A/N: Hello, everyone! Thank you so much for all the favs/follows/reviews! I love them all and you all so much!
Here is the next chapter! Sorry it took me so long! It was actually longer, but I decided to cut it for reasons you will soon see lol.
Thank you all again and please enjoy the chapter!
I welcome all new and returning readers!
(Warnings: Language, descriptions of gore, typical Olivia trauma)
Since he entered the Vatican as a child, Anderson had been taught that the Devil took on many forms to perform his wicked deeds. Whether it was a mere garden snake or an angel of light, he would stoop to any level to fool the wayward sheep of God's flock.
Yet, for the entire plane ride to London, Anderson couldn't help but envision Olivia with horns, a forked tongue, and molten skin. After all, the monster responsible for the Vatican slaughter had to be demonic in appearance. When Anderson had ventured into the chapel for his morning prayers, he was greeted with the macabre sight of his mentors' skinned corpses hanging from the ceiling, and the image would forever be burned into his memory.
It was sacrilege in the highest form, and Anderson made an oath to see this Olivia burn in the fiery depths.
But….this….this woman before him…..she was nothing like he imagined. There were bags under her eyes, her skin was borderline transparent, her lips were a sickening shade of blue, and she wasn't even wearing shoes or a coat!
In short, this Olivia appeared more like meek prey than a deadly predator.
However, Anderson knew the saying about wolves in sheep's clothing and Olivia's stoic response sent warning sirens blaring off in his head.
"Alexander Anderson," She repeated, the sound of his name rolling off her tongue corroded his ears like acid. "And I take it Iscariot sent you to kill me—you, a little boy. It seems your employer and mine are alike in using children for their own means."
"Silence!" He crossed his bayonets across her neck, the lack of fear in her eyes unnerving and enraging him. "How dare you compare Our Holy Father's army to your organization of heretics?!"
"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to upset you." Olivia sighed, closing her eyes for a moment. "So there has been a murder at the Vatican and I am the prime suspect." Her eyes opened and she leered down at him over her nose. "Why? What reason do you have to suspect me?"
"You know the reason, demon!"
"I do n—." Her eyes shot to the left, and a flicker of ire flashed across her irises. "Lower your weapons and stand down. Now."
"How dare you order me—!"
"I'm begging you, please lower your weapons." Her eyes remained glued towards something in the distance, her pupils quivering ever so slightly. "Please."
The rising desperation in her tone as well as the actual emotion on her face took Anderson aback, and against his better judgement, he found himself lowering his bayonets—only for Olivia to yank him up by the collar and spin him around. A barrage of protest fired off his tongue, only to freeze when a bullet brushed by his arm as Olivia pinned him against a nearby tree and caged his body with hers.
"You're really trying my patience today, aren't you?" Olivia grumbled under her breath before peering down at Anderson with concern. "I'm sorry about that." She gently cupped his face between her hands, searching for any scratches or bruises. "Did I hurt you?"
"Get off me!" Anderson tried to shove her away, but Olivia remained immobile. "Wha—What was that?! Did someone try to shoot me?!"
"Yes, a certain someone who is supposed to be watching over our guests like I asked him to!" Olivia hissed, still hunched over him and it was then Anderson finally realized she was shielding him with her body. "But he doesn't care for people threatening me. Don't worry, he wasn't trying to kill you."
"Wha—?" Icicles sprouted down Anderson's spine as he noticed the dark shadow lingering in the distance. "Dear Lord….!"
"Go inside and wait where I asked you to." Olivia didn't even spare the shadow a glance as she kept her sights fixed on Anderson, her tone leaving no room for debate. "Don't make me repeat myself…please."
The shadow was still for a moment as numerous red eyes dotted across its form, sizing up Anderson with a venomous gaze before phasing back into the garden wall.
"Thank you," Olivia heaved a sigh of relief, finally stepping back only to dart forward again as Anderson's knees suddenly gave out. "H-Hey! Are you alright?!"
He couldn't even muster the strength to swat her away, instead pointing a shaking finger at her face.
"You…..You truly do command demons! What are you?!"
"Is that what they say about me?" Olivia seized the opportunity to yank the bayonets from Anderson's grasp, pinning him back against the tree with her foot when he tried to swipe at her. "Listen to me, Alexander Anderson. Whatever your manner of business, it will have to wait. Now, you have two options: you can either follow me inside or you can sit out here in the cold. Either way I'm going back inside."
"I don't take orders from monsters!" Alexander flailed around violently, reminding Olivia of a temperamental cat.
'Despite his threats and big talk,' Olivia sighed, sliding the bayonets into her belt loops, 'He is nothing more than a child wielding overgrown toothpicks.'
"I see you are having a busy morning, Lieutenant General Song." Both of them immediately turned to the right and found Elizabeth standing at the garden entrance with her guards close behind. She wore no make-up and was dressed down in a simple beige winter coat and a pair of black Mary Janes, yet her commanding posture and the ever present ring on her finger indicated her regal status. "You may not take orders from her, but you will take orders from me so long as you lurk around my kingdom. And you both will abide by the peace treaty—no blood will be shed on my shores. Now, come inside. I have summoned the Round Table and once they arrive we will deal with this diplomatically."
"Your Majesty," Olivia released Anderson and bowed at the waist, easily side stepping him as he tried to retrieve his bayonets. "What brings you to the manor so early in the morning?"
"My advisor and her daughter were attacked last night, where else would I be?"
