Chapter Text
The days of war and fighting have ceased for Seras and her Masters. A new dawn has risen above the horizon, and new beginnings are born; the days of solitude and rest are now in play. With Hellsings' last remaining heir growing older by the day, the two vampires were in charge of looking after her. Albeit she curses them that she can very much handle herself and doesn't need help. She's only 75, but those old bones can still work.
Though, as of recently, the whispers of death have been whispering through the walls of the manor. The servants were worried as to how much the physician had been frequent in visiting. Something must be wrong.
Seras' hand hovered over the heiress's office door. Sir Integra had requested an important meeting to be held, and both she and Alucard should be present. Seras wonders if the Iron Maiden is going to address the rumours that have been running rampant in her halls. Seras sighs, knocking on the door.
"Come in."
Hearing that cold, deep voice would've set her undead heart racing back then, but now, she's more worried than frightened. She twisted the doorknob and pushed open the door. Looking around, she doesn't sense or see Alucard. Maybe he's not here yet? She closes the door behind her and strides to stand in front of her Master.
"A good night to you, Sir Integra." Integra nodded her head, "Likewise, Miss Victoria." Integra signalled for Seras to a seat, glancing at the chair. Seras nodded nd sat down gracefully, her hands resting in her lap as she awaited whatever news Integra had.
The Iron Maiden took a deep breath before she spoke, "It seems the walls in the manor do speak, and what they speak of is the truth." Her voice echoed throughout the scarce room. Seras' shoulders tensed, and her eyes widened. "I don't have much time left. So I must make sure that I've prepared everything beforehand." Seras didn't say anything; her emotions said more than enough.
Integra's cold gaze met those of Seras. Her gaze softened as she could see the inner turmoil in the girl. "Make sure Alucard behaves, Miss Victoria." Integra looked passed Seras, slightly frowning. "You're late."
"Asking a fledgling to watch its master?" Alucard's voice mocked, he slipped out of the shadows and into the seat beside Seras. "I wouldn't be so surprised if you outlived your death date to spite me, master." He crossed his legs and looked at her intently, his Cheshire smile prominent.
Integra rubbed her temples, her ire obvious. "Moving on. You two very well know that after I pass, this will be turned into a government-owned agency, which will be run by Mr Penwood." Integra spun her chair around, looking outside her huge windows. Eyes searching the fields beyond the manor.
"Your stay here is limited." Integra stood up and walked towards the window. "Fortunately, you'll be able to stay after Mr Penwood takes over. However, this generation of the Round Table will be anything but coddling." As she said that, she turned around and faced them. She eyed Alucard and spoke. "After my death... you'll be free." Alucard stared back at her. He wasn't smiling anymore; if anything, he was upset.
"Though not to fret, if I feel like it, I'll come back." Integra smirked, "Was that your attempt at a joke, master...?" Seras sighed and gave Integra a knowing look. The smirk faded from Integra's face, gazing at Seras with an unnamed emotion swirling around in her ice-cold eyes.
She turned her back to vampires once more, presumably hiding her emotions. "Two weeks." Seras' eyes widened, moving to the edge of her seat, blood red tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to fall. Her breath hitched in her throat. Two weeks? That's all? Two weeks until the Earth claims another soul?
Seras' voice broke before she even spoke. "This meeting is adjourned. You two will receive your instructions on how to proceed tomorrow." Her voice lacked the emotion for the mood.
"How could you say that, Sir Integra-?" Seras stood up, feeling upset and bothered by Integra's dismissive attitude. "Seras! It is not your place to say anything! You.Are.Dismissed."
The tears that threatened to fall finally fell in the heat of anger and sadness. Seras stomped her way out of Integra's office and bolted to the training grounds.
Integra sighed as she left. "You would've had a bullet through my skull if I dared to speak to you in such a manner." Alucard smiled as he adjusted in the chair. "She'll eventually come around. Seras will have to accept that I will not be here." Her tone wasn't of steel and Iron, but of fondness and bittersweetness.
"You're dismissed also, Alucard." She said. Alucard stood up, looming over her even though the desk was separating them. He looked down at her, with unsaid feelings hanging in the air. He bowed and stepped out.
"Perhaps I should follow the little lady..." His voice trailed off as he sensed the direction she went in.
Bullets are continuously hitting their targets, making a deafening sound with each impact. Seras aimed for the head and chest, red tears running down her pale face.
"How could Master Integra be so mean!?" She fired a few more, her tears almost blinding her.
"Now, now ma cher.. calm down." Pip's silhouette started to take shape from the shadows. He stood beside her, with a gun in his hand and a cigarette in his mouth. Seras looked over at him with beady red eyes, cheeks stained with red.
"Aw, c'mon, don't give me that look." Seras sighed and turned away, slumping her shoulders, gun still in hand. She unloaded the gun and placed it back in its place, making sure it's secured. "Two weeks." She paused. Taking a deep breath, though she did not have to, "That's all she said." She continued. Pip slightly frowned.
It's right for the little vampire to be sad. After all, she spent half her life fighting vampires alongside the old woman. "She said it so... how do I say it? Business-like. Like it's something to just—ugh!" She slammed her hand on the counter, the sound echoing throughout the room.
Pip shuffled his hair, thinking about how he's going to deal with a very sad-angry Seras. "Look, Ma cher. I know how you feel, you knew deep down that the lady wasn't going to live forever." A tear fell from her eye, her lips scrunched up, trembling. "But why does it have to be so soon?"
She turned towards him and hugged him. Even though he's just her shadows, the phantom feeling was there, at least.
"I'll miss her too, Seras."
Pip patted her head softly, feeling her relax in his arms. "Feeling better now, Seras?" He asked. Seras pulled away from the hug and wiped her face on her sleeves. "I do feel better. Thanks, Pip."
Seras took a deep breath and looked up at him. "Gosh, if master were to ever see me like this, I'd never hear the end of it." She nervously laughed as she finished drying her tears.
Little did they know, something was lurking in the shadows, watching, stalking, with that eerie smile. Seras felt eyes on her and slightly shivered. "You okay, Seras?" The captain asked.
She tilted her head, looking behind Pip at the door. She swore she saw eyes, and it made the hairs on her neck stand up. She blinked twice. Nothing. 'My imagination?' She thought.
She shrugged it off and looked at Pip. "It's nothing. Just thought that I saw something." He didn't respond but nodded at her. "We should... go back."
He scoffed, "Yes, ma cher. That's enough training and tears for today." He ruffled her hair as she walked off. "Stop doing that, I'm not a kid." Seras chuckled softly as he continued to do it as they walked out.
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