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The Blood Queen 54
🕑 Added 2025-06-07 22:05:23 +0000 UTCChapter 54:
– Valerie –
The flight from Tokyo to London felt like it lasted longer than the way there. By the time the wheels touched down, Gasper looked ready to faint. I guess he was afraid of heights still.
To be fair, he was still afraid of a lot of things…
We were gonna work on all of them.
Even so, London’s gray sky was a welcome sight. The evil sunny skies of Japan weren't very welcoming for the half undead. Too bright and happy, not enough doom and gloom.
A black Bentley with a Hellsing crest waited at the private gate. Walter opened the rear door for us. “Welcome home, Miss Valerie. Sir Integra sends her regards.”
Gasper and I slid onto the leather seats. He kept glancing out the window nervously as he took in all the London sights.
“Relax,” I whispered, squeezing his hand. “You’re safe here. And you’ll like the boss. Integra isn’t as scary as she looks—most of the time,” I added with a chuckle.
The car rolled through iron gates and up the long driveway. Right away I spotted the changes in the staff. Rough‑looking soldiers in mixed fatigues patrolled the lawns and main halls. Automatic rifles. Scarred faces. Definitely the mercenaries Integra had been talking about recruiting.
Gasper pressed closer to my side. “Are they… friendly?” he asked nervously.
"I hope so..." I said with a shrug. "If not... Well, it won't work out too good for them…"
Walter laughed in the front seat while Gasper just gulped nervously. But then he looked up at me, "I'll protect my big sister!" he declared.
Aaaaawwwww!
Inside, the entry hall looked whole again—freshly polished marble where scorch marks had scarred the tile, portraits rehung straight after being peppered with stray bullets. Not a single bloodstain or shell hole remained. It felt like a normal home again and not a warzone. The only new décor was the pair of mercs the size of refrigerators posted at the foot of the staircase. I gave them a nod and they blushed at me. And then their eyes found Gasper and they stared like they’d never seen a tiny vampire boy in girl clothes before.
I tugged Gasper along before anyone could say anything. We'd have time for all that later. “Come on. Time to meet the boss!” I told him enthusiastically.
We stopped at the oak door that led to Integra’s study. I knocked twice.
“Enter,” came the unmistakable crisp voice of Sir Integra.
I pushed in. Integra sat behind her massive desk, looking and smelling noticeably less stressed than before I left her.
“Hi, Integra!” I chirped, giving a quick wave.
She sighed—as if seeing me gave her a headache. RUDE!
“Welcome back, Valerie. Thank you for not causing any international incidents while you were in Japan—at least none that reached the Foreign Office.”
I flipped my long blonde hair and grinned. “None that you know about, anyway.”
Integra’s stare hardened. “What?”
“What?” I echoed innocently.
She rubbed her temples. “Never mind. Introduce me.”
I nudged Gasper forward. He clutched the sides of his black skirt but managed a small bow. “H‑Hello, ma’am. I’m Gasper.”
Integra’s brow went up. Her eyes traveled from his shy smile to the lace collar, then down to knee‑high socks and polished shoes. “Valerie, you said you had a little brother. Why,” she gestured vaguely at his outfit, “is there a vampire girl in my office?”
Gasper squeaked. I slipped an arm around his shoulders and he tensed a bit. “He’s a boy, Integra. Clothes are just clothes. Gasper likes what he likes.”
She paused for a second as if to process that. Then something unexpected happened when she really looked Gasper over. Her blue eyes flicked over him—twitchy fingers, trembling lip—and she actually softened. A tiny unclenching of her jaw, the faintest sigh that made the cigar smoke curl gentler overhead. The tension in the room loosened like someone cracked a window.
“It’s nice to have you here, Gasper,” she said, voice lower than usual. “Assuming you truly wish to join Hellsing.”
Gasper’s eyes lit up. He smoothed his skirt and managed a shy nod. “Yes, ma’am. I want to be brave—like my big sister Valerie. I… I want to be a hero!”
