Hello!...Hello Everyone!
I hope you all doing well.
I want to thank you all for being so patient with me and I am sorry for the delay my life is upside down at the moment but I am doing my best to keep up. Right now I am trying to work on several chapters for different stories at once instead of concentrating on one at a time as I used to while trying to balance my personal life.
I have school, family matters, and I almost got close to being infected by the Virus, which led to a long and tiring self-quarantine, that sucked all the motivation from me. The past few months were basically up and down situation.
But things are getting better and I hope to get back soon to worrying only about the grammar in my stories.
Trigger Warning: Talk of baby-killing just a very brief one. just felt the need to put it there.
Without further or do, please enjoy!
King Henry sat patiently inside the carriage, enjoying its movement as if it was rocking him to sleep, and he would have probably slept if it wasn't for Rip's nagging.
"Why did we need to go?" she complained. "I don't see the point in following him anywhere, that boy has always been suspicious, he is probably planning something."
"Then why did you come?" Asked Henry. "Need I remind you that the invitation was given to me and not to you."
The king had hoped that he held his tongue and not allowed the words to escape his mouth.
"How could you say that to me?" She exclaimed as fake tears started to run down her face. "Was I wrong for wanting to be by you and make sure of your safety from that…That!... That dangerous man-"
Henry stopped listening to her too tired to care or worry about one of Rip's tantrums. He was supposed to be relaxing today, as Alucard had promised him, so the king just laid back and closed his eyes waiting to reach the young prince's hiding spot. He didn't have to wait long because after a short while the carriage came to a halt, alerting the king that they had arrived. From outside the king could hear the gasps of wonder from his court members and servants, feeling more excited to see with his own eyes the king pulled the curtain and he also couldn't contain his gasp at the sight in front of him. The sight that greeted him was of a wide, green ground and blue lake waters, which shinned against the sunlight making the surface shine like a diamond, but what truly caught his attention was the great golden tree that stood beside the lake.
No wonder the prince had disappeared so many times, for if the king was in his place he would never want to go back to the same old life.
"So…" A voice called pulling everyone from their train of thoughts and turned to the young prince who was already standing inside waiting. "Are we going to set up, or not?"
There was a pause before the King smiled and turned to his court.
"You heard him." He called. "Start preparing!"
The servants hurried to set up the tables and chairs for the king and his court. As everyone got busy either working or talking, Zorin eyed the Golden tree as she bit her lower lip nervously.
"That spot…" She thought to herself. "…That's the same spot…."
She turned and look to Alucard who was talking with the king who was laughing at something he said. She narrowed her eyes, suspicious of him Because he had insisted that the table be set beneath the odd tree, so the king can "Enjoy the shade" as the prince had put it. But Zorin could feel it in her bones that the Prince was planning something. Seeing that everyone was distracted Zorin took the chance to move closer to the golden tree, the closer she got she could feel some kind of energy coming from the tree. The golden tree was an arm length away from here and it's just what Zorin needed. She lifted her tattooed arm and reached to the tree, in the middle of her palm a glowing eye opened. However, when her fingertips touched the wood she quickly pulled away with a gasp of pain, looking down at her hand she saw how the eye twitched in pain before is dissolved back into her palm. Zorin looked back up to the tree and her eyes widened, she saw a light barrier surrounding the tree, but just as it showed is disappeared. Zorin looked around her, again and saw that no one else hand noticed the light, not even the young prince, which made his sigh in relief. She glared back at the tree with worry in her eyes.
She needed to get rid of it.
They were called when the table was set as they waited for the food to be cooked. Zorin was about to take her place on the left side of the king but froze when she saw the Prince was already there, she glared down at him as her mouth fell to a sneer.
"That's my seat." She stated as calmly as she could but the hostility was clear in her voice.
Everyone was staring at the two as if expecting a fight to go down because no one dared to cross Zorin but Alucard was also a prideful prince who doesn't take orders from anyone who was below his status, which means anyone below the rank of a royal family. Indeed, she was basically like a mother figure to Rip but it was Rip who married the king and become the queen, not her, which still leaves her in the rank of an advisor, the only reason the King treated her so highly is out of respect for his wife, but that doesn't mean Alucard has to as well.
