don't you dare run. 🌹

       ❝ Beef steak, hm ? Yes, I should have more meat available at home to make more. There's no need to be embarrassed though. Meat is very common to many people's diets here and why shouldn't it be ? Nutritious and delicious as I'm sure you'd agree. ❞ Pact didn't even have to drool for Alucard to know she was thinking about the hearty meal already, probably very excited to go eat, further complimented by the fact she was urging Alucard to hurry and leave with her.

       ❝ Ah, yes, yes, we're leaving, we're leaving. ❞ Gentle smile still on his lips, noting with amusement how she was tugging at his sleeve. This close contact was welcomed. In fact, it was rather cute, her impatience, much like a child.

But when Alucard kneels besides her, Pact realizes the man wasn't simply joking. Her mouth gapes in surprise, confusion, humiliation—— a cauldron's pit of whirling emotions that gives rise to a fierce blush upon her cheeks.

"W-Wh—What a-ar—— !?" Pact fails to deliver her question, stumbling over the words as she takes a faltering half-step away. He isn't so oafish to think she would easily climb his back in front of all these nosy villagers and plant the wrong idea in their minds as they ride off into the sunset, is he ?

Pact makes a sound of desperation in her throat and combs her fingers through the tail of her hair indecisively, a habit she cannot shake. Her voice is unsteady when she finds it again to ask, "This is one of your … powers, isn't it? Something about speed …"

She can vaguely recall Alucard explaining how it worked, but Pact offered little attention at the time.

"——A-At least have the sense to carry me more properly ! I am a lady, you know." Like on the comfort of his shoulder to feel the rush of the wind, or bridal carried in the safety of his arms with more care and respect—— on second thought, the former would be more dignified.

       ❝ But of course. My home is a prison to no one. ❞ Except maybe for himself.

       And just like that the tone of the conversation seemed to have shifted for the better. It seemed that food was also the way to a woman's heart, too, or maybe just hers. He couldn't help but to chuckle at her outright display of embarrassment. Was he that good of a cook ? He was flattered.

"Ugh, unbelievable … You think I'll just say it ?" Yet Pact gives in solely to preserve the mood and her hot meals. "Fine ! It's that one from yesterday, the beef steak. Got it ? But don't get the wrong idea. Believers must consume lots of meat."

And like clockwork, her mouth begins to water at the mental image of a dining table containing coalescing plates of venison pies, lamb shanks, steaks, and baked fish ( sans vegetables ). What would happen if Alucard baked the lamb and pied the fish——what would they taste like, the texture ?

Pact saves face from an embarrassing drool by flipping her hair, tilting her head upward, and pacing toward Alucard. She can practically feel the villagers pry and sigh at her decisive departure, but they don't matter anymore.

Upon reaching his side, she grabs one of his sleeves and nudges him forward. "We're leaving, aren't we ? What are you waiting for ? Let's leave this dusty place behind." And Hunting Stone, while they're at it. But at a glance, there's not a method of transportation in sight.

       ❝ Is that really how you should be speaking to me after I opened my home to you for some time, kept you fed, and let you explore the vast knowledge of my library ? ❞ All of that free of charge, too. He was soft spoken as was usual, but the tone of annoyance lingered throughout each word, and the expression on his visage matched his feelings.

       He didn't bother answering her quips knowing the situation would just escalate as she seemed rather angered by the townsfolk's reactions to her.

       ❝ They're scared, Pact, that's all. They have nothing personal against you. You can't really blame them. I did tell you what's been happening around the country, did I not ? ❞

Those were some interestingly delicious meals that could go for a round two, or three.

"——What, am I supposed to just go with you just because you're offering ? I'm on a tight schedule, you know," she says, habitually twirling a clump of blood-red hair around a hand.

Yes, Lady Victoria has authorized spreading the word of the Truth in foreign areas, but the so-called schedule was practically self-imposed by Pact as a challenge. Giving up now would go against her creed, but she cannot chase the thoughts of food from her mind.

Subsequently, she digs a heel into the road with a resounding clop. Hunting Stone slithers forward at the command with its vine-like arms and looms at her side. Pact sets a hand upon the bronzed rim and thrums her fingers thoughtfully.

"And, what's your definition of 'open' ? Like, can I come and go when I please ? Or am I going to have to be stuck rereading books ?" She questions without hostility, searching for genuine answers as if this were a trap set by Alucard rather than a hospitable proposal.