I swear—I caught it—a small, nearly silent coo slipped out of Integra’s lips. And then she caught herself and flinched.
The corners of her lips twitched upward before she snapped back into commander‑mode. She cleared her throat and pivoted that icy glare straight at me: If you ever mention that sound I just made, you die…
Message received. I made a motion to zip my lips, but inside I was grinning wide.
She turned back to Gasper. “Very well. Basic weapons and tactics training are mandatory for every operative. Walter will devise a schedule. I have high hopes for you.” She tapped ash into the crystal tray. “Any particular skills we should note?”
Gasper brightened. “I’m really good with computers! And… I can also stop time.”
The first answer earned a polite nod. The second made her choke on cigar smoke. “You can what?” she coughed, eyes snapping toward me like gunfire.
I gave a sheepish shrug. “Did I never mention that?”
“No,” she growled. “You most certainly did not…”
—
Integra’s office door clicked shut behind us, and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. For once, a meeting with her had gone smoothly. She’d even instructed Walter to set up a bedroom for Gasper right down the hall from mine—close enough that I could keep an eye on him, far enough that he’d get a little independence.
We stepped back into the main corridor. A couple of Wild Geese mercs leaned against a suit of armor, rifles slung casual across their chests. Their gazes dropped to my chest—predictable—and lingered a beat too long.
I folded my arms beneath my breasts, pushed them up an inch, and cocked a brow. “Oy, eyes up here, boys.”
One of them, a scar over his left brow, flashed a shameless grin. “Can’t blame a man for appreciating fine craftsmanship, ma’am.”
I laughed and swatted the air. “Get back to patrol before Integra sees you slacking.” They straightened immediately but didn’t wipe the grins off their faces.
Gasper shuffled beside me, cheeks pink. He still wasn’t used to open ogling. I ruffled his hair. “Come on, little brother. Time to meet the next people on your growing list of housemates.”
I lifted my nose, inhaling. Rose’s warm scent drifted from the east wing. I guided Gasper through two corridors until the scent grew strong outside one of the smaller tea rooms.
Inside, Rose Potter sat at a low table, brown hair in a loose braid, green eyes fixed on a steaming cup in front of her. Tonks lounged opposite her. The moment Rose spotted me in the doorway, she shot to her feet, eyes going bright.
“Valerie!” She crossed the room in three strides and kissed me—full, deep, no hesitation. Her lips were warm, her fingers sliding into my hair. Rose was usually shy with public affection and her sudden boldness made my stomach flip in the best way. I kissed her back just as fiercely, one hand on her waist, the other steadying her cheek.
Behind me, Gasper let out a squeaky noise that sounded equal parts embarrassment and curiosity.
Rose pulled back, breath a little unsteady, cheeks flushed a soft pink. She glanced at Gasper, then at me. “This must be your brother?” she asked, taking in his lace collar and skirt.
Gasper offered a shy smile and a small wave. “Nice to meet you. I’m Gasper.”
Tonks sprang up from the sofa. “Oh my Merlin, he’s adorable!” In a blur, she scooped him into a hug before he could react, pressing his face into her chest. Gasper’s muffled protest was pure mortification. Tonks was hugging Gasper tightly, his face comically squished between her generous breasts as she grinned mischievously at me. Her eyes sparkled with delight, clearly enjoying every second of Gasper’s embarrassed flailing. "Valerie, your little brother is seriously adorable," Tonks declared enthusiastically, squeezing Gasper even tighter, making him squeal in embarrassment. "And gorgeous, too! I think he might have just awakened something in me. Can I date him?"
I choked loudly at Tonks' absurd and incredibly random question, my eyes widening in surprise. Rose stared at her in disbelief, clearly caught off guard as well. Gasper's muffled squeaks of distress became even more frantic as his face turned a deeper shade of red.
"Awawawawawa!" he babbled incoherently, clearly overwhelmed by Tonks' enthusiastic affection.
Suddenly, Tonks completely froze mid-hug, utterly motionless. Gasper had activated his sacred gear in a panic, taking advantage of the momentary reprieve to wriggle free. He scrambled quickly behind me and Rose, clutching at my jacket like it was his lifeline.
