Victoria was in a bittersweet mood. She was thrilled that her new master had not only allowed, but encouraged her to take over his gardens; the one thing she truly loved doing. But the other side of her knew that digging up her flowers at her old home would give an unwanted sense of finality- that Seraphim Michael was indeed gone from her life.
She watched as the messenger angel Uriel had offered his arm to her best friend and taken her away from their new home to take her to the Palace Gardens. Another swell of warmth rose in her: Ophelia had often told her about her attraction to the Palace messenger, but the typically brave maidservant had always been bashful when it came to Uriel. Victoria knew that her friend would come home bubbly and gleeful if her time with Uriel went the way she had always dreamed.
Tugging at her gardening apron, Victoria waited for her new master to finish his arguments with his guardian. She knew how much Zerachiel hated Azrael, and the Archangel had made it very clear how much he despised the Seraphim in kind. As the two men continued their fights, she decided to busy herself by ripping all of the plants from Zerachiel's gardens, preparing them for the plants she had loved at her old home, and for the new ones that Ophelia had promised to bring her. It was easier to ignore the ever-growing tension between the two men who spent their days and nights at the other's throat than it was to try to stop them. One of the earliest fights between the men had been about Azrael's first treatment toward her, shoving her aside as he first entered Zerachiel's home. Victoria pulled another long-ignored plant from the dirt, tossing it aside.
The pile of dead plants grew, and Victoria found it easier to ignore the squabble of the men behind her. Gardening allowed her the peace that Azrael was determined that the residents of Zerachiel's home should not have. She carefully shook the dirt from the roots of the plants she pulled, being sure not to waste any of the nutrients that may still be in the soil. Absently, she scratched her nose, smudging dirt on her face.
Zerachiel came to stand over her, and offered her a hand. "Are you ready to go to your old home?"
Victoria brushed her hands on her apron, not wanting to dirty her master's hands. She allowed Zerachiel to help her to her feet, before timidly asking if he had gotten Azrael to agree to go to her former home with them.
The Seraphim gave her his mischievous smirk, a faint spark of who he was before his Brother Fell. "I told him we were going and he could either do his job or go cry to the Ruler. It's just flowers. It's not like it's some kind of treason. What can I help you with, is there anything I can do or carry?"
Azrael scoffed behind them, and Victoria shrank back, afraid of another confrontation between the two large men. "You actually asked a maidservant? Doing things is her job. What kind of high-rank angel are you?"
"A better one than you." Zerachiel turned to Victoria, and took every gardening tool she had until he could carry nothing else. "Let's go, Victoria."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Zerachiel dumped his overloaded arms onto the grass. He stood on the walkway, giving his Brother's empty and abandoned home a forlorn look. –If only I knew how serious you were that day at the Fountain when you told me about that woman. If only I had gone with you when you said you had to go.–
He shook his head, his silver hair catching the sunlight in a majestic way. He blinked back the tears, refusing to allow Azrael to see any hint of weakness in him. He turned away from the empty cottage home, and knelt next to Victoria, who had already carefully begun uprooting her beloved flowers. "How can I help?"
The redheaded maidservant gave a small smile, and handed Zerachiel a second trowel. "We carefully dig up the plant like this," she said, showing him how to give the plant a wide area around its base to protect its roots. "And once we've done that, we gently support the plant as we lift it from underneath. This is how I do it to prevent the most damage to them."
Zerachiel followed Victoria's instructions, and showed her the geranium in his hands. "Is this right?"
Azrael sat behind them, sharpening his blade. "There's nothing right about any of this."
The Seraphim whipped his head around, glaring at the Archangel, who averted his eyes. "Yeah, that's what I thought, Azrael. Mind your own business."
Victoria ignored Azrael's remarks, and gave her master an encouraging smile. "You did wonderfully. Thank you for giving my plants such care. It means a lot to me."
