Chapter Four: Knighting Ceremony
She had received her formal knighthood two weeks after her uncle's death, 10 days after she had bonded to Alucard.
It had been a busy 10 days. She had met with the members of the Round Table on a one-on-one basis. She couldn't formally join them in meetings until after her knighting ceremony, but they came to extend their condolences on the passing of her father, and their introductions. And, of course, to test her mettle. She expected that. In fact, she'd been raised to expect that. To the polite ones, she extended all the courtesy of a Lady, and Walter's services as a butler, which were impeccable.
To the ones foolish enough to mistake her for an innocent little child, she delivered a warning, primarily by explaining how her uncle had hunted her with the intention of claiming her inheritance after her death, and how she'd killed him for his temerity.
That was usually enough to deter them. For the ones who were foolish enough to press her, she allowed Walter to shed his mask of courtesy. He'd explained, after she asked him, that he'd once been a Special Operations soldier, working in a team with Alucard himself, within Hellsing. During that time, he'd earned a formidable reputation, and the nickname 'Angel of Death'. Having Walter slip from impeccable service to cold smiles and a stiff spine was usually enough to deter the men who thought they could bully her.
For the ones too full of their own self-importance and too sure of their power to be swayed by a servant, she had Alucard.
A gentle prod from her and Alucard would melt from the shadows, blood-red eyes glittering, most of his pointed teeth showing in a vicious, bloodthirsty smile. Walter made sure Alucard was supplied with enough blood to be sated, but through the bond, Integra learned there was always a hunger, an edge of violence, about her vampire servant.
In front of witnesses, he always called her 'my Master'.
One glimpse of him and even the most pompous, arrogant Lords and Peers would back up, white faced and stiff, or visibly shivering. The threats and pressure would melt away. Integra would watch them fold, then make a polite excuse that anyone with sense would recognize as a veiled threat, and send Alucard away. Alucard would vanish, leaving behind the traces of amusement and approval that lingered in her mind.
She wasn't foolish enough to think that she'd remain unchallenged forever. Her father had taught her enough politics to know better. And it didn't escape her notice that she was the youngest member of the Round Table by at least a decade, and the only woman (she refused to consider herself a girl after that night in the basement dungeon. Whatever her age, she was no longer a child).
Between visits, she went through the paperwork necessary to establish herself. She also went to fittings to procure a new wardrobe, something befitting a Peer of the Realm. One didn't attend one's knighting in a school-girl outfit, after all.
It was then that she'd changed, begun wearing slacks and jackets and collared shirts with cravats rather than bows. A calculated decision, to emphasize her position as a leader of a paramilitary force, and a Peer of the Realm, not to be dismissed.
Walter had approved the changes, believing a show of strength an invaluable asset. Had she assumed her inheritance in any other household, become a Lady of anything other than the Hellsing Organization, she might have approached it differently. But it was what it was, and her father had taught her to be a warrior, not a pretty little damsel.
She'd never asked what Alucard thought about the whole thing. She'd never really wanted to know. And back then, managing their bond had been difficult and troubling enough. Besides, she hadn't thought an inhuman monster like a vampire would notice such things.
And then...the night of her knighting had come.
***DoM***
Her knighting. It had been wondrous and terrifying, all at once.
Walter, and an entourage he'd produced of Hellsing retainers that her father had retired but not dismissed, had escorted her to Buckingham Palace. It was tradition for the Hellsing Heir to be knighted and confirmed in the evening, because of the position they held. The knight in the shadows. The unacknowledged defender of the realm.
She'd been to Buckingham Palace once or twice with her father. But it was an entirely different experience to approach wearing the new formal clothing that Walter had gotten made for her, surrounded by her retainers. The halls had seemed huge and echoing and empty, foreboding.
For all that the Queen had summoned her by name, to receive her titles and the Crown's blessing and affirmation, she was irrationally terrified that she would be rejected when it was actually time. Or that she would fail to uphold the honor and dignity that a member of the Hellsing family was meant to display.
She'd forced herself to keep her back straight, her chin up, and her steps measured, the way her father had taught her.
