This chapter is dedicated to Daisy

During the aftermath of World War II, the Allied Powers dedicated their forces to extinguishing all traces of the Nazi Party and any of its remaining followers. Of course, a majority of soldiers and followers pled innocence and testified that they were only following orders, but that didn't absolve them of their crimes.

Nothing excuses genocide.

On the other hand, there were a small yet vocal few who held fast to their vile beliefs and either fought to the death or fled to live another day.

And, if one was lucky, the Vatican would assist in their escape to freedom.

Only the Major was unperturbed when a handful of Vatican priests offered to smuggle them to Brazil in exchange for immortality.

Selling indulgences, prideful superiority, genocide, the Catholic Church was guilty of the same crimes, but it was Millennium that was willing to admit to their heinous nature instead of sweeping their sins under the rug.

For five months, the priests aided Millennium in their reinvention, yet when suspicions began to mount, they cut off ties and fled back to Rome.

But the damage had already been done, and for the past six years, Millennium lay dormant in a massive bunker at the base of Corcovado Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, continuing their vampirization experiments and awaiting the glorious day when they could wage eternal war.

Then, during the night of the Fall Equinox, Millennium received some very peculiar information from their dear mole, Walter C. Dornez.

Information regarding the teetering stability of the Hellsing organization brought on by its leader's growing paranoia towards his pet, and the unorthodox marriage between that pet and a soldier.

After the transmission cut off, the Major's private bunker was dead silent.

All four occupants wore differing expressions: the Doktor—shock, the Captain—indifference, Schrondinger—amusement, and the Major…well, the huge grin on his face conveyed a wide spectrum of emotion that was difficult to pin down to just one.

"Maj—?" The Doktor leapt back when the Major shot to his feet and began to applaud vigorously.

"So my beloved Count has found himself another bride!" He guffawed, his applause like gunshots echoing in the metal bunker. "And not to a normal woman like SHE, but a half-bred soldier owed by the family that enslaved him all those years ago!"

What beautiful irony!

What a beautiful Shakespearian tragedy!

What beautifully disgusting news!

"Oh, my dear Count! What has become of you?" The Major dramatically reached out to the transmitter like a grand performer to his audience, that grin still ever present on his face. "You have not taken that fraulien's blood and dragged her into the night but instead you gift her with a wedding ring and acts of romance? Do you think you are human? Nein!" He pointed to a photo of Olivia tacked onto a wooden board. "What is it about her that has tamed you into this domesticated shell?! Where is my monster that dances between life and death?!"

"Well, Major," Schrodinger plopped across his desk and handed him a candid photo of Olivia from Warsaw. "You always said he had a penchant for pretty things. She also did a lot of damage to the facility, and she even gave Zorin a hard time too." Cupping his head in his hands, Schrodinger grinned and kicked his legs back and forth. "Pretty face, battle capabilities, what is there not to like?"

"Schrodinger, off the table!" The Doktor chided, trying to pry him off the desk but to no avail. "Honestly, show some decorum!"

"But Major doesn't mind!" Schrodinger pouted, sinking his claws into the mahogany wood. "Right?"

But The Major was preoccupied with Olivia's photo, noting the power in her stance as she commanded Alucard while blood and shredded tissue gushed from her mauled wrist. He recalled how her voice boomed across the battlefield, and how she collapsed into tears moments after. He recalled the euphoric expression on Alucard's face when she gave the order, and the way he held her surround by a forest of impaled corpses. And, the Major realized that Alucard already loved Olivia even then.

"Major~!" Schrodinger wined and pounded on the desk, causing veins to bulge from the Doktor's forehead.

"Oh for the—! Captain, remove him!"

Stone-faced as ever, the Captain trudged over to the desk and plucked Schrodinger up by his collar, silencing his tantrum with one glance.

"Aww, you are no fun." He deflated as the Captain placed him on the ground, his ears and tail drooping. "I just wanted to show Major the picture I was able to take, that is all."

"I regret not letting your cells reach maturity." The Doktor ran a hand down his face before facing the Major, who was still entranced by the photograph. "Major, are you—?"

Once again, the Doktor leapt back as the Major shot out of his seat and brandished Olivia's photo upwards.