A moment later, Tonks unfroze, her arms abruptly empty. She glanced around in confusion, blinking rapidly as she realized she was no longer holding Gasper.
"Wait—what just happened?" she asked, scratching her head and looking utterly bewildered.
Rose turned to Gasper, her emerald eyes wide with fascination and excitement. "Bloody hell, Gasper, that was wicked! How on earth did you manage that?"
Feeling a rush of pride, I reached back to gently pat Gasper’s trembling hands reassuringly. "My little brother here can stop time," I announced proudly. "It's part of his sacred gear."
Rose's mouth dropped open slightly, clearly impressed. "No way! Seriously? That's incredible, Gasper."
I turned back to Tonks, giving her a pointed glare. "And just so you know, Tonks, Gasper is incredibly shy. He's really not used to people—especially not forward girls like you. So lay off him, alright? Let him breathe a bit."
Tonks pouted slightly, crossing her arms over her chest in mock disappointment. "Aw, but he's just so cute! I was only teasing… mostly."
Truth be told, I wouldn’t exactly mind if Gasper ended up dating someone like Tonks over manipulative devils like Rias or Akeno. Still, that was entirely his decision, and I certainly wasn’t going to let anyone pressure him into anything. Not even Tonks.
My mind briefly wandered to another thought. How old was Gasper anyway? We’d spent so much of our childhood locked away in the Tepes dungeons, keeping track of time had hardly been a priority. Hell, birthdays were nonexistent. I frowned slightly at the realization, did that make me a bad big sister?
I felt my cheeks heat up slightly as I awkwardly cleared my throat, turning to Gasper with genuine embarrassment. "Hey, um, Gasper? How old are you exactly, anyway?"
Tonks immediately perked up, her eyes twinkling enthusiastically as she leaned forward, clearly eager for the answer herself.
Gasper blinked at me in surprise, his wide crimson eyes reflecting confusion. "Oh, well, when Rias's servants found me, they did some magic to determine my birthday," he explained softly, tugging nervously at the hem of his skirt. "So, I actually know I'm 21. How old are you, Valerie?"
My breath caught sharply, and I choked a little on my own spit, coughing in surprise. "You're 21!?" I managed to splutter, staring at him incredulously. My mind whirled frantically, trying to reconcile this new revelation. My little brother was freaking older than me! How the hell was that even possible? All this time, I'd just assumed I was the older sibling because I was taller, more mature looking, and generally more in charge.
Damn.
Beside me, Rose started snickering, clearly amused by the undoubtedly mortified look on my face. "Oh, this is priceless," she giggled softly, nudging me playfully.
Tonks, meanwhile, wore a mischievous grin as she slowly approached Gasper again. He glanced up at her warily, a pout forming adorably on his lips as he took half a step back.
Tonks quickly raised her hands in a gesture of surrender, her hair shifting through several bright colors rapidly. "Hey, I'm really sorry for grabbing you suddenly like that earlier," she said earnestly, her tone turning gentle and sincere. "I get it, you know. Back at school, people used to grab me all the time, asking me to shift into naked versions of their favorite celebrities because of my special powers. It gave me major trust issues." Her voice softened further as she smiled warmly at him. "But, honestly, I'd really like to get to know you better. Welcome to Hellsing, Gasper. Welcome home."
Gasper's wary expression melted into one of quiet surprise, his red eyes blinking slowly as he considered her words. Finally, he nodded shyly, his cheeks dusted faintly with pink as he replied quietly, "Thank you. I'm Gasper Vladi."
"And I'm Tonks! Just Tonks!" she declared brightly, offering him an encouraging smile.
Rose, clearly unable to resist the opportunity, quickly chimed in with a wicked smirk, "Actually, her first name is Nymphadora!"
Tonks's face immediately flamed bright red, embarrassment evident as she whipped around to glare fiercely at Rose. "Rose Potter, you are dead to me!" she squeaked, her voice filled with mock outrage as laughter filled the room around us.
