Not Another Girl (Hellsing x Reader)

Chapter 61

Walter performed his duties for Integra as he had always done. But age is a predator that catches us all.

"Walter." called Integra, as she continued to work on her reports.

"Yes, sir." he answered, as he tried to pick up and remove her tea tray.

"Are you alright?" she asked, with worried eyes, as she watched him try to continue on with his duties.

Integra put her papers down and gave Walter her full attention.

"Yes, sir. I'm fine." Walter insisted, with a warm and gentle smile. "I thank you for your concern though."

"Don't lie to me Walter." Integra rebuked him, but then her voice softened. "I can see you're hurting. Is it arthritis?"

"Yes, sir. It is." he smiled weakly, and he rubbed his sore wrists. "That's the thing about getting old, Sir. Your mind is strong, but your body fails to follow orders."

"Walter, please don't take this the wrong way; but I think it's time you retired." Integra sighed, with a heavy heart. " You're pushing ninety after all."

"Funny, I don't feel it." quipped Walter. Truth was...he did feel it and he didn't like it.

"You don't look it either. I was hoping that you would live forever. I still need you." said Integra, her voice cracking with emotion. It was only a matter of time and she knew it.

"Humans don't live forever, sir." Walter reminded her. He too sighed heavily. "We weren't meant to."

"I know. Has he asked you?"

"Yes."

"And your answer?"

Walter showed Integra his hands. She looked at them and saw the blue veins. She gave him a smile as she nodded.

"I am old, sir. And soon it will be time for George to succeed me. Just as one day your child will succeed you. It is the nature of things."

"I guess that means Seras will one day succeed Alucard as well." wondered Integra, as she picked the tray up for Walter.

They walked together, down the stairs, and to the kitchen.

"Do you think George is ready to take your place?" Integra inquired with a smirk. 

Walter laughed. "Any child that can secure a python, in the efforts to kill her stepfather, should have no problem keeping track of personnel records and weapons inventory."

"Geez, I really don't know what that girl is thinking half the time?" Integra pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Don't you?" Walter chuckled. "She thinks like Alucard and is as tenacious as you are."

"Will she ever accept Jon?" Integra wondered, sitting down at the table.

"Has Alucard ever accepted his servitude to the Hellsing family?" Walter washed the teapot and cups and put them away.

Integra rolled her eyes. "No. He likes to test his limits, once in a while; usually by testing mine."

"And so does George. You just have to set rules and show her you mean business." said Walter, taking a seat at the kitchen table.

He watched as Integra got up, took ice cream out of the fridge, and set down two bowls.

"Since George is so much like Alucard. You have to treat her just like Alucard."

Integra thought about what Walter said. Alucard did like to test the limits of his constraints. And the only way she kept him in check was to punish him; but the punishment had to be server. Otherwise Alucard would just laugh it off; as would George. Maybe that was the problem. She had never really set limits for George; other than don't break anything and don't kill anybody. Maybe she should create a rule book for George and make her follow it to the letter.

Integra and Walter ate ice cream together, as she thought about what to do with George. "Your right Walter, I've been too lenient with her. But Alucard and I have an arrangement about George. I teach her, but I don't usually punish her, that's Alucard's department."

"You are her mother, and that gives you a certain amount of responsibility in her "moral" training."

"Heh, "moral" training? She put a python in her stepfather's bed! She hasn't got any morals." joked Integra.

"And whose fault is that, sir?" asked Walter, in his kindly and fatherly manner.

"I...it's mine, isn't it?" said Integra, in a defeated manner, as she ate her ice cream. "I've sent her to church. I've taught her Duty, Honor, and Respect."

"But we're giving George mixed signals. We're teaching her that killing is wrong; and yet we are training her to be the greatest killer of them all." explained Walter, as he took ate his bowl of ice cream.

"Of ghouls and undead, not stepfathers and bullies."

"Is there any difference in George's mind?" asked Walter, with a light chuckle.

"There should be. I'll have to talk to Alucard about this."

Walter yawned. "I'm sorry, sir."

"No need. Go and get some rest." Integra gathered up their empty bowls and took them to the sink. "I'll have Jon take care of everything. It's about time he did more than just hang out with Captain Pip and the others."

Walter smiled warmly at her. "Yes, sir. I'm glad you found someone to make you happy, sir."

"So am I. Thank you Walter, for everything." Integra laid a gentle hand on his arm.

"My pleasure, sir." Walter smiled and returned the sentiment.

Integra watched Walter as he walked off to go upstairs. She quickly blinked to dismiss the tears that were beginning to form. She knew it would be soon. And just like her father, it would be sooner than she wanted.