"We have made a grave error, gentlemen! Our Count has wed and we never sent our regards!" He flung the photo onto the table and threw his arms outward. "Fine, if this is the woman you have chosen, allow me to determine if she is worthy to be 'Queen of the Night'! And allow me to test the strength of your master, Sir Arthur Hellsing! If we are to wage war again, I want my opponents to be strong! And how can you be strong when your master keeps you locked away and suppresses your monstrous instincts! No matter how like a man you may act, you and I both know you are an irredeemable monster, and that is what makes you so wonderful! But can your master truly accept your nature?! Can your 'bride' truly accept your nature?! Let me determine their worth, and I will fully acknowledge them as formidable enemies!" With a frenzied grin, The Major faced his followers and clapped his hands together. "Halt all progression on the current trials! We have a new assignment, gentlemen!"

Back in London, Olivia and her troops were in the middle of their morning exercises when a voice called out to her.

"Hey, Olivia." Walter sauntered over to her, his hands in his pockets and his troops diligently following behind him. "I see your adorable bunch is hard at work."

"Isn't a little early to pick a fight, Walter?" Olivia smirked, wiping the sweat from her forehead. "Besides, my 'adorable bunch' can take yours down in the blink of an eye. Right?!"

Her soldiers boisterously cheered while his soldiers playfully taunted them in return.

"Great, now they will never settle down." Olivia chuckled as they walked a little ways from their squads. "I thought we agreed your squad would stay to the north of the training grounds."

"A little rivalry builds morale. And you are the one who riled them up, not me." Walter snorted, giving her a fleeting glance before realizing she was stared holes into his face. "….Olivia?"

It had been three weeks since Walter's return and their friendship had mostly fallen back into place. Yet, Olivia could not shake the feeling that there was something off about Walter's behavior. Suspicion gnawed at her heart as she tried to figure out why he gave up so easily. She wanted to chalk it up to Walter finally maturing, but that prospect contradicted his behavior when he learned about her secret.

Yet, at the same time, this was Walter.

Her Walter.

Her best friend who would never harm her in any way and had no ulterior motives beyond serving the Hellsing family.

He may be cunning and deceitful to enemies but never to his own comrades and never to her.

So, perhaps Walter really had grown up, and he forgiving her so easily was just Walter being the bigger man.

At least, that is what she—for now—convinced herself to believe.

"It's nothing." Olivia shook her head with a smile before gesturing to his hands. "Are your knuckles alright?"

"Yeah, just some light scarring but nothing life threatening." Walter flexed his fingers before gesturing to her face. "Nice to see your face doesn't look like a tomato in a blender anymore."

"Thank you for your concern, Mr. 'Blender'." Olivia gave him the finger with a smile before taking a seat on a bench and signaling for Walter to do the same. "Think your squad will be ready for field work soon? My squad could give them a few pointers. They did just complete a mission near Forthlin Road, no injuries or casualties. Of course, it was my leadership and strict training regimen that led to their success."

"Oh just you wait, Ms.' Tomato'." Walter cracked his knuckles with a smirk. "My squad will outdo yours in no time. After all, their superior officer is—."

"A preppy college graduate?" Olivia giggled, narrowly catching a wayward wire with Sic Parvis Magna. "I jest, I jest. No need to waste your ammo on me." She unwrapped the wire from the bow's limb and inspected it closely. "Your wires seem more durable than usual. It was pure metal before; did you make it into an alloy?"

"Not entirely. I found a method to weave spider silk into the copper for higher conductivity and tensile strength." Walter explained with a hint of pride in his tone. "I am anxious to test them out on a decent opponent. The squads deal with the small fry, leaving the big guns to us."

"Well I am sure we will get our chance soon, but try to enjoy peace while we have it, Walter." Olivia stood up and dusted off her skirt before holding a hand out to him. "Shall we, Lieutenant General Dornez?"

Walter laughed and nodded, clasping his hand in hers and allowing her to hoist him to his feet.

"After you, Lieutenant General Song."

From his office window, Arthur watched his protégés stroll back to their soldiers, hand-in-hand with smiles on their faces.

Just like how they were when they were children.

When things were simpler, happier, pure.

Arthur would give anything to return to those peaceful times when his main concerns were picking a new helicopter and keeping Olivia and Walter from bickering the house down.

But things weren't so simple anymore, and Arthur felt like everything was spiraling around him. Even with Alucard's obedient behavior and Walter's vow to protect him and Hellsing's future, he still couldn't find solid ground to stand on.

Heaving a grand sigh, Arthur let the drape fall back into place and sauntered over to his desk.

Acelie Smith's letter remained unopened on top of his letter box, gathering dust as Arthur debated whether or not to read it. For some reason, he felt he shouldn't open it until the right moment.

"…It's that moment." He grabbed the letter and sliced it open with his steel letter opener before pulling out a single piece of stationary.