…I was still shaking my head in disbelief as Gasper and I made our way down toward the basement—where our father, Alucard, spent most of his time alongside Bellatrix and Selene.
Nope! I simply refused to accept that Gasper was older than me. It just felt fundamentally wrong.
He had actually been just as shocked as I was upon discovering he was technically older in body.
However, I reminded myself firmly, my spirit still retained memories of my past life, so that absolutely had to count for something. Yes, I was definitely going with that!
Turning sharply toward Gasper, I felt my ruby-red eyes glowing with determination. He gulped slightly, looking up at me nervously.
"I am still the big sister," I declared firmly, lifting my chin defiantly.
He smiled gently, the corners of his eyes softening with affection. "Of course, Valerie. You'll always be my big sister."
Feeling my heart melt a bit at his earnest expression, I reached out and pulled him into a warm, tight hug. We continued walking through the double doors leading into what everyone jokingly referred to as "Alucard's hole."
As usual, the basement was shrouded in semi-darkness, lit only by sparse, dim lights. Not that the dark bothered any of us vampires or dhampirs—apart from maybe Bellatrix, though she was magically skilled enough to charm herself with night vision spells if she needed them.
Inside, Alucard lounged casually on a worn leather couch, deeply engrossed in some violent shooter game on a large screen. Gunfire and explosions crackled loudly from the speakers.
"Hahahaha! Die, you fucking scrubs!"
Nearby, Selene sat comfortably in an armchair, her delicate features illuminated softly by the glow of a reading lamp as she paged through a thick, ancient-looking book.
Bellatrix, surprisingly enough, wasn't currently fawning over Alucard. Instead, she was busying herself in the kitchen area, her brows furrowed in concentration as she stirred something vigorously on the stove. My nose crinkled slightly in response to the pungent aroma wafting through the room. Human food was tolerable, but intense spices were always a bit much for our enhanced senses.
Selene was the first to notice our entrance. She immediately set aside her book, gracefully rising to her feet with a warm smile spreading across her lips. "Welcome back, my daughter," she greeted warmly, her voice full of genuine affection. "I assume your trip was successful, and I now have a son as well? Or perhaps another daughter?" She leaned down slightly, blatantly sniffing Gasper, who flushed bright pink in embarrassment. "No," she chuckled softly, straightening up again with a playful twinkle in her eyes. "That scent is definitely male. Welcome..."
Before he could protest, Selene wrapped her arms around him in a gentle yet firm hug. Poor Gasper was certainly getting a lot of hugs today.
Gasper looked thoroughly confused as he glanced over at me, his cheeks still flushed. "Valerie, what does she mean by calling you her daughter?"
My cheeks heated slightly in embarrassment, and I nervously played with a strand of my long blonde hair. "Ah, well," I began, voice softening sheepishly, "Selene wanted to be my adopted mother. And since I've never really had a proper mother figure before, I accepted."
Gasper blinked slowly, processing that information. After a moment, a sweet, understanding smile crossed his face. "That's nice, Valerie. I think it's good that you have someone like that."
I felt a rush of warmth at his supportive words.
Selene looked warmly at Gasper. "I hope you'll feel comfortable enough to call me Mom someday, Gasper," she said, her voice quiet yet reassuring. "But I won't rush you. Take your time." She tilted her head slightly, dark eyes glinting playfully. "In the meantime, if you'd like to learn how to handle a firearm properly—like the rest of this crazy family—I’d be more than happy to teach you."
I nodded enthusiastically at Gasper, adding with genuine admiration, "Selene is honestly the best shot I've ever seen. Completely ambidextrous too—it's pretty incredible."
Just as I finished praising Selene, the television flashed as Alucard's online game abruptly ended. Before either Gasper or I could fully react, Alucard appeared beside us, his movements impossibly swift and silent.
I was entirely used to his theatrics by now, but poor Gasper jumped, letting out a startled yelp.
