[Alucard follows. He's not thrilled about leaving his graveyard and being around people in the daylight, but he'll do it. The conversation merits it, just as it merits frankness. There's the illusion of privacy around them, and that'll do fine.]

I appreciate your straightforwardness. [And maybe those at the first sincere words that he's said since Ciri's arrived. It is for that reason, and not her too sharp gaze, that he seems to deflate a hair.]

I've...not been at my best, lately. [The absolute understatement of the year.] And I think Jaskier is the first person who has actually managed to be present when I have been as such. [A sad fact, but one Alucard's not going to dwell on yet. It also means he doesn't consider it an excuse or explanation for behavior, just part and parcel of it.]

I can't tell you what your expectations should be, because I cannot predict my own course at the moment. [Straightforwardness deserves the same in response.] I realize that an opaque and unhelpful response.

[Alucard is able to meet Ciri's eyes, and while there's not shame there, there is a note of apology. For not being the person he was a few months ago. He quite liked being that person himself.]