To Sir Arthur Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing,

If my calculations serve me correct, you are reading this after allowing my letter to fester on your desk for a few weeks. And, if my calculations serve me correct again, you are searching your office for any bugs or microphones.

Rest assure, your office is secure as can be; I just thought saying 'Hello' was boring.

Hopefully you recognize my name, but if you do not, that is to be expected. We have only met once after all. It was a year after you became Hellsing's Director, and my teacher and I came to visit you. I was still a child, but you greeted me warmly and said Hellsing was at my disposal should I ever need it.

So, I ask for your help not in battle but in academics.

As a writer and researcher, I have studied hundreds of mythical creatures and civilizations yet there is still more to be discovered. I pray that you will allow me the chance to visit the Hellsing archives, and in return, I will offer my services as a scholar and warrior during my stay at your manor.

I do hope you will consider my offer. Since I was a child, I have admired your integrity and strength in the face of peril. You even told me during our meeting to never let fear cloud my mind and to always trust in my principles.

I pray to hear from you soon.

Regards, Acelie Smith

That's it.

Acelie Smith was the apprentice of Sir Miles Deveraux, world renowned mythical scholar and one of his father's oldest friends. He had come to congratulate him on inheriting the family title, and he had brought Acelie with him. She couldn't have been a day over four when they met, but Arthur vividly recalled that she had brown hair and the bluest eyes he had ever seen.

"I suppose there is no harm in letting her visit the manor." He reached out for his fountain pen and some parchment when he paused for a moment and re-read the last few lines of her letter.

"Never let fear cloud my mind and always trust in my principles." He recited with a scoff. "Didn't know I had such a way with words."

But Arthur repeated those words as he thought back on his earlier days of overconfidence and zest to uphold his family's honor as vampire hunters and the keeper of Dracula. Even when difficulties arose, his younger self never submitted to paranoia and fought with every ounce of his being.

What was keeping him from doing the same now?

Without a second thought, Arthur snatched his coat off the nearby stand and stormed out the door, a long forgotten glow emitting from his weary eyes.

When Vlad was a child, he used to visit the castle's chapel with his mother. They would kneel before the altar and offer prayers to God.

Well, his mother did.

He would marvel at how rays of sunlight would flood through the stained glass windows, and how the monks' chants gave the holy building an ethereal feeling. His mother scolded him when she caught his eyes wandering around instead of closed in reverence, but Vlad enjoyed visiting the chapel with her if only because he felt the walls protected him and his mother from his father's cruelty.

After his mother's death, he never returned to the chapel, not even after his return home. His wedding to Juztina wasn't even held there since he was a prisoner in Hungary and was forced to marry in their church.

Besides, stepping foot into that chapel after all the sins committed to him and by him, he felt like it would soil his mother's memory and had the doors nailed shut upon his coronation.

Yet, here he stood at that same altar, the windows and stone pillars as beautiful as he remembered. And he stood there not as Vlad Dracul III but Alucard. How rare and peculiar it was for him to visit his past in his current form instead of his mortal one. And how strange it was that he wore not his usual apparel but the clothes he wore during his honeymoon with Olivia.

The moment Alucard thought of her, he heard her voice echoing off the walls. She was humming a lullaby, and he fervently searched for where she was.

When he turned around, he found her walking up the aisle with her back to him. She wore a white gown with a train, and her long black hair swayed with her movements. A ray of sunlight illuminated her being, and Alucard was about to call out to her when he noticed something that make him freeze in place.

Nestled in Olivia's arms was a baby—their baby, their daughter.

As if sensing his presence, the baby peered over Olivia's shoulder and stared at him for a moment before a smile broke out across her face and she reached out to him.

"Vasilissa…." Alucard croaked with his hand stretched outwards. "Wait…." He stumbled forward before breaking out into a full sprint. "Wait! Olivia! Wai—!"

*CRASH*

Alucard jerked awake when his wine glass shattered against the floor. It must have slipped from his hand when he dozed off.

"A dream…." He ran a hand down his face, feeling both exhausted and stupidly forlorn. "What spurred on such a strange dream?"

Olivia and Alucard had joked about them having children before and even referred to his child form and his form based off Olivia's imagination as their children.

But this dream was different in that the baby was their daughter.

Unions between humans and vampires were not unheard of, but it was impossible for children to be born from such a union.

After all how could such a being exist while being a paradox in of itself—being both living and dead?

"Ridiculous." Alucard growled, grabbing his spare glass from his side table and pouring Olivia's wine into it. "Why am I even entertaining such an impossible notion?"