"My apologies," Olivia dodged Anderson once again, causing him to tumble into a bed of snow. "Please follow me inside and I will escort you to the clinic." Then she bent down and offered a hand to the seething priest-in training. "You too. I can see you shivering."
"I don't need—!"
"Stop being stubborn and grab my hand."
"Shut up! I don't need—!"
"We have hot chocolate. Catholics can drink that, right? Or is it too spicy for your stomach?"
"How dare you?!" Anderson rocketed up to his feet, standing on his toes so they were at eye level. "Do you enjoy mocking us?!"
"I don't enjoy mocking anyone; I just wanted to get you off the ground." Olivia then marched towards the garden entrance and offered her arm to Elizabeth. "Allow me to escort you—."
"YOUR MAJESTY! YOUR MAJESTY!" Acelie's panting form swerved around the corner, her lab coat hanging off her shoulders and hair in disarray. "Your Majesty, you need to come—Ah! Your Majesty!" She yelped at the sight of Elizabeth before bowing low. "Queen Elizabeth, it's an honor to meet your acquaintance. My name is—!"
"That's not important right now! Acelie, what's the matter?!" Olivia grabbed her by the shoulders, ignoring the offended gasps from Elizabeth's guards. "What's wrong?!"
"Wh—Ah! It's Advisor Yadav! She—!"
"What about Advisor Yadav?!" Elizabeth shoved Olivia aside and yanked her down by her collar. "Answer me, dammit! What's happened to Manali?!"
"Ah—Um—Uh!" Acelie's eyes darted back and forth between the two women before letting out a strained, "She is awak—." Olivia was already across the yard before she could finish her sentence with Elizabeth and her guards not far behind. "H-He-Hey! She just woke up! Dr. Trevilian will need to see her first!" Acelie hurried after them, readjusting her lab coat all the while. "Your Majesties, wait!"
In a flash, all was silent and there stood Anderson alone, feeling much like a sapling in the midst of a hurricane. He had gone from capturing a suspected demon to being a side character in some melodrama. A tiny voice in his head urged him to just set the manor ablaze and be done with it, but he wanted to complete his mission properly and in order to do that, he needed his bayonets.
"Ngh!" Anderson's eyes shot down to the rosary hanging around his neck, swearing for a moment he had felt the beads…..bubbling? He had found it lying on his bed before his departure and figured it was a gift from one of the priests—this was his first solo mission after all. Both chain and beads were an eye-catching obsidian black—nothing like the wooden rosaries worn by the other seminarians.
'This rosary is better suited for an archbishop than someone like me,' He rolled a bead between his fingers, feeling it solid beneath his touch. 'I wonder who left it for me. Perhaps Father Renaldo or maybe—.'
His thoughts were cut short by a particularly frigid gust of wind, and Anderson threw his head back with a groan as he crossed his arms and begrudgingly made his way inside the manor.
'Gracious God, please give me strength to complete my mission.'
Pushpa awoke to the hum of a familiar lullaby and gentle fingers combing through her hair.
'Just five more minutes and then I'll wake up.' She snuggled into the loving caress with a sigh, sweet slumber beckoning her once more.
Until reality dumped a bucket of ice on her, and her eyes shot open as the previous night's events bombarded her mind.
The cat.
The hourglass.
The creature.
The oceans of blood.
Olivia.
And her mother's body.
"MUMMY!" Pushpa sprung up and thrashed around, as if the creature would come dragging her back into Hell again. "MUMMY! WHERE ARE YOU?! WHERE ARE YOU?! MUMMY! MU—!"
A pair of arms restrained her, pulling her quivering form into a warm chest and soothing kisses were quickly adorned on her brow.
"I'm here, sweetheart, I'm right here." Manali cooed, rocking her daughter back and forth. "Mummy's right here, Mummy's right here."
Gradually, clarity returned to her mind and Puspha peered up through her tears to find her mother's smiling face.
Immediately another set of tears racked her body, and Pushpa buried her face into Manali's shoulder as her wails filled the room.
"You're alive…..! You're alive…..!" Pushpa's nails dug into her skin, but Manali didn't even wince. She just held her daughter with equal vigor and wept alongside her, pausing only to kiss her forehead and mutter words of comfort.
"How sweet." Both mother and daughter jolted at the unfamiliar voice and turned to find a massive black dog curled up at the foot of their bed. "The love between a parent and child truly is a beautiful sight, isn't it?"
"Who the hell are you?!" Manali shoved Pushpa behind her and grabbed the empty vase from the bedside table. "Come any closer and I'll bash your fucking head in!"
Alucard just threw his head back and laughed, causing the Yadavs to shrink further back.
"And what is so funny?!"
"I can see why Olivia is so attached to you—both of you are quite alike indeed." Alucard transformed back into his normal form and placed his hat against his chest before bowing his head. "Forgive my lack of manners. You may call me Alucard."
"You're the Hellsing vampire!"/"You're Olivia's husband!" Manali and Pushpa gasped in unison before gaping at each other and letting out a "You know him?!"
"The butler…." Pushpa peeked up at Alucard, only to gulp and duck behind her mother's back as he flashed her a toothy grin. "The butler said this…..'man'…is her husband. When the ambulance brought us to Hellsing, he took Olivia with him because…..because she was hurt really bad and—."Her feeble nature was forgotten in an instant as she shoved an accusing finger in his direction. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH OLIVIA?! WHERE IS SHE?! IS SHE ALRIGHT?!"
