"So this is what it's come to?" A man asked in a thick Romanian accent, while drinking blood from a wine glass.

"Die monster. You don't belong in this world!"

"It was not by my hand that I was once again given flesh. I was called here by humans who wish to pay me tribute!"

"Tribute? You steal souls and make them your slaves!"

"Perhaps the same could be said of all religions..." The man looked up. Noticing this was not like the several times he's been defeated, no. This time was different. For several centuries this was routine. Some pathetic occultist would awaken him; and a Belmont would defeat him and his servants. It was a vicious cycle that he knew as none other than hell itself. But this was different.

"Who are you?" He asked suspiciously.

The figure removed their hood.

"I am Maria Belmont, and I am here to defeat you."

"There is something different about you; we are not just playing a script. This is different." He stood up. The woman readied her whip known as the vampire killer.

"Your words are as empty as your soul! Mankind ill needs a savior such as you!"

"Just stop for a moment. Stop - you defeated all of my servants? There is no one left but me? What harm do I do? This is my land and I take as I please the people who inhabit it. They know of rule."

"You're a monster!"

"But are you no different? Do you not use people to your advantage? Have you not come on my private property to destroy my home and murdered enough of my family?"

"Your words will not allure me." Maria stood her ground.

He dropped to his knees as to plead. "You have not killed me yet. Why do you think your clan always wanted a boy as an heir? It is because they never had enough sense to truly take stock into what they were doing. You understand this will happen again until the day you die, the day you find an heir. And if not me, there will be some occult the next century worshipping to another powerful entity that will threaten the whole world. I look into your eyes and I see a place, I want to go, a place I wish to change. I know I can be no man, alas I can no longer live like this, to be awakened from my eternal rest by witches endlessly."

Maria was confused. When her father taught her of his battle with Dracula he never said anything of them exchanging words. He never even said Dracula to speak much. But this monster was speaking to her, looking almost human and she felt him, she could see his aura, it spoke of truths, but she would damn her bloodline and her duty if she did not defeat him. She was fascinated with him no doubt. She wanted to learn more behind the monster, the legend. And by playing this 'script' as he called it she would know nothing.

"If you are speaking ill of the truth I will stake you at the heart and chop off your head. For I wish to never see your true form as monstrous as it is. I will help you, on one condition from this day forward you change." She took out a knife and cut her palm.

"What are you doing?" Dracula got off his knees and backed away.

"You think I would let you run free? I may be young but I am no fool Dracula. Your freedom will go as far as your life. Other than this you belong to me." Maria muttered words in Latin under her breath as she slowly walked toward Dracula. He at his weakest didn't know what he was in for, but he believed the woman, for if she didn't speak truth, she would have already killed him.

"Drink." Maria said holding out the pool of blood dripping from her hand.

Dracula hesitated.

"I said drink." He grabbed her hand and drank her blood. It sent shivers down his spine, for he at that moment wanted to bite her, she was like no other bride he had ever wanted. She was powerful; she was like no other Belmont. She wasn't just a sword trained to defeat him; Maria Belmont was a gift that he wanted to have to himself.

Blood dripped onto Alucard's folded hands. He whipped his eye and blood smeared all over. He scoffed a laugh. "How weak." He stated with an indifferent tone.

Two days after the party took place Integra had a secret admirer, of course she knew it was Armando Monteban. He's sent so many flowers that Walter had to clear out a room just for them. He insisted on keeping them, Integra insisted on burning them. The day was Sunday afternoon, nothing really happened on Sundays, so no one really worked. She on the other hand was in her office filing some documents. There was a ring at the door.

She sighed. "More flowers... Maybe they'll just go away if no one answers."

They tried the doorbell two more times then it stopped.

"Hmmm, well if she doesn't want to answer, maybe I just climb to her office."

Armando grabbed some vines on the side and started up toward her office. He was a good actor,

"Armando the dark sorcerer to take Integra's heart and kill her pet."

He laughed evilly whispering to himself.

He got up to the window seal and lost his balance a little. "Whoa, I may be sorcerer but I ain't immortal. That was close." He knocked on the window.

Integra swung around so hard her hair slightly stung her face. She spotted Armando clinging onto the window.

"This guy is insane." She thought to herself startled.

"What the hell - are you out of your mind Mr. -?"

"Armando, just call me Armando!" He shouted through the window cutting her off.

"What are you doing?!"

"I know you..." He looked down for a minute. "Uh could you, let me in first...Please?"

