A Game Of Chess With A Vampire
Chapter 278: Why Did You Push Me Off In The First Place?

Chapter 278: Why Did You Push Me Off In The First Place?

Valentine stared anticipatingly at him, expecting an answer from him.

Draven gazed thoughtfully at him for a few seconds before replying, "I do not know."

Valentine’s eyes flickered slowly, and he looked away in heavy disappointment. "Why?"

"I don’t know. I am clueless. I cannot understand how I will feel, therefore, I cannot tell what I may feel until it happens." Draven was sincere with his words.

"But you used to know." Valentine laughed softly. "You used to be aware. You cared for me then, and you’d always save me. But now...you don’t even know. I was right after all, but, you know, I was in denial. I’m sure you wouldn’t care even if I died."

Draven frowned at him. "I do not know what you mean, but I most certainly would not want to see you die. If I can save you, I will, and I always will. That has not changed."

"Also, I do not dislike you. You have grown up, thus, you are no longer a child. You do not need me anymore—not even to save you."

Valentine rubbed his temple, shaking his head. "Does it matter? Gosh, it really is useless talking to you about these kinds of things!"

"Is that so?" Draven asked, seeming genuinely curious. "I’m sincerely sorry." He looked away, taking in a deep breath. "Perhaps this is how she feels too."

Valentine raised his brow. "Who?"

"My wife?" Draven responded.

"She is mad at me again."

Valentine smirked.

"What did you do this time around?"

"I’m clueless." Draven innocently spread his hands. "I was trying to be very careful with her, but she still got mad, however, when I was not, she also got angry with me. What do I do? I can’t understand her this time around."

"Have women always been this confusing?"

Valentine raised his brow at him. "You should have practiced with your late wife, but unfortunately, you both rarely talked. Even if others didn’t notice, I did." He rolled his eyes, leaning against the pillar.

"Women are not like men, Draven. They are much more emotional, I guess. But you shouldn’t really ask me, I myself don’t know women much, so I can’t really say."

Draven gave a slight nod. "I see. Do you think the date will still work?"

"Of course." Valentine nodded.

"Then, do you perhaps think you could start tomorrow with my men? I’d like to be done by the day after tomorrow," Draven said.

Valentine smiled. "Sure, why not?"

Draven took a deep breath. "Thank you."

Valentine gave a nod. He turned around to leave, but Draven grabbed his hand, stopping him. "About what you said..."

Valentine stared at him. "What about it?"

"I believe I feel bad. So I would like to say that I am sorry that I made you feel those ways that hurt you. You are my little brother, and you will always be, so yes, I still care for you, and I will try to be better," Draven said to him with sincerity brimming in his eyes.

"You just have to let me know when you may need me because I cannot tell if you do or not. I fail at emotionally understanding people very well, I know you are aware of that."

"Why did you push me off in the first place?" Valentine asked.

Draven shook his head. "Did I? I was only being careful and cautious. I still am, but it does not mean that I do not care."

Valentine flickered his eyes. "Careful...and cautious?"

"Yes." Draven nodded.

Valentine stared at him in disbelief and could not help but begin to laugh. "You never cease to amaze me, brother. You think—no, you thought...that I would ever be on our father’s team? You thought I would ever become his puppet?" He shook his head in incredulity.

Draven affirmed, "Yes, I did. People change—"

"Well, not me! Absolutely not!" Valentine snatched his hand from him. "What do you think I am? Did you really think that after everything they had done to me, I would ever be in cahoots with them?"

"Now this pisses me off. I am on nobody’s team!!" He glared at him and turned around to leave.

Draven asked, "Why are you angry with me? I am only giving you an explanation that you asked for."

"Oh, fuck your explanation, Draven!" Valentine scowled. "Let me know when you want me to do what you want!" He stormed off.

Draven could only watch his figure disappear out of sight. He blinked, lowering his gaze to the floor.

"What did I say wrong?" He was confused.

——

Ryan sat in his room, completely dormant. Old Master Lenort, Lestat, and Lilianna were surrounding him, unable to figure out what had happened.

"I have had her body sent back to the royal mansion. A thorough autopsy will be done, and when I find out what truly happened—what killed your wife, I will make whoever is responsible pay."Old Master Lenort’s eyes reflected a deep, burning desire to kill as he spoke.

Ryan breathed heavily, his body trembling where he sat. There was no way his wife could be dead! She was fine and perfect the morning he saw her, they slept together, they talked, and they had breakfast together, so what could have happened? Vampires do not get sick either, so that was completely out of the question.

He tightened his trembling hands and slowly stood up from the chair. His pupils were shaking violently, and he looked away, trying to hold in the tears brimming in his eyes.

Lestat, who was gazing at him, watched as the tear broke and ran down his cheeks. "Ryan..." he stepped towards him, pulling him into a brotherly hug.

"It’s okay. Cry as much as you need to. We will find out what happened, and the person responsible will not go scot-free, that is for sure." He patted him on the back, hoping to offer as much comfort as he could.

Ryan tightened the hug, no longer able to hold himself back from crying.

Old Master Lenort turned around and looked at him.

"Stop crying, boy! I will find out who was behind your wife’s death soon, and you can do whatever you want to him or her. Whatever happened to your wife is an act of murder." He patted Ryan on the head and turned around, leaving the room.