Alucard looked Gasper up and down, an approving grin slowly spreading across his sharp features. "So, you're my new son, huh?" He nodded decisively, clearly pleased. "Heh! I'm glad you don't let society dictate your sense of fashion. A true Nosferatu dresses only to impress themselves!"
I raised an eyebrow, stifling a laugh. That was a very Alucard way of complimenting someone, but I was pretty sure Gasper appreciated it nonetheless.
Gasper hesitated briefly before offering a shy, "Thank you… um, Dad?"
For just a fraction of a second, Alucard visibly flinched. I knew little about his past—only that he'd had a son who had passed away long ago. Before I could say anything or even reach out, Alucard seemed to shake off whatever memories haunted him, his usual flamboyant demeanor quickly returning.
Grinning broadly, Alucard clapped Gasper firmly on the shoulder. "Come on, let's have some father-son bonding and slaughter some weak noobs together!"
Gasper’s nervousness evaporated instantly, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "Can I log into my account first? I’m actually max rank in this game!"
Alucard froze mid-step, clearly taken aback by what he just heard! "Wait a moment… you're Global Master Slayer Elite?"
Gasper nodded proudly, puffing his chest out a little. "Yep! And I did it all without any cheats too."
Alucard’s eyes suddenly overflowed with tears of blood. "My SON! I'm so proud of you!" he declared loudly, pulling Gasper toward the couch where the controllers lay waiting.
Shaking my head with amused resignation, I turned toward Selene and shrugged playfully.
She rolled her eyes, her lips curving into a subtle, fond smile. "Men…" She gestured for me to join her on the nearby chairs. "Come sit with me and tell me all about your trip to Japan. I'll fill you in on what you've missed around here these last few days."
The first thing I predictably asked Selene about was where Seras and Narcissa were. It struck me as odd that I hadn't caught the familiar scents of either of my lovers when Gasper and I had arrived at the mansion.
Selene leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs elegantly as she explained. "Narcissa is out reconnecting with her sister—Tonks's mother. They're just spending the day together, nothing particularly dramatic. Family matters, you know."
I nodded, feeling a bit relieved that there wasn't some complicated drama brewing there, at least. "And Seras?"
Selene smiled faintly, clearly amused at my impatience. "Integra assigned her a mission with the leader of the Wild Geese mercenaries. They're hunting down some lower-tier vampires. Seras is essentially showing the mercenaries the ropes. Believe it or not, a good number of those men are still firmly stuck in the 'vampires aren't real' mindset, despite Seras giving some rather vivid demonstrations of her powers."
I sighed, shaking my head slightly. It was always the same with some humans—they needed to see the carnage and devastation vampires could leave in their wake before accepting the harsh reality. "Let me guess, they won't fully believe it until they see bodies and destruction firsthand?"
Selene nodded with a sigh. "Exactly. Some people need to witness the horror directly before they comprehend that monsters are indeed real, and that someone must be willing to hunt them."
A pang of disappointment hit me, realizing I'd just missed Seras. I loved hunting alongside her, and it would have been a fantastic way to reconnect after my trip.
But, I consoled myself, we'd catch up tonight or tomorrow when she returned. There was no rush.
Selene's perceptive gaze studied me, her brow knitting slightly. "You look uncomfortable, Valerie. Is something bothering you? Did you encounter either of those hussies again while you were in Japan?"
I nearly laughed out loud at her bluntness. It was oddly hilarious hearing Selene refer to a literal archangel and the literal devil as 'hussies.'
Still, I couldn't deny her sharp intuition.
"Yeah," I admitted reluctantly, playing with a strand of my blonde hair. "Sylvanna wasn't there, but I did meet up with Grayfia. And then Gabriel showed up again, too..." I trailed off.
Selene's expression darkened into an immediate scowl, her lips pulling back into a soft, protective growl. "Those bitches need to learn their place," she said fiercely. "They're not worthy of my daughter. If they're making you uncomfortable, Valerie, you must make it absolutely clear that you're not interested!"
I shifted nervously in my chair, fingers absently tracing patterns over the armrest as I chewed lightly on my lower lip. Glancing up at Selene, I hesitated before finally voicing my concerns.
