Hello!...Hello everyone!

Thank you so much guys for the positive and fun reviews!

And I am sorry for the delay. Lately, everything is chaotic with what is going on in this world. I'm not good with words so what I want to say is, I hope every one of you is safe.

Please enjoy!

Weeks have passed since the day Alucard and Seras became friends. Every day when he wakes up he'd immediately prepare himself to go and meet the golden tree, his parents, of course, were suspicious of his actions. They would ask him where does he go and his answers at first were how he was going hunting alone, but then started saying that he was going on walks. They at first didn't care or pay much attention to him, letting him do what he was doing as long as he didn't cause any trouble. However, King Henry would give hints on how Alucard's mood changes every time he comes back, that it might be a because of a girl. At the idea that their son's good mood might be caused by a girl made them both excited, unlike her husband who acted as if he didn't care, queen camelia's excitement showed. She would always ask Alucard where he was going?... was he meeting someone?... did he find someone interesting?... and would always remind him how they wouldn't mind if he liked a commoner. But Alucard would always dodge the question and say that he was meeting no one.

King Vlad's relationship with his son maybe not as strong as his wife with him but he still knows his son very well and he knows that his son is a big fat liar. Because of that, he would send men after Alucard every time he goes on one of his "Walks", just so see if he was indeed meeting a girl as Henry had said. But every time they would return empty-handed and they all would say the same thing.

"We followed him into the forest, but the moment we got close he would just…disappear."

That answer was not enough and he kept sending men after him but they all came back with the same answer.

Now they were sitting together on the dinner table, both kings, their wives, and the prince, having dinner peacefully. Well, it would have been peacefully if Queen Rip would stop complaining every second about something trivial or make whatever everyone was talking about herself no matter how many times poor King Henry tried to change the subject, through that both Vlad and Camelia kept their eyes on Alucard and saw how he would only eat a bite every few minutes as if he was already full and doesn't desire to eat but that wasn't what caught their attention, what really caught their attention was how he was lost in thought and had a faint smile on his face. The couple exchanged a look with each other making sure if the other is seeing what they were seeing, Camelia gave her husband a look then looked back to their son then back at him, gesturing for him to talk, Vlad sighed before turning to Henry who sat at the end of the table trying his best to block Rip's ranting.

"My dear friend," He called cutting off whatever Rip was saying earning a harsh glare from her and Henry's full attention with a smile. Alucard was also pulled from his thoughts and looked up to his father.

"I would like to thank you again for your hospitality." He began. "The time me and my family had spent here with you was truly enjoyable."

Vlad noticed how Alucard looked confused at his words but paid him no mind. Henry laughed.

"I am very happy to hear that my friend." He replied. "Though I must admit I am truly sad that you would leave already, can't I tempt you to stay longer?"

Before Vlad could reply, the screech of a chair filled the dining room as Alucard stood from his place.

"Where are leaving!?" He asked loudly, obviously shocked by the news. Everyone was taken back by the Prince's action but not his father.

"Yes, we are." He answered calmly. "We will be leaving in 3 days from now. If you were around instead of sneaking out to who knows where you would have known."

"But we can't leave!" Exclaimed Alucard as he slammed his hand on the table.

"And why is that?"

"Because I finally have-" Alucard quickly caught his tongue before saying anything about Seras, but it seems that what he said was enough to almost expose him.

"Because?" His father repeated with a raised brow, wanting Alucard to finish that sentence.

Both King Henry and Queen Camelia were slightly leaning forward, waiting eagerly with sparks in their eyes for Alucard to say that he has someone special here. Except for Queen Rip who seemed annoyed as she watched this whole scene with her arms crossed as she leaned backward in her chair. Alucard scanned everyone in the room, he knew what his mother and the king were expecting, by god even the servants had the same expression which didn't make it any better. His eyes then looked back at his father as he tried to come up with a lie.

"Because I finally have…" he repeated. "Freedom."

He could see how most people in the room slouched in disappointment, including his mother and the king but he didn't care.