After about five minutes of struggling with his weight Integra managed to pull him inside her office. He was out of breath.

"Are you crazy?! You could have killed yourself!"

"Bueno! I'd be willing to."

"Armando it's bad enough you're stalking me. Like I've said two days ago, flattered, but I do not know you. And how did you get pass my guards?"

He was trying to catch his breath. "Dieu et mon droit."

Integra eyebrows rose. "You know-"

"The motto of British Royalty? Yes, 'God and my right.' My step mother was English." He looked at Integra.

"Willing to reconsider?"

She continued filing. "That's amusing Armando but you knowing that means nothing to me."

"Oh come on, I saw your facial expression. I bet I can guess a few things your thinking."

She stopped and crossed her arms in her usual fashion. "Oh really?"

"Sure." He started to catch his breath.

"Well, one, since I'm Spanish, I'm prone to be catholic, and I know you dislike them very much, but I'll have you know, the truth is, I'm a full blown protestant."

"That's not true; I didn't think that because you were-"

"Oh just admit it, its ok. Second." He stopped himself and looked around.

"Are you working on Sunday?" He asked slowly.

"Yes there's paper I have to-"

"Do we keep the Sabbath? Exodus 20:8 "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." Exodus 31:15 "Whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death." He stopped to let it soak in.

"Now Sir Integra I know you are as protestant as I. Why anger the lord on such a beautiful day. How about this...you accept my date."

She couldn't deny it was nice to see a man true to his religion.

"You are very impressive Armando but I have to say again, the answer is n-"

"I was told to fight for what I want, and if I wanted it badly, don't stop until I get it, so how about this. I challenge you to a fencing duel, if I win we go out on a date, if I lose I leave you alone. Forever."

Integra liked it; she bet he did not know she was a Master in fencing.

She held out her hand. "It's a deal then, I win you leave me be."

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK... "DAD!" Kenneth was knocking on Alucard's coffin.

KNOCK. KNOCK. The top flew open. "Knock on it again, and I'll break your neck." Alucard said sitting up.

"What do you want?"

"Are you ok, or is something up. I mean you've been in this coffin every since that party. I know how you're feeling, about me not telling you about having mom as a familiar but sometimes I honestly do forget!"

Alucard rolled his eyes and started to close the top until Kenneth stopped him.

"Hey, hey... This isn't about that is it? You're jealous aren't you?"

"What are you talking about?" Alucard raised his eyebrows.

"Some guy putting the moves on your lady right in front of you and her showing a bit of interest in him, yeah I'd be jealous too."

"That mouth of yours is going to get you somewhere you don't want to be."

He threw his hands up. "Did you forget I can't necessarily control it?"

Alucard looked at him glaring out of annoyance.

"My Insight power. The one I got from mom to see people true intentions, peoples true feelings, I can't control whether I want to see or not. So I'm trying to do the best I can."

"How is it that Maria is your familiar? How is that even possible, you're not even a full vampire." Alucard asked

Kenneth shook his head. "I don't even know. I know I can use people's spirits, like your familiars, but I can't ever acquire them like you. They have to offer themselves to me, and then they live inside me. If I were to take a familiar like you, it would instantly kill me or worse. I'm more light power than I am dark."

"What's worse?"

"Do you really think there should be a carbon copy of you walking around?" Kenneth chuckled.

"What's the difference? You're just as wild." Alucard added his two cents.

"Well don't forget my father was never around to tame me or teach me anything, so I wouldn't know how to act right."

Alucard growled.

Kenneth snorted a laugh. "Dad you know I'm just kidding, but what are you doing to do about this Armando guy?"

"I can't do anything unless he tried to hurt her, besides, she'll order me away if I even try to do anything."

"You're right. But what if I told you he's not as good as he seems?"

Alucard stepped out of his coffin. "What are you talking about?"

"Mom says he's a dark sorcerer, we can feel it."

"So... She's here?"

"Yes and no, we only know from me absorbing Richter's power while he was inside of me. Otherwise I only had her light sorcery."

"And...?"

"The only dark sorcerers to exist worked with or for Richter."

"So?" Alucard was lost.

Kenneth lightly smacked Alucard's chest. "Come on dad. Think! Richter is dead, but who did he work for?"

Integra was suited up in her fencing armor, Armando also.

"Best 3 out of 5?"

"Agreed..."Integra nodded.

They got in their readied stances. Armando lunged after her, but she quickly countered dropping him on the ground.

"One." She stated walking back toward her ready spot.

