"Love of one's own good perverted to a desire to deprive other men of theirs"
(Of Envy, Dante in the Divine Comedy)

Chapter Six
- Invidia

Anderson walked among the ruins of the Hellsing Mansion, invisible to the eyes and other human senses. He stopped and shut his eyes tightly, inhaling the scent – burned wood, cooked flesh. He even swore he could hear the cries of agony that had echoed when the halls were intact, before the walls were also consumed. He shook his head, murmuring a prayer for the personnel's unfortunate souls before heading to the untouched basement. More memories weaved, he nearly had a complete picture of what happened the night he was doomed.

Why did you kill Seras? Dracula repeated, Do you remember? Do you know? I wanted to stop you.

Anderson paused. His voice, weaker in the midst of his resolution: Judas Priest! Don't touch my fledgling!

"I wanted her to suffer as I did. She…" Anderson admitted, watching Seras, that vampirism held no effect over her except her shadow arm and her red eyes. So innocent and damned at the same time.

It wasn't that, but soon you will remember, Dracula assured him, nearly laughing. Very soon. After Sir Bannerworth's and Integral's wedding, of course.

Anderson twitched, rage swelling inside him. How could he allow the vampire to go so far as propose marriage to her, one that would be celebrated soon the in hopes that Sir Hellsing would get funding. He opened the cell's door in silence, staring at the floor, images played before his eyes, was Dracula projecting what happened to him like a film?

He was struggling, crying in pain as he fought Dracula. He would not allow him to win, to best him and remain at Integral's side as faithful henchman. They did not deserve her trust as the most esteemed assets of the Organisation.

Seras and me? But you did? You must have been very depressed that you were no longer the favourite toy, inadequate, his hiss was penetrating. Anderson saw himself growing decadent in his own room from inactivity. His missions were sparse.

"Seras and the Count already took care of it, Anderson," Integral had replied to him on many occasions. They were the aces, and he was a newcomer.

Jealous of us?

Anderson shut the door in shame and vanished into the Mansion that he had purchased to keep up the William Bannerworth charade. "Do you enjoy tormenting me? Twisting my thoughts to your convenience?"

It has an appeal, doesn't it? Dracula asked with a snide tone. We are going to share her, after the wedding. But you don't want to, do you? Still trying to fight me.

"This is my body!" Anderson cried out, finding it more and more difficult to control the functions of it each time the image of what happened became clearer. He was tempted to destroy the luscious chambers, writing on the walls who he was: Alexander Anderson! Alexander Anderson! Alexander Anderson!

And Integral is my Master, my chosen one and my charge yet you want to take my place as well, don't you?

"Why did you do this?" Anderson asked, trying to think of the perverse reason someone of Dracula's power would forsake his body just to play with his mind and his soul.

Proposing marriage to Integral? A way to assure a claim in the mortal terms you are so delighted to respect and honour. And to help her, it was a matter of time before she would fall like she did. Everyone falls, even me, there was a pause, a calm left by the tempest that had sent Anderson buried deep into his own psyche, leaving his question without response. "Now, what we will wear for the event?" he asked, employing a higher pinch of tone than his, William's voice.

Anderson remained in a contemplating silence, analysing the situation, he wanted to save Integral but unfortunately, she was becoming more and more like himself: corrupted by her own self righteousness and unwilling to confess. No doubt it was what Dracula expected.

----

Integral wore white instead of black, a short yet modest skirt just a bit over her knees instead of her usual pants. She preferred to keep her attire as formal as she could, that was why she used a suit. The knights had been invited to the civil ceremony, Her Majesty was present, as well as both William Bannerworth and herself. They signed their union in front of the judge. Both had agreed that a religious wedding could wait until the vampires who destroyed her Mansion were destroyed. They would not consummate yet.

The guests gave a thunderous applause and escorted the just married couple outside. Integral led the way, dragging her husband by the lock of their arms. Many congratulations followed and she smiled and nodded, saying nothing. It was surreal to think herself as a married woman.

William and she smiled, posing together as a couple and with the Queen for their photographs. She was displeased with the attention on her private wedding, now that the press had gotten a hold of her surname and her address, the inquiries would start and her privacy and beloved low profile would disappear forever. Strangely, the journalists left as soon as they snapped a couple of pictures, no questions asked. Perhaps Her Majesty's kindness as a wedding present? She offered her magnolia bouquet to the ruler, as a gift and a humble gesture in the public gathering before she excused herself to depart.

"Sir Hellsing," Islands bowed, shaking William's hand firmly. "Your luggage and that of your men has been already taken to Sir Banneworth's home."

Integral inclined her head, "Thanks for your kindness, Sir Islands. And for allowing us to stay at your house."

"Don't mention it. And you dear William, watch out, lest she turns your mansion into her new headquarters."

William laughed, there was something chilling in the ring, almost familiar that moved Integral inside. "Don't worry about that. We agreed to rebuild the Hellsing Mansion, hiring better men and equipping it with proper defences." She felt a stab in her pride. What did this boy know about her men and her weapons? He had never faced a vampire, or battled in the frontlines of the war.

"Indeed," Integral agreed with distaste.

"May I borrow your husband for a moment, Integral?" Sir Reynolds asked, placing a hand on William's shoulder. "We have business to discuss."

"Make sure to return him in time for us to depart," Integral replied, a small joke to lighten her mood. She watched Islands, Reynolds and Bannerworth leaving together to gather in a circle. She bit back a sneer; if Penwood were here she would seek his support. What did her husband have that was special? He had not accomplished anything noteworthy. Yet he possessed friends, allies and his Mansion was intact. She wondered if he was able to sleep at night without concern, without the phantom impression that if he closed his eyes, his staff and himself would be dead before the morning.

He is blissfully happy, Integral thought bitterly, observing him laugh without concern as he stole looks in her direction. His conscience is clean aside of the fact that he's a git. It was unfair, if he wanted to share his life with her, he would carry her burden as well. Or share his positive outlook, she craved it now that everything she had known was taken away from her: London, her Mansion, her personnel, her personal servants.

"Thinking in the future we'll spend together?" William asked, interrupting her thoughts as he returned to take her arm.

Integral blinked, a sly smile curled her lips. "The near future," she corrected, an idea forming in her mind. "Such as sharing the hunt against the fiends that destroyed my home. Wouldn't you enjoy seeing your wife in action as much I would enjoy witnessing your abilities?" she proposed.

"I don't know if I am suitable for the role," he said in a feigned humble tone. "You are such a great vampire hunter."

"You have nothing to envy of me," Integral assured, patting his arm, "Trust me. We can do this together." She turned her gaze towards the waiting Rolls Royce; her duty had affected her peace, she would not allow her husband to go unscathed, happily ever after with powerful wife and no grim consequences. He won't be able to sleep at night anymore, just like me. That thought pleased her to no end.