As the pair worked in the gardens, Zerachiel complimented Victoria on her gardens. "I know you haven't had time to take care of the plants here, but still, everything looks quite immaculate. I just know you are going to do wonderful things at your new home."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Victoria and Zerachiel worked late into the afternoon, and both were covered in dirt well before the job was done. She was quite impressed with her master's determination to help her, and his defiance of the Archangel who lounged behind them. The longer the pair worked, the more Victoria could feel the aggression growing in Azrael.
Once the last plant had been moved to a temporary pot, both Zerachiel and Victoria sat on the ground, exhausted from the day's work. She glanced over at the two men, and gathered her bravery to address the intimidating Archangel. "W-we have b-been w-w-working outside all day…d-did either of…w-would anyone l-like a drink?"
Azrael sneered at the maidservant that stuttered at him. "And where do you propose you get this from?"
"W-well…this u-used to b-be my home…"
Azrael stood immediately and pointed his blade at Victoria. "You think you're going to be allowed to enter a traitor's home?"
Before Victoria could blink or cry from the fear, Zerachiel had stepped between the realms and appeared behind Azrael, his strong arm around the Archangel's neck, his other hand grasping his left wing. "You are not here for her! You are here for me! Do not threaten her for offering you something as simple as a drink! She offered you kindness and you show her aggression in return? Give me a reason why I shouldn't! And don't even bother realm-travelling, I've got hold of you, and I'll go where you go! Apologize to Victoria, right now!"
Azrael knew that Zerachiel had bested him, and dropped the blade reluctantly. He muttered under his breath, and the Seraphim pulled harder on his wing. Gritting his teeth, Azrael gave a proper apology, and Zerachiel shoved him forward, freeing him from his grip. The Arch stumbled forward, and grumbled as he picked up his sword, and stood away from the Seraphim, straightening his tunic and stretching his aching wing.
Victoria noticed another man heading in their direction; with his long, flowing chestnut hair, dark eyes, and lips that did not smile, she knew this was another of the Brothers, Jeremiel. She often wondered where Jeremiel had been when the Ruler was handing out personalities, because he certainly missed out. –I've talked to so many of his maidservants, he's just so moody. I think it would break his face if he smiled.– Regardless of her friends' opinions of their master, she must remain cordial in the presence of a Seraphim. She hurried to brush the dirt from her hands against her apron as she stood.
Jeremiel noticed his elder Brother, and made his way up the path. "Hello, Zerachiel, how are you doing today?" He noticed the Archangel, who looked more aggressive than usual. "Ah, hello, Archangel Azrael."
Zerachiel made his way to his Brother, embracing him. "Hello, Brother. We've been gardening today, Victoria and I. She's going to take her old plants up to my home. What are you doing out and about?"
The younger Seraphim brushed the dirt from his Brother from his royal blue tunic, and looked up at Zerachiel. "Raguel is turning 950 tomorrow. I am arranging for a celebration at my home tomorrow evening. Are you interested in coming?"
Hearing of a gathering between the Seraphim, Azrael stepped forward, trying to hear more. Zerachiel thought about Jeremiel's offer, and his face twisted into a deep, mischievous smirk. "Well, Jer, that depends. Will my partner be allowed to attend?"
"...Partner?"
"Well you see, Brother, the Ruler has so graciously given me this arranged marriage. We've had a bit of a rocky start, but I believe in us. I believe he will come to love me in time, don't you?" Zerachiel turned, and planted a large, wet kiss on Azrael's cheek.
"GET OFF OF ME!" Azrael roared; he immediately began to scrub at his face until his cheek was raw.
Zerachiel's face dropped as he feigned hurt to his Brother. "That's what's difficult about an arranged marriage, Jer. I heard that last night again too. Still not consummated yet. But I believe in love." He blew a kiss toward the enraged Archangel, who began to draw his blade. "Uhp uhp, Azzy, dear. Remember what happened last time we did that?"
Jeremiel began to back away from his Brother, certain that being monitored constantly had finally caused Zerachiel to snap. "So…I suppose we will see you and ah, Azrael…I'll see you two tomorrow at the celebration…enjoy your evening…" He turned to Victoria, who had gone pink from trying to suppress her giggles. "Farewell, Victoria. Best of luck with your gardens."