"I believe that only those of royal blood can set at the head of the table near the king, and advisors after them?" It was more of a statement rather than a question. Alucard grinned. "Besides, it was me who discovered this area, for the king to enjoy, and to send me on the other side of the table will be quite rude. Isn't that right your majesty?"
"Huh?.." The king who was distracted by the beautiful golden leaves above him looked down at the two.
"Isn't it rude to force me to move seats after I have delivered you into this beautiful piece of land?" The prince repeated.
"Well, of course, it is!" The king's wide eyes turned to the witch. "Zorin, Alucard is a dear guest to My Kingdom, who is not only the prince of a neighboring kingdom but also the son of my dearest friend, which makes him like a son to me. We must treat him with the utmost respect."
To say Zorin was shocked is an understatement, because the king had never spoken to her in such a way before, and because he was the ling Zorin could do nothing but be forced to obey the order, after all, she was just an advisor.
"Yes, your majesty." She hissed her answer and moved around so she can go and set beside Rip who was glaring at the prince who sat across from her.
The Lunch went normally from then on. Everyone was talking and laughing as the food was served. Well not everyone. Zorin and Rip were the only ones who seemed displeased, Rip because the king was giving all his attention to Alucard, and Zorin because she could still sense that the young prince was hiding something and this… Tree. She needs to get rid of it.
"I must say my boy, this place is truly like a hidden piece of heaven." Said the king with a pleased smile.
"I'm glad it is to your liking, your majesty." Said Alucard with a nod.
"But what is greater is this beautiful golden tree." Continued the king as he looked up to the golden leaves that shielded him from the sunlight. "Never in my life had I seen such a unique tree."
The moment these words left his mouth, a golden pare fell from the golden tree. Everyone slightly gasped thinking that it would his the king, but Alucard quickly caught it and chuckled.
"Looks like she was flattered by your compliment and decided to reward you with a golden fruit." Said Alucard as he offered the fruit to the king.
Everyone was silenced waiting for the king's reaction. King Henry had a dumbfounded look on his face as his eyes continued to shift between the tree, Alucard, and then the fruit before bursting into delightful laughter, which the court and the servants joined in on. Rip just rolled her eyes as she leaned towards Zorin.
"Is there any way that we could get rid of him sooner?" She whispered with an annoyed sigh and when she didn't get a response she turned to look at Zorin who was staring down at her lap. "Zorin?"
The reason why Zorin was ignoring Rip is that she had caught something that the prince had said with made her sweat drop in worry. "She" he said she. A small memory flashed before her eyes.
An infant girl was crying loudly in her arms as she lowered her down in the hole that has been dug, Zorin watched for a moment as the child chubby hands reached out from the cloth that was wrapping her, wanting to be carried. Zorin just stared down with a stone face and waited. it wasn't long until the baby's cries died down and the quiet night air took over again. the child gave in to exhaustion and slept with her tear-filled eyes. Taking the chance Zorin picked the shovel from the ground and with is she carried an amount of dirt, which she hovered over the sleeping infant.. and…
"Zorin!" A harsh whisper pulled her out of her thoughts, she looked up and saw that it was Rip who had called her because everyone's eyes were on her.
"Is Everything alright?" Asked the king. "You look... troubled about something."
"My apologies your majesty, I was just lost in my thoughts." She said with a nonchalant expression.
The king just nodded and continued talking with the other court members at the table. Zorin stared up at the golden leaves that were moving with the wind, making her remember the golden blond hair which the baby had. She just shocks her head from that memory and turned to join whatever the conversation was, but stopped when she saw Alucard who was staring at her suspiciously, Zorin just glared back at him, but as expected the prince was no intimidated by her.
After lunch, the prince had insisted to talk to the King in private as they took a stroll around the lake.
"I want to go too!" Demanded Rip angrily. The King had troubled look while Alucard's was of annoyance, before he could be able to calm his wife Zorin came forward with a smile.
