A Game Of Chess With A Vampire
Chapter 196: But...Did You Mean It?

Chapter 196: But...Did You Mean It?

Draven flickered his eyes.

"B-bullying you. I did no such thing!"

Avelina scowled at him. "Yes, you did!"

"Okay fine! You want to win?" Draven asked.

Avelina nodded with all seriousness. "Of course I do. You think I enjoy losing?"

"Then I will let you win," Draven spoke with his hands folded. "However, do keep in mind that you didn’t win because you genuinely beat me. It was because I allowed you to."

This caused Avelina’s expression to turn ugly. "You wicked vampire shi—urghhhhh!"

"You just had to make it worse!"

Draven shrugged. "I did nothing. It is not my fault that you cannot beat me."

"Shall we begin?" He smirked at her.

Avelina clicked her tongue at him, annoyed. She shifted her chair closer and cracked her knuckles.

Draven moved his hand to touch one of his pieces, but Avelina slapped his hand.

"Not. Yet!" she emphasized.

"Huh?" Draven was confused. "Why? What have I done this time?"

Avelina rolled her eyes. "I changed my mind."

"Pourquoi?" Draven wrinkled his brows at her.

"I’m not a loser and I won’t lose to you. Play like you normally would, I don’t need your benevolence," Avelina said.

She continued, "You were right when you said it still wouldn’t be my victory, so why bother? I will definitely beat you, no matter what! So play."

Draven stared at her and could not help but chuckle. "Your serious face is very adorable." He shook his head, amused.

Avelina slammed her hands on the table. "This is no time to tease me! Be serious."

"Yes, ma’am." Draven nodded, saluting.

"You!" Avelina was about to scold him, but the sudden ring of his phone had her halt.

Draven took his phone out of his pocket and looked at the screen to see that the caller was Loui. He answered.

"Loui?"

[Don, we have read the map]

"Oh..." Draven gave a satisfied nod. "That’s good. Why are you calling?"

[Prince is ready, and we are wondering if he should move tonight. The earlier, the better, I think]

"Hmmm?" Draven began to think. "Give me a moment."

He walked over to Avelina and squatted down beside her.

Avelina had heard the conversation since Draven had left the call on speakout, but why was he kneeling beside her? Was something wrong?

Draven smiled at her before asking, "What do you think we should do?"

"Ye?!" Avelina was stunned. "Y-you want me to give you a suggestion?"

"Yes," Draven replied.

"They have read the map, as you heard and Prince is ready. Do you think they can move tonight or tomorrow?"

Avelina blinked her eyes. She began to ponder seriously. "I would not suggest tonight."

"Why?" Draven queried.

Avelina let out a soft breath before explaining, "In my opinion, tomorrow night would be better. They had only just read the map, and by tomorrow, Prince would have digested the information much better. Going tonight is risky as there is a big chance of mistakes."

"It will be good to wait till tomorrow and be properly ready," she suggested.

Draven gazed at her, not saying a word.

Avelina was a bit confused. Did she make the wrong suggestion? But it is just her opinion.

"Brilliant!" Draven abruptly spoke, smiling.

He extended his hand, ruffling her hair.

"You have become much more careful than before," he praised, causing Avelina to smile heartily.

Draven stood up to his feet.

"Tell Prince to make a move tomorrow night, Loui."

[Understood, Don]

Draven hung up the call and walked over to sit down in his chair.

Avelina appeared quite worried.

"Draven, I know this plan will work, ninety out of a hundred percent chance, but...will they be alright?"

Draven gave a nod. "Do not worry. I know what they are capable of. Just sit and watch. You must not underestimate them, especially Olive, Prince, and Lucien."

Avelina took a deep breath.

"I hope they will be alright. I feel quite nervous for them."

Draven cackled, patting her head. "They will be."

"Now, back to the game!"

This went on for an hour more, and in the end, Avelina was still not able to beat him. She was trembling in her chair, filled with annoyance.

"I don’t want to play anymore!" She turned her head to stare at the other side of the room.

Draven blinked his eyes. "Are you sulking?" he asked.

This question had Avelina gasping for air as she appeared even more infuriated.

"You! Am I sulking?" She laughed in disbelief. "I suddenly want to strangle you! Tsk!"

Draven abruptly went silent. His smile disappeared, and the expression in his eyes switched to a pessimistic one. "Why?"

Avelina, who obviously noticed the change in his demeanor, slowly fluttered her eyes.

"Draven...what’s wrong?" she inquired, able to detect his gloominess.

Draven glanced at her. "Nothing. But I have a question."

Avelina furrowed her brows, not sure what this question was going to be. "Go on."

"Did you really mean what you said?" Draven inquired.

This caused Avelina to draw her head back, confused. "H-huh?"

"I do not know if you did. I may be misunderstanding you like I do sometimes," Draven added.

Avelina frowned, deeply bewildered. "What do you mean? What are you talking about? I’m confused."

Draven slightly smiled at her.

"When you said you felt like strangling me, I’m sorry that I made you feel that way, but... did you mean it?"

Avelina was frantically flickering her lashes. She looked to her left and right as though she were not able to comprehend what was going on.

She stared at Draven and face-palmed herself.

"Of course, I didn’t mean that, Draven. It’s kind of something you say out of frustration, but then you don’t...you don’t mean it. It’s like you’re just venting, but you mean none of the things you are...ahh...s-saying at that moment." Her voice was quivering as though she was nervous.

"Do you understand what I am saying?" She gazed at him with desperation, hoping that he did.

Draven nodded at her. "I do." She could see a glint of relief gleaming in his eyes.