When people hear about Serena Yvonne through documentaries or books about the Titanic, they would say she was engaged to Lord Mivashkama Herløv of Hammerlocke, that she went missing the night Titanic sank, and then is briefly mentioned in regards to her stepmother's second marriage. While historians and survivors of the ship are correct in one form or another, this is a gross oversimplification as she was far more than just the fiancee of the late Lord of Hammerlocke.
Serena was the daughter of the Duke of Viridian City in the Kanto region. Her mother, Grace Yvonne, passed away when she was only 10, and so for much of her preteen and early teenage years, it was just her and her beloved father. As she got older, Serena Yvonne developed a love of dancing and partook in the performing arts in her girls' high school. Those from Viridian City back then that are still alive remember her dancing with such joy and passion that she made others smile whenever they watched her. Some referred to her as Serena Two-Step because she could uplift the gloomiest person in the world with just two dance steps. When she completed school, Serena began to tour throughout Kanto, performing in front of thousands, with her father financially supporting her.
While Serena traveled around the region, the duke was lonely as a middle-aged man and decided to marry again. Thus, when Serena visited home between trips, she was surprised to learn that he had married his secretary, Oleana. Those in Viridian City that knew the duke say that it was highly peculiar that the duke would marry her. Part of that had to do with the fact that Oleana wasn't someone of high class, but mostly because they were polar opposites. Duke Yvonne was a cheerful and carefree chap, which would explain how he was such a loving father who supported Serena's passion. In contrast, Oleana always kept her emotions in check and was only about fifteen years Serena's senior. Based on our interviews, Aunt Sonia and I guess that the duke thought he connected with Oeana because they were opposites. That Oleana was the perfect wife for keeping his carefree attitude in check. Nevertheless, Serena gave her stepmother the benefit of the doubt and was okay with the marriage as long as it made her father happy.
When we interviewed those still alive who remember Serena's life before the Titanic, they were immediately dispirited when we asked them about her engagement with Lord Herløv. I was shocked by how simply saying the man's name led to the people we interviewed having cold looks of contempt. It was as though I said a trigger word that made them instantly forget all the joy they felt from talking about the duke's daughter even though they had never met Lord Herløv.
On October 17th, 1911, Serena performed at the grand theater at the Indigo Plateau. The show was sold out several weeks in advance, and some who couldn't get tickets tried to sneak into the theater the night of the performance. The people there said they were in a trance when Serena danced, smiling in bliss while she wore a magenta pink dress and tiara resting on her short head of honey blonde hair. One critic called her the goddess of dancing in human form. He even named his eldest daughter after Serena a couple of years later. When the show ended, the crowd applauded for a couple of minutes, and Serena kept bowing, grateful that they enjoyed her show so much.
As soon as the curtains closed, however, a crew member came to Serena and requested her presence in her dressing room. Serena followed him off the stage and grew confused as she noticed other crew members avoiding eye contact with her. The crew member opened the door to the dressing room, and Serena went in, finding her manager, Palermo, talking to two men in suits while holding a piece of paper. Palermo saw Serena come in, and she gave her a crestfallen look as she walked over to her.
"Palermo, what's wrong?" Serena asked.
Palermo hesitated before she looked at the paper in her hand and then back at Serena.
"Serena, these men came here to deliver a telegraph from Viridian City," she said. "Your father…he is dead."
Serena's face fell. She stood in place for a moment before she took a step back and asked, "W-what?"
"He had pneumonia," Palermo said. "The doctors did all they could, but the medicine wasn't working. I'm so sorry."
Serena shook her head in disbelief and snatched the telegraph from Palermo's hand. She read through the telegraph, and her heart broke with each sentence confirming what Palermo said. She teared up when she finished reading, and the telegraph fell from her hand. Palermo stepped up to pull Serena into a hug as she broke down. The crew member and the men in suits quietly excused themselves and left the dressing room to give the women space. When Serena finished crying, her eyes were red and puffy, and Palermo rubbed her back as she sniffed.
"I-I-I've got to get home," Serena whimpered.
"Don't worry. I've ordered a car to take you to a train back to Viridian City," Palermo said. "I'll telegraph to your stepmother that you are on your way as soon as you leave."