"Rip my dear, our guest wishes to speak to our king in a private matter, and we must respect that." Zorin said as she held Rip's arm.
Rip opened her mouth to protest but one squeeze from Zorin silenced her. And Alucard noticed but said nothing.
"Why thank you Zorin." Said the king as he turned around to leave with the young prince who glared at the witch one last time before following the king.
When they were far enough, Rip pulled her arm from Zorin's tight grip.
"What was that about?" Rip asked with e furrowed brows. "Weren't you the one who told me not to leave them alone together?"
"We have more important things to worry about." Said Zorin in a low voice as she walked away motioning for Rip to follow her.
"What is it?" Asked Rip confused.
Zorin stopped when she saw they were far enough from everyone else to hear.
"Tell the king to cut the golden tree down." The witch ordered.
"Why?" Rip never questions Zorin's actions and followed her orders strictly, after all, every act she made her do deliver her to be queen, why should she doubt her now, but she was still curious for the reason.
"I will explain another time, but know that if that tree is still standing it might lead to our downfall."
Rip's eyes widened in horror. She didn't want to lose everything she has now. Zorin continued.
"And I have this strong that our 'Dear Guest' is involved." She growled. Zorin turned to look down at the still frightened Rip, the witch let out a sigh before placing her hand on her wards shoulder and grinned. "Now listen carefully, when you and the king are alone tonight, this is what I want you to do..."
"So tell my boy what did you want to talk about?"
"Well… Uncle-"
"Uncle?!" exclaimed the king ins surprise, before breaking into a chuckle. "Since you were but a boy you always respected my status and only called me "Your majesty", You must truly want something from me if you are willing to call me uncle."
Alucard chuckled but said nothing staying silenced for a while. The king nudged the young prince with his elbow, causing him to look back at him.
"What got your tongue in a twist?" Asked the king.
"It is an odd thing to request, but I would ever be most grateful if you could grant it for me." Alucard said with sincerity in his voice.
"Tell me my boy, and if I am able I promise to fulfill the request." The king said encouraging Alucard to say what's on his mind, and with a deep breath to calm his nerves before speaking.
"As you know, In less than two months I will be forced to return to my home kingdom where I will continue my studies to be a worthy king worthy to my people, and possibly someday… A good husband…" Alucard almost choked at the last statement, but he shook his head and continued. "…Which means, that I may not return here in the conceivable future."
"Nonsense you are always welcome back here." said the king with a dismissive wave of his hand.
"I know I am, you had made that very clear…" Alucard joked, but the smile he had was a sad one. "It's just that I won't have the time to."
A sad look crossed the king's face at the news. He cared for Alucard very much as if he was his own son, and that was no secret. The king tilted his head up to the boy with a smile that plainly hid his gloom.
"You still did not tell me your request." The old king reminded with a chuckle making Alucard smile lightly.
"As I said, my request might be strange but if you met them I will be ever so grateful to you, your majesty and in your debt." That statement had the king's brow rose in amazement.
"In my debt you say?... I will surely need that when you become king, now don't I?" the king joked. "Now stop dancing around the subject and tell me already."
"I am asking you to look after the golden tree when I am gone." Alucard finally said.
"Huh!?" This caused the king to stop on his track and look the young prince in the eyes, to see if he was jesting but found nothing but seriousness. "Take care of the tree?"
"I know how strange this might sound… " He continued. "But in the past few weeks I have been coming to this spot in secret, just to enjoy the solitude beneath the golden tree where I would enjoy the shade and unique fruits she provides, she was my sanctuary and the thought of leaving her like that for others who possibly would miss treat her… fills me with… with anxiety and rage... And-"
"Calm down my boy, just breath."
The King quickly interrupted after seeing how those feelings were starting to show. Alucard realizing his almost outburst took a few breaths to calm down.
"I see that you truly care for the tree's safety." Stated the King.
"Yes, very much so." Replied Alucard.
