Alucard
It had only been seven days since my father's defeat, but it always felt like it was yesterday. His castle and the Belmont Hold were now mine to protect and to be sure none of it went to waste. Humanity still has a chance to go on. My mother could now rest in peace, maybe even my father since they are both likely together now. But despite all of that, I couldn't help but feel empty inside.
Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades, the only two friends I ever had were now gone, moving on with their lives. The only family I had was dead. I realized then that I was now alone. But at least every morning was a beautiful one. I found some bliss in that. It was one of the few things here that I would find enjoyable. It wasn't much but it did something for me.
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Before I exited the castle, I grabbed two buckets to collect some water. I had a small smile on my face as I felt the cool breeze against my face as I walked to the river near the castle. I heard a few birds chirping as the sound of the river grew louder. When I got there, I knelt by the river and began to fill the buckets with water. I still kept alert of my surroundings, in case anything happened. Just when I finished filling them both, I heard someone humming not far from where I was. I slowly stood up and turned my head to my left, which was the direction I heard it coming from. Out of curiosity, I began walking towards where the humming was, leaving both of my buckets of water behind.
As I walked, the humming grew louder. Which meant that I was getting closer. After half a minute of walking, I was close enough to see who was humming and stopped. My eyes widened slightly at the sight. It was a woman, a human woman. She looked to be only eighteen years of age. She had long, dark auburn hair that was held by a crown braid that was half up, pale skin that looked soft to the touch, but I couldn't see her eyes since she was looking down. She was dressed in a black gown and a dark blue hood. She was currently filling a red pitcher with water from the other side of the river.
Without thinking, I took a step forward and heard something snap. I looked down and saw a broken twig under my boot. I then looked back at the woman, but when I did she was running off. Her pitcher was lying ungracefully on its side by the river. The water within it was pouring out from it and was streaming back to the river.
I wanted to shout "Wait" to the woman but I didn't. I just sighed in response to what happened and turned away. I began walking back to get my water and head back to the castle. But I stopped after only four steps and turned my head back. I looked at the red pitcher that was now empty and needing to be filled.
" Perhaps, I should give the stranger a proper greeting and bring her that water she needed.", I said to myself.
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After I filled the pitcher with water, I followed the direction I last saw the woman take. She couldn't have been far, at least I hope not. As I walked, I noticed that it was much quieter here. No birds were out, no bees, no foxes, or deer. Only the trees and grass were here. Not a lot of sun here, even though it was the middle of the day.
I searched for fifteen minutes of where the woman was or at least where she might be. I then found a small stone cottage that was covered in vines and moss, surrounded by lovely flowers. I saw no one outside but I noticed a small silhouette of a woman in the window." This must be where she lives.", I thought to myself. I walked to the cottage and stopped once I was at the door. I lifted one hand to knock while the other held the pitcher. I knocked three times on the door and waited. Not a minute later, I heard footsteps approaching the door. The door then opened and it was her. She gasped then averted her eyes from me.
I looked at her with a calm expression on my face. We were both silent for a small moment until she asked," Something you needed, sir?". Her voice was soft and a bit shaky like she was afraid of something or me.
" You left your pitcher by the river.", I explained as handed her the pitcher," I filled it up with water for you.".
She didn't take the pitcher at first. She just stood there, still averting her eyes from me. Her hands then slowly reached out a little and then finally took the pitcher." Thank you.", she muttered.
" You're welcome.", I returned. I just kept watch of her for a small moment then turned my head from side to side.
My eyes then returned to her." You have a lovely home.", I complimented to spare us both from the awkward silence.
" Thank you.", she muttered.
We were silent yet again for a small moment. But she finally glanced up at me but only for a second. I caught a small glimpse of her eyes at that time. They were both as blue as the sky after a rainy day. Almost the same shade of blue as my mother's eyes.
" Pardon me for being rude, ma'am. But what is your name?", I asked her to satisfy one of the curiosities that have been on my mind.
