A/N- I'm back! Thanks so much for the reviews- it got me adding to this story. I'm evil and left a small cliff at the end but I'm hoping to finish the next chapter by Christmas, so you have two days to wow me with encouragement, haha. Merry Christmas!
Walter's eyelid twitched. The tic was long overdue to drive him mad. Every time he moved and his vest rose above his empty belt loops he thought two things: one- no one had better say a damn word, and two- he was searching Seras' room at the first opportunity. Unfortunately, with the Round Table banquet imminent, he hadn't had a spare moment to look for the missing belt. Sending a staff member to town for a new one or asking to borrow someone else's was rather embarrassing. And of course everyone heard how he lost it.
Seras had apparently been extremely occupied with other tasks for the past few days. Missions, and possibly… avoiding him? He didn't want to consider that, but after the first day when he thought back on the incident he decided he must be going senile if he thought that Seras was doing anything other than getting him back for embarrassing her in front of every member of Hellsing besides Sir Integra. At the thought of her possible reaction to hearing it from someone, however unlikely that would seem, he almost tripped on the carpet and bumped the tea cart into Sir Integra's office door.
She must have taken it for a knock because he heard her voice clearly say, "Come in, then." Gathering himself, Walter opened the door and traversed the long room to Sir Integra's desk. He set about serving tea and strategically not bending at the waist. Integra was pouring through the personnel files of the attachés of each of the Round Table members; possibly looking for any excuse to rescind their invitations to the manor.
"It's no use trying to un-invite them Sir," he said, "Besides, just think about how much fun you'll have siccing Alucard on them if they misbehave." He smiled wryly.
"Bah, you can read my mind Walter," she replied, "But I almost forgot to tell you- the holiday decorations need to go up. The Queen added a representative to the guest list and I won't be called to a royal tea again to be chastised over a social function." The dryness in her tone was not what Walter was expecting.
He silently swallowed. The party was the next day and after the Queen's scolding the last time it was Hellsing's turn to host the annual dinner, Integra had been absolutely unbearable. Since it was in December most interpreted it as a holiday party of sorts, but Hellsing Manor wasn't your average estate. The dinner may as well have been a parade review of the troops that year. Granted, it was impressive, but having 3 council members get sick after Alucard's "field demonstration" portion of the evening was not the Queen's idea of a friendly show of cooperation and holiday spirit. He knew even if the maids had to stay all night, the decor would be perfect.
"I will see to it, Sir. Do you have a dossier on the Queen's representative I can review? I'll be sure to keep them occupied." It was his job to keep Integra from being cornered by bureaucrats all night if Alucard wasn't invited to the party.
"I'm sure I do Walter but you know her well enough already. Apparently Seras Victoria was called to the palace yesterday. The Queen deems her a "more than adequate" addition to our ranks and I for one am glad for it. Can you imagine what socialite or trust fund baby she could have sent to make sure we keep the supernatural shenanigans to a minimum? Ha." Integra actually chuckled, then became more serious, "Stay with her Walter. Everything must be perfectly affable. I. Am. Not. Going. To. Tea."
At that Walter was certain he showed his shock. He hastily cleared the tea cart, made some excuse about searching the attic for wreaths, and beat a hasty retreat.
The next night came more swiftly than Walter thought possible. In spite of the late notice, by 4pm the manor looked positively homey. Candles shown in all the windows with boughs of holly and the gardener retrieved a perfect 4.5 meter tall tree that was stunning in the entrance hall. The scent of evergreen and hot cider pervaded Walter's senses as he crossed the grand foyer with Integra's gown and one of the maids who braved doing her hair before for a social function. Arriving safely at Integra's suite of rooms he dropped off the maid and handed over the dress. Walter knew he barely had time to change into his tux before the guests started arriving. Thank God my tuxedo has suspenders, he thought as he hurried to his quarters.
When he made it back to the entrance hall the two soldiers in dress uniform were opening the doors to the first guests to arrive. Sir Islands et al. Well, how punctual of him. Walter was sure even someone of his intelligence could find the cider bowl. He left the entourage to their own devices and turned on his heel and crossed through the ballroom to the kitchen. The hustle of the well-oiled machine that was the kitchen staff calmed his nerves.
"Mr. Dollneaz! Sir, the rolls Miss Victoria made for the dinner… well, they're proper, but… they're red," a sous chef informed him. "Oh, and she said this one's for you," he pointed to a clear spot where one red roll was tied with a ribbon over a note.
The ribbon came away easily and Walter couldn't remember what the feeling was he felt in his gut at that particular moment. He ripped the roll in two and confirmed that they were red throughout when a metallic … tine? pin? clamored against the metallic surface of the food preparation table. He picked it up and unfolded the note.
This is how you'll know which one is yours. ~S
Walter's gut clenched with that same feeling again. Was it only relief? No, he felt sure Seras was not one to pull a mean-spirited prank. She must be playing the game. She must be enjoying it. She must have hidden his belt somewhere at the party and the metallic object- he recognized it now as the prong from his belt buckle- would lead him to which one was actually his. Oh bloody hell, he thought, That means there's more than one!