Hello!...Hello everyone!

I am so sorry for the late wait!... I was on a family vacation, then got sick and now school has started so I am in chains again!

But I am back now and hopefully, I don't get distracted again.

A week had passed since Alucard's encounter with The golden tree named Seras, through that week he was tempted to go and see the tree again but he had to hold himself back each time, he wanted Seras to yearn for his company that she would do anything to keep it. She seemed desperate for company and he intends on using that fact.

That morning Alucard didn't wait for a servant to wake him, he jumped out of bed and quickly started changing for the day. When a servant did show up to wake the young prince, as usual, he jumped back in surprise, for before he could even reach the double doors they were swung open by Alucard then ran pass the servant without saying a word. Alucard was planning to spend the entire day until sundown with, he needed to make sure that no one goes with him just so he can make sure that wouldn't have to think of anyone waiting for him outside the forest like last time, and also in case something enchanted happens while he is there. Seras was a secret that he wished to share with no one. Alucard was pulled out of his thought when he heard someone call him.

"Good morning Alucard."

Alucard looked up to see King Henry and clinging to him was his wife Rip who was glaring at him. Seeing her almost ruined his good mood.

"And a good morning to you too your majesty." He said bowing slightly with a smile ignoring the dark-haired women.

"I see you are in a good mood today." Said the king with a smile.

Alucard didn't fail to see how the queen was tugging at her husband's arm to make him keep walking, she actually didn't bother to hide it. like his parents, Alucard despised the queen from the moment he met her, he always wondered how a kind king like him would have such a spoiled woman for a wife and from what his mother told him she was also reckless and cocky because should try to fight with other nobles and royalties which almost resulted to either a rebel act or even war. The only reason none of those happened was because the people she provoked respected the king greatly and always overlooked his childish queen acts and so well Alucard who kept a polite smile as he talked to the king.

"is it really that obvious?" He asked with a raised brow.

"It is!" exclaimed the king with a delightful chuckle. "You seem to have been restless these past few days but look at you now!... Up and early even before your parents."

"Henryyyyy!" Whined Queen Rip as she tugged harder on her husband's sleeve. Alucard cringed at her voice and was amazed at how strong the fabric was. "Let us go and eat already!... I am hungry!"

Alucard fought the urge to roll his eyes and frown in annoyance, every time he met with the so-called queen his admiration for the king's patient and kind self grew and grew.

"What does he see in that woman to choose her for a queen… or even for a wife?"

The king patted his wife's hand to comfort her and reduce her anger, which seemed to work a little by how she stopped tugging at his clothes but she still had that awful frown on her face.

"My dear, why don't you go before me to the dining room." He said gently and when she was about to protest the king continued. "You can make sure that they have what you asked for, in the way you wanted."

That seems to calm her and then she reluctantly let go of him but before she could leave to the dining room she turned to glare hatefully at Alucard.

"You ruined our morning walk!" she spat before turning on her heel and walked away when she was far enough the king let out a deep sigh.

"I am deeply sorry about her Alucard, she just isn't what you call a 'Morning person'." King Henry said in a joking manner, he was smiling but Alucard can tell that the king was hiding another remotion behind it but he couldn't tell what it was. Taking that chance of his parents being absent Alucard went for it.

"Your majesty, I have a bold question to ask but I am afraid I might offend you with it." He said as he lowered his head. The king furrowed his brows in bewilderment.

"My boy, I have known you since you were but a little boy, I see you as my own flesh and blood, and I doubt that there is anything you could say that would upset me with you…So don't be afraid and ask you a question." The king said in a manner that fits a father, which made him even more confident to ask. Alucard raised his head and looked King henry dead in the eyes.

"You, your majesty, are one of the kindest and respectable men I had the honor to met and consider as a family member." Alucard said sincerely. "Many good people would have been more than ready to be by your side and make you happy… So please forgive me when I ask….Why her?"

Alucard said the last part holding back the disgust in his voice while pointing at the same direction that Rip had walked through. The king's eyes slightly widened at the blunt question, it is known that those who insult any member of the royal family gets a heavy punishment, some even lead to death and for Alucard to say such thing about the queen to the king's face was either a very stupid move or a brave one. To Alucard's relife, King Henry didn't seem offended by what he said so he wouldn't have to worry about getting in trouble with his parents. However, The king did show another emotion, and that was of deep sorrow its as if he was going to cry any minute now. Alucard almost regretted asking the king such a question, from his reaction he could tell that it was a sensitive subject.

