A/N: Hello, everyone. I hope you are all well. Thank you all for your patience.

Here is the next chapter. I welcome all new/returning readers.

Walter was three when he swore loyalty to the newly knighted Sir Arthur Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing.

"From this day forward, your sole purpose is to serve that man and his bloodline." His father, the previous Hellsing butler, declared before shoving Walter to his knees in his first act of subservience.

And, in the presence of Arthur's imposing aura, he ignored his scraped knees and willingly swore his allegiance.

Fresh into his 20s, Arthur commanded his organization with an iron fist, and Walter was ecstatic to be his right hand–his executioner who slaughtered all that Hellsing deemed an enemy.

What a macabre sight it was, witnessing a child inflict death with a smile.

But Arthur saw no issue with it and, within a year into his service, he dubbed Walter the "Angel of Death".

Oh how sweet that title was.

Yes, he was the Grim Reaper.

He could extinguish life with the flick of his wrist.

Nothing, living or dead, could stand in his way.

But then he met him–that infuriating, arrogant mutt.

'Little Angel' he called him with that taunting smirk, looking down at him like he was a pest.

Like something insignificant.

And he was–despite all his prowess, he would be nothing but an insignificant human who would wither away.

And Arthur was no different.

Underneath the imposing persona, Arthur was a paranoid, womanizing drunk and adult Walter was reminded of this reality as he watched Dr. Trevilian administer Arthur's IV.

He took in his sunken cheekbones and withered complexion with not concern but disgust.

How little it took for a paper man to crumble.

"I will brew some tea, Sir Hellsing." Walter announced, receiving only a nod from Dr. Trevilian as Arthur only stared blankly ahead, lips mouthing out something undecipherable.

Probably the same thing he'd been chanting since they left the palace.

"What have I done?"

Shutting the door behind him, Walter made his way towards the kitchen, his face impassive and eyes locked ahead.

It was only when he was filling the kettle that he paused, having caught sight of his reflection in the metal.

Lenswear was a sign of poor vision–an indication of imperfection and weakness–and the monocle situated on his eye was like an unsightly boil.

And his hair, once trimmed and sleek, was now raggedy and hovered above his shoulders.

"Pathetic." He shut the tap off and slammed the kettle on the stovetop with a snarl. "Utterly pathetic."

"Well I think you look dashing." Olivia teased, slinging her arm over his shoulder. "Gosh, all the men in this manor are so vain. One little mark on your cheek and you mope for days."

Walter whirled around, only to find no one there with no other sound but his racing pulse.

How humiliating.

Here he was, quivering like a kitten in a thunderstorm.

"Ridiculous," Walter shook his head, turning back towards the stovetop.

Only to come face-to-face with Olivia's half-decayed face.

"What's 'ridiculous', Walter?" Her maggot ridden hand curled around his neck, her sole eye burning into his soul. "Why is your pulse racing? Could it be…that the great Angel of Death is afraid? But why? It is me, Walter, the woman you love." Olivia cupped his face, jagged bone tearing in his skin. "Let me return the favor–a kiss for a kiss."

And Walter found himself frozen in place, the only hints of life being his heart pounding in his ears as Olivia drew closer until–.

'Mr. Dornez?" A cadet stepped into his line of sight, shattering the illusion and animating Walter's body once more. "Are you alright? You've been staring at the kettle for the past five minutes." They placed a hand on his shoulder. "Mr. Dornez, are you–?"

"Get back to work. I'm fine." Walter swatted his head away, the sweat pooling at his brow indicating otherwise.

"But–."

"Leave."

With a flash of his wires, the cadet scurried out of the kitchen and Walter glowered at their retreating back until they were out of sight.

Once their hurried footsteps had dissipated, his knees suddenly buckled, and Walter scrambled to steady himself on the counter.

"For fucks sake!" Walter gritted his teeth, commanding his body to be strong but to no avail. "Acting like a whimpering child….so fucking weak…..humans are so fucking weak!"

After putting her clothes away, Pushpa tiptoed down the stairs in search of her teacher and travel companion.

She heard voices drifting from the room at the end of the hallway and peeked in, only to have something launched in her direction once more.

Once again Pushpa cowered and the object halted inches from her face.

"Are you going to let me teach her or not?"

Pushpa peeked through her fingers to find Fay with her arms crossed and a large book hovering before her, secured in Alucard's grip.

"A good teacher doesn't rely solely on corporal punishment." Alucard handed the book to Pushpa and nudged her forward. "Your student is here. Proceed."