Serena smiled weakly at her manager and said, "Thank you, Palermo. I don't know how I could handle this without you."
"Think nothing of it, child. Now, go pack your things," Palermo said.
Serena nodded and began packing right away. By the time she had finished, a car was waiting at the back of the theater, and she hugged Palermo, struggling not to cry again before she got in and the driver took her to the city's train station. Serena rode in a private car for three days, her mind fixed on her late father. She tried to reason with herself that it was a bad dream. It didn't seem right that she would suddenly lose her father, having never received a word that he was ill in any way prior. She technically still had a parent in the form of her stepmother, Oleana, but by God, the duke was her whole world since she was a little girl. All the things that made her the benevolent person she grew up to be came from her father.
On the third day, the train arrived at Viridian City, and a car was waiting for Serena. As the car took her to the outskirts of the city where the family manor resided, Serena's heart began to ache again, dreading to see her father's body and the manor to feel less of a home without his presence. She resigned to putting such thoughts in the back of her head, reminding herself that Oleana and the staff were grieving too.
But as the car approached the manor, she noticed several trucks coming down the road in the opposite direction. Serena watched in confusion as there was no other place they could have come from but the manor. When the car reached the manor grounds, more trucks were parked in front of the house, and, to Serena's disbelief, men were loading furniture, paintings, chests of clothes, and heirlooms. Standing at the front entrance was Oleana overseeing the possessions being taken, and next to her was a maid a few years older than Serena with light brown hair, holding a handkerchief to her eye. As soon as the car stopped, Serena got out and raced to Oleana and the maid. New tears formed in the maid's eyes as she ran over to meet Serena, but Oleana remained in place, unfazed by Serena's return.
"My lady," the maid sobbed as she rushed into Serena's arms.
Serena gave the maid a sad smile as she hugged her back. They embraced for a few seconds before Serena broke the hug.
"Molly, what's going on? Why are these men taking my family's things?" She asked.
Molly's mouth quivered and she hung her head, unable to look Serena in the eye.
"They've been sold, miss. The mistress has ordered all but a few essentials to be sold," she said.
"What?! But these things have been in the family for generations. They can't take them from us," Serena said.
"Actually, as the new head of this family, I have the authority to sell what I wish," Oleana said, walking down the steps to meet Serena.
"But why? My father wouldn't want us to part with any of our possessions," Serena said.
"Then he should have thought of that before squandering the family fortune and leaving us in debt," Oleana said.
"W-what?" Serena asked.
"Your father spent our money on financing your little tour," Oleana said. "I warned him multiple times not to borrow money recklessly. That simply being a well-respected aristocrat doesn't mean it's raining money, but that stubborn fool wouldn't listen to reason."
"But we can't be in so much debt that we must sell everything," Serena protested. "My shows have made a ton of profit and -"
"And that excuses being penniless for the sake of your little dances?" Oleana rebuked. "I suppose you hope by continuing your little tour, all our debts would magically be erased, and we'd have our fortune back? Perhaps you want this family to continue investing in your little hobby to make even more money, and when you break your leg while dancing, there goes any sort of profit. I think enough has happened financially just because your father spoiled you."
"Then what are we going to do?" Serena asked. "What can I do?"
"The money we've made from selling these possessions, reducing the staff, and your tour will pay off a decent amount of the debts, but it will only be a matter of time before we will be penniless," Oleana said. "If you want to contribute, then you will fulfill your duty as an aristocrat's daughter. In short, we must arrange for you to get married."
"Married?! But I can't get married just for the money," Serena protested.
"You can and you will," Oliana said. "I shall spread the word among members of the high class that you are available for an arranged marriage. With fortune on our side, your father's good name will provide us with a match to secure us for life."
"But I don't want there to be an arranged marriage," Serena said. "Why can't I just continue to -"
"Silence!" Oliana hissed, immediately shutting Serena up. "You are 24 years old now, Serena, and you have been indulging in your fantasies long enough. You've had your fun, now pay for it by fulfilling your duty for both of our sakes."
Oleana went inside the house without another word to continue supervising the men taking away the possessions. Serena stared at where she last saw her stepmother before she hung her head, fighting the urge to cry again while Molly rubbed her back. The maid took Serena's hand and gently guided Serena into the house to her bedroom to privately mourn.