"Alright, I'll give you that one beautiful." He got up and winked at Integra.

They started the second round. They both matched up, both fast and skilled. Armando countered Integra's lunge with a back flip, she lost her balance while he landed on his feet. He quickly bent down and swept his leg under hers. Integra fell back and he held his sword at her throat.

"One, one senora." He smiled that heart-melting smile while helping her up.

They started the third round and Armando quickly took it. "Dos y uno, Integra." He helped her up. "One more and you are mine." Dimples formed on his face.

"In your dreams, Armando." She sliced his armor catching him off guard he fell to the ground.

"What the-"

Integra had a smirk on her face. "Two, two Armando, never let your guard down. One more and I take the win."

He sighed heavily. "Alright, change of plans." He took off his helmet.

Integra took off her's, her pale-blonde hair falling to its natural length.

"What?! We had a deal!"

Armando threw his helmet to the side and put the sword under his arm walking to Integra. He stopped inches from her their faces were close.

"If I win, we don't just go on a date, you have to like it."

He smiled that smile of his again.

"What is this Kindergarten?" It was silent for a while, they started at each other. And then something happened that he would never regret.

Integra sighed finally decided to agree, until. Armando leaned in and pressed his soft, full lips against hers.

Integra's eyes widened in shock. She was totally caught off guard. Suddenly Armando tripped her with his sword and she fell flat on her back. She looked up at him in dead shock.

He put on an evil; sly smirk. "Never let your guard Sir Integra."

She was about to protest, but he put a hush finger toward her.

"Ah, ah, ahhh, that's tres y dos senora, I'll be taking you on a date tonight at eight o clock. Now I'll be headed off to your bathroom, and then I will see myself out." He walked out of the room.

"Don't forget, at eight, be ready." He added his voice trailing away.

Integra was stunned and dazed at what just happened. Not only did she lose at what she was best at, but, she allowed him to kiss her and floor her.

"Hmph... yet all my advances go ignored or immediately rejected." Alucard muttered under his breath.

Integra did not heard what he said but she heard him, startled like she was a little kid who got caught doing something they weren't supposed to, she stood up fixing her hair quickly.

"You look a bit ravished."

"What is it Alucard?"

"Oh I'm sorry did I bother you?"

Integra glared at him, she felt too vulnerable right now.

"You spent practically a full day fighting him for a date you were going to accept anyway."

"Alucard stop reading my thoughts."

He walked closer. "Oh trust me, I'm not, it's obvious, and you like him?"

"Why do you care?"

His eyes weirdly shifted, glistening in the light. "He's bad news Master."

"I'm beginning to think you're jealous Alucard."

"It's not safe for you to be around him I'm just-" Alucard glared at Integra.

She cut him off. "Alucard, I've had about enough of your pouting and you're sulking around this house in your little gloomy world of yours. I've tried talking to you, but all you want to do is play games that I don't have time or the patience for."

He narrowed his eyes more. "I'm just saying he's part of the Masquerade."

"Oh? I believe you're saying the Masquerade clans are vampires and former servants of yours."

"Yes but the clan is run by someone else they could have hired new-"

"Is he anyone of those Alucard, because I'm sure you would be able to detect both?"

"But-"

She put a hand up. "Is he or is he not?"

Alucard scoffed a very bitter laugh. "Defending a man you don't even know."

"No defending a human Alucard." She snapped back.

She walked away in a huff. "Stay away from him servant."

Alucard stopped dumbfounded. Soon he heard someone clapping slowly, in a mocking way. It was Kenneth.

"Good job, good job, go-"

Alucard snapped and gripped Kenneth by the neck then slammed him against the wall.

"Hey!-"

"Shut up! Let me tell you something. See you're the annoying character that sits on a shoulder and talks to fucking much. I will not have my own son continuously belittle me in my own domain, so you listen to me and clearly." He growled in a low threatening tone.

Kenneth grunted he couldn't breathe; Alucard's grip was cracking the bones in his neck.

"You will not ridicule me; you will respect me, and stop invading my thoughts!" Alucard hissed.

Blood started to emerge from Kenneth's mouth. Suddenly Alucard snapped out of something, he let go of his grip. Kenneth spat out his blood and started rubbing his neck quickly.

"You're losing it dad, you're seriously losing it. I think you need to feed directly. How long has it actually been?" He asked.

"Too long Kenneth."

"Well me thinks you should start with Armando."

Alucard eyed glowed. "I agree my son, I agree." He grinned widely showing his big canines.