"Don't tell me what to do," Fay hissed before addressing Pushpa directly, "As my student, combat will not be your only lesson. Now sit, we will study these texts before moving onto some training. Hopefully your reflexes will have awakened by then."

Having settled in an armchair, Alucard silently watched the exchange.

Pushpha, not used to being scolded so harshly, flushed a dark pink but obeyed her teacher and took a seat at the center table.

"Now, to begin, let's start with the earliest known records of the monsters. You will see–." Fay prattled on, giving a stern snap when Pushpa just gaped blankly at her.

"Ah! I'm sorry!" She scrambled to open the book, banging her knee against the table leg in the process. "Ouch! Sorry! Sorry!"

Fay just sighed and continued her lecture.

'This is just the beginning, Little Lamb. If you cannot withstand Fay's teachings, you will never reach Hellsing.'

Alucard peeked down at Mr. Coffin swiping at his leg, as if chiding their master with a 'Have faith! We must believe in her!'

To which he snorted and reclined back with his hands clasped across his chest, watching the lesson unfold while his eyes gradually grew heavier until sleep embraced him once more.

"Alright, give me five laps around the track and go wash up. You all did great today."

"Yes, sir!" The group of soldiers saluted before racing off in perfect formation.

"Ah, I'm exhausted!" The young Lieutenant General groaned, lifting her shirt to wipe at her face. "Lunch preparations should be in process right now, maybe I can bother someone into making lemonade too."

A shadow fell upon her, and she lowered her shirt to find a familiar figure looming before her with–Oh Heavens bless!-a towel and a cold glass of lemonade.

"An angel!" The Lieutenant General praised, earning a faux gasp from the figure.

"Insulting your husband after he went through all this trouble? You wound me."

"A thousand apologies, my love. This heat must've gotten to me." She giggled, wiping her face with the offered towel before ravenously gulping down the lemonade.

The figure watched with an endeared grin, once again mesmerized by his love's beauty.

"After my bath, we can go for a stroll in the gardens if you want." She lowered the glass with a hearty "Ah!"

"Shall I help?" The figure leaned in, wrapping his hands around her waist. "I will give you special treatment~."

"The things you say!" Olivia Emese Song, Hellsing's White Rabbit and Queen of the Night, blushed neon red as she frantically searched for eavesdroppers. " Have some shame! We are in public!"

"A married couple sharing an embrace is scandalous?"

"An embrace involves hands to be above the waist!" Olivia wiggled out of his grasp and stomped towards the manor. "Behave and if you dare slither one tendril into the bathroom, I will use you for target practice!"

"Oh who is the shameless one now?! Using such enticing euphemisms!"

"Oh for the love of–you know what I mean, Alucard!" Olivia stomped her foot as she threw open the manor door and slammed it behind her.

Only to open it once more and let out an irritated, "Thank you for the lemonade!" before slamming it shut again as Alucard's laughter filled the air.

'Must be a nice dream." Fay mused at the faint smile sketched across Alucard's face. 'At least you can find solace in your dreams, Your Majesty.'

"Um, Teacher," Pushpa raised her hand, flinching when Fay's head jerked in her direction. "I, um, I have a question about these journal entries."

"And that is?"

"Um, these are from the Age of Exploration right? When the Europeans arrived in the 'New World'."

"Yes?"

"Well, it's just…." Pushpa gulped, wondering if she had misinterpreted the texts. "It's just that these accounts are about sea monsters, cyclopes, and grotesque mermaids."

"Correct. You recall I said today's lesson was about early records of monsters."

"I understand but," Pushpa's eyes darted between the texts and accompanying illustrations. "Did they really see monsters or…..are these prejudicial caricatures of the native people?"

Fay's eyes widened at that, impressed by her analysis.

"So you noticed." Fay pushed away from the wall she'd been leaning against and strutted over to her. "Enlighten me, Little Princess, what are the parameters that constitute a monster? Having fangs? Talons? Or the lone fact that they simply look different from you and me? Following that logic, aren't appearances enough to label someone a monster and raise your weapons to them?"

"No! That's wrong!"

"Humankind's fears are often products of bigotry. Labeling someone who appears or acts different as something monstrous, unclean, demonic. As you venture deeper into the realm of the night, you will come across the new and uncertain, but that does not make them profane. Remember that in your studies, not all these written accounts can be taken as gospel. You will need to draw your own conclusions to see the truth. Only then can you truly understand and coexist with all that exists in the night. Only then can you take the first step in bypassing Hellsing and all those who use their fear and paranoia to justify their cruelty."

"I…see. Thank you, Teacher." A contemplative expression dawned on Pushpa's face, as if etching the lesson to memory.