"I was wondering where that spunk from earlier had gone!" Alucard cackled, clapping his hands together. "So you do have a backbone, little mouse! Excellent!"
"A-Answer me!" Like a deflating balloon, Pushpa crouched behind her mother once more but still managed to maintain eye contact with him. "Where is she?"
"Wait, wait!" Manali placed the vase down, grasping her temples as she tried to make sense of everything. "Lieutenant General Song's husband…..is a vampire? And, Pushpa, what do you mean 'when the ambulance brought us to Hellsing'? Were…..were you in the house the entire time?! I thought you went to art class!"
"I did, Mummy! I did! But when I went to the bathroom, that cat from the gardens showed up in the mirror and kidnapped me! It was so dark but then Olivia cameandtherewassomuchbloodandicouldn'tseeandthenohgodohgodohgod—!"
"Okay, okay, darling, it's okay." Manali immediately cradled her to her chest, soothing her wailing daughter once more. "It's all over now. We are safe, and you are in my arms. Nothing will ever harm you again, I'll make sure of it." She began to hum again, feeling Pushpa gradually calm down. But then, her daughter's words registered in her mind and her heart dropped to her stomach. "Wait….a cat? You said a cat kidnapped you? Pushpa, what—?"
The door flung open, slamming against the wall with a loud 'BANG', and there was Olivia.
"ADVISOR YADAV! PUSHPA! ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!" She spared Alucard a quick glance before rushing to their bed side, only to stumble back as Pushpa launched herself into her arms.
"OLIVIA! YOU'RE OKAY! YOU'RE ALIVE!" Her arms and legs were locked around her in a death grip. "WHERE ARE YOUR WOUNDS?! YOU WERE COVERED IN SO MUCH BLOOD AND THE MEDICS SAID YOU WERE NEAR DEATH YETHEREYOUAREHOWISTHATPOSSIBLEANDWHYAREYOUSOCOLDANDWHEREAREYOURSHOESAND—!"
"Deep breaths, Pushpa. I'll explain later." Olivia gave an airy chuckle, securing her arms under her legs. "I'm glad you are alright….I—." A warm hand on her cheek captured her attention, and Olivia gazed up to find Manali's smiling face.
"For saving my daughter and me, I am forever in your debt. Thank you, Lieu—no, thank you, Olivia."
"No, no, never," Olivia shook her head, shifting Pushpa to one hand so she could place the other over Manali's. "I'm sorry I wasn't there sooner. It's my job to protect you and yet—."
"And yet you did just that." Manali affirmed, gesturing to herself and her daughter. "We are here because of you, Olivia."
"But I—I should've—!" Olivia was promptly silenced by Manali shaking her head and sliding her hand down to her shoulder.
"Enough. Now stop fretting and just accept my gratitude, alright?"
"But—."
"Alright?"
Protests danced on Olivia's tongue, but she quelled them with a heavy sigh and nodded in defeat.
"Alright," She sat on the edge of the bed, shifting her sobbing koala into a more comfortable position. "May I ask what happened, starting from the moment I left? I realize you just woke up and are probably still exhausted, but time seems to be our foe at the moment."
"No, you're right, there is much to be done and little time for idle chit chat," Manali sat up straight and squared her shoulders, shifting from loving mother to Her Majesty's Advisor in a matter of seconds. "After you left, I heard a noise upstairs and then—."
"Manali."
Elizabeth's voice drifted from the doorway, and the temperature in the room dropped 30 degrees.
"Your Majesty, good morning." Manali greeted, unfazed by Elizabeth's intense stare. "I assume you heard about last night's events?"
"Your assumption is correct." Elizabeth replied evenly, stepping into the room with her guards close behind. "Lieutenant General Song, I recall you mentioning hot chocolate in the gardens. Prepare some for my advisor's daughter….and for the young man as well." She gestured to the doorway where Anderson was straining to see over her guards' shoulders. "Do take care of him before he hurts himself with all that jumping."
"I…..um….."
"Go ahead, Olivia." Manali smiled before placing a hand on her daughter's head. "Eat some breakfast and go wash up. After I talk with Her Majesty, I'll brush your hair, alright?"
Pushpa hesitated for a moment but gave a feeble nod upon seeing the reassurance in her mother's eyes.
"Yes, Mummy."
"Good. Olivia, we can talk later. For now, I ask that you stay by my daughter's side."
"Of course, Advisor Yadav. Come on, Pushpa." Olivia stood tall and placed her on the floor, steadying her before grabbing her hand. "Excuse us then." Olivia bowed to both Manali and Elizabeth before marching out the door and grabbing Anderson's hand too.
"Hey! What are you—?!"
"Time for breakfast." Olivia peered over her shoulder at Alucard and jerked her chin upwards. "I'll bring you something in a moment, wait for me upstairs."
"As you wish." Alucard paid his respects to Manali and Elizabeth as well before vanishing into the wall, much to the shock of Pushpa and Anderson.
"Monst—!"
"Another word and I'll melt your bayonets. Now come on." Olivia breezed down the hallway, with both children stumbling to keep up with her.
"I will….go check on Sir Hellsing then," Acelie finally spoke up from her place by the doorframe. "Pardon me."
"We will be in the hallway, Your Majesty." The head guard announced before closing the door, finally leaving the Queen and her advisor alone.
"I know I wasn't there to deliver it to you, but," Manali sighed, staring at Elizabeth who now stood at the foot of the bed, "I hope you still drank your cup of coffee this morning. You can never function without some caffeine."