"Are you saying that you have no freedom in your own home and birthplace?" Vlad questioned with narrowed eyes.

"No, of course not!" Alucard quickly said. "It's just back there I will have to go back to my studies, making appearances in parties I hate to people I care not about, and also….my preparation to be king….that alone is a lot of stress."

Camelia look softened at her son's words but said nothing. She knew all that tired her son greatly but they are necessary for him to become a better man and king, for himself and his people.

"And I am willing to do all that without complaining or running and give effort through them." He stated surprising both his parents. " I won't run, I will even…. I will even…"

Alucard started and looked down at his hands trying of something else when his father spoke.

"You will even meet the women your mother picks for and choose one of them to be your wife?"

"Vlad!" Exclaimed Camelia at her husband, who looked unphased by her.

Alucard tensed at his father's words and looked up to him and saw that there was no hint of this being a joke or a test. The room was dead silent and Alucard didn't need to look around to know that all eyes were on him again, waiting eagerly for his answer. At that moment Seras popped into his head, the time he spent with her, how he enjoyed every second of it, and the idea of the next few days being probably the last time he sees her made him…ache. He let out a defeated sigh.

"If it means I get to spend more time here... then Yes." He answered with confidence. If he only has limited time to be with Seras then he will make the most of it.

"Then it is a deal." Said his father nonchalantly.

Without saying another word, Alucard gave his father one last glare before exiting the room, his mother tried to call him but his father stopped her. When the doors were closed the room became silent again, but the silence was short-lived as Rip broke it with a burst of loud laughter. Everyone in the room turned to her with an annoyed look, the royal couple, however, gave her a hateful glare. King Henry, of course, saw all that and turned to his wife.

"Rip, stop it!" He said in a harsh tone, she laughed more ignoring her husband's command before finally noticing the atmosphere and her laughter died down.

"What?" She said with a mocking grin as she turned to the couple.

Vlad and Camelia said nothing as they continued to glare at the insensitive woman. Camelia gave her husband's arm a gentle squeeze indicating that she wanted to get out of here before she does something that she will regret later. Taking the hint, Vlad stood up from his place and his wife following after him.

"We will excuse ourselves for the night." Said Vlad as he started to walk away with Camelia's arm hooked to his.

"Vlad!" Henry called as he too stood up from his chair.

He was feeling guilty to make his dear friends feel ridiculed and embarrassed for Rip's action. Vlad looked back to his friend.

"We will continue our talk tomorrow…" He then glanced to Rip then back to Henry. "In private"

He then turned back and continued walking, leaving Henry and Rip alone. Henry turned to give Rip a harsh look, which didn't phase Rip as she continued to eat happily.

"Why did you do that?" He asked calmly but the anger under his voice was clear. Rip looked up to him with a simple smile.

"Because it was funny." She answered as if it obvious. "These two always looked down on me and acted as if they were the perfect family, But look at them now!"

Rip laughed some more as she remembered the scene that had just occurred. Henry rubbed the bridge of his nose to try and calm his headache, he then started to make his way out of the dining room, at that Rip stopped laughing.

"Where are you going!?" She asked loudly as she stood up from her chair.

"I am going to fix what you have broken…" He said harshly ignoring her and before he exited the room he gave her one last glance. "Again!"

Rip's eyes widened in shock at what she had just heard, Henry had never raised his voice at her, he may have voiced his displeasure once in a while and he would do it oh so gently to not upset her but to raise his voice like that, at Her for Them. Rip gritted her teeth and let out a scream of anger, scaring the servants that were still in the room with her, before swiping her arms across the table making the plates of food and goblets with drinks fall to the floor. She did not stop there. She turned her head and glared at the spot where the royal couple was setting and matched to it and threw their food and drinks to the floor as well then knocked their chairs over and started stomping over them till they broke. Through that entire scene, none of the servants dared to come near her in order to stop her or calm her, for they were terrified of what she would do to them. after all, there were open places to work in the castle, not for the lack of servants but because she either drove them away or because she almost or did hurt them.