Fay was about to add on when a loud gurgling sound filled the room, and Pushpa immediately ducked her head low with her burning face in her hands.

"Don't be ashamed. It has been a few hours, hasn't it?" Fay gazed over at the clock, finding it close to late evening. "That is enough for now. Follow me."

"Ah! Um….!" Pushpa frantically pivoted from Fay's retreating form to Alucard's slumbering one before scurrying after her. "Coming, Teacher!"

"The last time I had a human visitor,all I had were pickles." Fay chuckled to herself, opening the kitchen's ice box and pulling out a bowl of salad. "Fortunately, I am better prepared this time. Will this do?"

"Yes, yes, of course!" Pushpa repressed a wince at the sad bowl of iceberg lettuce, thin carrots, and sparse cucumbers. "Thank you very much, Teacher."

"Hm, well, I will have you go to the market from now on so you can prepare your own meals. It is my understanding you've never done so for yourself–it is time to learn, Princess."

"I….I understand." Pushpa took a seat at the table as Fay placed the bowl and a fork in front of her. "Thank you."

Taking a seat across from her, Fay watched Pushpa pick at her food.

"Yes, it was Olivia."

"What?" The fork dropped with a loud clack.

"The question bouncing around those big eyes of yours. The last human here was Olivia. And she ate those pickles without a fuss."

"I'm…. Forgive me, I'm not trying to be rude." Pushpa ducked her head again before meekly raising her eyes. "Um, Teacher, could…could you tell me about her? As you knew her?"

"You haven't asked His Majesty, the one who knew her the best?"

"He doesn't want to talk and I don't want to push him but…..I have to know."

Fay fiddled with the tablecloth, contemplating her answer before speaking up.

"She was like the sunflowers in the fields–strong, vibrant, always reaching towards the light. She carried scars, yet she held this fire in her eyes that challenged any foe to take her down. His Majesty confessed to me he was in love with her during their first night here, and I almost choked on my drink. But," Fay smiled softly. "I could see why. Does that answer your question?"

That brief snippet only left Pushpa starved for more, but she just nodded and finished eating.

Once the bowl was clean, Fay tossed a sponge at her and gestured to the sink.

"Do you need me to teach you this as well?"

"No, Teacher," Pushpa replied with a trace of venom in her tone, scrubbing the bowl with force. "I am not that pampered, I know how to clean up after myself."

"Ah, are you annoyed?" Fay leaned in beside her, arms crossed with a smirk. "You've been so meek since coming here, I was beginning to think your behavior in the gardens was a one-off occurrence."

"I–I! I….I just think you are being unfair, Teacher. I came here to learn, but you act like my presence is a nuisance. I realized I come from a privileged life, yet that doesn't give you the right to be so hurtful." She wiped at her eyes, frustrations boiling over. "I know I have a lot to learn so please…." She sniffled as a few teardrops slid down her cheek. "Please be patient with me."

"How do you plan on overthrowing Hellsing if my behavior hurts your feelings? Do you think the Round Table and countless other pompous assholes will be sweet to you? Wipe your tears and give you some sweets to make the baby feel all better?"

"No but–!"

"You have to be iron, Pushpa. If you want to command, you have to be immovable and make them bend to your will. And if I am to mold you into a leader, I have to make you strong–even if it means breaking you down first." Fay pushed away from the counter and marched out of the room. "Dry your hands and follow me to the cellar. It is time for combat training."

Alucard awoke to the sound of muffled shouts and an empty room.

'Another dream,' He rubbed his face, his entire body heavy like lead. 'Will this one evade me as well?'

And, like the previous one, all traces of the dream vanished into smoke.

Yet…something lingered.

The contents of the dream were lost to him, but the aura…it was nostalgic.

Almost like it wasn't a dream but a memory.

"Shit…" Alucard dragged a hand down his face, his nails catching on the skin and drawing blood. "This is ridiculous."

"Hey, stop that." Alucard's body froze as someone knelt before him, concern laced in her tone.

'Could it be….?' He slowly lifted his head to find Olivia's teary face before him. "Olivia….?"

"Please don't hurt yourself." Her fingers ghosted over his injuries before tracing his gaunt cheeks and eye bags. "Oh, darling….." Olivia sighed before standing up and moving away.

"NO!" Alucard pounced, flinging his arms around her. "DON'T GO!"

But she became smoke in his grasp, and he crashed to the floor, arms thrashing at air and raw sobs pouring from his throat.

"DON'T LEAVE ME! COME BACK! OLIVIA! OLIVIA!"

The illusion never returned, and Alucard was left shattered on the floor, his face coated in blood from his wounds and his tears.