Reaching the throne room was a relief, but traveling up the carpeted aisle to the cushion placed before the throne was an ordeal in and of itself. The Representatives of the House of Lords were there, and all the members of the Round Table, as well as all the additional Peerage. All of them were dressed in their very best formal clothing or uniforms, and looked completely comfortable in it. She hadn't felt comfortable, not in her new clothes and her round glasses.
Looking directly at the Queen was worse than looking at the assembled nobility. The Queen looked regal and magnificent in her formal gown and robes of state. Looking at her made Integra feel like a grubby child. It didn't help that, compared to these people, she was a child, and two weeks ago she'd been filthy from crawling around her own dungeon to escape her uncle.
She might have embarrassed herself by blushing, or ducking her head like a chastened youth, had it not been for her father's lessons. And Walter's warnings.
Had it not been for the dark touch of Alucard's mind, reminding her that, child though she might be, she had proved herself worthy of her position to a being far older and more powerful than anyone assembled in the chamber.
She made it to the cushion and swept the Queen as graceful a curtsy as she could. "Your Majesty."
"Integra Hellsing. Our condolences on the passing of your father. He was a worthy man." The tone was even, calm, majestic, and she made a note to learn how to emulate it, if she could. Minus the royal 'we' of course, since she wasn't of the Royal Family.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern."
"You have come to claim the mantle of the Hellsing family, with all the privileges and responsibilities it affords? You are prepared to swear your oath of loyalty to crown and country, to provide whatever service we may demand of you?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Kneel."
It was a relief to kneel on the cushion, though it didn't stop her from feeling the cold hardness of the floor beneath. She kept her head bowed as she heard the Queen rise.
The oaths she swore were simple, and what she'd expected. An oath to serve the monarchy, to obey the laws of the land. To perform her duties as the leader of the Hellsing family to the best of her ability. The nature of her duties wasn't mentioned, but it didn't need to be. Oaths to give her loyalty and her service to the people of England.
She answered properly, easily. There had never been a question of her service, not since she'd reached an age where she could properly understand the code her family lived under.
It was hard not to tense up when she heard the heavy, ceremonial sword being drawn from it's sheath, but she kept her self still.
The tap of the heavy blade to her right shoulder, then her left, was almost bruising. She ignored it though, in favor of the feather-light brush against the crown of her head, followed by the words she'd been waiting two weeks to hear. "In the presence of these our assembled Peers of the Realm, and by Our Authority as Sovereign Queen of England, we do hereby proclaim you Sir Integra Winigates Fairbrook Hellsing, Knight of the Realm, most noble Lady and duly sworn Leader of the Hellsing family, with all the status, responsibilities and concessions to be granted henceforth. Rise, Sir Integra."
Sir Integra. She was confirmed. Relief filled her as she rose to her feet, remaining still while the thin coronet of a ranking Lady was set on her head, the belt, blade and insignia of knighthood, along with her family crest, was attached to her outfit by the Court Marshall.
Afterward, she bowed her head and kissed the hand the Queen extended in a show of fidelity. "I am honored, Your Majesty."
"See that you conduct yourself in a manner befitting the honor we have bestowed, and we shall be well rewarded." The Queen returned to her throne. "And now, we would have private words with our newest Knight. The rest of the Court is dismissed."
She hadn't expected that, but she remained obediently in place while the surrounding crowd melted away. It was only when the last Lord had vanished and silent servant shut the doors behind them and vanished that the Queen spoke again. "Your father spoke much of you, in his audiences with me. It pleases me to know that you have inherited the title." She paused. "I am given to understand that you were forced to defend your inheritance."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Integra swallowed. "My uncle wished to murder me and claim the title of the Hellsing family." She wasn't sure if she should elaborate further, so she didn't.
"Indeed. I am pleased you survived. A man who would murder a child for an inheritance is no worthy Knight of my court." There was steel in the words, but Integra relaxed, knowing that she faced no censure. "I assume you were trained in the duties of your House?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. My father saw to my education himself, including special training in the duties of the Hellsing family. He was unable to complete my training, but he left me his notes and his books, and several retainers, who I've already employed to teach me what my father had no time to."
"Excellent." The Queen tapped one manicured nail on the arm of her throne. "I have heard rumors that you have claimed the Hellsing family guardian and bound him to your service. Is this correct?"
