Fairytale
Chapter Three
- Cocytus
"Here we're, Draculina Seras."
Ilona's voice awoke Seras from her slumber. After her dance with those creatures on that field she was rather drained but it had put her in high spirits. It was worth the effort. Stirring, Seras looked up. It was almost dawn; the sky had already acquired the mixture of pink, orange, and blue. The Police Girl certainly had spent more time than she had initially thought celebrating Dragaica.
"It's beautiful," Seras beamed as she appraised her surroundings. The gardens were neatly tended, no sights of blood or decay, merely the fragrance of the flowers. There was a fountain located in front of the building that added to the visual appeal. The palace wasn't as big as she had imagined. It possessed two levels and a strange mix of architecture coming from different ages. Seras was not an expert in the subject, however it was clear the change of styles presented in the ensemble.
Ilona hopped out of the car, gesturing towards the staircase. "Welcome to Cotroceni Palace, Draculina Seras. The former residence of the presidents, it's now ours."
Seras descended out of the vehicle, shutting the door softly. Admiring the glass porch of the main entrance, the younger vampire ascended the stairs after Ilona. "Where's my luggage, Countess?"
"It must have arrived hours before us, Seras. Your stuff was inside the limousine. And call me Ilona, dear. We're family now."
A butler opened the door for them; Ilona inclined her head and saluted in Romanian. Seras' mind swayed away, peering in the magnified stained glass windows, tracing the figures with her curious eyes. As soon Seras passed the threshold, she felt a sting, like blessed silver burning her from inside.
Ilona spun quickly, grasping her shoulder. "Be still, it will be over soon."
Cue to what the Countess said, Seras' pain fade away. "What…was that?"
"It's a barrier to not allow your Master trespass. In both, physical and astral planes," Ilona replied, releasing her hold on the Police Girl. "We don't need a surprise attack or him spying over us, do we? It probably reacted to his blood inside you."
Seras nodded, it made sense. That was the reason why Alucard was quite riled by guessing their next tactics. He could not be a step forward his foes and that bothered him. Served him right.
"They are waiting for us in the great reception hall. Your chambers are done, once we're over with formalities, you may retire to them and rest."
"I've enough sleep," Seras remarked. She had not done anything active in a while; Alucard no longer allowed her to train his troops. According to him, she softened them too much. Seras argued that she did not wish them to become killing machines. Just one of the many clashes she's had with her Master and lost.
"Well, I advise some more because you look like you're in bad shape and tomorrow we have a busy schedule." Ilona started guiding the path through the ample corridors of the Palace. The oval shape of the white walls caught her attention. The furniture was exquisite too: Carved chairs and small tables and paintings hanging on the walls.
Seras paused after Ilona stopped. Three men stood in the hall. The lack of heartbeat and parlour indicated they were Midians like herself. The one in the middle stepped forward; he was the oldest looking. He possessed a hooked nose, short black hair, and red eyes. He looked like her Master, only with a trail of facial hair.
"Welcome to our residence, Draculina Seras Victoria," he spoke in a deep tone much like Alucard's but firm rather than taunting. "I'm Voivode Vlad Dracul." He bowed before her, taking her had gently, brushing his lips on her knuckles.
Seras nearly blushed at the chivalry action. Alucard was in need of manners lessons from his father. He was clearly a gentleman. "I appreciate your gracious welcome, your Excellency."
Vlad inclined his head, distancing himself from Seras. "These two are my sons. Mircea," he gestured towards the one located at his right. Mircea possessed an unruly brown hair that fell beyond his waist. His eyes were red like his father's. "And Radu." Seras nearly gasped when Radu approached shyly towards her. If she did not know better, Seras could swear he was a woman, and a rather beautiful one. His hair was straight black falling to his shoulders but the most remarkable trait were his eyes, of a deep turquoise. There was no mystery of why they had called him Cel Frumos, The Handsome. Radu possessed a languid expression, unlike the fierce features of his kin.
"Welcome," Mircea uttered with a raspy tone.
"A pleasure, Miss Victoria," Radu greeted politely.
"Likewise," was Seras' response, jerking her gaze from Radu's orbs. It was rather rude to stare but could not help herself. Radu smiled at her gesture. She wondered if he was accustomed to such reactions around women?
"Tell us, how is he faring?" Vlad asked, cutting the chase already.
Down to business so soon, eh? Seras was aware of who the Voivode was referring. "As usual. Bloodthirsty, insane and perfectly intolerable."
The Draculs laughed at her accurate description of Alucard.
"Then he's well," Ilona snorted, shaking her head. "You shouldn't have worried as much, Vlad. He won't extend the same courtesy towards any of us."
Dracul sneered. "He's my son, Ilona. I abandoned him once to his luck more than once. I'll try to set things right this time."
