Chapter 3
"I am Alucard," he said finally, his voice quiet but firm, carrying the weight of the name like an unspoken burden.
"Or Adrian Tepes, if you prefer. Son of the monster who once ruled this land—and son of the woman who tried to save it."
He let the words hang in the air for a moment, his expression impassive yet tinged with a quiet sorrow.
The woman furrowed her brows, searching her memory for the name. It was familiar, yet distant—just out of reach, like a word lingering on the tip of her tongue. She could almost grasp it, almost recall where she had heard it before, but the answer continued to evade her.
She tilted her head slightly, repeating the name the man before her had spoken with such an ominous weight.
"Alucard?"
Now it was Alucard's turn to furrow his brows, his golden eyes narrowing ever so slightly. Why was she not trembling in fear? Why didn't her eyes widen, her pupils dilate? Why hadn't she turned and fled the moment she heard his name? The questions circled in his mind, yet he forced himself to remain composed.
"And who are you, then?"
he asked, tilting his head just enough for the fading sunlight to catch in his golden hair.
"What name belongs to the one bold enough to approach a castle like mine without trembling?"
Though his voice remained calm, even laced with curiosity, there was something else beneath the surface—something unspoken. A flicker of longing buried deep within his gaze, a quiet hope he dared not acknowledge, yet could not fully suppress.
The woman shifted her weight slightly, debating whether she should reveal her name to a stranger. But he had introduced himself—Alucard… or was it Adrian? If he had offered his name, it seemed only fair to return the gesture.
"I am Selene," she said, a quiet resolve lacing her voice.
A faint smile tugged at her lips as she added,
"It's not a particularly bold name for someone who isn't particularly bold either."
With a step forward, she closed the last bit of distance between them, her movements steady and unhesitant. She extended her hand toward him in greeting, the gesture as natural as it was deliberate.
"Nice to meet you, Alucard. Or was it Adrian?"
Alucard's eyes widened slightly at the offering. Such a simple act—a handshake, so common among humans—felt strangely significant to him. He hesitated for a brief moment, the faintest trace of uncertainty flickering across his face. It had been long since anyone had approached him with warmth, without fear or hidden intent.
After a pause, he reached out, his movements careful, deliberate. His fingers—cool to the touch, bearing the faint scars of countless battles—met hers with a light yet steady grip. The warmth of her hand against his own was startlingly real, unaccustomed.
"Selene."
He repeated and released her hand, letting it fall back to his side, though the faint trace of that smile lingered. His golden gaze studied her face for a moment longer, as if trying to understand what had drawn her to step so boldly into his space.
"Youre… different," he finally said, his tone quiet but sincere.
"Most would not have extended a hand to someone like me, let alone smiled."
There was no bitterness in his words, only a touch of astonishment, as though he were speaking more to himself than her. He stepped back slightly, granting her space once more, though his posture was no longer guarded. Instead, he seemed to regard her with a quiet respect.
"Different? Me?" Selene echoed, tilting her head slightly.
"I suppose so… maybe."
She pondered his words for a moment before continuing.
"I try to judge only by what I see and receive. And so far, you've given me nothing but sound advice and a rather pleasant conversation. I sense no danger from you—no malice, no ill intent."
She gave a small nod, as if affirming her own thoughts aloud. She studied him for a moment longer before adding,
"Ill admit, you look a bit disheveled - like youve had a bad day… maybe even a bad week? A month…? But there is something in your eyes, in your manner, that tells me you are no threat to me."
As they spoke, the sun dipped lower, sinking fast beyond the horizon. The last glimmers of golden light threaded through the trees, stretching their final reach across the forest before the coming dusk.
Alucard inclined his head slightly, her words stirring a faint flicker of emotion in him—something akin to gratitude, though it was laced with the faint ache of disbelief. Her honesty was refreshing, and her calm demeanor, even in the fading light of the woods, was something he hadn't expected to encounter.
"You judge with reason," he murmured, his voice low and steady, though there was a shadow of weariness beneath it.
He glanced upward, his gaze catching the last golden rays of sunlight as they filtered through the trees. The woods seemed to shift around them as the daylight waned, shadows growing longer and darker, the air cooler with each passing moment.
"The night is fast approaching,"
he observed, his tone quiet but edged with concern. His eyes returned to hers, their golden hue catching the dimming light like the glow of embers.
"These lands are not forgiving once the sun has set. Even the best-prepared can find themselves overwhelmed by what lies in wait. It is best, you return to a safe shelter."
Selene glanced up at the fading light. Darkness fell swiftly in these woods, swallowing the landscape in deepening shadows. A slight grin played on her lips as she responded.
"And what do you take me for? I am neither a fool nor unprepared. I can handle myself in these lands."
Her words weren't defensive, but there was a subtle smugness in her tone—a quiet confidence that came from experience. She was no stranger to the dangers lurking in the wild. Night creatures, wandering bandits, desperate scavengers—she had faced them all before. With a casual gesture, she patted the hilt of her weapon, a silent signal of her readiness.
"And what about you?"
she asked in return, tilting her head slightly.
"Will you be able to handle yourself?"
Thanks again for reading! I appreciate every review and comment. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Until next time!
Much love, Sayuri