"If sir, you speak the truth than you wouldn't mind showing me proof," Lydia said with a slight sharp smile.
Alucard removed his hat, and sat it in his chair. He then promptly removed his coat, and sat it on the back of the chair. Alucard analyzed his outfit for a moment, and had the boats change into ales work worthy shoe. He then bowed gracefully and slowly to Lydia.
"If the lady of the place does not object, I would adore proving my birth to her," he said returning Lydia's smile with another of its same nature.
Lydia hesitated a moment, but recalling his usefulness held out her hand for Alucard to take. He took it immediately, and bowed down giving it a soft kiss. True to his words he should that he knew how to treat her proper. Alucard lopped his arm with her and escorted her to the floor.
"Perhaps a change in the music would do," he asked watching all the younger people dance in suggestive, and wild styles he had never encountered.
Lydia nodded. As they stood, many of Lydia's assistants moved off the floor taking other with them. Bryna being one of the last people to leave took a moment's pause near Lydia and gave her a small petite thought to chew on.
It seems tha' only one o' you is ready to dance.
Lydia smiled and nodded. She surfed her memory for the last gown she had worn, upon finding it her clothes changed. Alucard not missing a beat turned and faced Lydia taking her hands in his. The needle hit the record, and the waltz began.
She had set a trap for him. He knew this. Lydia had picked a song that had gone unused since her death or rebirth. She was tremendously intelligent. He knew that Lydia was completely aware that if he were whom she had suspected at this point this song would be the only one to confirm it. Lydia had calculated her move, and as he suspected she would always do, hit her target.
"Is it all to your satisfaction Miss. Lydia," Alucard ask continuing the dance smoothly as possible.
Lydia remained silence. She was too busy reminiscing about the past to her his question. She had only danced with two men who danced as well as he was. Eliminating one was easy; she knew who Alucard really was now. However, that was just one mystery solved, and it did not matter. What mattered is she remembered this skilled dance level from a time far off. It was before she had been turned, before he had asked to court her. Her memory moved swiftly to him spinning her through her family ballroom. Her heals had clacked on the floor as the waltzed. He had been given her last true smile. It was his and would be no one else's as far as she was to be concerned.
As his question passed unanswered Alucard let go a full on competent grin. He watched her eyes, and knew that she was remembering. However his assumptions and ego made him sure that it was his one dance with her that she was remembering. He began to pick up the pace and add in the more difficult steps of the song that he had used with her before. As he spun her about, he kept his eyes on her face, awaiting a moment when she was no longer reminiscing so he could ask her again.
However, about halfway through the song, Lydia still in her memories and moving in an automatic way began to shed tears. At first Alucard thought that, he was just imagining it, but when he pulled her back for the finish of the waltz, he saw the shine in her eyes and on her cheeks. Even in tears, she was elegant. He stopped and the music changed itself immediately.
Though the floor began to fill up again, Lydia refused to move, and despite his discomfort with the situation Alucard would not leave her.
"Miss. Lydia, I beg your pardon but the dance is over," Alucard said looking her straight in the eyes, but to his dismay, there was no response.
What he did next, well even in his own honest opinion Alucard should have known better. However, he pressed anyway. Alucard instantly invading her thoughts. It surprised him at first, but as he watched the memories, he understood. He waited in the back corner of her mind hoping he would not be caught. He watched her dance with the man; he watched her listen outside the door with her sisters as the man asked permission to court. He saw her acceptance when her father called her in and the happiness on her face. Knowing what was to come next, he removed himself from her mind, his satisfaction lost.
Cautiously placing a hand on her face and whipping it away, he sent a vibration of his power to her. Her eyes unglazed and at first, she seemed confused. Then she realized what he was doing her cheeks grew pink.
"My apologies Alucard, did you ask me something," she said backing away.
Alucard looked at her remembering his own pain of loss, but he had not lost a family. Remembering Mina, and how that one loss hurt he pitied Lydia. Not only had she been turned at an early age, but also she had been turned at a time causing her every possible loss she could suffer. Not only that but she had been tricked, promised something that she wanted desperately to cover the harsh truth of the curse. Lydia had not chosen immortality, no unlike he it had been thrust upon her against her will. This angered him greatly.
"Alucard," Lydia questioned beginning to lose patience.
"Ahhh, I was wondering if the dance was up to the lady's expectations," he said snapping form his own thoughts.
"Just as good if not better than the last time sir," she said with a slight smile.
She had remembered. A smirk grew on his face. Alucard's confidence grew with this. She would be a challenge to handle. He had known this form the moment she entered the room earlier that day. However, a challenge was good for him, it may not have been a physical one but it would be something to preoccupy him. Perhaps he would no longer be alone all the time. Perhaps now he would have someone to chat with, someone who enjoyed some of the same things. Someone who understood the curse of the immortality and did not consider it the greatest gift. However, most of all someone who allowed him to remember who he was before, and not now.