Mr. Coffin whimpered and nuzzled against their master's back yet their actions brought no comfort.

Soon, a presence crouched beside him and Fay's bony hand rubbed his shoulder.

It was silent between the two vampires for a moment, save for Alucard's muffled cries.

Eventually, his tears dried and he nudged her hand away before sitting up, his hair masking his features.

"Lessons are done for the day, I sent the Little Princess off to bathe before heading to bed." Fay stood up, her knees cracking at the action. "Follow me to the kitchen, let's have a drink."

"...Is she alright?" Alucard croaked out, still stagnant on the floor.

"I didn't draw any blood if that is what you are implying. She is a little bruised and scraped, but nothing to blow my head off for."

"It is not me you should fear." Alucard stood up, his blood absorbing back into his skin as he trudged out of the room, eyes still lined red. "It's her mother."

Fay cracked a smile at that and followed suit.

"Duly noted."

After her bath, Pushpa was curled up in bed, bandages wrapped around her body and tears still fresh on her lashes.

She knew combat training would involve some injuries, but she didn't anticipate Fay to actually fight her on her first try.

"I believe in hands-on teaching. Now dodge," was Pushpa's only warning as Fay came at her with her fists ready.

'I want to go home' danced on her lips and almost leapt into vocalization between the blows, but images of Olivia's face silenced her pleas and she pushed through the rest of the lesson.

"We have a long way to go." Fay had concluded, handing her a first-aid kit. "Get cleaned up and sleep. Lessons continue tomorrow."

'There is no turning back,' Her muscles screamed as she pulled the blanket above her head and her weary eyes fluttered shut. 'I have to be strong…I have to become iron…..Olivia, please help me…'

The weather was pleasant, so Anderson herded all the children outside to play after morning service.

The older children decided to hold a 100-yard dash competition with the victor receiving the losers' dessert portion.

And Anderson had informed the children the nuns would be providing panna cotta tonight so everyone was bringing their A-game.

While the older children stretched and playful taunted each other, the younger children sat to the side and watched, cheering them on with shouts of encouragement.

"Where are you going, Katia?" Lisette–one of the eight year olds–asked when she noticed her getting up. "The race is about to start."

"I want to get Noel," Katia explained, thinking of her poor teddy bear left alone in her room. "I'll be back! Wait for me!"

And she toddleed off as fast as her little legs could take her.

Once inside, she hurried up the stairs and towards the sleeping quarters, chanting "Wait for me, wait for me" when she noticed something that made her stumble to a halt.

The Mary portrait had been moved to the side and the locked door was wide open, a flickering light drifting from the doorway.

All thoughts of dolls and races were extinguished from her mind, and Katia crept closer.

What could be on the other side?

Treasure?

Treats?

….A monster?

That last possibility rattled her courage, but she pressed forward and gingerly peeked around the doorframe, her tiny hands flying to her mouth to muffle her gasp.

In the center of the dark room stood Father Anderson, a candle in one hand and his Bible in the other which he was reciting from.

But that wasn't what frightened her–it was what Anderson was reading to.

Before him was a rectangular stone altar and placed on top of it was something wrapped in cloth.

Something human shaped.

Anderson suddenly closed his Bible and moved to extinguish the candle, sending Katia racing away so she wouldn't get caught.

Yet, just before the light went out, Katia caught sight of something etched into the stone.

She couldn't read the word so she kept the letters flashing in her mind until she was back outside with the others.

"Where is Noel?" Lisette inquired when Katia crashed next to her, her face white as a sheet. "Hey, are you okay?"

Katia just curled up with her knees to her chest and stared at the ground, mind racing a mile a minute.

What was Father Anderson keeping in that room? A body? Why was the room chained up? And why was he reciting psalms to it? Was it really a monster? If so, why was it hidden in the orphanage?

"Katia, what's wrong?" Lisette wrapped her arms around the trembling girl. "Did you see something scary?"

Katia was about to reveal everything but paused at what might happen if Father Anderson knew she saw him.

Would she be thrown out?

Would God abandon her for this?

Father Anderson was a priest–a holy man–therefore his actions must have an explanation.

"I saw a shadow and it scared me." Katia mumbled, not exactly telling a lie.

Lisette looked uncertain but shrugged it off as the race picked up in energy.

Katia was a scaredy cat, so this behavior wasn't surprising..

Tremors still shaking her form, Katia stared down at the dirt before reaching her pointer finger out and writing the letters that were etched into the stone altar.

O-L-I-V-I-A

A/N: I truly thank you all for standing by this fic. I will try to update more frequently in the future. Please, all of you be healthy and well. Thank you!