"You are cracking jokes? My, my, how being in a coma changes someone." Elizabeth hissed, her eyes pinched with unshed tears. "For the first time in years, I woke up not to you knocking on my door, but to a messenger telling me you had been attacked by a monster and it was uncertain whether you would wake up or not. I'm standing here in my bloody pajamas and you dare to make light of this?!"
"….Forgive me for worrying you, Your Majesty." Manali held her hand out, her tone suddenly airy and drenched with exhaustion. "Fret not, though. Your humble advisor can't be killed so easily."
"Weren't you the one who once lectured me about how 'the world's power dynamics were crafted by humans alone'?" Elizabeth scoffed, cradling her hand between her own and falling to her knees. "No one is here to scold you, so please…..let's drop the formalities. After all, what are titles but fancy words?"
Manali let out a snort at that and allowed her head to flop back against her pillow.
"I have taught you well."
"Still think I'm a 'precocious little brat'?"
"Always have and always will, Elizabeth."
"I may not be a master chef, but I know how to make toast and hot chocolate. So take a seat at the counter and wait patiently." And with that Olivia placed a pot on the stove and began to assemble the necessary ingredients.
"I'm not hungry!" Anderson snarled, eyeing his bayonets at her waist. "I came here to fulfill my mission, not dine with heathens!"
"You're going to need your strength if you want to kill me." Olivia popped two slices of whole wheat into the toaster without sparing him a glance. "And you can call me what you want, but leave Pushpa out of this."
"Why should I?"
"Because you aren't the only innocent person who witnessed something traumatizing last night." Olivia's icy glare curled his tongue, and he once again felt like a sapling in a hurricane as he slowly took a seat at the counter. "Now what kind of spread do you want on your toast? Pushpa?"
"O-Oh! Um...strawberry please."
"And you, Anderson?"
"…Strawberry is fine."
"I'll have to grab a fresh jar from the pantry then, along with some chocolate chips for your drinks. Be right back." Olivia stepped away from the stove and towards the pantry, only to pause and peer over her shoulder at Anderson. "Behave, young man." Then she was gone, and the hurricane dissipated.
'Why am I bending to this woman's will so easily?! I am an agent of Iscariot! I have more pride than to—!' The feeling of eyes burning into his face halted his inner rage, and he turned just in time to catch Pushpa's eyes before she squeaked and hid behind her sleeves. "Why are you staring at me?"
"I—! I just—!" She hunched further into herself, reminding Anderson of a turtle. "I…..I just…."
"You just what? If you have something to say, then say it."
Pushpa flinched at his abrasive tone and brought her thumb nail to her lips.
"I was just…..why…..why do you want to hurt Olivia? What has….she done to you?"
"'What has she done to me'?"Anderson scoffed, digging his fists into the counter top as he swore his rosary 'bubbled' again. "Last night, 13 priests were murdered and a portrait of Our Lady was desecrated with that woman's name written in their blood."
"I….! I'm…..I'm sorry to hear that…..but Olivia couldn't be responsible because….she were here in London…..rescuing my mummy and me….and besides…..Olivia isn't capable of such evil."
"Monsters are capable of anything! You saw how that creature from before bent to her will! Don't be deceived by the Devil's sweet nectar because it will become ash in your mouth!"
"I…..I know….that you are angry because your friends are dead but—."
"THEY WEREN'T MY 'FRIENDS'!" Anderson slammed his fists on the counter, leaving behind a crack in the wood. "THEY WERE MY MENTORS! MY BROTHERS! THEY TOOK ME IN AND RAISED ME AS THEIR OWN WHEN I WAS LEFT TO DIE IN THE STREETS AS A BABY!" The rosary beads were definitely gurgling, but he couldn't find the energy to care—a constrictor curled around his neck, his eyes burned, and he clung to the countertop as rage and sorrow swept over his entire being. "THEY ARE DEAD AND IT IS THAT MONSTER'S FAULT! I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU SAY IN HER DEFENSE! SHE IS A MONSTER AND I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE FOR—!"
"BUT SHE IS NOT A MONSTER! MONSTERS CAN'T CRY!"
The kitchen became dead silent after her outburst, both teens staring each other down with hunched forms and tearful eyes.
"…What do you mean?" Anderson sniffed, wiping his nose on the back of his gloves.
"I mean…monsters can't feel…..they lack anything human which includes emotions….." Pushpa gulped, wiping her eyes before continuing on. "When Olivia came into the clinic…..her eyes were puffy and…..I could see dried tears on her cheeks…if she really is the monster you claimed she is….how could she shed tears? How could she…..do something so…human?'
Anderson didn't know what to say or think.
Luckily, he was spared from trying as Olivia rounded the corner and placed the jar of jam and a bowl of chocolate chips on the counter.
"Just in time, the milk-cream mixture just started simmering," She removed the pan from heat and dumped the chocolate chips in, stirring until they were completely melted. She then filled two mugs and plopped a spoonful of whipped cream on top of each. The toast popped up moments later, and Olivia made quick work of plating and applying the spread.
"Jo étvágyat." She muttered, placing a plate and mug in front of each teen. "Make sure to blow before taking a sip."
"Thank you, Olivia." Pushpa picked her mug up with both hands and gave three cautious blows before taking a sip.
"Is it good?" Olivia leaned back against the counter with her arms crossed. "Not too chalky?"
"No, it's perfect," Pushpa smiled down into her mug, the chocolate scented steam warming her cheeks. "Thank you."
