"Dear Land of Hope, thy hope is crowned.
God make thee mightier yet!
On Sovereign brows, beloved, renowned,
Once more thy crown is set.
Thine equal laws, by Freedom gained,
Have ruled thee well and long;
By Freedom gained, by Truth maintained,
Thine Empire shall be strong."
- Land of Despair and Death
She hated walking on sunny days.
The crowd of people passing beside her reminded her of what she would probably never have anymore – a peaceful stroll taken with family and friends, not needing to wear her dark shades.
The people she passed were blissfully ignorant of what had happened behind their backs. The conspiracy that had started moving without their knowledge, one which she was regretfully part of.
To serve and protect.
What a wonderful police officer she was. Her father would be spinning in his grave if he saw her now, acting as a spy against Crown and Country.
Sighing in distress, Seras lowered her grey hat as she finally reached the train station. She was fortunate that the train had just arrived, and hurried so as not to lose it. The compartment was almost full, so she was forced to remain standing. Not that she was tired with her inhuman endurance. She waited, watching the dark glass in front of her as the stations passed – it reflected most of passengers; all but herself.
Finally, the train reached her destination: Victoria Station. Seras exited, blending with the mass of people leaving the compartment. Hands inside her pockets, she walked through Buckingham Palace Road until she arrived to the main entrance of the royal building. She stayed close with the tourists who were taking pictures, her sunglasses slid off her nose as she surveyed the construction.
Ever since Seras had become her own vampire, her senses had sharpened. She could smell the gunpowder and the silver charged weapons. She could set apart the sweat, pulse rate and breathing from people in a wide range. But currently, she sensed nothing, the air was purposely spiked. It tickled her nose.
Have they released some scent to confuse us? Seras thought, lifting an eyebrow. She ventured a little closer, praying that she would not be recognised. Last week's failed attempts against the Duke of Edinburgh's life were concealed from public sight, but the smell of spilt blood was evident. Even their fancy aromas were not able to fool her nose. When blood was involved, it was impossible.
Bystanders were the ones who were injured, Seras reminded herself, gritting her teeth. The government had covered up the event and misinformed the press, blaming the IRA or some other terrorist agency. They could not implicate Hellsing anymore. Supposedly, the organisation was completely disbanded.
But, even if the citizens of England were fooled, the leaders of the world were not. Some had fallen victim to Integral's and Alucard's promises of immortality. It's like a pissing contest, she told herself bitterly, discreetly glancing at the civilians, And they will be the only losers.
The note she had typed on the computer and printed before she departed the Tower burned inside her pocket. She froze her tracks, sensing the footsteps of the guards approaching. Probably, they had recognised her identity.
To serve and protect, Seras reminded herself and dropped the paper to the floor before turning to escape, bumping into a Japanese tourist who was in her way.
"I am sorry!" she apologized but did not stop to help him. I am so sorry.
The police and Scotland Yard probably had orders for her capture. Not that she was concerned. Half now served Integral and Alucard; her freedom would be assured. But, neither had tolerance for failures of this kind. Her vampiric speed was greater than their human one, and she outran the officers relatively easily.
"Miss Victoria!"
She heard a familiar voice calling for her. She turned to her right and saw Robert Anders inside a parked taxi.
"Come this way."
He gestured to her, opening the door. She slid in backseat and lowered herself to avoid been seen.
"Are they following me?" she asked, looking up to watch her saviour. Robert shook his head in response.
"The vehicles passed us. But you had better remain there, just in case."
Seras nodded in agreement, lowering her eyelashes and hoping her note arrived into faithful hands. If she were discovered... She shook her head. I won't think about that now. It's too late for regrets.
"Victoria, are you feeling well?"
She looked up when Robert asked and nodded once more.
"How did the mission go? What did you find out?"
"Not much. I don't know if anyone of the Royal family is indeed hiding inside Buckingham Palace. They spiced the air with some exotic scent," she replied, "I didn't have time to listen. I was discovered. So... in summary... I only found out they are prepared against supernatural eavesdropping."
"It doesn't matter. The scheme against the Queen is already moving," Robert tried to comfort her for her failure. "The boss will have to wait to claim the rest of Her Majesty's relatives."
