The Land of Dawn (ML Fanfic)

43. paths

"Alucard, where are you specifically headed to? We've been walking for ages now. I'm a little tired already." Ruby uttered, with her voice coming off a little bit sweet, too soft for her companion's liking.

Alucard could only muster out a smirk as he tried to contain his laughter. He was absolutely aware of Ruby's motive.

She was obviously stalling him, so that she can lure him with her decadently rare cupcakes.

"I know what you're up to, lady. I am immune to such tactics. Besides, I have enough cupcakes to get me by a lifetime. Please, go home. You are wasting your time on me." Alucard replied, his tone suddenly cold and monotonous.

Ruby couldn't help but stop dead on her tracks as she watched the first person she has talked to this month, walk away from her.

"Oh well, maybe I'm just not worth anyone's time. I just wanted some company. I've been lonely for so long, I forgot how it felt to have someone by my side. I'm sorry if I went overboard. I'll be leaving you now." She quietly said-- soft enough not to disturb anyone in proximity, loud enough for Alucard to hear.

She turned her back against Alucard's and careened her way back to her hut, which was miles away.

She had passed through countless obstacles whilst following him and now, she has to go all the way back to where she'd been because maybe, she was just too much to handle for someone who's as driven and important as Alucard.

He could hear her footsteps faintly losing its ring in his ears; he knew she was leaving.

He scolded himself for being a colossal idiot, grabbed his hair ferociously and went back to catch up with Ruby.

"Ruby, wait!" He chanted, as he was nearing her. And now that he was just a few steps away from her, he lost his words.

"I... I'm..." His words faltered.

Ruby smiled despite her weary heart and placed her palm upon Alucard's lips.

"I knew you couldn't resist my cupcakes! Here you go! I should really be going now. Enjoy them!" As she shifted her feet away from him, mustering a huge smile until she was far away for him to spot.

She let out a lonely sigh. Her cupcakes were the only thing he was after, not her presence. In anyway, she was used to being left alone. It shouldn't be new to her by now.

Alucard buckled up his courage and ran for Ruby. His insensitivity scarred Ruby, who only wanted for him to be well and fed.

"Don't be ridiculous! I'm not only after your cupcakes, I want you to be my friend too. I just didn't want you to follow me for I will be treading dangerous paths. I don't want to inconvenience you. I'm sorry, Ruby." He sincerely said, mustering a smile after.

He reached for Ruby's hand and laced it against his.

"Please do come with me, Ruby. I could really use a friend."

Ruby couldn't help but smile and squeeze his hands tighter than he did.

"I am sorry too, for being borderline dramatic. Woe is me, I guess. So, let's go?" Ruby interjected, dragging Alucard beside him.

Alucard offered a gentle smile in return. He couldn't understand as to why he behaved sinisterly a while ago when Ruby was so sweet and kind to him all the while.

"Where are we heading to?" She managed to ask after a long period of silent walking and toes crunching against solid earth.

"Have you heard of the land of the Assassins?" He asked her, curious for her response.

Ruby's lips formed a huge oval shape as her eyebrows furrowd a great deal. "Nope. Where is that? I never heard anything about such a land." She responded, hungry for answers.

Alucard's lips playfully formed a straight line, delighted by his companion's innocence.

"It's a place where cupcakes are made! I'm bringing you there so you could become the ultimate cupcake master!" He jokingly told her, waiting for her response.

"What? Oh my! Let's go there now! I can't wait to show them my skills! But oh, I must ask. Why must the road be dangerous to get there?" She asked näively, not knowing that she was being rather tricked.

"Ooh, thousands of monsters and demons believe that the ones who cook those cupcakes are as delicious as the cupcakes themselves. Therefore, not only aspiring cooks want to go to that land but also a lot of scary creatures are on their way!" He uttered, almost out of breath from his voracious banter.

Ruby had a hopeful heart and was full of excitement.

Alucard was excited too, not because of the cupcakes though.

As the two of them neared their destination, someone close to Ruby's heart had a similar goal as hers.

Alucard and his companion were both sharing a hearty laugh when a deep, monotonous voice resounded across the clearing.

"Ruby?" Roger called out, stopping dead on his tracks.