"I am deeply sorry your majesty!" Quickly apologized Alucard bowing his head. "I did not mean to-"

The king raised his hand up stopping the young prince from saying any more. When Alucard looked up he saw that the king had his usual big happy smile again, which made Alucard feel uneasy.

"I didn't mean to keep you for so long, even though you were in a hurry, my apologies young prince." The king said with a chuckle.

The way he looked and spoke was the same since the very first day he met him when he was just a brat. Was he always in such pain? Is everything that Alucard knows of the king is just a façade? If so, what was he hiding?. He then realized how he doesn't know a lot of the king's past. Is it something to do with that woman? Do his parents know? If they do why did they never tell him? So many questions he wanted answers to, but they weren't a priority, his first priority now is to find out more of the golden tree, as for the king he could always either ask his parents or snoop around the servants. Ignoring his curiosity for the king's past, for now, Alucard decided to play along with the act and nodded to the king in understanding before leaving.

King Henry watched as Alucard almost ran through the halls to who knows where.

"It's probably something that has to do with a girl." Said the king to himself before laughing. "Young love what a beautiful thing."

He walked the opposite side towards the dining room, ignoring the feel of how wet his cheeks felt.

"I just hope he treats her better than how I have done for you, my love."

Alucard was in the same spot where Seras's path was. He got off his horse then tied his leash to a nearby tree before walking around to see if there was a chance that her little trick made a path big enough for him and his horse to walk through to her but unfortunately the path was still as narrowed as the day he chased that doe if not more. He let out a long sigh of frustration after was felt like forever of searching, then an idea came to him, it would make him feel and look stupid, which made him relieved that he decided to come here alone. Alucard looked around to make sure that he was alone, seeing only his hoarse eating the grass before turning back to the trees.

"Seras!" He called loudly scaring some birds and animals that were nearby but he ignored them. "I came back as promised!... So make a path so I can come through easily like last time."

He waited and waited, but nothing happened. Alucard bit his tongue doing his best not to shout out curses and threats like last time, he was becoming impatient. It was ironic how a few days ago he was trapped in these woods unable to get out and now he wants to go back in. Alucard shocks his head as he made his way back to sit beside his horse who seemed to get bored by justing standing there so he was set as well. His horse was a pitch-black stallion that he named 'Caturix' after a Celtic god of war. Caturix must have sensed his master's distress because he started to nudge Alucard forward to stand up and try again, but was ignored, which frustrated the horse making him neigh loudly before pushing Alucard again but this time putting all his strength into knocking his master to the side. Alucard let out a gasp as he fell to the side.

"What is your problem!?" He demanded angerly earning another loud neigh from the horse as he motioned forward to where Alucard was standing a moment ago calling for Seras.

Alucard understood what his horse was trying to say but he didn't want to just stand around shouting like an idiot, even if there wasn't anyone around he still felt like humiliated. Alucard sat back down straight again then nudged Caturix's head gently as a form of revenge but then petted him. He sat there for a while thinking of what to do or say next, he was half tempted to just leave and try again tomorrow, an idea then struck him. Alucard quickly untied Caturix's leash who stood up after his master and road him, then let out a fake sigh of disappointment.

"Let us go Caturix." He began his voice getting a bit louder. "Even though I brought you with me all this way to meet a friend of mine…from what she had told me she had never seen a horse before and for you to be the first one would probably be quite the treat."

Alucard was moving ever so slowly as he said all those things waiting for any sign that Seras was falling for his temptation, and his sign showed or at least he hoped it was a sign, the leaves from around him were slightly moving and he doesn't feel any wind from around him so he kept going.

"She is a tree actually, with the sweetest fruits I have ever eaten, you would have liked them. maybe she would also like to feed you straight from her branch, maybe pet you or play with you as well…too bad…" The leaves started to move more, Alucard smirked as he added. "She will probably continue ignoring us even if we came back again, so we should just give up already and go hom-"

Suddenly the trees behind him started to move as the ground slightly shook, the act startled Caturix who moved backward and was preparing to run to escape any danger with his master but then Alucard patted the side of his neck to assure him that there was no danger. Trusting his master Caturix stood still. When the shaking had stopped there was a pathway like the one that Seras had made before but this one was smaller than the one before, enough for his Caturix to move in freely.