Integra winced, but tried to keep it from her face. "It is."
"Very well. Summon him. I would have words with your servant."
Integra would rather have been shot. The bond was so new. Still, she touched the shrouded presence of Alucard in her mind. "Alucard. Come here."
She tried not to be surprised when he melted from the shadows almost at once, as if he'd been there all along. Then again, he might have been. She hadn't gotten used to seeing, or sensing, him yet. She reminded herself, as Alucard strode up the carpet, to improve that skill as soon as possible.
She was surprised when Alucard bent his tall frame onto one knee before the throne. "Your Majesty."
"Alucard. Come here."
She was prepared to order him to comply, not expecting proper behavior from a vampire, especially one of his seeming temperament. He surprised her though.
One quick look to seek her permission (though with the bond it was hardly necessary), and then he rose, striding to the very foot of the throne before he knelt again.
The Queen's hand reached out and touched his jaw. Integra braced herself to race to the rescue, but Alucard did nothing, only smiling faintly as the Queen tilted his head up to look into his face.
They held that pose for several seconds. "You have not changed at all, have you?"
"No. But you are more beautiful than ever." Alucard's voice shocked her. It was...not mocking, not sarcastic or grating, the way he spoke to most people. Instead it was...almost tender. Kind. Gentle.
Were he not a vampire, she might have said loving.
"I am older. The last time we met I was a wild young girl, not much older than your charge." It was the Queen's voice that held the faintly mocking edge to it.
Alucard's smile didn't change. Nor did the soft, strange look in his eyes. "Your age only adds to your beauty." One hand rose from his knee, to stroke the curled hair and the lined face, beginning to show the marks of age. "These marks of time are truly to be cherished."
A soft laugh. "You would say that. The monster of Hellsing, who never ages, never changes."
"Perhaps that is why I find beauty in such things."
It was the strangest conversation Integra had ever witnessed. If she didn't know better, she would have thought Alucard and the Queen were old lovers reunited.
She was glad this was a private meeting though, or Alucard's actions would have had the Court up in arms. And the Queen's actions in return would prbably have scandalized the Peerage, even scarred them for life.
"Time marches on. Soon I will be old and wrinkled. And you will be the same, will you not?"
"Most likely." Alucard's laugh wasn't sarcastic or mocking. He seemed genuinely amused.
Another long silence, broken by the Queen. "And your new master?"
Alucard's smile widened. "She is strong. Truly a fitting master and leader of the Hellsing family." Integra was startled. He'd never complimented her. Not so directly, at any rate.
Both amusement and sadness colored the Queen's tone. "You are truly loyal to her." Her fingers stroked the smooth cheek again. "More than you ever were to her father."
"I am." Alucard smiled again.
"That is good." The Queen smiled, then released him and sat back. "Serve her well, Alucard. I expect much from the Hellsing family in the future, especially from a master who can earn your respect."
Alucard bowed his head, then stood, drifting backward until he stood just behind Integra. She'd half expected him to disappear into the shadows again, but he remained behind her, a proper servant.
"You are dismissed." Integra dipped into a bow, as did Alucard, then back respectfully four steps back before turning and making their way out.
She was Sir Integra Winigates Fairbrook Hellsing. And she would fulfill her duties to the Crown, no matter what the cost.
***DoM***
Integra swam slowly back to a fuzzy sort of consciousness. Under the oxygen mask, a small smile curved her lips.
She was still Sir Integra Hellsing. She'd upheld the oaths of her knighthood, and the duties of her post.
Her mind drifted back to the memory of Alucard and Queen Elizabeth's conversation. Back then, she hadn't understood much of the exchange.
She understood it better now. Alucard valued humans, valued those signs of change that separated men and monsters.
Alucard was, for all his darkness and cruelty, remarkably human in some ways. He felt, though his emotions were tinted by the lives he'd claimed, the long years of existence, and the blood-lust that was central to his existence.
As she'd grown older, she'd understood him better.
Dark laughter and affection filtered into her mind, and eased her back into dreams.
As she slipped back into darkness, she thought she heard a whisper.
Remember, Integra...
Author's Note: A friendly meeting between Alucard and someone he used to know...