Chapter 1

authors notes at the end of the chapter

It had been a long day, and the sun was beginning its descent toward the horizon. She was making her daily rounds, patrolling the nearby area for any signs of night creatures or potential threats. The day had been uneventful, with nothing out of the ordinary to report. With some time to spare, she occupied herself by gathering medicinal herbs and plants from along the path she was walking. The rhythmic task provided a sense of calm as she moved through the quiet landscape, her keen eyes scanning for anything useful.

Alucard had been watching her for some time now, his golden eyes glinting faintly from the shadows of the dense forest. His heart was heavy, his mind clouded by wine and bitter memories, yet something about the woman had drawn him from his refuge of solitude. He stayed crouched behind a gnarled tree, his long blonde hair falling untamed over his shoulders, his once-pristine attire now wrinkled and slightly unkempt. The soft rustle of her movements as she gathered herbs, the faint hum of life that surrounded her—it was all achingly familiar. She reminded him of Lisa, though he chided himself for the thought. But it wasn't just her appearance. There was a quiet strength in her stance, a purposefulness in her actions that piqued his curiosity. And yet, fear gripped him. Was this another human who would betray his kindness? Another fleeting connection that would leave him more hollow than before? He leaned against the tree, watching her intently, his fingers brushing against the hilt of his sword out of instinct rather than malice. His voice was a whisper, a murmur to the wind.

"What are you doing here... so close to the castle? You should not linger in a place of death and ruin."

But of course, she would not hear him. He had no intention of being seen—not yet. Instead, he shifted silently, taking care to remain hidden. His golden eyes followed her every movement, and though his instinct was to retreat to the cold solace of the castle, he found himself lingering. Why did he care? Why did she matter? The questions only deepened his bitterness, but still, he stayed.

The woman had an uncanny feeling that someone—or something—was watching her. She paused, glancing over her shoulder, but saw no one and sensed nothing out of the ordinary. With a small shrug, she dismissed the thought and returned to gathering herbs and plants. After some time, she straightened up, stretching her limbs to ease the stiffness from crouching. Gathering her things, she began walking the path back toward the little village to the east, the setting sun casting long shadows along her way.

Alucard's sharp senses caught the subtle shift in her movements as she turned, searching for something—or someone. For a moment, he thought she might have detected him, and his breath stilled, his body instinctively melting further into the shadows of the tree. But when she resumed her task, seemingly dismissing the feeling, he allowed himself to relax. His gaze lingered as she stood, stretching, the faint orange hue of the setting sun catching the golden strands of her hair. She began to walk away, back toward the east. Toward the village. Toward life. For a moment, he wrestled with himself. He had no reason to follow her. She had done nothing to deserve his attention, no reason for him to intrude upon her life. And yet…

"You're only going to get yourself hurt again."

The bitter voice in his mind was sharp and cold, but he ignored it. Against his better judgment, he took a step forward, and then another. His movements were silent, like a ghost gliding through the forest. As he trailed her from a safe distance, he caught the faint scent of the herbs she carried, the sound of her soft footsteps crunching against the path. Every part of her seemed to radiate warmth—an almost unbearable contrast to the cold, desolate place he had let himself become. And yet, his distrust and pain whispered louder than anything else. He debated turning back, retreating into the misery he knew so well. But instead, he hesitated by the edge of the path and allowed himself to speak—not to her directly, but loud enough for her to hear, should fate decide she was meant to. His voice was low, smooth, and carried the weight of centuries.

"The forest is not safe at night. You should not linger."

Even as the words left his lips, he cursed himself. It was foolish to draw her attention. Foolish to let her see him. But it was done. And now, he waited, half-hidden in the fading light, watching to see how she would react.

The blondes head snapped around, her body following just moments later. She had heard a voice—a low, distinct warning telling her not to linger. Instinctively, she shifted into a protective stance, her hand moving to her belt where a short sword rested securely in its sheath.

"Who's there?" she called out, her tone cautious but steady, eyes scanning the area for any sign of movement.

Alucard remained in the shadows, his form shrouded by the encroaching twilight. He saw her movement—the way she turned sharply, how her hand instinctively went to her weapon. It was a reaction he respected, even admired, though it reminded him of how easily humans reached for steel when confronted by the unknown. He hesitated, debating whether to step forward or vanish into the forest. Her voice, cautious yet steady, gave him pause. There was no fear in her tone, only readiness.

"You should not draw your weapon unless you intend to use it,"

he finally said, his voice calm, almost disembodied as it echoed faintly through the trees.

"But I mean you no harm."

After another moment of silence, he took a step forward, just enough for the fading light to catch his pale face. His golden eyes glinted softly as they met hers, though his expression was guarded, as if revealing himself was an internal battle he hadn't yet decided to finish.

"The sun is setting. This forest is not kind to those who linger after dark,"

he said again, his tone as even as before. Though he spoke plainly, there was a faint edge of something deeper—bitterness, sorrow—woven into his words. He stood still, his tall, lean figure partially cloaked by the trees behind him. His disheveled appearance made him look less like a noble and more like a ghost of one. Still, his presence was undeniably commanding, though his eyes held hers with caution rather than warmth.

"What brings you so close to the castle?"

he asked, the question weighted with curiosity but also suspicion.

The woman's posture eased slightly, her back straightening at the assurance of no harm, but her hand remained on the hilt of her sword, ready though undrawn.
"Thank you for the warning," she said, her tone measured-"But experience has taught me that one can never be too cautious in these lands." After a brief pause, her sharp gaze studied the man before her. Finally, she added,

"I'm a guardian of one of the nearby villages. I'm on my daily rounds, ensuring no monsters or creatures are lurking in the shadows near the settlement."

Alucard observed her closely, noting the way her posture eased but her hand stayed near her weapon. A prudent choice, he thought, and one that spoke of experience. Her words carried a quiet confidence, though he could hear the edge of wariness beneath them.

"A noble purpose,"

he said, his tone even, though the faintest hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips—a rare expression, one that flickered and faded almost as quickly as it had come.

"Few would venture this far to protect others. Fewer still would dare to walk so close to this castle."

He stepped fully into the light now, revealing his full figure. Despite his disheveled state, there was an undeniable elegance to him, an aura of something otherworldly. The golden eyes that met hers were sharp yet weary, as though they carried the weight of centuries. His long coat, though wrinkled and dusted with the faint signs of his recent neglect, still bore the intricate details of something crafted for nobility.

"And yet, here you stand," he continued, his voice soft but firm. "Unyielding. Fearless—or perhaps reckless."

"Reckless?" The blonde-haired woman furrowed her brows, a flicker of irritation crossing her face. Who was this man to judge her so openly and without cause?
"I am simply carrying out the task I am bound to do," she replied calmly, her tone steady and unprovoked despite his accusation.

He tilted his head slightly, studying her with an intensity that might have been unnerving, though his expression remained composed. Something about her words—the mention of guarding the village—stirred a faint memory of his mother, of her endless compassion for humanity. But the bitterness within him quickly drowned it out.

"You speak of guarding against monsters," he said after a pause, his gaze darkening slightly.

"But do you know what kind of creatures roam these lands? The castle you stand near is home to horrors most humans cannot comprehend. Why would you take such a burden upon yourself?"

Though his words could have been seen as accusatory, there was no malice in his tone—only curiosity, and perhaps a trace of something more complicated. He stood still, his posture calm yet vigilant, as though he were as wary of her as she was of him.

## Hello everyone, Thank you for reading my first chapter! I hope you like this little, small story about what swirls around in my head!