"I think this is the first time I've ever seen you smile, Pushpa." Olivia's lips quirked upwards as she squealed and hid her face behind her mug. "How about you, Anderson? Is it to your liking?"
"….I suppose I'll have to see for myself." Anderson bowed his head and said grace before picking up his drink and taking a sip. "AH! SHITE, THAT IS HOT!"
"I told you to cool it down, didn't I?" Olivia picked up a towel and strutted over to his side. However, instead of placing it in his outstretched hand, she grasped his chin and gently cleaned his face off.
And yet, even when the hot chocolate stains were gone, she didn't stop.
Instead, she wiped his tear stained cheeks before cupping them between her hands.
"Wha—?"
"I'm sorry." Olivia whispered, and Anderson choked on his spit as he spotted tears roll down her face one by one. "I know how you feel—the anger, the despair, the regret—it corrodes your soul until you're hollow within. Those with power will prey upon that, tricking you into selling your soul under the guise of redemption and free will. But, even as years pass and the blood of both innocent and guilty stain your hands, the feeling never disappears and you finally realize you were nothing more than a pawn. So you resign yourself into being a weapon and fighting someone else's battles because what other choice do you have? But…..it doesn't have to be that way." The towel slipped from Olivia's hand as she wrapped her arms around Anderson and cradled his head against her chest. "Feel your emotions—scream, cry, bawl—this is your right as a human because you are a human being. Yet, you cannot let these emotions consume you until you're unable to recognize yourself. Please," Olivia rested her head on top of his, her tears soaking his hair, "don't go down that path…don't allow this cycle to repeat…..please, Alexander…please…."
The hurricane tore his roots up from the ground and he was airborne, completely at the mercy of a violent cyclone. All Anderson could do was stare ahead with wide eyes as this supposed monster wept into his hair and clung to him like her life depended on it.
'If she really is the monster you claimed she is….how could she shed tears? How could she…..do something so…human?'
"I didn't realize we were opening an orphanage." Three pairs of eyes shot towards the kitchen entrance where Walter was leaning against the door way. "Seems every time I look at you, you have something attached to your waist."
"Don't you have important duties to be attending to?" Olivia muttered, her lips tickling Anderson's scalp. "One's that take you to the furthest reaches of the manor grounds?"
"The Round Table is here. Her Majesty and her advisor are already in the meeting hall with that scholar. They asked me to come fetch you….all of you."
Olivia didn't reply, her bangs covering her eyes as she smoothed Anderson's hair back and fixed his askew glasses before backing away completely.
"Let them finish their breakfast first," She bent down and picked up the towel, "We will be there shortly."
"Don't keep them waiting too long." Walter eyed the kids before making his exit.
"….Um…" Puspha's eyes shifted from Anderson—who was still sitting frozen in place—to Olivia, who was acting as if she didn't just have an emotional breakdown. "Olivia….are you…?"
"Eat up, kids," Olivia brought the used pan to the sink and began tidying up, her bangs still covering her eyes. "We have a long day ahead of us."
Father Renaldo would've no doubt berated him, but when Olivia grabbed Anderson's hand again as they left the kitchen, he didn't put up a fight.
Instead, he focused on the calluses and scars lining her palms and how gently she held his hand.
Monsters can't cry.
Monsters can't cry.
Those words spiraled around his brain like a mad carousel as his mentors' rigorous teachings waged war against the memory of Olivia's embrace.
She had cried for him—the very person threatening her life.
This had to be some kind of trick, demons were crafty beings and that girl clinging to Olivia's arm was just another helpless victim. No more delays, he had to complete his mission and drag her back to the Vatican to stand trial. He had to end this before she could conjure up more tricks. He was Alexander Anderson! Strong, valiant, resilient, he feared no one—!
She had cried for him.
She had held him.
Anderson had been abandoned and his mentors had always treated him as their future trump card. No kisses on scraped knees, no lullabies on stormy nights, no tears of empathy.
But….this woman with her bare feet and solemn eyes…..she had given him a glimpse of…..a glimpse of a mother's…No! Enough!
"I'm not a child!" Anderson snatched his hand away and crossed his arms. "Stop treating me like one!"
"…..You are a child though." Olivia's voice was slightly raspy from before, but her words were clear. "You can swing as many weapons around as you want, and your mentors can insist you are some chosen soldier for God, but….that doesn't change anything. You are a child, Anderson." And she continued on her way, Pushpa still clinging to her arm as she threw worried glances at him over her shoulder.
The hurricane launched the sapling into the horizon, and Anderson felt his knees quiver as his rosary bubbled again.
'I must be losing my mind. This manor is trying to test my faith and make me question my reality! Yes—that must be it! Worry not though, I will not succumb! I am Alexander Anderson! Strong, valiant, resilient, I fear no one—!'
"Are you coming?" Olivia stood at the end of the hallway, her spare hand outstretched. "Stay close to me or you'll get lost."
"Y—Yes, coming." Anderson hurried to her side and silently took her hand, ignoring Pushpa's eyes on him as heat crept up his neck.
'I…am Alexander Anderson….and I fear no one…..'
"You kept us waiting, Lieutenant General Song," Sir Islands spoke up as the trio entered the manor conference room. "And I see you brought Advisor Yadav's daughter…..and a boy in cleric's clothing."
"I'll explain later." Olivia released them both, watching Pushpa race off to her mom before leading Anderson to a pair of empty chairs and gesturing for him to sit down next to her. "Shall we begin?"
