, it's been like this. Nobody knows how Enterprise even has the strength to keep on working.
The problem seems to worsen as the maids are having serious trouble coping with Enterprise's behavior. They try and do their duty well and it's not as if Enterprise doesn't appreciate it. But the fact that the rich girl is super anti-social is getting very old.
One morning, as Enterprise is once again away at work, Illustrious, Wales and Unicorn all sit in the large living room, having a nice cup of tea. Illustrious sips on her cup, opening one eye to see her dear little sister playing with her unicorn plushie.
"So...I hear one of the head maids called it quits." Wales says to the maid that poured tea. "I don't blame her, though."
"It's sad, really," the maid says. "I don't know how I can get all the other maids to cooperate."
Wales lets out a sigh of disappointment. "What do we do now? We don't know anybody that can take her place."
Illustrious sets down her tea. "Fortunately, I do."
"Huh?" Wales looks at her childhood friend. "What do you mean?"
Illustrious turns and smiles a gentle smile. "I know someone who is really good at housework. I called her earlier after hearing about the headmaid. That gave me an opportunity to ask her to travel here."
"Who is this person you speak of?" The maid asks.
Illustrious giggles softly. "Her name...is Belfast. She is another friend of mine during our college days. She has great leadership, organization and most importantly, she has a big heart. I believe...she will break Enterpise's bad habits. If she can't do it...no one can."
"That's pretty smart of you, Illustrious," Wales says.
"Fufu. Trust me, everyone wants the Enterprise we know and love back." The gentle woman says. "I pray that Belfast will be our last hope."
**Meanwhile**
Inside a luxerious car, a beautiful young woman with long silver hair, grey eyes and wearing a black dress, sits idly while looking out the window. After recieving the call, Belfast accepted the offer and paid to travel all the way to Enterprise's hometown. From there, she traveled about 10 blocks just to get to the mansion where Illustrious and the others are waiting. After thanking and paying the driver, she makes her way to the golden double doors and knocks on it.
After about a couple minutes of waiting, the door opens and one of the maids greets her.
"Hello, miss," she says. "How can I help you?"
"I'm here to see my friend, Illustrious," the young woman speaks in a beautiful British accent. "My name is Belfast. Is she here?"
"Oh, yes, Miss Belfast! Come in, come in!"
Belfast enters and takes the time to look around for a moment while following the young maid to the living room.
"What you are here for, miss?" The maid asks.
"Illustrious told me I was offered a job here," Belfast replies. "Something about...me as the next head maid?"
The maid stops and turns around. "Wait...you mean...you're the one? That Lady Illustrious was talking about?"
"Fufu. I'm glad to see we have met early," Belfast giggles softly. "Would you mind taking me to my friend first before we prepare?"
"Sure! Right away!"
Belfast giggles at the young maid's cuteness and follows her to the living room, where Illustrious and her friends are gathered.
"Greetings, dear friend," Illustrious says. "We've been expecting you."
Belfast does a curtsy. "Nice to meet you. My name is Belfast. I will be working as the head maid starting today."
Wales nods with a smile. "It's an honor to meet you, Belfast. My name is Wales, Illuatrious's childhood friend. And this little sweetie is-"
Unicorn rushes beside Illustrious to bury her face in her older sister's chest, whining adorably.
"Uhhh...she's a bit shy," Illustrious says. "Please forgive her."
Belfast slowly walks toward the violet haired cutie. "There's no need to be afraid," she says softly. "I will be living with Lady Enterprise from now on, but we can be friends in the meantime. I'm Belfast. What's your name?"
The little one pulls her head away just a bit to see the kind woman offering a hand to her. Unicorn looks up at her older sister, who nods. She then looks back at the older woman and slowly and gently grips her hand.
"I-I'm, ummmm...Unicorn..." she says quietly. "N-nice...to meet you..."
Belfast giggles and pulls away to turn to Illustrious.
"So...I guess this is more than just being a head maid, is it not?" She says, having a serious expression. "What about Lady Enterprise is troubling you?"
"It's not just me," Illustrious says sadly. "It's all of us who are close to her. You see, her eldest sister, Yorktown. She passed away 2 years ago. Since that day, it has made Enterprise distance herself from all of us, just doing her business non-stop. Not only did it affect us, but it also affected the maids around here. As I said on the phone, one of the head maids called it quits because of that. That's why I need you here. You're our only hope to break Enterprise out of that shell."
Belfast gives a nod of determination. "I'll do whatever it takes, Illustrious. You have my word. I shall be Lady Enterprise's maid."
Illustrious smiles. "Good. Also...there is someone else you should meet."
"Hm?"
As if on cue, Belfast turns to see another beautiful young woman with blue hair tied in a side pony-tail. She approaches the silver haired woman.
"Hello," she says. "I'm St. Louis. Enterprise's...ex-girlfriend."
"Hello," Belfast says. "Wait...ex? Why would Lady Enterprise break up with someone as beautiful as you?"
"Same reason," St. Louis replies with a sad smile. "She's trying to cope with her sister's death. Please, if anything, look after Enterprise-san. I want you to reach her heart if possible, let her know that she's never alone. Do what I was unable to do."
"Of course," Belfast says. "You have my word."
"Thank you. And here, if you need to contact me," St. Louis hands her a card with her number on it. "I'm only a call away."
"Thank you, Miss St. Louis." Belfast says.
By the time they are finished, the maids gather around Belfast, praising her for her great leadership. Belfast's first day is already getting good. However, she has yet to meet her mistress. Now that will be a challenge.
After the maids leave, Illustrious walks over toward the new head maid. "Great work so far, Belfast. I knew you would be the one to fix the maid problem."
"Thank you very much," Belfast says. "Now...when does Lady Enterprise get home?"
"She usually comes home late," Illustrious sighs. "Around 10:00 or even 11. You probably want to meet her regardless, just so that she knows that you're the new maid."
"Do you really think she'll care if I'm here or not?"
"It's worth a try," Illustrious says. "I don't see any other way."
Belfast bites her lip. What will it be like when she tries to converse with her? Will she give her the cold shoulder like she does with everyone else? Most likely, as Belfast has heard. However, being the woman that never gives up, she won't let it go on. Illustrious and St. Louis are counting on her.
A/N: This was from almost 3 years ago. Holy cow. I haven't touched this in a VERY long time. Mike Powell and I came up with this idea on chat, did a little of it for the beginning and I did the rest on my own.
Hopefully I can commit to this one. The main thing of this is a build-up between Enty and Bel's relationship. I'm kinda not good with this stuff, so bare with me. XD
Have a nice day.