Chapter Text
Foreword by Gabriel Belmont –
According to the familial archives, Adrian Fahrenheit Tepes (Alucard) sealed himself in slumber following the defeat of his father, Dracula, in 1476. Ever since, the three families that remain – we, the Belmont Clan, our cousins the Belnades Clan, and the Danasty Clan – have kept guard over his crypt. The adults clear the cobwebs and replace the candles; our children write letters and make gifts for our “lazy uncle”. At present writing, I am head to the Belmont Clan, and my son Simon has written his first letter.
Reading through, it seems that our legendary ancestor once hoped that Alucard would wake within his lifetime, or that of his children. Sadly, no document exists that suggests he ever did. My wife Phoebe, a Danasty in her maidenhood, says she and her siblings used to play in this crypt. When they were scolded, they would say that “Uncle Alucard” was supervising them. It wrought a rather spirited debate as to whether or not that “counted” as supervision; Phoebe insists that, much as it was a convenient excuse, she does also believe that Alucard is, indeed, aware in dreaming of the world around him.
Perhaps she’s right. As our son grows older, I find it easier to speak in confession to Alucard than to God. With all respect to Him, He has all the rest of humanity to care for; I needn’t burden Him with mortal emotions, and worries that the pattern of Trevor and Christopher may continue with myself or with Simon. Alucard never stirs, but I feel listened to nevertheless.
However, I also noticed in coming here that many of the older letters are becoming difficult to read and keep with age. As such, I have decided to transcribe them in a collection herein; something that, should the originals become illegible in time, they will still be safe within this book. Perhaps a descending Belmont will likewise see fit to preserve these contents in a furthermore secure form later down the line.
I am doubtful that Alucard will awaken within my lifetime or Simon’s. Perhaps he never will. If he does, I hope he will be grateful for this work. More likely, however, this collection will a boon for the Clans themselves as a documentation of our histories and the names that populate them.
Regardless of the circumstances of this collection’s discovery, I pray that it enters trustworthy hands when that future comes.
Gabriel Adrian Belmont, April 25th 1677