There were some protests voiced at Olivia's audacity to keep them waiting as well as how 'improper' it was to hold a Round Table meeting without Arthur, but one look from Elizabeth silenced them and the meeting commenced.
The first order of business was in regards to the attack on the Yadav household.
Manali, with Elizabeth's coat resting on her shoulders, recounted the evening's events from the moment Olivia left to her awakening in the clinic. When the council questioned the reason of Olivia's visit, Manali just locked eyes with her before uttering a simple "I wanted to have her over for tea and a chat, that is all".
Pushpa was the next to be questioned, but she just clammed up and hid her face in her mother's shoulder so the inquiry shifted to Olivia.
"Like Advisor Yadav described, it was some kind of demon made from bones and marionette parts. Its abilities were like nothing I've encountered. It physically became the house and was able to manipulate its surroundings into whatever it wanted."
"Your squadron reported you went in alone, that they were unable to follow you in," Lieutenant General Rob Walsh gestured to the documents before him, a cigarette nestled between his teeth. "Seems to me you were this demon's true target and the Yadavs were just bait. Am I wrong?"
"….No, you're not." Olivia answered evenly. "This demon said they wanted to play a game with me, the Yadavs' freedom being the prize."
"Do you know why this demon wanted to challenge you? Don't take this as a jab, Song, we are of the same military rank so I'm not belittling you. But you are only a soldier, why would this creature go to such lengths to reach you?"
"I do not have an answer for that. Monsters strike for no reason sometimes, and I have killed thousands of them during my time here. Perhaps they were simply seeking retribution for a fallen comrade or they just wanted to fight me."
"You say that, but your eyes speak differently."
"What are you getting at, Lieutenant General Walsh?"
"Come now, you've been on the field long enough to know things are never truly that simple. Perhaps you're not fully aware of it yourself, but your conscious has a few theories on why it wanted you."
Olivia's gaze involuntarily flickered towards her wedding ring, an action not lost on Anderson who felt like someone just sucker punched his gut.
'She is married?! Does she have children?! Aw shite! Please, anything but that!'
"My answer remains the same, Walsh." Olivia raised her chin with narrowed eyes. "I do not know its motive, regardless of what my 'eyes' tell you."
Walsh just smirked and raised his hands in surrender.
"Fine, I'll concede on that subject. Instead, let me ask you something else."
"And that would be?"
"You were on the brink of death when you escaped from that demon's bowels; you apparently depleted the ambulance's blood supplies. However, here you are without a scratch. I'm curious as to how that happened."
"Are you implying something, Walsh? You said so yourself, we are of equal rank so spit it out."
"Olivia—." Sir Islands began to chide but stopped as Walsh held a hand up with a smirk.
"What I'm 'implying' is that your doctor is a damn good one, but he isn't a miracle worker—poor Arthur's state is evidence of that. Your miraculous recovery couldn't be accomplished through normal means."
"Get to the point already.
"I'm just saying, perhaps the method of your recovery and this demon's interest in you are connected. Perhaps…..everything is connected to you. The Yadav Manor Attack, Arthur's sudden decline in health, even that little boy's presence—what if you are the link connecting these events together? What if….you are the reason for all this mess?"
Olivia was speechless, but Walsh didn't stop there and addressed Anderson fully.
"Son, why don't you introduce yourself? We are all curious about why you're here."
Another hurricane snatched the sapling up as all eyes fell upon him, and Anderson had half a mind to reach for Olivia's hand.
But, instead, he sat up straight and did his best to keep his voice firm.
"13 Iscariot priests were murdered last night, and a portrait of Our Lady was desecrated with this woman's name written in their blood. I was tasked with bringing her back to Italy to stand trial."
"Well, well," Walsh drew an imaginary web in the air. "It seems like my hunch is right. You are causing quite the commotion, Song."
"I…..I don't—." Olivia fumbled for something to say, only to be cut off by Manali.
"That is enough! I will not sit here and have you accuse Olivia of whatever insane crime you have conjured up in your head, Walsh. She saved my daughters' and my life at the expense of her own, and while I pity this young man's loss, I know without a doubt Olivia is innocent!"
"Are you calling me a liar?!" Anderson shot to his feet, the sapling finally fighting back against the hurricane. "Her name was written in their blood and you dare claim she is innocent?!"
"Then she is being framed! Someone is setting her up!"
"Manali, settle down—!"
"In fact! If there is anyone to be suspicious of," Manali's eyes zeroed in on Walter who had been watching the entire exchange from the corner of the room, "I say that man lurking in the shadows is a great place to start!"
"Still throwing out baseless accusations, Advisor Yadav?" Walter scoffed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Not very appropriate for a woman of your standing."
"Baseless accusations, you say?" Manali rose to her feet, ignoring Elizabeth's and Pushpa's worried pleas. "Funny you say that because my daughter saw—!" Her voice cut off as vertigo washed over her and she stumbled back into her seat with a whimper.
"Manali!"
"Mummy!"
"Advisor Yadav, don't push yourself!" Olivia begged, feeling like the room was crashing in around her as she clung to her wrist. "Please….don't injure yourself for my sake."
"Walsh, apologize this instant!" Sir Islands hissed under his breath, appalled by the soldier's behavior. "If anyone is causing a commotion, it is you!"