"Wouldn't it be a bad idea to snub such powerful—and beautiful—women?" I asked uncertainly, meeting her gaze. "They're all undeniably gorgeous, just… a bit much. Actually, they're a lot intense. I don't think I'm ready for commitment or relationships with beings like them."
Selene cut me off abruptly with a scoff. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, making sure she had my full attention.
"Valerie," she began bluntly, her voice firm and unwavering, "Hellsing isn't weak. You certainly aren't either. As the daughter of Alucard, you need to hold your ground and stand firm. Look at your father—he doesn't give a shit about any of the other factions, or how anyone in the world perceives him, except for Integra, perhaps." She smirked slightly at that, rolling her eyes playfully. "So why should you care either?"
I blinked at her words, momentarily taken aback. My mind processed what she said, and the logic of her argument gradually sank in, feeling strangely comforting and empowering. She was right, of course. My father had a reputation precisely because he acted how he did.
I allowed myself a slow, relieved smile as I looked back up at her. "That actually makes a lot of sense," I admitted, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders. "You're right. Thank you, Selene. I needed that."
She returned my smile warmly, clearly pleased her advice had landed.
I proceeded to explain the rest of my trip to Japan to Selene. It hadn't been particularly eventful, apart from the dramatic reunion with Gasper. Oh, and perhaps the small detail of accidentally siring a baby vampire. And, of course, the Longinus Sacred Gear I'd somehow acquired.
Selene had been smiling along patiently until I reached that final revelation. Her eyebrows rose sharply, and her lips tightened just enough for me to notice her surprise.
"You did what?" she asked, clearly taken aback.
I quickly waved it off, feeling a bit sheepish. "That's not really important right now. I'll explain it properly later, I promise. Actually, what I really wanted to ask you is if you'd like to accompany me to the Underworld in a few days. I've decided that, despite everything involving Rias, I’m going to heal Sairaorg’s mother after all."
Selene’s expression softened into a playful smile. "Oh, absolutely. I'd love to take a trip to hell with my daughter," she chuckled warmly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Then her expression sharpened again, her curiosity obviously piqued. "But don't think you're off the hook yet. Now, what's this about a Longinus Sacred Gear that you just happened to acquire? And how exactly did you accidentally sire a vampire?"
XXX
Comments
WhatAFungi
Aww, Gabriel didn’t really do anything wrong though, other than proposing to Valerie in a panic.
Schloppi
This is gold
2010supersonic
So Valerie now plans to tell Sylvanna and Gabriel to fuck off and Grayfia too if thats the case nice i hope they will respect that decision and i hope Gasper finds someone better than Rias and Akeno
Rycork
Harry Potter alternate ending. The final duel has arrived. Rose and Voldemort are face to face. The fight will be violent and merciless. Only one will remain standing, as the prophecy foretold. VOLDEMORT: Give up, Rose Potter. You don't stand a chance against me. ROSE (smirks): Oh, you think so? I have a surprise for you. GASPER!! NOW!! Time stops for everyone except Rose. Rose calmly moves towards her mortal enemy and looks into his face. ROSE (exhales): I feel like I'm going to enjoy this too much. She then delivers a powerful kick to Voldemort's crotch. ROSE: THAT WAS FOR MY MOTHER!! She delivers another kick. ROSE: FOR MY FATHER!! One more ROSE: FOR CEDRIC!! She names each of Voldemort's victims, which is followed by a kick. After a moment, she stops but exhales abruptly. ROSE: My God, that was more liberating than I thought it would be. After a few minutes to catch her breath, she readjusts her clothes and returns to her starting position with dignity, as if everything that just happened never happened. Rose: Thanks, Gasper, I really needed that (Gasper smiles and gives a thumbs-up). You can take it off. The vampire complies, and Voldemort immediately falls to the ground, screaming his head off. He rolls onto his side, clutching his injured groin. The audience doesn't know what to say to this scene. Voldemort's image is like his crotch: in pieces.
