Chapter II
Elizabeth jumped up, moving away from the man, who halted momentarily at the sight of her.
"I-I'm sorry," she stammered. "I didn't mean to intrude."
The man laughed, coming closer.
"Not at all." he said. "I'm not used to having small guests here. Should you be wandering around all alone?"
Elizabeth puffed her chest out indignantly.
"I'm not small." She stated. "I'm close to thirteen years old."
"That makes you very big indeed." The man chuckled, and knelt in front of her. "What's your name, dear?"
"Elizabeth." She replied, eyeing him warily. "Elizabeth Harker."
His jester's grin faded.
"Really." He said, his face taking on a thoughtful look.
A pair of blackout sunglasses, tinted red, covered his eyes. She noted that his clothes were heavily old fashioned, though she didn't know what era.
"A beautiful name." He said at last, taking off his sunglasses. His eyes were a deep crimson. Eyes she had only heard of in fairytales and other stories her father used to tell her.
"You're a vampire." She said, looking him in the eyes.
"Yes." He said simply, standing up.
"Why?"
"Because I chose to be."
She thought for a moment.
"What's your name?"
"My master calls me Alucard." He told her, and grabbed up her small hand in one of his large gloved ones.
"I think we need to get you back upstairs where you belong, Little Miss." He said, looking down at her and smiling. "I don't think Sir Hellsing would be pleased to find you wandering her house all by yourself before meeting her."
Elizabeth nodded, and let him lead her back upstairs to her room.
She had only been in her room a few minutes before there was a knock on the door and Walter entered.
"It is time, my Lady." He said, moving aside so she could exit the room. "Sir Hellsing is waiting to see you."
He led her down the hall, up a flight of stairs, to another oak door. He knocked on the door, and opened it. She entered the spacious study, and Walter closed the door behind her.
She looked around. The study was decorated sparingly, with only a few bookshelves, a large black desk in the middle, and a painting above the fireplace mantle.
The light was dim, and it made her nervous. But, in spite of it all, she went forward calmly.
"Come forward, Elizabeth Kathryn Harker." The woman behind the desk said. She did as she was told, coming forward and standing in front of the woman. She had long blonde hair, darkish skin, and lightening-blue eyes that shown brightly behind wire-rimmed glasses.
"Sir Hellsing." She said.
"Indeed." Came the reply. "Sit down, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth sat, perching herself at the very edge of the chair.
"As you may have learned," Sir Hellsing began, looking down at her. "You are to be part of my household, living as my daughter, and the next master of the Hellsing Organization and this estate. However, the permanence of this is entirely dependant on you."
"On…me?" Elizabeth replied, skeptical.
"Yes." Sir Hellsing continued. "The things you learn here, you might not choose to believe, or are too faint of heart to deal with them. If this is the case, I will find another family to take you."
"Yes, Sir Hellsing." Elizabeth said quietly. What could be so demanding that someone would be too faint of heart? Then she thought about the vampire she had met earlier. Alucard. She was sure that had something to do with it.
"Please, call me Integra." Sir Hellsing said. "We will begin your training immediately. Walter and I will teach you for the next few years. When I think you're ready, you will begin your field training. When you are eighteen, you can choose whether or not you wish to become my legal heir. Does that sound fair?"
"Yes, Miss Integra."
"Good. I would like for you to get some supper. You may feel free to wander wherever you like for the rest of today, but get to bed early. Your training starts tomorrow."
Elizabeth got up from the chair, and made her way to the door.
"Oh, and Elizabeth?"
She turned around in time to see Integra smile at her.
"Welcome to Hellsing."
Elizabeth returned the smile, and left.