"I see I need to clarify myself, forgive me for not doing so earlier." Walsh cleared his throat as he extinguished his cigarette. "I am not accusing Song of anything but none of you can deny that all these events are centered around her. What I am trying to figure out is why because I suspect Song is on the verge of putting the pieces together." Walsh's eyes flickered up and he paused for a moment before leaning back in his chair with a smirk. "Or perhaps, the manor's trump card can tell me himself."
The sound of a gun cocking echoed throughout the room and all eyes, save for Olivia's, shot towards Alucard who stood behind her chair with his gun drawn.
"You are wise to shut your mouth." Alucard sneered. "Another word and I would've splattered your brains across the wallpaper."
"Alucard," Sir Islands slowly rose from his seat as the rest of the Council, except for Walsh, cowered in fear. "I know Arthur is in the clinic and you are upset, but your master would not—."
"My 'master' is right here. However," He reached down for Olivia's hand and beamed as she took it. "I know she despises that title, so I'll say the one we both prefer," He kissed her knuckles while maintaining eye contact with all the council. "My wife is right here."
If a pin dropped in that room, it would've sounded like a bomb detonating from how stark silent it was. But, as quickly as it came, the room soon dissolved into pure hysteria as the council demanded answers.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'WIFE'?!"
"YOU SERVE ONE MASTER AND THAT MASTER IS SIR HELLSING! YOU ARE BOUND TO HIM!"
"HOW COULD ARTHUR LET THIS HAPPEN?!"
"HOW COULD ARTHUR KEEP THIS FROM US?!"
"SILENCE!" Islands slammed his fist on the table, regaining control over the room for a moment. "Olivia…is….is this true?! Are you truly married to Alucard?!"
"Yes," She answered without hesitation, sighing as he peppered her knuckles with nips and kisses. "Alucard and I have been married for almost five years now. Sir Hellsing ordered us to keep it a secret, but….now you know."
Sir Islands' knees gave out, Sir Penwood's skin blanched an unhealthy hue of white, and the rest of the council was in equal states of shock. But Walsh just snorted and rose to his feet.
"Well, well, I take it back then." He saluted her before bowing at the waist. "You and I are of completely different ranks, 'Your Majesty'."
"Finally, something we can agree on," Elizabeth cleared her throat, masking her surprise by fiddling with her ring. "Well now, this explains what Ms. Smith said in the garden then."
"I was hoping you wouldn't catch that, to be honest." Acelie muttered to herself. "I apologize again for the confusion."
"There is no need, but," Elizabeth turned to Olivia and gave a tiny smile, "I suppose this makes us equals, Your Majesty."
"Please don't," Olivia sighed, only to flinch back as Anderson shoved a shaking finger in her face. "Alexander?"
"You…" Anderson gulped, shifting his finger towards Alucard before falling back down to Olivia. "You're…you're the Queen of the Damned! That explains everything!"
"Alexander—."
"Don't touch me!" Anderson jolted when Alucard's pistol jerked in his direction, but he kept going. "This is all the evidence I need! You are coming back to Italy with me!"
"Alexander—!"
"And you will stand trial before the Pope and—!"
"Alexander! Why is your rosary bubbling?!"
"Wha—?!" The beads had begun to coagulate together, forming sludge reminiscent of the pus leaking from the Yadav manor demon. "What the—?!"
Without hesitation, Olivia ripped the rosary from his neck and flung it across the room as the sludge began to take shape. And, when it hit the ground, there was no longer a pile of mass but a tall figure adorned in cleric's clothing and a black veil.
"Tada~!" The figure spun around with its arms outstretched, and Olivia swore the Earth stopped rotating.
Its voice, a distorted mixture of high and low pitches that sounded like two people talking at once, it was…..familiar.
She couldn't remember where or when, but she had heard that voice—or rather voices—before.
"Peace be with you, my children." The figure crept forward, and Olivia immediately yanked a petrified Anderson behind her.
"Walter, protect the Round Table. Alucard, protect Her Majesty, the Yadavs, and Acelie."
Both men nodded before swiftly taking their places as shields before the trembling individuals behind them.
"Despite your hesitance, you obviously have no issues with barking orders like a true monarch." The figure slurred, drool leaking from under its veil. "It warms our hearts to see it, Olivia."
"Who the hell are you?" Olivia whipped out Sic Parvis Magna and strung up an arrow. "Why were you disguised as a rosary?" Her eyes quickly widened in realization, and she wasted no time in aiming an arrow at its head. "You are the one responsible for the Vatican massacre, aren't you?"
"Perhaps, but that's not important right now. I know you recognize our voice, Olivia." The figure chuckled, their veil fluttering with every moment. "That is good, but we are still disappointed you didn't recognize the duo from yesterday."
"The duo? What duo?"
"Why are you conversing with it, Olivia?!" Sir Islands called out as Penwood clung to him. "Just kill it already and be done with it!"
"If you don't want me to repeat my 'performance' from last night, I advise you tell your friends to shut their mouths~." The figure hummed before slurping loudly. "Although, that doesn't sound so bad! I am quite hungry!"
"No one say a word!" Olivia commanded over her shoulder before peering down at Anderson who was glued to her back. "Alexander, go stand with Pushpa."
"But—!"
"Now! Go!"
Anderson obeyed without question, and Olivia waited until Pushpa grabbed him before facing the figure once more.
"What do you want with me?"
"So smart~! I want to pick up from last night and challenge you to a game! Don't worry!" The figure held their hands up. "This isn't a penalty round and is more like a pre-game match. I'll even give you two hints before revealing the answer."