A couple of weeks had passed after Serena returned home. Her father's funeral was held at the Viridian City Chapel, and many of her father's friends and some of her admirers attended, giving her comfort knowing how many people valued her father. Apart from attending the funeral, however, Serena rarely left her bedroom, for it was hard to be anywhere else in the house, where rooms were empty of any family possessions. All Serena could do was sit in a chair outside her bedroom window and stare at the world outside, emotionless.
As time passed, Serena heard from Molly that suitors had been visiting the manor to be interviewed. Oleana ordered that Serena be kept in her bedroom while interviewing the men. She did not trust Serena to decide on her fiancee, given her emotion-broken state and ideals of wanting any attachment with wherever she marries. While many gentlemen of high class and good renown had come to ask for Serena's hand, Oleana rejected every single one. Some only stayed at the manor for a few minutes before Oleana rejected them. The more men Serena's stepmother rejected, the more Serena worried that her stepmother's skepticism would drive away all of the suitors, thus dooming them.
Finally, in the 5th week since her father's passing, there was a knock on Serena's door, and Molly opened it for Oleana to come in. There was a hint of a smile on Oleana's otherwise expressionless face as she walked over to Serena.
"Serena, we have finally found a match. The best that I could hope for, in fact," Oleana announced.
"This person's wealth is to your liking, stepmother?" Serena asked.
"More than that. This gentleman is a lord from the Galar region. A lord," Oliana said with giddiness in her voice.
"The Galar region? What is a lord from the Galar region doing here in Kanto?" Serena asked.
"It just so happens that he has business in the Johto region and is also searching for a wife," Oleana said. "He heard about our situation and your father's good name and decided to come here to propose. A lord of such a good name and wealth on top of being a businessman in a region with a growing economy? How could anyone refuse?"
"But if I marry this person, we would have to move to Galar," Serena said.
Oleana's subtle smile turned sour.
"What? You were hoping the person you marry would come to stay here just because it's your father's home?" Oleana asked. "Were you to have a brother and we still had our fortune, that might be possible, but as it is, you're attached to a hollow place out of sentiment. Now, dress up. Lord Herløv is waiting downstairs. Molly, tighten her corset more than normal. We want to make a good impression on our guest."
"Yes, ma'am," Molly said.
Oleana left the room before Serena could protest again. Molly stepped in and took Serena's hand, guiding her to her dressing chamber. Serena struggled not to show any distress as Molly helped her change, and not because of how tight her corset was. She had never left the region before, and now she had to leave everything she knew for good, so she and Oleana could be financially secure again. Molly looked at Serena as she buttoned the back of her grayish-yellow dress and gave her an encouraging smile.
"Don't worry, my lady. Maybe it'll be good for you to leave your father's home," Molly said. "You can create a new home for your children to treasure when they grow up."
Serena turned her head to Molly and gave her a small smile, appreciative of her vain attempt to cheer her up. After getting dressed, Serena and Molly descended to the main floor and walked to the dining hall, where Oleana sat at the dining table with a man sitting opposite to her. The man was wide-chested and well-groomed, wearing a dark gray tux with a golden "H" on the left pocket of his coat. He was not easy on the eyes, but Serena thought he was within limits for someone a decade older than her.
The man noticed Serena come in and stood up to take a bow. His smile didn't come off as friendly as it was merely standard procedure. Standing behind the man was a tall, bald man in his mid-50s. He stood straight with his hands behind his back like a military officer and wore a black suit with a pale pink vest and tie.
"Ah, there you are," Oleana said with a professional smile. "Serena, let me introduce you to Lord Mivashkama Herløv of Hammerlocke."
"How do you do, Lord Herløv?" Serena greeted as she curtsied.
"How do you do, Serena?" Mivashkama replied. "And please, just call me Mivashkama. There's no need for us to be formal. Is there?"
"No, I guess not," Serena said.
Serena looked over Mivashkama's shoulder and noticed the other man looking at her with a stern glare in his bright yellow eyes. Mivashkama looked at Serena, confused, until he realized she was looking past him and chuckled.