Besides…..even if they could have a child together, Olivia would be forfeiting her chance at eternal life and living with only reminders of her would be too painful.

Especially since their daughter looked so much like her mother.

But…at least in his dreams he could have both Olivia and their children without ultimatum.

That notion alone was enough to bring a tiny smile to Alucard's face as he drank from his glass.

'Her hands were so tiny…' He inspected his own hand for reference. 'Mine are gigantic compared to hers. If I held her hand, it would be like grabbing a pebble.'

Suddenly, he felt a presence and he peered up to find Arthur marching over to him with a scowl.

"My master." Alucard stood at attention and removed his hat. "To what do I owe this pleas—?"

"Shut up and walk me with me, Alucard." Arthur ordered before turning on his heel and marching back towards the stairs. "Hurry up. I want to do this before it starts raining."

Confused yet intrigued, Alucard obediently followed after his master up the stairs, across the foyer, and out the front door.

As the doors opened and they steeped out into the open air, Alucard paused briefly.

He hated sunlight. It was an annoyance and gave him a headache.

Yet as he felt the sunlight filter through the overcast and onto his face, he found the sensation rather refreshing.

Four years….it had been four years since he had last been outside.

"Come on!" Arthur beckoned to him. "We are taking a walk through the gardens."

"I know I am your family's pet but not even your ancestors took me out for walks." Alucard teased, diligently following Arthur as they entered the gardens.

Arthur did not grace him with a response, and they strolled through the gardens in silence until they were near the halfway point. When the fountain marking the garden's heart was in sight, Arthur screeched to a halt and whirled around to face Alucard.

"Who do you serve?"

"Sir Arthur Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing." Alucard answered without hesitation.

"Will you follow any order I give you?" Arthur stepped forward, his gaze sharp as steel.

"Of course, my master. Without question."

"Even if that order was given on my death bed?" He yanked Alucard down by his cravat so they were at eye level. "Would you still follow that order after I die? Would you—?"

"Arthur."

The sound of Alucard addressing him by his given name made Arthur stumble back, and he just stood there frozen before clearing his throat and raising his chin.

"Who gave you permission to address me so formally? I am not the same child you met twenty-one years ago."

"My apologizes, Sir Hellsing." Alucard bowed with a hand over his heart. "But I want to extinguish any doubts you have." He lifted his hand up with the back of his hand facing forward. "These sigils are burned into my hands and into my very being. Any order you give me will be obeyed, even beyond the grave."

Arthur stared back and forth between the sigils and Alucard's unwavering eyes before crossing his arms and sighing, his weary thirty-eight year old face showing its age.

"Never act without my permission again." Arthur finally stated after a pregnant pause. "After today, I will permit you to roam around the manor once more, but I will not send you out on missions—I have soldiers for that reason. You will only be used in emergencies and as a last resort. Have I made myself absolutely clear?"

"Crystal clear." Alucard kowtowed before him, kissing the tops of his boots. "You are good to me, my master. I am and will always be your loyal servant."

"Hellsing will always be your main priority. Do well to remember that." Arthur leered down at him. "Should you disobey or act without my orders again, I will chain you in the catacombs below the manor and leave you to starve." Then, taking Alucard completely off guard, Arthur leaned forward and placed his hand on his head.

"Master?" Alucard peered up in confusion and wonder. "What are you—?"

"Let us finish our stroll then." Arthur turned away and continued walking as if he didn't just pet Alucard. 'Why the hell did I do that?! I threaten his life then comfort him like he is my pet? Well, he is the family—oh what the fuck am I thinking?!' With pink ears and a scowl, Arthur peeked over his shoulder and shouted, "Are you coming or not?! I have work to do you know!"

Still in shock, Alucard slowly touched the spot where Arthur's hand was and a smile broke out across his face as he nodded and stood up.

"Coming, Master Hellsing."

For an hour, the two of them strolled through the manor gardens in comfortable silence with Arthur taking the lead and Alucard trailing behind like a diligent shadow. In a way, it was like he was taking his dog for a walk.

At one point, he stopped to inspect an azalea bush when he noticed a family of four bunnies perched below the leaves.

"Oh, how cute. I wonder how long they have—Alucard, what the hell are you doing?"

Alucard had dropped down on all fours and was engaged in a staring match with the bunnies.

"Isn't it obvious, Master?" He chuckled, slowly inching forward. "I am greeting my in-laws."

Arthur rolled his eyes with a scoff.