"Another game of hide-and-seek?"
"No, no, this is a guessing game! And you, Olivia, are tasked with guessing who we are!"
"How the hell am I supposed to know that?!"
"By thinking! Think, Olivia, think!" The figure rapped their fingers against their head. "Don't tell me I have to give you a hint already!"
Olivia just scowled at them, her bow still in position.
"Fine! Here is your hint!" The figure removed one of their gloves, revealing a pale, slender hand with overgrown nails. They pricked their thumb with their pinky nail, and Olivia barely had time to register the pinching sensation in her thumb before Alucard yanked her hand up and brought it to his lips.
"What are you doing?! I said to protect them!"
"Where is it?!"
"Where is what?!" Olivia struggled against his grip, but he wouldn't budge. "Alucard, let me go!"
"I said, where is it?!"
"Where is what?!"
"Your injury! I can smell your blood!" He wrapped his tongue around her hand, searching for any hints of a scratch or scrape only to find intact skin. "Where does it hurt, Olivia?! Tell me!"
"I'm not injured, Alucard!"
"I am though." The figure waved their bleeding thumb around. "Tell me, Alucard, does my blood smell familiar to you?"
Alucard narrowed his eyes, easing his grip on Olivia but not releasing her as he took a whiff. Within seconds, his eyes were pure black and his fangs were bared.
"You…..have Olivia's blood running through your veins…."
Gasps and choruses of 'what?!"s echoed from behind them, but Olivia barely heard them as her heart dropped to the floor.
"Wait, do you mean they have the same blood type?" Acelie piped up, a metal staff in her hands as she shielded the women and children.
"No," Smoke practically billowed from Alucard's mouth. "That is Olivia's blood."
"Which means you can't harm me since spilling your beloved Queen's blood would be sacrilege." The figure taunted, sliding their glove back on. "There is your first hint, Olivia! Care to guess?"
"You're the 'cat' that attacked me in the palace gardens." Olivia declared, ice consuming her lungs with every breath. "That is the only explanation."
"Wrong! Good guess though!" The figure threw an arm over their forehead and let out an overdramatic sigh. "Oh well~! I suppose if we want to move onto the next game, I'll have to give you the answer. But first! One~last~hint~!" The figure pulled a jawbone from their pocket. "Recognize this?"
Olivia just shook her head, those infernal briars sprouting from her heart once more.
"No? Wow, you are dumber than I thought! This is the jawbone from the duo you played with last night!"
"What?"
"Well, I suppose I'll cut you some slack. This belongs to one part of the duo—the more developed one since the other was rather—hmmm, how do you say it?—fetal like? But, fret not, I have something from the other one!" The figure held up a tiny femur with their other hand. "Care to guess?"
"Enough!" Olivia bared her teeth like Alucard and charged forward with her bow ready. "Tell me the answer already! Who are you?!"
"We thought family was the most important thing to you. I guess we were wrong." The figure shrugged and shook their head. "Such a shame, all those bedtime stories and life lessons for nothing."
"…..What?"
The figure just sighed and reached up to slide the veil from their face, revealing a partially decayed skull with one eyeball in its left socket.
And with that one action, the world ceased to rotate.
Sic Parvis Magna clattered against the marble floor and cries of shock erupted as Olivia crumbled to her knees with her hands over her mouth.
"No….no…." Olivia slowly shook her head, her body trembling as waterfalls poured down her cheeks. "No…no…..no…..no….no…"
"Olivia!" Alucard hurried to her side, only to freeze as she hunched over and screamed at the top of her lungs.
"NO!"
The chairs toppled over.
The doorframe rattled.
And the others could only stare on in utter shock as Olivia screamed bloody murder, her hands smothering her face as her body continued to quake uncontrollably.
"NO! NO! NONONONONONONONONONONONONONO!"
"OLIVIA!" Alucard flew to her side, restraining her as she thrashed about, her ceaseless wails and chants filling the chamber. "WHAT'S WRONG?! OLIVIA! OLIVIA!"
Nothing he could say or do would reach her.
Not with that figure standing before her, looking as it did.
To the others, they saw a reanimated corpse with no defining features.
But to Olivia…..
She saw two very particular things.
A heart shaped face
And a green eye.
Heart shaped face, green eyes, curly hair, black hair.
Heart shaped face, green eyes, curly hair, black hair.
Heart shaped face, green eyes, curly hair, black hair.
HEART SHAPED FACE, GREEN EYES, CURLY HAIR, BLACK HAIR.
"I suppose it was a long shot to hope you would recognize your brothers' bones, but really now," The figure knelt before her, pulling down their collar to reveal two necks sewn together, "you couldn't recognize your own parents' voices?"
A/N:... C:
C:
C:
Yeah.
Things will be explained in the next chapter, hence why I had to cut it so I'm not going to say anything else but C:
This is a smile of pain by the way. I love you, Olivia, why do I keep doing this to you?
Anyways, a friend of mine said that meeting Anderson was a huge part of Olivia realizing her own mistreatment and that legit made me tear up. And if you thought Anderson was going to be badass, well he will be but he is also a 15 year old boy right now and I want to make that very obvious.
I know I promised more action, but I realize it would be best to leave the chapter here so the action will be in the next chapter because the arc is almost done! I'm just going to warn you all right now, get ready for pain.
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please leave a review! I love them all and you all so much!
Please enjoy the summer and stay healthy! And please be kind to each other! Thank you all again and see you in the next chapter! :D