During lunch, Alucard could see clearly how the witch's face turned to scorn every time she looked at Seras. He didn't know if it was because he was the one to insist on outing?... or of the possibility that the King might find a newfound interest?... She is a witch, can she sense magic from Seras? There could be many reasons, but one thing was clear to him. Zorin would probably try to cut Seras down after he leaves, and he couldn't allow it. So his best choice is to ask the King to protect the tree personally from everything or anyone that might cause her harm, which will lead to seras actually having the chance to talk to her father.
That last bit still confused him greatly.
"Very well my boy." Said the King pulling him out of his thoughts "I will look after the tree personally!"
"Thank you so much, your majesty!" Said Alucard as he knelt to the King as a sign of gratitude.
"Please, Stand up." Said the king with furrowed brows. " And besides what happened to uncle!?"
They both laughed before continuing their walk.
Later in the evening, the king retired to his and Rip's bedroom to prepare himself for sleep, thankfully Rip wasn't there, probably spending some time with her guardian, but Henry didn't mind, that means he should use that time wisely to prepare himself quickly to go and sleep while he still can before she came back and nagged him to no end like every night. Honestly, he believed that the only reason he looked older than anyone his age was because of her. In the room, there were two separate beds, one for the king and the other for the queen. It is strange for a married couple to have separate beds, some would joke about the possibility that the queen kicks the king out of bed in her sleep. but those who were working here longer know that the true reason is that the king doesn't love her or desire to be near her let alone share a bed with her. He remembered with the doctors came forward and told him of Rip being infertile, when he heard the news he saw no reason for him to share the bed with her anymore and separated them. The only reason he kept her around just so his advisors wouldn't come again and nag him to marry another because he can't see himself be with another, not again. So he decided to stay with Rip and be a loyal husband to her.
Just as the King finally found his place under the cover the double doors opened.
"Heeeennnnnrryyyyyyy!"
Rip's voice rang throughout the room and probably the hallways outside as well, Henry suppressed a groan of annoyance as he forced himself to stand from his bed expecting to only deal with Rip… But he didn't Zorin to be with her. He raised a brow at them.
"What is it you want?" He asked with a tired tone, expecting the usual nagging.
"Henry!" Rip whined again with a smile and she went to sit beside the king in his bed. "You won't deny your dear queen a request would you?"
"Get off my bed Rip."
He said in such a stern tone that made Rip tense before quickly standing up and just standing at the end of the bed. Henry was indeed a kind person but when aggravated he can be… dangerous. He let out a sigh calming himself.
"What it is you want now Rip?" The king asked in a tired tone.
Rip Glanced at Zorin who gave her a nod of approval to continue then turned back to her husband.
"Remember that golden tree we saw today?" She asked cheerfully, which made the king perk up.
"What of it?" He asked giving her his full attention.
"Well…" She started. "The tree was SO beautiful, the golden leaves, fruit, but especially the Golden wood!"
"The wood?" repeated the king.
"Yes!" She exclaimed. "It was so pretty that I think it will suit our room, we can take it and turn it to bed furn-"
"No." The king interrupting not even waiting for her to finish. This made Rip freeze.
"No?" Rip's face was of shock before it turned to an angry frown. "NO?!... Are you refusing me?!"
"Rip, as you know that the place we went to today was only because Alucard was kind enough to share the location with us." Rip wanted to say something but he didn't give her a chance. "Knowing!... Full well that he only wanted to accompany me alone, before you and Zorin insisted on joining us."
"What does that have to do with the stupid tree?" Rip crossed her arms angrily.
"Because the reason why Alucard wanted to not only show me the Golden tree but to also ask me to protect it for him when he is gone." Explained the king with a satisfied smile. "Therefore I must refuse your request Rip because I have already made a promise."
"I see, so he reached you before us." Zorin finally said as she made her way to the king." But no matter, we can still pursue you to… change your mind."
The King looked confused by the witch's words, he opened his mouth to say something but was cut short when a hand shot up to hold his when a hand went to grip his forehead, and just before everything fell to black the last thing he saw was a single glowing violet eye. Zorin placed her tattooed hand on the king's forehead and allowed her magic to seep through to control his mind. It didn't take long. Zorin's sadistic grin grew wider as she saw the king's arms fall limp to his sides.