" Cristine.", she answered with the same soft and shaky tone.
" Cristine.", I repeated to myself. I felt the corners of my lips curl up a bit as I said her name. I didn't understand why though. I then cleared my throat and went back to having my calm and almost emotionless expression to keep me from smiling any further. Not that I didn't want to, but because it wasn't entirely natural for people to smile just from a name.
" Well then Cristine, I am Adrian Tepes. I live not far from here.", I told her.
" That's nice.", she responded as she looked down on the ground like she was searching for something. Probably still trying to avoid looking at me.
" Well...", I started but didn't finish. I didn't know what to say or ask. The curiosities on my mind were too invasive to ask and I only just met her.
I thought it was probably best to leave her now." Well, it was a pleasure to meet you, Cristine. I hope to see you again soon.", I told her. I meant it when I said "pleasure". I was glad to not be alone in these woods.
" Best that you don't.", she responded. It surprised and confused me a little from hearing that. Before I could ask why she closed the door.
I sighed to myself then began to head back to the castle. I was rather hurt when she told me that we shouldn't meet. I was looking forward to speaking to another person.
" Well, at least I've met someone today and I don't have to keep losing my mind.", I said to myself as I entered the castle.
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The next day, I was out collecting food and water for myself. The morning was still bright, birds were out again, and animals going about their everyday lives. I still felt a bit of bliss in that.
I didn't even think of Cristine since yesterday. I only focused on my daily routines, which were nothing more than waking up, collecting food and water for the day, talking with my "two friends", and wondering what might have been if things were different with everything that had happened, then I slept.
Just when I finished filling up the basket with food and the bucket with water, I heard someone approaching in the distance. I slowly placed the food down and dashed to where this someone was. I heard the stranger squeal as I tackled her to the ground.
Just when I lifted myself to have a better look at the stranger, I was shocked to see who it was. Cristine looked up at me with fear in her round sky-blue eyes, almost looking like she'd cry at any moment." Please, don't hurt me.", she begged.
" Cristine, I-- I'm sorry.", I quaked before I quickly got off her. I then offered her a hand to help her up. She hesitantly took my hand and I helped her back on her feet.
" Please, forgive me, I thought you were someone else.", I explained. I let her hand go and she held herself.
" It's alright, I understand.", she strangely reassured me.
" What brings you here? I thought you told me yesterday that we shouldn't meet again?", I asked her.
" Yes ... Well, that's what I came here to talk to you about.", she told me. I crossed my arms, listening to what she was saying.
" I wanted to apologize for my rude behavior yesterday. I was being unkind when you told me farewell.", she explained to me in a soft and less timid voice," I've just been distant from people for a while now with all the Church and the witch huntings and all.".
" Keeping your guard up from a world of madness, I understand entirely.", I calmly told her. Of course, I did. My mother was burnt at the stake because the Church accused her of witchcraft. She was hiding in these woods to avoid being accused. She had a good reason for being just as alone as I was.
" Well um... Adrian, is it?", she asked.
" Yes.", I responded.
" I was... Um... I was just curious since me and you are probably the only ones in these woods...", she was nervously rubbing her fingers together until she finally finished with," Like to join me for tea sometime."
This began to intrigue me, a strange woman who wished to know me. Most people would either want to hunt me or have nothing to do with me. But the offer was neither of those things. It could be a trap of some sort, but I didn't sense anything false about her. She didn't seem like that kind of girl, despite the fact I didn't know anything about her other than her name. Perhaps this could be my chance to know her. Not for anything intimate, but so I could finally no longer be alone anymore, to have a friend again.
I smiled at her and said," I would like that.". Her lips twitched into a small smile back at me.
" Well, then till we meet again.", she said then turned away. She took only two steps before turning back at me to say " Bye" with a small wave. I waved back at her. She turned away again then walked away again, most likely back to her cottage.
I watched her for a small moment then turned my head. My food and water were still in the same place. I walked to them and picked them up. I headed straight to the castle with a smile on my face.