Seras recognized honesty in his statement. Vlad II was genuinely interested in Alucard's welfare? "Master says… that if you care so much to heal ties, then you should have agreed to pass the throne to him."
"Unacceptable," Mircea intervened hotly. "He's the bogey man for our people. As patriotic as he fancies himself to be, they are terrified by his hobbies."
"There's no possibility of convincing him otherwise?" Vlad inquired, looking at Seras with something akin to hope.
"Well…"
"Of course not," Ilona declared, scowling. "You spent little time with him, Vlad. You don't know how selfish and bull-headed he can be. When his mind is set on something, no matter if the Flood takes him away, he will not rest until he achieves it. I'm right, Draculina Seras?"
"You have taken the words out of my mouth, Lady Ilona," Seras grinned, feeling a connection already with the other woman. "I don't wish to give you fake hopes, your Excellency. But it's doubtful my Master will forsake his plans anytime soon."
Vlad scratched the back of his head; Seras knew he was crestfallen at the news. "I don't blame him. It was my fault."
"Father, you did what was the best for our people."
"You really think so, Mircea? Radu what you have to say about this?"
"Well… I-" Radu's gaze fell over Seras. "I think Miss Victoria is tired and not eager to listen to our rattle."
Nice save.
Seras smiled brightly at him. Indeed, it was difficult to act as the therapist of such dysfunctional family while suffering the debilitation of the half starved state she was in. The young vampire could hardly pay enough attention to the topics.
"I agree with Radu," Ilona came behind Seras, putting her hands over the other woman's shoulders, squeezing lightly. "Come with me, Draculina Seras, I'll show you where is your room is. And you three," she paused, shooting them a meaningful look. "Try not to kill each others until my return."
Seras bit a laugh. They were entertaining if a bit insane. Regardless of how funny they may appear, the Police Girl was aware they were her Master's enemies and for extension, hers. She tried her best to hide the unease that caused the realization as she moved behind Ilona, towards her given room.
"That's the one," Ilona indicated to a door at the end of the hallway. "All your belongings must be inside by now." The older Midian handed Seras the key. "Rest well."
"Thank you." Seras watched the woman's retreat, opening the door and going inside her chambers. The room was fit for nobility. Richly furnished and equipage with modern machines for her comfort. There was a four-poster bed and an ample coffin that lay beside it. Probably because they were uncertain of which she preferred to sleep in.
Hopping, Seras climbed inside the bed. Her luggage was over the table as Ilona had promised but she was not in mood to unpack just yet; or to sleep either. Seras dreaded the idea of slumber in the conditions she was in. Afraid she would not be strong enough to wake up.
Seras did not lack of rest; she was hungry. And not only for blood but for life. Her stay in Alucard's castle was like being trapped inside a coffin. It reeked of death and Seras craved to feel alive again. Not in the sense of pulse and body warmth, but of dynamism. The sluggish traits she had acquired lately were worrisome.
Seras sighed, rolling to face the ceiling. She was thinking on her Master and his kin. How nice they were so far with her and how bad Alucard treated her. She wondered why there was still that steely loyalty to someone who had behaved like a git since the moment they met. It was mind-boggling.
'Beware of the ninth circle,' her fairy had warned. Lowering her lashes, Seras understood of what he was talking about: Cocytus, the Ninth Circle of Hell: Home for the traitors. The Frozen Kingdom reserved for the betrayers of kin, city, guests and Masters. She was far from being a bookworm, more accustomed to her streetwise wit than cultural knowledge, but the Divine Comedy was one of the handful books in English that her Master had in his library.
Seras shuddered at the thought of Judecca. Her memory was sketchy when it came to the literary but she was certain it was not a nice and comfy dimension filled with flowers and fluffy rabbits.
Why she was musing about this topic? It made her skin crawl and her stomach churn. But that was impossible; she did not posses gastric functions any longer. Seras was not able to digest food.
But… we're always traitors in one way or another, all depends of the point of view. Seras told herself. Such lines of thoughts were perilous. She was considering leaving her Master to side with his family if she did not fault them.
Alucard loathed traitors with a passion. If he found out she would betray him. Seras could not imagine what he would do to her, regardless if she were his fledgling or not. However, Alucard was not a moral authority in the matter. Wasn't he turning his back on his own family? Wasn't he acting egoistical with his people thus betraying them to their ruin?
It was all a matter of how you looked at it.
That reminded her of the Hellsing Organization's downfall.
Seras closed her eyes, curling up on the mattress, unable to stop the flow of the memories that were taking over her mind. She disliked recalling Integral in the last stages of her life. Such a proud admirable woman consumed by Alzheimer. And her Master, pacing on the basement where Harold Hellsing, Integral's son, had sealed him. Seras knew that Harold suspected Alucard's intentions of turning Integral into a vampire. She was still virgin, for the heir was brought to the world by artificial insemination in a surrogate mother. In her half absent state, Integral would be an easy target for Alucard's offer.
