A Game Of Chess With A Vampire
Chapter 311: I Can Hear The Sound Of Your Heartbeat

Chapter 311: I Can Hear The Sound Of Your Heartbeat

Ryan nodded as though he were being controlled.

"Y-yes."

Old Master Lenort said, "If you and Draven were to fight, he would kill you and emerge victorious. You are no match for him, my boy."

"But..." Ryan breathed heavily. "I must... I have to..."

"You want to get revenge for your wife, is that it?" Old Master Lenort asked.

Ryan nodded. "Yes."

"Are you certain that he is responsible for your wife’s death?" Old Master Lenort further probed.

"I am very certain, father," Ryan replied.

Old Master Lenort raised a brow and slowly smiled. "Then I might just have a way for you to do that."

He let go of Ryan’s chin and stood up to his feet. Ryan darted his eyes towards him and watched as he walked over to his desk.

"Per the royal law book," Old Master Lenort began to speak. "It states that I can also add to the duel if I desire to. I’m the king after all, and it’s my duty to make sure justice is served."

"Do you know what that means, my boy?" He looked over at Ryan.

Ryan shook his head at him. "No..."

"It means that since you’re not strong enough to beat your opponent, I can add to it to see to your victory." Old Master Lenort chortled.

Ryan was confused. "How...will you do that, father?"

"Well—" Old Master Lenort spread his arms, entertained. "—It wouldn’t hurt to have a dozen of my best royal guards fight alongside you in the duel, would it?" He turned around, glancing at Ryan with the most menacing eyes.

Ryan drew his head back, completely taken aback. His pupils gradually dilated, and he could not help but ask, "Is that...okay?"

"Why not?" Old Master Lenort turned around and walked toward him. He grabbed him by his hair. "This way, your victory can be guaranteed. Besides, I can add to the duel, so it is only fair."

Then he glared. "Are you perhaps becoming a goody two shoes? If so, I will get rid of you without—"

"No, Father! Not at all! I would never be like that." Ryan interrupted him.

Old Master Lenort vehemently narrowed his eyes at him. "You better not be! You would be of no use to me then."

He took a deep breath and adjusted his suit.

"I have granted your request. The duel will take place tomorrow. Seven p.m.," he said. "Inform Lestat and Lumian of our plan. Then go ahead and invite the family members. They must be around."

"Also, send Aldéric over to inform your little brother of this. He must know you’ll be fighting him tomorrow, after all." He cackled to himself and walked over to sit down at his desk.

Ryan nodded and forced himself up to his feet. He left the office with his hand gripping his stomach and proceeded to meet Lumian first, then Lestat.

—

Draven slipped his arms into his furry, knee-length white coat. He wore his gloves and began to adjust his clothing.

Avelina, who sat on the sofa with a book in her hands, narrowed her eyes into a thin line. She slowly brought the book down a bit and peeked at him, her eyes gently sparkling as though admiring him.

The way her heart always adored him was something she had no control over. His style, his silky hair—ah yes, his silky raven hair! They were loose, their long strands falling forward as he buttoned up his suit vest.

His hair was long and fascinating to her. Often, she’d met men with far shorter hair that barely reached neck length, but his fell past his shoulders, sleek and slightly twisted at the tips. It gave him this exciting, fierce look that she could not quite comprehend. She loved his hair loose.

Even the way his clothes fitted him, she loved every bit of it. Alas, there were only a few days left before they’d separate.

The thought of this forced Avelina to suddenly become cynical. She sighed, averting her gaze to continue reading her book. She was no longer willing to dwell on it, for it was useless.

"Avelina..." Draven’s voice sounded

Avelina whipped her head up to glance at him.

Draven asked, "Do you need something?"

"Why?" Avelina raised a brow. She was not sure if she had done anything that warranted his inquiry.

Draven turned around and looked at her with his head tilted. "You’ve been staring at me for a while now. Did you need something from me?"

Avelina’s eyes immediately widened, followed by her face flushing a light shade of pink.

He knew! She exclaimed, batting her lashes. Never had she thought he could possibly know she was gazing at him. She wasn’t even staring, she was rather peeking at him.

Reluctantly, she shook her head, diverting her attention back to the book in her hand. "No..."

Draven watched her for a few seconds and abruptly approached her. He grabbed her chin with his gloved hand and bent, his face close to hers. Then he tilted her head up and began to peer into her soft eyes.

"What...are you doing?" Avelina asked, subconsciously swallowing hard.

Draven smiled at her. "I can hear the sound of your heartbeat."

"What?" Avelina frantically darted her eyes around and whipped her head away, unwilling to hold eye contact with him any longer.

Draven, who appeared amused, ruffled her hair and took a deep breath. "Do you want me to get you any—"

"No!" Avelina answered, cutting him off.

Draven slightly drew his head back, stunned. "You are still mad at me, aren’t you?"

"I am not mad! You certainly are not worth me being angry any longer, so just leave me be!" Avelina turned to the other side, making it clear that she didn’t even want to look at his face.

Draven deeply exhaled, his smile fading. He stared at her for a few more seconds before parting his lips to say something, but due to the sudden knock that came at the door, he dismissed the idea.

"Santino?"