Chapter 1: An Abrupt Affair

A/N: I don't own Trinity Blood. If I did, trust me, it would be rated M for alot more reasons (especially ones dealing with Ion and Esther).

"No, no, no, not like that! Yes, like that. Ouch! Don't put the pins in my skin!"

It was a very trying day for Esther.

Not only had she been poked with a pin about five million times, but the Earl of Memphis was arriving the next day and her dress was still unfinished.

"Is he really so important that you have to make such a fuss over this dress?" the seamstress asked. Esther had always tried to be personal with her staff, but sometimes it was just too much to take.

"I've told you a million times," Esther said impatiently, "The Earl of Memphis is a good friend of mine. Not only that, I haven't seen him for what, two years now?"

"Now dear," the elderly woman said sternly, pulling her hand away from a pin. "While he's here I don't want you getting into any trouble that might disgrace us, so you better not get in his pants."

"W-what?!" Did she really just say that? Did she really just say that?

"Wha-? I-I…" Esther's face turned as red as her hair. The elderly seamstress just smiled. Luckily for Esther, a knock on the door saved her from further embarrassment.

"I'll get it, deary, you just go take that off now," she said, motioning to the dress as she made her way towards the door.

Esther could hear one of the nuns talking quickly as she closed the bathroom door. She quickly took off the dress full of pins and put on a lighter, smaller dress. She had no further plans for the warm summer evening, so there was nothing wrong with wearing short yellow sundress to enjoy the nice weather. And there was absolutely no problem with wearing some comfortable flip-flops on occasions like these. Those high heals were absolutely killer.

Esther walked out of the bathroom…

… then turned around and walked right back in.

"Um, is she alright?" Esther heard from outside the bathroom door, which she was now leaning on to keep it shut. She would never mistake that voice anywhere. Anywhere.

She was breathing heavy, her face once again reddening. Oh dear God, what in the world is he doing here? Now? He wasn't supposed to come until tomorrow!

There was a brief knock on the bathroom door.

"Your Highness," his voice sounded through the door. "Are you alright? Did I catch you at a bad time? I tried to send a messenger ahead to let you know I would be in a day early, but…"

Esther threw open the door, but did nothing. She just stood there, looking up at Ion Fortuna, Earl of Memphis. Oh, sweet Jesus, did that Earl have some sexy eyes…