Seras knew that the day Harold had ordered the doctors euthanasia; it would mark the end of Hellsing. Alucard was freed soon after. She could sense his rage, even if the Midian did his best to appear indifferent. Three months later, Harold was assassinated while Alucard and herself were on a mission in Wales - the work of a professionally hired group. Alucard's face twisted in victory as if he had anticipated this. When she had questioned his hand in the last Hellsing's murder, her Master had answered:
"That little man wasn't my Master. He killed my true Master. He was scum, betrayer of his own blood."
Seras bit down her opinion. Because she knew that Harold had loved his mother and had done what he considered her best. Who was the traitor? Who was the faithful? Seras did not know the answer. Who could judge such thing? It was impartial.
For Master, the only opinion that counts is his. His and Integral's but she's no more.
Seras remained still like a corpse for half an hour. Not thinking on anything — it pained her to contemplate when she was in a foul mood. Not doing anything. Her chest was unmoving. Seras had no motivation to remove herself of such comfortable post, except one.
Thirst.
Her yearn for blood was consuming her.
Groaning in annoyance for leaving the bed, Seras rose, exiting the room in an attempt for seeking the kitchen. It was not so hard when her nose was sensible. She sniffed the atmosphere and traced the scents of food and, most important, blood. When she arrived, Seras noted that it was not empty - Radu was sipping a glass filled with dark liquid, his face buried on a book. Seras paused, ready to search another cooker.
"Miss Victoria," Radu greeted, lowering the book. "Please, do come in."
"I don't wish to disturb you," Seras said apologetically.
"You don't bother me. And I take you're quite thirsty." She stared at him. Was she that obvious? "Ilona can't keep a secret." Radu added.
"I'll keep that in mind," Seras smiled and came inside, taking a seat opposite to Radu's. He stood, taking from the refrigerator a jar that contained the same fluid that was inside his goblet. Radu filled a glass and offered it to Seras. She accepted it and brought it to her lips, drinking eagerly. The blood tasted strange. Had so much time passed that she had forgotten how the flavour was? Regardless of that, Seras found for herself that it was impossible to stop swallowing. It fuelled her weakened articulations.
"You're starved. Vlad went too far." Radu said with disapproval.
Seras drank until the last drop and put the glass down. "It tasted… funny." She would not address her Master's mistreatments. It was rather personal and she did not trust Radu as confidant.
"It's raven's blood. It is said to exorcize the bad spirits," Radu chuckled, taking the final sip of his drink. "I wonder if that includes us."
"I don't know about you, Mr. Radu," Seras added with a mischievous grin. "But I'm certainly not a nasty one. Maybe if we give it to your bro-." Seras caught herself before the damage was done. She would not utter the traitorous speech. She could not. But Seras wanted to.
For a while, Seras refused to meet Radu's gaze. He in return, did not force her to do so. It was making Seras realize her behaviour was quite childish.
"I think I understand what's coming on," Radu pointed out with a soft voice. "It's alright, it's only natural."
"I don't know what are you talking about." Denial, she would drown in it: The running water imprisoned her mind too.
"Tell me, Miss Victoria. What do you feel about my brother?" Radu asked sharply. Seras found she was at loss, threw off for such unexpected inquiring. What he was implying? She did not detect malice in his tone.
"I'm not sure," she responded honestly. "I shouldn't care for him but I do. I want him to be proud, to respect me, to be happy about me. His…"
"Approval for who you are."
"Yes, exactly," Seras glanced at Radu, lifting her brows. She sensed some kinship with Radu, it was unbelievable, but when she was talking, the man was listening. "Maybe more than that, but whatever will happen between us it's still unclear."
"You remind me of me when I was young."
"Really?" Seras did not hide her surprise. Radu and she? Alike? Her Master would be thrilled; she could imagine it.
"Yes…I sought to please my brother, to make him notice me. He was all I've left, the rest of the family died…" Radu confessed to her. "But I couldn't support him at the end, he was too vile and vicious. And I ended up choosing the Ottoman Empire's side. They treated me with respect and love, provided everything Vlad didn't."
Seras felt silent, pondering his words. Indeed, she was between the rock and a hard place as Radu used to be. Her gaze scrutinized the youngest of the Draculas, wishing to ask the question without finding the courage to do so. Fortune was smiling upon Seras because Radu caught the hint.
"I can't say I don't have any regrets in turning against him, Miss Victoria… But if I didn't, I think I would have experimented in something worse."
"Losing is what makes us who we are to be like he is," Seras finished for him. Radu was right, she had to put her priorities straight before it was too late. Even if that meant one of Lucifer's heads would eventually feast over her flesh until the end of time.
Thanks to my editor seras-kelia and to the reviewers.