When Rip finally calmed from her tantrum she turned her head sharply to one of the maids who jumped when her dark blue eyes met theirs.

"YOU!" Screamed Rip as she pointed her finger at the maid, then to the spot in front of her. "COME HERE NOW!"

The maid quickly ran to the Queen learning from watching other poor maids that speed walking was not an option. When she stood a few feet in front of her she kept her head down and bowed slightly to her.

"Yes, your highness?" she said timidly.

"Where is Zorin?" Rip asked after she calmed a little, but her face was still red.

"Oh…The witch is in-"

The poor maid didn't get to finish when she was cut off by a slap from Rip that made her lose her balance and fall to the floor with a scream of pain. The other maids and servants in the room wanted to help her but one glare from Rip stopped them, she turned back to the maid and kicked her in the stomach.

"You disrespectful harlot!" Sneered Rip as she gave her one more kick. "How dare you speak of my guardian in such a way!... She is the king's right hand!... The reason why this damned kingdom is still standing!... She holds a rank that is equal to the king!"

When Rip Finally stopped the maid was crying on the floor, but that didn't phase her. Without saying anything else she left deciding to find Zorin herself. The moment she left all the servants and the maid came to aid the fallen maid.

The next morning came and Alucard was making his way to Seras on Caturix's back, but unlike the previous days, he lacked excitement. He was contemplating about going to Seras and tell her… "The News". He let out a deep sigh when he remembered the conversation he had with his parents a few hours ago.

"2 months." Said his father. "I will give you 2 months then when the time comes you will return home and do all that you have promised me and your mother."

The family of three sat together in one as servants came in and out of the room carrying luggage to a carriage that was prepared for King Vlad and Queen Camelia for their travel back to their Kingdom.

"Vlad…" Camelia interrupted. "I will be lying if I said that I am not happy that Alucard is finally accepting to study properly and find a wife…to have it in such way is-"

"He was the one who offered to do all that in exchange for something." He said cutting off his wife. "Before he becomes a King Alucard needs to learn many things… One of them is to never go back on his word."

Through the entire "Conversation" Alucard stayed silence as his parents started to tell him of what he should and should not do while staying under King Henry and what to expect when he returns home, that if this going to be his last days of freedom he should get the most of it.

When Alucard reached the forest he didn't need to call Seras as the trees started to part on their own making a path for both him and Caturix. Instead of rushing in he took his time walking in calmly, wanting to have more time to think on what to tell Seras, how to tell her that he was going to leave and maybe not come back. He couldn't help but smile at the idea of how strong Seras cane be, yet still is so sensitive and fragile. The smile was quickly replaced with a frown, Alucard was taught to be a heartless man in by his father so that he won't fall while making tough decisions. Now, however, Alucard is finding it very difficult to speak the words that might… No…It will break the poor tree.

"Alucard!" The happy chirp of Seras pulled him out of his thoughts.

Alucard looked up and saw that he had already reached the large lake, he turned his head to the side and saw the golden tree. Her branches were moving around making some of the golden leaves fall, obviously excited for his arrival. He couldn't help but smile, he will miss that image a lot.

"Hello to you too Seras."

Before he could get off Caturix completely, the horse immediately ran closer to Seras causing Alucard to fall to the ground. Alucard looked up from the ground and saw that his horse was trying to reach one of Seras's fruits, Seras seemed to be also be surprised by his act because it took her a while to lower one of her branches that were full of fruits and offered to him. There was a moment of silence as Alucard stared with wide eyes at his once-loyal horse before Seras broke into loud laughter while Alucard just put his hand on his face and chuckled.

"Are you alright?" Seras asked between laughs.

"Yes…" He groaned his answer as he stood up, then walked closer to them.

"I guess Caturix is loyal to me now." Seras said as she lowered another branch with fruits to the dark horse.

"He is but a traitor." Replied Alucard as he glared playfully at his horse who didn't pay attention to him. "He will betray you too."

"Not as long as I feed him like this." She said as Caturix bit into another fruit causing Alucard to chuckle.

"I guess not."