"Now, you will do as I say thoroughly…"
Alucard took the chance of everyone sleeping to sneak out of his room to the stables where he freed Caturix to ride outside the castle and to Seras. He indeed saw her today, but they didn't spend time together. And besides, he couldn't rest until he knows how she felt today at meeting her father. When he reached the ends of the woods, he was surprised at finding the wide opening still there. Was she expecting him?... or did she decide to welcome others beside him now that she got the chance to see others? He couldn't help the bang of jealousy he felt at the last statement.
It didn't take long for him to reach the lake. He stopped on his track as he was mesmerized by the site of the lake at night. The moon was shining so bright, the light shining against the surface of the lake illuminating the place even further. He was pulled from his trance as he saw how Seras was shining even in the dark of the night. He smiled as he made his way towards her.
"Good evening Seras." He greeted. "I hope I am not disturbing your rest."
"Alucard!" She called cheerfully. "What are you doing here so late?"
"Do you want me to leave?" He asked, he smirked when he saw seras branches moved around anxiously as she always does when she was embarrassed after he teased her.
"No, I am happy to see you." She said honestly. "I wanted to talk to you today but there were too many people."
"I understand my dear." He replied, then paused for a while before continuing. "How did you feel today?"
Sears stayed silenced for e while before she answered.
"I was very happy when I saw him, he was exactly how what I have been told."
"Told?" Alucard questioned with a raised brow. "someone told you about the king before?"
Alucard felt that he just asked a stupid question. But from what he had learned from Seras is that she had been in this spot almost her entire life, so how did she know of the king? Or that he was her father?
"Yes." She answered. "My mother did!"
Alucard looked shocked for a moment. The image of the bratty queen flashed in his head causing him to cringe. She can't be Seras's mother, He can understand if King Henry was because he is a very kind man and Seras has that same trait. But The queen was nothing but vile human.
"Who…Who is your mother?" He asked trying not to show the disgust he felt.
"My mother is there."
One of Seras's branches gestured to the great lake, causing Alucard confusion to grow further.
"Your mother… is the lake?" He asked carefully not wish to offend Seras in any way, but he let out a sigh of relief when he heard her giggles.
"No silly, my mother lives within the lake." She started to explain. "…Ever since I could remember I could always hear her voice, she told me what my name was, taught me things about the outside, even told me of who my father was and how I came to be like this."
"came to be like this?" Alucard repeated. "Could you tell me more Seras?"
Seras paused for a while before finally answering.
"No."
"And pry I ask why not?" Alucard said calmly as not to intimidate her.
"I don't… I'm… "Seras struggled. "… I think that I'm…still scared to even remember."
Alucard brows furrowed in disapproval. Not because Seras still refuses to tell him the story of her past but because of the fact that whatever had she gone through still traumatized her to even want to remember.
"I understand, but know this Seras that from now on I will be your aid, to protect and comfort you as long as you needed me." Alucard said as he placed his hand above his heart. Seras was speechless by his words before finally saying.
"Then I hope you an immortal human." she said with a giggle, which made Alucard chuckle at her cute attempt of a joke.
The young prince spent a few more hours with her before he was forced to excuse himself to return to the castle before anyone could notice his absence. Seras insisted on giving him and his horse one of her fruits to each, and though the horse enjoyed his fruit immediately, Alucard just held on to his own deciding to enjoy it in the morning probably. As he sneaked back into the castle and his room past the sleeping guards, which he will have to inform King henry of tomorrow, his mind kept thinking about everything that happened today. He thought of the King and his relation to seras, how Seras had a mother who apparently sleeps in the bottom of the great lake, and lastly about the witch's glares which she shot at him and Seras. So many questions plagued his mind and just when he thought he had answered them another hole formed. He shook his head from those thoughts and glanced at the golden pare that rested on the nightstand beside his bed. Seras is the one who was all the answers he needs, he just needs to be patient for a while.
He won't be leaving until the start of the month after the next. It should be enough time for him and Seras.
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter I am sorry that it small, but I promise longer chapters are to come.
I will see you all in the next chapters or in other stories.
Stay safe!