"Would you look at that, I guess I was wrong." Alucard said as he grinned victoriously.

As he made his way to the lake Alucard fought the urge to make Caturix run so that he can get there faster, he had to admit he was excited. It's not every day that you met an enchanted golden tree that can talk and also the idea of only him knowing of such a being gave him a sense of power, that he can reach and maybe in the future even control. He shocks his head from such thoughts, he was becoming greedy again and if he learned from his mistakes every time he got greedy it never ended well for him so, for now, he will only focus on becoming Seras's friend. Having as a friend is also a form of control…right?. When the lake's blue water came into view he quickly started to fix himself, smoothing his hair, fixing his clothes and keeping and setting straight. He grinned when he saw the Golden tree, it was as he left her, not that trees change overnight but Seras was magic so who knows. When he got close enough he stopped and got off his horse.

"Good morning Seras." Alucard greeted gently.

There was a pause for a moment before she answered.

"…Good morning." She said in a low defeated voice. Alucard acted as if he didn't notice it.

"How are you today Seras?" He asked as if he was asking an old friend.

"I…I….I'm well…umm…Th…thank you for asking." She stuttered sounding surprised by the question because it was the first time someone asked her that which made her happy.

Alucard stood there with a smile and said nothing as if he was waiting for something, but Seras didn't know what. Did he want something from her?

"Aren't you going to ask me in return how am I doing?" He asked. He didn't actually care but he wanted to tease her. "I mean…I week ago you called me a rude person and here you are…"

Seras's branches tensed at his words, then started to move around nervously as if she was trying to think of something to say.

"I'm sorry!... How are you today!?" She said quickly in an almost comical way making Alucard let out laughter he was holding back. "Don't laugh!"

His laughter quieted down not wanting to upset her and risk being shut out again.

"I was just joking Seras." He assured. "I don't really care about those kinds of formalities, I just wanted to get back at you for calling me rude…"

"What does…' Get back at' mean?" She asked innocently. Her question made Alucard remember that he was talking to a child-like being.

"'Get back at' someone is like a form of playful kind of revenge." He explained. "No one gets hurt from it…remember when I punished you and you returned it by hitting me with one of your branches? … It's kind of the same thing."

"But…I wasn't being playful when I did that." She said confused.

"Well…getting back at someone can go two ways, playful or hurtful." He continued. "That time it was hurtful…but this time it was playful, like how friends do."

"F…friends?" She stuttered obviously surprised but her tone was happy. "You… you think of me as a friend?"

Alucard smirked he finally had her.

"Of course I do, why do you think I brought my horse with me if not for you to play with since you said you never saw one before."

He turned his head to where Caturix was grassing then bought his fingers on his mouth to let out a high whistle sound that caught the black horse's attention. Hie ears twitched recognizing that his master was calling, Caturix abandoned his meal to run to where his master stood. Alucard petted him for being obedient and then brought him closer to Seras. The prince expected that his horse would be the one to back away in fear but didn't expect to see the golden tree's leave slowly move away as if wanting to run away.

"Don't be afraid Seras he won't harm you." He assured. "Think of him as one of those animals you see in woods that pass you by."

The golden tree was shifting around clearly anxious on what to do next, after a moment of silence Seras finally made a move. She extended one of her branches that had one golden fruit hanging from it, offering it to the horse. Caturix was hesitant at first, he moved forward and started sniffing the fruit before giving and took a bite from it. His reaction was like Alucard's when he first tasted the sweet fruit he started to devour it fast, which made Seras flinch and pulled her branch away when he almost finished his meal.

"I thought he was going to eat my branch along with the fruit." She said making Alucard laugh at her words.

Seras didn't understand why Alucard was laughing at first before slowly joining him. When their laughter died down Seras reached another branch that had more than one fruit to the horse again, which he gladly took without hesitation this time. Seras took the chance to reach another branch from around the horse to touch him.

"This is amazing…" she said quietly not wanting to scare the horse.

"Yes, Caturix is a magnificent stallion isn't he?"

"Caturix?... Why did you name him such a weird name?"

"I named him after a war god I read about once."

"Oh..!"

Sorry that this was such a boring chapter and a short one too!...but I promise that the next chapter will be more exciting!

See you next time!

Bye!...Bye!