"It's alright, Serena. That's my manservant, Morfious Korvashka," he said, speaking to Serena as though she were a child afraid to touch an animal. "You'll have to forgive him. He takes his job seriously. Morfious, say hello to my fiancee."
"Good afternoon, madam," Morfious said in a monotone voice.
"Good afternoon, Morfious," Serena said, still feeling a chill from Morfious' gaze.
"There, that's better," Mivashkama said. "Now tell me, Serena, what do you know about the economy in Galar?"
"Er, nothing at all, my lor - Mivashkama," Serena answered. "I did not think a lady was required to know about such things."
"No, you're right. Such things are for the man of one's house to know," Mivashkama said. "Still, I wish to impress you on how secure you will be as the Lady of Hammerlocke. The Galar region is rich in industry. As a lord, I oversee the progress of such things in my section of the region. And while I hardly need to invest in the business, considering how well endowed I am, my investments are unrivaled anywhere else in Galar or the entire world. In short, you will want for nothing, unlike when living with your father, rest in peace."
Serena fought the urge to frown at how Mivashkama spoke about her father.
"No disrespect, but I consider that a tall claim. My father may not be everything you've accomplished, but he provided for me with all this heart," Serena said.
"Yes, your stepmother has told me as much. A silly, risky business, the performing arts," Mivashkama said. "As far as I'm concerned, that simply shows how little your father could provide a life of real high class and luxury. As a matter of fact, our engagement cannot come at the most opportune time. We are all going to Galar together in my greatest investment yet."
"I thought you said business is not for a lady to know," Serena said.
Mivashkama chuckled condescendingly as though Serena should've known what he was referring to.
"Titanic is not a business. Titanic is a ship. The greatest ship there ever was or will be created by the shipping company Macro Cosmos and funded by me. Large, luxurious, and completely unsinkable," Mivashkama explained. "In three months, the Titanic will be on its maiden voyage from Olivine City in the Johto region to your new home in Galar."
"Oh my, that sounds marvelous," Oleana said. "Three months should be more than enough time for planning your wedding in Hammerlocke. If it pleases you, Lord Herløv, I would like to take part in planning the wedding."
"By all means, madam, plan the wedding as much as you like," Mivashkama said. "Which reminds me. I have something for you, Serena,"
He reached into his jacket and took out a little black box. Mivashkama held the box out to Serena and opened it, revealing an engagement ring. Its band was almost as thick as a wedding ring to support the diamond shaped like a cursive "H." Without giving Serena a moment to react to the gift, Mivashkama took the ring out of the box and put it on her finger. Mivashkama then leaned in for a kiss on Serena's cheek, if one could call barely touching the skin a kiss. Serena forced a smile as Mivashkama pulled back, and Mivashkama smiled back before clearing his throat and turning to Oleana.
"Well, now that everything's official, I must be off. Still much business to attend to all over Kanto and Johto," he said as he took out a check from his left pocket and handed it to Oleana. "I trust this should be enough to pay off your debts, leave you with a suitable budget for planning the wedding, and otherwise simulate you while I'm gone."
"Yes, this should be plenty," Oleana said as she stared at the check with a pleased smirk.
"Good. I shall return in three months, and we shall be on our way to Johto. Good day, ladies," Mivashkama said.
With that, he left the dining room with Morfious following, the latter not bothering to say goodbye. When she heard the front door close, Oleana stood up from her seat and left to get her coat and hat before taking a trip to the bank. Serena waited until her stepmother was gone before choking out a sob. Molly put her arm around Serena and took her hand before guiding her back to her room. Serena couldn't believe that of all the men Oleana could force her to marry, it was someone who only appeared genuine on top of sharing Oleana's views against her passion. Serena wished she could have met the other suitors, who might've had more heart and consideration than Mivashkama.
"Now, there's no use fretting, Ms. Serena. First impressions aren't everything," Molly said. "Many couples take time growing close whether they marry or not. In time, Lord Herløv will develop real affection for a remarkable young lady like you."
Once again, Serena gave Molly a sad smile in appreciation. She wanted to believe there could be more to being married to Mivashkama and spending the rest of her life as a lady in the Galar region. Still, Serena felt her loyal maid was hoping in vain. Her life as she knew it was over. One way or another, her new life would begin on the Titanic.
