When I arrived at Seishan's window, I knocked just like always. The faint echo of my knuckles against the glass felt heavier than usual, maybe because I wasn't sure what to expect this time.
No answer.
Through the dim reflection of the moonlight, I saw her — or rather, the faint pulse of her organs through the walls. She was in the bathroom. Alive, moving, calm. So, naturally, like an idiot drawn to a flame, I decided to go in.
She had called for me, after all. That meant the invitation extended to the whole place, right? Technically.(Part of his flaw is he can't enter a house without permission btw)
Her room was faintly lit, the scent of lavender incense drifting lazily through the air. The curtains swayed gently, painting the room in slow waves of crimson and silver. I sat down on her bed — soft, warmer than I expected — and stared up at the ceiling. The sheets smelled like her. Not perfume or oils, just her. That faint metallic sweetness that only beings like us carried.
Minutes passed. Then the door creaked open, and I turned my head.
Seishan stepped out, steam trailing her like a veil. Droplets rolled down her storm-grey skin, catching the candlelight like scattered diamonds. A towel hung loosely around her body — her hair dark, wet, clinging to her neck.
And for a moment, I forgot how to think.
She wasn't just beautiful. She was otherworldly. The kind of beauty that made you feel small, guilty for looking, and yet unable to look away.
I froze. Tried to act normal. Failed miserably.
"Alucard," she said, her voice soft but sharp enough to pierce through my daze, "why are you staring at me?"
Ah. I was caught.
"Uh—no reason," I stammered, trying to force my mind into gear. "I was, um… waiting for you! You said to come as soon as possible."
"I said midnight."
I blinked. Looked toward the window. The moon hung high. It was barely half past ten.
"Ah." I managed. "Well, I'm early."
She sighed — that slow, resigned kind of sigh that made me feel like a child again. "Alucard," she murmured, rubbing her temple, "I forgive you for staring. But could you please turn around? I'd like to change."
"Right. Of course. Totally."
I nodded, turned around… and then immediately backflipped out the window.
Yes, backflipped. Don't ask why — panic does strange things to a man.
Outside, I waited on the edge of her balcony, pretending to admire the moon, feeling like the biggest fool in the Dream Realm.
A few minutes later, her voice came through the window, calm and amused.
"You can come back now."
I climbed back in, this time more carefully. She was dressed — a simple crimson robe wrapped around her, the fabric shimmering faintly like liquid dusk. Her long black hair was half-dry, cascading down her shoulders as she patted it with a towel.
For a few seconds, we just stood there. The silence between us wasn't awkward — it was heavy. Like there were too many words that neither of us wanted to say first.
"Alright," she began finally, crossing her legs gracefully as she sat down. "Now that we're both decent… let's discuss why I asked you here."
I took the chair opposite her. "About what?"
Seishan's red eyes lingered on mine — steady, calm, calculating. "I assume you know Sara is planning an expedition outside the castle. She requested assistance from within the city. Anderson volunteered."
I frowned. "And you're warning me."
"Yes," she said simply. "Stay away from the outskirts for now. Or, if you insist on joining them, be prepared. That priest doesn't forgive, and he doesn't forget."
For a moment, I didn't speak. My mind was already running through plans, risks, outcomes. But mostly… opportunity.
That solved one of my problems — Sara's expedition needed strength, and Anderson's strength was undeniable. He might hate me, but our contract made killing me a dangerous game for him.
"I know that look," Seishan said quietly. "You're planning something."
"Maybe," I admitted. "I'm joining Sara's expedition."
Her composure cracked. "What? No! Don't be stupid!"
The sharpness in her voice hit me like a slap. Then she realized how loud she was, closed her eyes, and exhaled. When she spoke again, her voice trembled slightly, though she hid it well.
"The last time you fought that lunatic, you lost an arm. You think this will end differently? You'll be facing nightmare creatures this time. And him. How can I guarantee you'll survive?"
Her eyes met mine — and behind that anger, I saw it. Fear.
Not for herself. For me.
For a second, I forgot how to breathe.
So instead of speaking, I reached out and took her hand. She stiffened, but didn't pull away. Red sparks flickered where our skin touched — my blood resonating with hers, a bond forming without words.
"There," I said quietly. "That's how you'll know I'll come back. Because I'll crawl out of hell itself for that memory. Which means… I'll crawl back to you."
The air shimmered faintly as she summoned the memory — the spark solidified into a blood-red necklace, its surface pulsing faintly with warmth. She clasped it around her neck, and for a brief, unbearable second, I thought she'd never looked more beautiful.
The red glow reflected in her storm-grey skin, the light dancing over her collarbone. Her eyes softened, but her voice faltered as she whispered, "Promise me… promise me you'll come back for this necklace. And for me."
Her voice cracked on the last word.
I smiled, because if I didn't, I might have stayed.
"Sure thing," I said, forcing a teasing grin. "Keep that thing warm for me till I get back, alright?"
And before I could change my mind, I jumped from the window, landing silently on the cold stone below.
The city was quiet. The moon hung above like a dying candle.
I walked away without looking back — because I knew that if I did, I wouldn't leave at all.