"Get your ass off the ground. You are scaring them."

"Am I?"

Right on cue, the bunnies cautiously inched forward until they were face to face with Alucard. Then, with slow twitching noses, they pawed at and nuzzled against his face.

Arthur was dumbstruck.

"Nice to finally meet you as well." Alucard chuckled, reveling in their affections before gathering them up in his arms and facing Arthur. "Mas—?"

"NO."

Eventually they reached the end of the gardens, just in time for the weather to take a turn for the worse. The winds were brutal, the rain was freezing, and the thunder was deafening.

And to make matters worse, just as Arthur was about to bolt for the front door, Alucard picked him up, cocooned him inside his jacket, and transported them inside the manor.

"Are you alright, Master Hellsing?" Alucard asked as he placed him down. "It wouldn't do for you to catch a cold from this rain."

The images of Kanga and Roo from Winnie the Pooh flashed through his mind, and Arthur's ears flushed pink once more as he marched up the stairs in a huff.

"Return to your room immediately, Alucard, and remember what we discussed today. Only around the manor!"

"Of course, My Master." He bowed with a teasing grin. "If you would like to take me on a walk again, I am more than happy to—."

"SHUT UP." Arthur hissed, turning the corner and out of sight.

Alucard laughed and moved towards the hallway leading to his dungeon when he felt her presence.

He jerked around and found Olivia standing atop the staircase, her hands covering her mouth and tears pooling down her cheeks.

"We….We don't have to hide anymore?" She breathed out, her words littered with hiccups.

"Starting tomorrow we don't." He stood before the winding stairway and held his arms out. "But I don't think a quick hug is out of the question."

Olivia practically leapt down the stairs and into his arms, and he spun around as her laughter echoed throughout the foyer. For a while, they just stood there in each other's arms, free to be together in the open after years of secret meetings.

"Let's go on a date!" Olivia bounced on her heels, and Alucard smiled immediately at the familiar quirk. "I heard Sir Hellsing say 'Only around the manor', but we can still have fun with what we have! We can have a picnic near our tree or have a fencing match or maybe we can...!"

As she continued to list off activities, Alucard just stared at her freely.

Free.

He was free to touch her and to be near her.

No more hiding in the shadows.

No more anxiously waiting for her footsteps to stampede down the dungeon stairway.

No more hidden kisses in the dark or secret visits.

Alucard could kiss Olivia for the entire world to see.

So, he did.

Arthur slammed his office doors shut behind him, still grumbling under his breath.

"I have one lapse in judgement, and he thinks he can cocoon me in his arms like some child." He flung his coat onto the love seat and collapsed in his chair. "Ridiculous….."

His hand itched for his cigarettes and scotch, but instead he reached for the post left on his desk.

"Bill…..Rubbish…..Bill…..More Rubbish….Letter from Her Royal Highness…..Bill…..Bil—Wait a minute." Arthur picked up a letter marked with the Princess' emblem, rubbing his eyes to make sure what he was seeing was real. When he realized this was an actual letter from the Princess, Arthur scrambled for his opener and sliced the envelope open to reveal a letter written in perfect cursive:

Sir Arthur Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing,

I am sure you are well aware that the date of my coronation is approaching.

During my reign as queen, I want to ensure all of my forces are at their best, and that I am well aware of every movement.

Thus, this coming Wednesday, I will send my advisor to visit your manor. She will be the liaison between me and you. She will report your operations to me, and in turn, she will deliver my messages and orders to you.

I trust you will treat her with the courtesy expected of someone of your station, and that you will continue to serve the Crown admirably.

The bottom of the letter bore her seal and the advisor's calling card.

"Manali Yadav..." Arthur read aloud before placing the letter next to Acelie Smith's. "What a popular man I am, receiving letters from powerful women who wish to bless me with their presence." He chuckled softly before peering over at his calendar. "This is going to be a busy week. Guess I should shave."

Later that night, Alucard sat on his throne, his lips still stained with Olivia's lipstick and a faraway look in his eyes.

What an act of kindness this was.

Alucard learned to never expect anything from the Hellsings, and Arthur was the same as his ancestors but he was also different.

He was strict and cold, yet he was also merciful and allowed Alucard little pleasures without ulterior motives.

And Alucard wasn't lying. Whatever Sir Hellsing ordered, he would comply without question. Yet, Sir Hellsing was not the only person he answered to.

However, there was a vital difference.

Olivia never ordered, but requested. Never as a master to a servant but as a wife to her husband.

So, whatever Sir Hellsing ordered, he would comply.