Seras cast her gaze down again, thankful that she was wearing dark shades to conceal her expression. She was slightly relieved when the car stopped in front of the Tower of London but at the same time, she felt a pang in her heart. The gloomy atmosphere had increased, imperceptible by humans, for they only felt a revulsion to the spot, an impulse to avoid it. But she, a vampire, could sense the trick Alucard and Integral were using to keep the area clear of anyone who did not carry their emblem.
Robert descended before her and offered his hand. "It's clear," he assured her, and she resisted the urge to snap that it was obviously safe, they protected the zone. She chose to take the offered hand, exited and mumbled a 'thanks' before rushing inside the building and heading for the floor she and Walter shared.
Walter was occupied in his workshop when she arrived. He usually shut himself in to build their leaders' weapons when he was not out hunting or on a mission. It seemed that his duty as a steward had consummated his life as a person. Seras left the glasses and the hat over a table and knocked the door.
"Walter?" she inquired, hesitant.
"I will be out in a second, Seras. I am finishing the prototype for Sir Hellsing's hunt," he replied. There was such pride in his voice. He was happy. Before this new mission, when they were alone, he had never sounded so joyful.
"Alright," Seras said, smiling sadly. "I will wait you for dinner. It's at eight, sharp. Don't forget."
She departed then, going to the kitchen to watch the news and wait for him. Hours passed as she flipped the channels with disinterest. It was ten thirty and not a trace of him. Turning off the TV, she went to the door of his workshop once more. From outside she could listen him crafting, building and taking notes. Seras smiled as she pictured his meticulous perfection and devotion to his work. She left wordlessly, without interrupting Walter anymore.
That night she dined alone as she had fed yesterday, as all the nights since the New Order strategy had started.
She feigned going to sleep early after her meal. Walter sometimes stopped by her threshold and contemplated her apparent slumber. He did not need words to express himself; she knew and was certain he shared the feeling. He came at dawn that day and stared at her for at least half an hour before he retired to his own coffin-bed.
After she felt Walter resting through their link, Seras cautiously got out of her padded casket. Her feet made no noise as she approached his room. Walter liked to sleep with his coffin open and facing the door, just in case someone entered. Ever ready for action.
Smiling down at his slumbering figure, Seras bent and trailed the lines of age on his face with a gentle gesture. Often he had offered to acquire a younger form for her commodity; Alucard would teach him how to shift their ages. Each time, she had shaken her head and told him that it did not matter how he looked. She just enjoyed him.
Walter stirred as her digits trailed the lines of his cheeks. Sleep, Seras ordered, soothing his agitation as only a Master could induce to the fledgling. She closed her eyes, cradling his head towards her and allowed the memories to resurface.
The night that she had turned him had been a test of fire for them both. The bullets that she had shielded him from were made of silver. Walter saved her life by disarming the attackers. His turning had saved them both, for his blood had returned her strength, allowing her to carry on for both of them that night.
His blood had been sweet like an antique wine.
She never told Walter that. She feared to appear weak in his eyes as she was in Alucard's and Integral's opinion. A Master must be strong for the servant, otherwise how would she ignited the fire of battle within his spirit?
"Forgive me, all of you," Seras whispered, kissing his lips gently and leaving him alone on the bed. Walter appeared oblivious to her attentions. How she missed him. Years together had spoiled her.
Narrowing her eyes, Seras decided to accomplish what she had come for. Sitting in front of the desk, she turned on Walter's computer and typed the password. There were no secrets between the bound servant and the Master. She clicked on the file with the information regarding the future 'royal hunt' her former Master and Sir Integral would hold, then she opened the mailbox she had created exclusively for this task.
She got a mail. Seras licked her fangs in anticipation. A mail from the royal family. So they found my note, she thought, feeling a heavy burden lifted from her shoulders as she read the contents and chose to reply, attaching the file with the hunting plan.
To serve and protect. Seras would not let the land of honour and glory became the land of despair and death.
Forgive me Walter, Sir Integral, Alucard, Seras pleaded mentally as she clicked send.
Author's Notes: Thanks to Oscar Rose for editing and my reviewers for their comments. Next chapter will be the last.
