She was a fool to not allow me the pleasure of destroying the Radclyffe family when she was mortal.
What in God's name had Alucard meant when he spoke those words? Surely, whatever bothered Argetni tonight could not have anything to do with Charles Radclyffe and the Rite. Radclyffe was at the palace; he could not personally move against Hellsing while he was in the presence of the Royal Family. To do so would mean that Radclyffe placed his own titles and position in jeopardy. Unless he had created a flawless plan to destroy Hellsing, he would not dare begin his deception tonight.
Then again, when had Sir Radclyffe made sense during the past year? The thought crossed the boy's mind, but soon disappeared with the distractions vying for his attention.
There had been no time for successful studying this night. Alucard's meeting had extended another two hours while Aiden tried to settle in to his usual routine. No matter where he went, the vampire seemed to follow, but only observe his actions. It was unnerving, to say the least. He believed Alucard finally lost interest in following him after Aiden began reciting geometry problems aloud, giving the boy a chance to slip away to his room for some much-needed sleep.
Stifling a yawn, Aiden stepped from the master bathroom to his bedchambers, grabbing the television remote; turning it on as he flopped upon his bed. Maybe there would be some comedy special on- he could use a laugh right now. Even Madelen could wait; he would call her after exams to learn of her condition.
"….suspected to have been an assassination by an apparently satanic group. Scotland Yard has not released many details about the investigation, only that the group is believed to have originated just outside London. It is unknown how the group "And Shine Heaven Now" could commit such a crime while some of the highest ranking officials in the Royal Court were in attendance."
The boy bolted upright, his finger on the volume, increasing the sound. Too many questions needed answers, but all he could do now was listen to the report.
"I would like to warn viewers that the next images may be disturbing."
The pale backs of a man and young woman faced the camera as the couple lay neatly on an autopsy table.
It made him sick- carved upon their backs was the Hellsing sigal. Not the Coat of Arms, not the similar design Harker had implemented as the Organization's seal for its documents, but the one belonging to the vampires in its service. Someone had done extensive research to be able to copy the design perfectly, and as soon as he discovered who actually committed the crime, that person would surely pay.
"Today and tomorrow will be national days of mourning as funeral preparations are made for King William VI and Princess Stephanie."
Aiden yelped in horror as he leaped from the bed, kneeling in front of the television with his hands upon the sides as if he would shake it. "Oh God, no. . . . .we would never do this. . . . I'm going to be hanged. . . . ."
His words grew quiet as he sank to the floor, choking on sobs that passed his lips as he began to cry. The journalist still spoke, but he could not bring himself to focus upon her words. Hellsing was ruined. He could not prove that his vampire was fully contained and her power restricted without betraying his mother's identity, and in turn his own.
He had to leave immediately after giving the King that glass of wine! Perhaps it had been poisoned since it did not taste right! If he had remained at the palace, surely, he would have a believable alibi for his whereabouts during the incident.
No, the wine had to be a poor vintage, just as William said. Food poisons were supposed to be tasteless. At least that would make sense, then the victim would continue consuming the tainted meal without question.
How had it occurred so quickly? In less than two hours since his return from Court, the remaining two members of the Royal Family had died and their corpses had been mutilated. No ordinary mortal could do such a thing.
Alucard.
The bastard was too smug upon Aiden's arrival home. He had not tried to kill Argetni as was expected after their long separation. Aiden had read the journals about his sister's death during his search for any evidence of Seras and Abraham; Alucard vowed revenge upon his fledgling.
His mind screamed for Argetni's help as he reached for the telephone, dialing the first few numbers of Scotland Yard. He needed to explain that he was at home with the threat from Ballymacarrett; that he had to seal the vampire away so it could not harm the nation any longer-
Aiden stopped, placing the receiver back in its charging case. His explanation would be unbelievable for an hourly employee whose only talent was answering the phone. Sir Elwood would be of no use either, since even though he knew vampires existed, he also knew about the vampire in Aiden's employ, and what the design on the bodies meant.
He moved to his closet, opening the doors wide to survey his belongings while he tried to devise a way to come out of this scandal with his reputation still in manageable disarray.
Obviously, if Sir Elwood was still at the function when the bodies were found, the authorities would know where to find Aiden. If he had already left, terrorists would be suspected, and perhaps the local police forces would not immediately think to accuse Hellsing.
More than likely Elwood or some other Round Table member that ever noticed and remembered the regular seal affixed upon Hellsing's official letterhead had remained at the palace after the Royal family dismissed themselves for the night. That seal was less complex than the carving upon the flesh, but who else with access to the King would leave such a mark as a calling card?
Assuming Elwood had been informed of the situation, he would have an entire force headed to the manor house at this moment. Mobilizing Hellsing's human troops against the police and MI-5 would send the wrong message to the country, but it was going to be incredibly difficult to maneuver out of treason charges without such an action.
Argetni had fled the manor earlier in the evening. He could call for her, but once again, the mobilization of any unit was unacceptable because of the situation.
With a sigh, Aiden moved deeper in to his closet, not able to find anything that would suit going in to hiding. He had no jeans, no casual shirts, nothing but the finest clothing his tailors could produce.
His father's closet! How could he forget? Argetni had not touched the room since Tariq's death, and with a home as big as the manor, so many of the rooms went uninhabited for years. Sprinting down the hall, he came to the room closest to the outside corner and stepped inside, rushing to the closet.
On the surface it seemed as if Tariq Seyed's wardrobe was filled with the same attire as his son's, but after pulling a few suits from the rack, Aiden found an acceptable wardrobe. It was still a bit too nice for running away, but much better than his own clothing.
It was too short in the arms and legs, but suited its purpose well enough. He could buy a new outfit during the day. For now, if he could get to the trains without being recognized, he could leave the city and wait for the entire mess to settle down.
Once again he thought of Argetni. Would she understand his intentions and be able to find him if he fled London? As he slipped through the manor, avoiding the late-night personnel that were oblivious to the current state of affairs, he begged God for the insight and grace to survive, and Argetni for her advice. She had been branded a traitor in her mortal years; obviously she could help him now.
Stephen noticed the master of the house as the two passed near the kitchens, but did not speak, only nodding to the boy as he passed. Aiden was relieved, but saddened. This man had given his life to the service of a monster and a child, and would be rewarded with interrogations and possibly prison.
The moon was full this night; the air was clear. The boy was grateful for the break from the usual weather pattern, although he could not determine how far away the police sirens were. The authorities were coming to Hellsing, and he was still deep in his own lands.
First, he decided, that he would make certain that no police or military had followed him, and then he would find Madelen to resolve the disagreement of the two accounts of what happened the night of her injury. After that, Aiden had no idea where he would hide, except that it needed to be far away from London.
Choosing to exit through the wooded area near the public stables just past the barracks, the boy sprinted across his land, stopping in the cover of the groomed bushes and large trees in order to see the newly arrived authorities just outside his front door. Their offensive strategy was lacking in brilliance, as the only visible officers were entering the manor and stationed at the front gates. This meant that one of the Round Table was giving him a chance to flee, or the police were absolutely incompetent.
A shrill neigh broke the night silence as he passed the stable, but apprehension faded upon surveying the area, since there were no vehicles in the parking lot, and no people visible.
The train station was close. If he ran, he could be there in five minutes.
Screw Madelen. If more of her relatives heard the condemnation, the entire Radclyffe family would try to hand him over to the authorities.