And whatever Olivia requested, he would comply as well.

"My beautiful wife, Venus." Alucard stared at his reflection in the wine glass, licking his stained lips. "And her wretched husband, Mars."

With a chuckle, he leaned back in his throne and closed his eyes, falling asleep with a smile glued to his face.

Alucard stood before the double doors leading into the chapel, listening to Olivia humming a lullaby within.

Without a moment's hesitation, he pushed the doors open and found Olivia and Vasilissa lying in a field of red daffodils. She was smiling down at their daughter who in turn was grinning and waving her tiny hands and feet around.

Alucard couldn't move. What if he did and he woke up before he could reach them again? What if Vasilissa cried the minute he held her? What if she hated him like he hated his father?

But then Olivia sat up and smiled at him, daffodil petals stuck in her hair.

"Look, Vasilissa." She cooed, caressing her chubby cheeks with a feather-like touch. "Your Daddy's come to see you."

And, just like in his previous dream, Vasilissa took one look at him and smiled widely, her tiny fangs poking out of her gums—Alucard fell in love with her right then and there.

Taking a deep breath, he walked over to them and took a seat before Olivia while also discreetly wiping his sweaty hands on his pants.

"She's got your eyes and teeth, my love." Olivia giggled, blowing raspberries against her cheek. "Unfortunately, she also has your mischievous nature! I fear the day she is able to walk!"

"You say it like it is a bad thing." Alucard smirked, tugging at a lock of her hair. "Last time I checked, you found my nature endearing."

"Only on occasion." She teased with her tongue stuck out. "Would you like to hold our baby, Alucard?"

Gulping audibly, he nodded and held his arms out.

Nothing could prepare him for feeling and seeing their daughter up close as Olivia placed Vasilissa in his arms, and for a moment, he was afraid he was going to drop her.

"This…..This is our baby….right?" Alucard stroked her cheek with the back of his hand, completely enamored with the smiling baby in his arms. "We made her…right?"

"Of course!" Olivia laughed, lying on her side with her head nestled in her palm. "Isn't she beautiful?"

Vasilissa giggled as her tiny hands roamed over Alucard's face, tugging on his lips and poking his fangs while showing off her own. Then, when Alucard went to stroke her cheek again, she wrapped both of her hands around his finger and nipped at it.

Rapturous laughter burst from Alucard's chest as he nodded and kissed her forehead with tears trailing down his cheeks.

"Yes. Yes, she is."

Away from the warmth Hellsing Manor was currently engulfed in, there was a man sitting alone at an outdoor café in Hamburg, Germany. He scrutinized the faces of passerbys, searching for the person who had beckoned him from his hotel room and out into the drizzling night.

Thirty minutes passed and no one called out to the man, so the man's bodyguard cleared his throat and stepped forward.

"Mr. Hellsing, it is almost three in the morning. Perhaps it is a prank from some—."

"The caller said they wanted to discuss Hellsing!" Richard barked, leering at his beer that had gone flat a while ago. "No one here knows who I am, so it must be someone important!"

"And it is!" A jovial voice piped up, and the two of them whirled around to find Schrodinger sitting across from them with the Captain directly behind.

"Wa—What is this?!" Richard stuttered, flying out of his seat while Jonathan reached for his gun only for the Captain to stop him. "Who are you people?! Did my brother send you?!"

"Calm down, Mr. Hellsing." Schrodinger hummed, his head resting on his hands. "We are here to talk about your brother actually."

Still on edge, Richard studied the Captain from head to toe before doing the same to Schrodinger. Then, gradually, he took a seat with a guarded expression.

"What about my brother?"

Schrodinger just smiled and handed him a small mahogany box with a gold seal.

"How would you like a shot at taking your brother's place?"

A/N: This chapter sets up and introduces the main players in the coming arc. I originally had this chapter finished a while back, but monsterloversanonymous on Tumblr was posting that good Dadcard content so I ended up re-writing the entire chapter because of their beautiful work.

You can also see the fic has a new coverart by mondaijo on Tumblr. You can see the entire artwork on my Tumblr, along with posts that are tagged with this chapter.

Thank you so much to those who support my fic and all the beautiful reviews you all have written. I love them all and you all so much.

Please leave a review on this chapter as well.

I would also like to thank Daisy who, for 12 years, sat next to me through all my hardships and listened to me edit these chapters before posting them. I love you and will miss you. Thank you for being there for me from the moment I entered an American elementary school. I just wish you would be here with me as I graduate college.

This chapter is for you.