Integra Hellsing looked up from the newspaper. She usually loved her Sunday afternoon ritual of sitting in the garden with a cigar and some tea. It was a pleasant change from the endless hours she spent in her office or at the shooting range. That the day was gray and overcast did nothing to mitigate her pleasure.
However, she knew that she and Walter had much to discuss this afternoon after the events of last evening. She gave Walter a thin smile and waved a hand to the empty bench next to her.
He looked at her with a sadness she'd never thought his cold grey eyes could convey. "I would like to put aside my responsibility as your retainer for a moment and speak with you in a more personal manner, if I may?"
"If you must, Walter, but –"
"I must, Integra." They both took deep breaths. Walter rarely stepped outside the decorum of butler and retainer with Integra and they were both manifestly uncomfortable with the reason for this discussion.
"Integra, when you were a small child, your father taught you the dangers inherent in your family's obligation to the Crown." She looked down and saw that Walter was wearing his rings. She frowned. Why was he wearing his wires? She opened her mouth to ask when he hurried on with his next statements.
"Your father gave me a charge before he died. One I have never felt so helpless to carry out as I am now. He made me swear that I would never permit you to be seduced by the night." His mouth twisted, holding in emotions that made his face tight and tics flutter at his eyelids. "I failed your father, Integra, and in failing him, I failed you. I am so sorry."
"Walter, you cannot blame yourself for my choices. What Alucard and I did – what you saw – that was my choice. You know me. I do nothing that is not of my choosing."
"I know you. It is why I will miss you terribly for what little is left of my life. I have loved you as my daughter." Walter leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss against her forehead. Her red eyes widened as she watched the tears trace down the deep furrows in his face. Her last sight of her beloved friend was a vision of great dark angel wings spreading behind him. Then there was nothing.
Walter retracted his wires and turned to face the house. The horrible roar of rage and agony that shattered the windows and pushed him back in his seat was the alarm that signaled the final moments of his life. At least he wouldn't have to grieve for long.