"May I interest the lady in a drink," Alucard said with a smile and bow.
Lydia hesitated at first, but decided one chance he had fail, but on the second try he redeemed himself. So should she give him a third?
"Only If I can choose the drink sir," Lydia said holding out her hand.
Back at the original table, Sir Hellsing rose from her seat to stop Alucard, but Athena stopped her.
"Let it go Integra. They are enjoying themselves. It seems Alucard has restored some of Lydia's memories, and given her a challenge too," Athena said watching the two.
"Are you sure Athena? I didn't peg Lydia as one that was quick to forgive, transgresses."
"Normally I would agree, but Lydia is not daft. She knows this is an opportunity to have someone, which she can reminisce with. All the other vampires I have are much younger. Besides Lydia will not spoil this evening, she wants to leave everyone here happy."
Integra resettled in her seat.
"It'll all be alright Sir Hellsing," Willow said patting Integra on the back. "Lydia's is smarter than any of us can comprehend. Alucard may be her last hope."
Integra looked over to Willow.
"Surely you don't," Integra started.
"Unfortunately we do. Alucard is closest to what she lost. And more than anything Lydia wants her chance back," Athena said with a sigh.
"What do you mean her chance back Athena," Integra questioned.
"Integra, that is something Lydia will have to explain, or perhaps Alucard, but we cannot. Our promise to Lydia seals us form giving away anymore than we had. Her memories are a private matter to her, and should not be devilled into," Willow said looking at the two.
"But," Integra began.
"No, it won't happen Integra. Lydia is not power hungry, and I doubt Alucard is either. I would not worry about it. Besides Alucard is barely stronger, and knows neither of them would win out in a fight. You need not worry about such issues," Athena said sipping her drink.
"Wait, do you meaning master becoming Miss Lydia's mate," Seras whispered wide-eyed.
Athena smiled and shook her head in response. As a result, Seras's jaw dropped, and Pip spit out his food.
"Mam' are you talkin' little Alucard's abou'," Pip asked wiping his mouth off.
"No not quite, the children will be normal, I believe," said Willow still watching Lydia to make sure she was not listening in.
"That's correct, Lydia can bear children, human children, but only a limited number. On the downside, it will be more painful for her and so will her cycle. However she does well taking care of herself so I wouldn't worry," Athena said as she observed Lydia's interaction with Alucard.
"So the children will be human. That's certainly different," Walter, said resting his cheek on a hand.
"It's what she asked for. Lydia, as Alucard does, views her immortality as a curse, and regrets her decision. Well not decision, but stupidity is a better word for it," Athena said.
"Sti' Alucard as a fathe' tha's a funny thought," Pip said with a laugh.
"I'm afraid I have to agree with Sir Pip on this one," Walter said joining in on the laughter.
They all watched as Lydia verified the order Alucard placed with the bartender. Their clothing was back to normal, and Alucard was still without jacket or hat. He led Lydia over to a table and pulled out the chair for her. Athena smiled knowing he had accepted Lydia's challenge. Alucard knew of one challenge that eh was participating in, and Lydia was aware of the same one. However, they were both unaware of how this game would be turned around on them, and how it would be a very different challenge.
"Willow, you are absolutely brilliant," Athena said softly.
Willow smiled. She knew that this would happen, and what was destined to happen. Alucard was just what Lydia needed, even if she did not accept him as a mate, he would still be able to keep her happy. He was old enough to reminisce with and that was all that Lydia required.
Lydia smiled, true to his word his manners had improved greatly since his second apology.
"I believe the merlot is yours," Alucard said setting down the glass in front of her before taking his own seat.
"You are quite correct. Which wine did you choose," she asked taking a sip.
"Something from the fifteenth century I believe," Alucard replied taking a sip.
"Ahh. Then you must be having something from the Darling winery. It's no longer in existence, but there wines were quite good," Lydia said smiling.
"You have excellent taste, in both blood and wine."
"Being picky pays off at times. I've grown my own for the last two centuries."
"That reminds me, your home, it was wonderful," Alucard said leaning back. "I haven't seen a chandelier like that in centuries. Nor a rug since I was in my own home"
"Thank you. It was from my home. Athena's great great relative of some sort took me to get them before the last member of my family sold it," she said laughing.
Alucard smiled. Humor, taste, and intelligence, she hasn't changed since that ball, he thought. He took another sip of the wine mixed with blood. He understood now why she enjoyed it this way. The taste was much better.