Despite his smile, Alucard had a pained look in his eyes. He was going to miss these moments with her. Seras noticed his sadness.

"What is the matter?" She asked with a gentle voice. "Did something happen?"

Alucard thought for a moment again on how should he tell her and if he should wait first before doing so. If he told her at the end of the day before he left she might spend the night moping but if he told her now he might be able to comfort her, either way, he didn't know how would she react in the end, would she react negatively?... Will she cry?... Can trees even cry!?

"Alucard?"

He looked up and saw how one of her branches was ruffling his hair probably to get his attention and was pulled away when she did get it. Alucard took a deep breath, deciding to say it now and get on with it.

"Something did happen." He admitted. Having Seras's full attention. Caturic by now had decided that he had enough and was drinking from the clean water the Seras had conjured when they first met.

"Yes?" She said urging him to continue.

Not knowing how to break things gently, Alucard decided to tell Seras of everything that happened from the previous night with his parents and this morning. He hesitated to continue every time he saw her branches and few of her leaves fall as if she was withering away. it hurt him to see her in such state but Alucard knows that he has to tell her one way or another, so the better he tells her now so they can cherish what little time they had.

"Only 2 months?" She asked quietly the sadness clear in her voice.

"Yes." He answered. "After that, I will return home to study to become a king, like my father. But I can still try to visit."

"No, because you'll be too busy looking for a girl to marry."

Alucard bit his lower lip as he started to think, she wasn't wrong. He would be too busy studying and when that is done he will be looking for a woman to be a suitable wife and queen and even when That is done he will be too busy looking after his people and possibly his family. If there was any chance for him to travel back here to meet Seras again, it will probably be after a few decades. He sighed as he massaged the bridge of his nose all that thinking was stressing him.

"What if I took you with me!?" He quickly said smiling as the idea. "I will not cut you down, I will simply bring people to dig around to not harm your roots and then strap you up and take you back to my kingdom."

"….No, I can't" She said after pausing for a moment.

"Why not?" His smile was gone at her answer. "I promise you that back in my kingdom we have wide place instead of this closed up area and-"

"No, Alucard you don't understand I Can't." He looked up to her confused. "On this earth… is where I died…where I lived again…I'm bound to it, I can not leave it, even if I wished it."

There was a moment of silence as Alucard processed what she had just said.

"What do you mean by "Here is where I died?" ?"

Seras, of course, didn't answer his question, the way her branches moved from side to inside told him that she was not ready to answer such a question and she that was uncomfortable. Alucard shook his head deciding to just drop it.

"Anyway, There is something else that I wish to tell you." He said changing the subject.

"What is it?" Seras branches dropped again thinking that it might be another bad news.

"Remember when we first met?" he asked. "How you saved me by giving me food and water and helped me by getting me out of here?"

"Yes?"

"Well, I wish to repay you for all that."

"Alucard…" She said with a chuckle. "You don't have to repay me for anything, it was the right things to do-"

"No." He said cutting her off. "I can't live with the idea of having a dept not paid, especially to someone…who I consider as a dear friend."

"Alucard-" Seras tried to argue but the prince didn't give her a chance.

"Alright, let's not say a debt more of a …parting gift?" He said more to himself at the idea. "Yes, a parting gift!"

"What's a parting gift?" Seras asked confused.

"A parting gift is something you give or do to someone who you may never see again, so they will always remember you by it." He explained.

Alucard was just using the 'Parting gift' idea, as an excuse to repay Seras by giving her something she might like so they would be even. He can't bear the idea of owning someone his life and not repay them, he was raised better.

"...there is nothing that I want…but…there might be a thing that you can do for me…"

"And what is it?"

Alucard was ready for whatever she might ask him to do. Cut the trees around her so that she can have a bigger space?... bring her animals as pets? …Make her known out there so that people after him might come and meet her? …Would she want a new friend? …Whatever it was Alucard will be prepared for anything…

"I want to see my father?"

But not that.

Finally, this story is going somewhere!

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and I will see you in the next one!

Bye!...Bye!