A Game Of Chess With A Vampire
Chapter 372: You Are Being Very Weird

Chapter 372: You Are Being Very Weird

If only Lumian had taken the courage to help him during those times he was getting violated and abused by an outsider, perhaps Valentine would have been a better version of himself. Not this broken boy being controlled and haunted by his trauma.

"I’m sorry...I’m really sorry, Val. It is all my fault, and I know that I can never make it up to you or atone for my sins." Even though he was aware that Valentine could not hear him, it didn’t stop him from talking. "I should have kept you safe and looked out for you as an older brother should. I should have protected you no matter what it cost me, but...I was a fucking coward."

"It’d hurt to see all those awful things being done to you, but I was really afraid, so I couldn’t do anything. I could only beg my father to stop that woman, but he wouldn’t listen to me. He wasn’t willing to stop because it would cost him what he sought."

"But this is no excuse. I was terrible, and I still am. It is...it is all my fault." He drew in a deep breath and wrapped his free arm around Valentine’s shoulder, letting him rest properly against him. "I will try, I really will. Even if I can’t make up for every wrong I’ve done to you, Perhaps I can start somewhere..."

He removed his arm from his face and placed his handkerchief against his eyes, covering them to prevent tears from trickling down his face.

——

Draven stood up from the sofa, his gaze landing on Avelina, who lay spread on the bed out of exhaustion. His face grimaced, wondering if he’d gone a bit too hard on her. She’d been asleep for nearly four hours now since morning, and there were less than a few minutes left till it clocked noon.

He glanced at the screen of the phone in his hand and stepped out of the room, dialing Valentine’s number. He couldn’t help but be worried, able to recall Valentine’s condition the day they’d gone to get Avelina back.

He hadn’t gotten the chance to ask what the issue had been, and he’d been feeling quite apprehensive since then. Was he any better now? Was he even living okay in the royal mansion? Hopefully, nothing has happened in his absence.

The phone rang for a while until someone answered.

[Hello] The voice was familiar, but there was this gloomy feeling to it that even Draven himself noticed.

"You..." Draven frowned. "Why are you with Valentine’s phone? Where is he?"

[He is sleeping. It is a surprise that you recognize my voice.]

Draven didn’t respond for a few moments. He was quiet, his brows wrinkling as though he were pondering something.

[If you are worried about him, he is just fine, so don’t worry. However, if you do care for him as much as I do—no, more than I do, then come back home and keep an eye on him. Or else he might get himself killed]

"You are being very weird," was the only thing Draven could say in response.

[What? What do you mean by that?]

Draven replied, "I don’t remember you caring for Valentine, so your words do not make sense to me. It also feels weird to converse casually with you. I don’t like it."

[You asshole! Do you think I like talking to you? I am merely letting you know that he is fine!]

"Much better." Draven ended the call and sighed. He turned around, returning to the room.

On the bed, Avelina sat awake with her hands rubbing her itchy eyes.

Draven advanced to the bed, squatting down beside it. "How do you feel? Any better?"

Avelina gazed at him for a few moments before her lips slowly curled into a smile. "Much better." Her hazel eyes were glittering.

"I like how your eyes change." Draven extended his hand, caressing her cheek.

Avelina raised a brow. "My eyes? Changes?"

Draven nodded. "I think when your half-vampire self is more awake, your eyes are red, just like mine, but lighter. But when your human side is much more awake, the color returns to its natural hazel shade."

Avelina’s mouth fell open, and she quickly jumped down from the bed, ignoring her legs, which were still shaking quite a bit. She rushed to the mirror and examined her eyes.

"Draven, how do you make your teeth longer?" she asked, pulling her lips upward to glimpse her teeth.

Draven watched her with amusement on his face. He tilted his head and began to chuckle. "I just do it." He stood up and approached her to stand behind her in front of the mirror.

"I can’t seem to do it. It only stretches out when I want blood," Avelina complained.

Draven looked at her face through the mirror and embraced her, burying his face in the crook of her neck. "Maybe think of blood, it might help."

"Blood..." Avelina drawled. She was quiet for a few seconds before shutting her eyes to imagine blood. Her nose twitched, and her lips softly parted, exposing her fangs, which were slowly elongating.

"Open your eyes, sunshine." Draven delivered a soft kiss to her neck. "Look in the mirror."

Avelina did just like he asked, and at the sight of her eyes, her heart skipped a beat. She nearly staggered back, if not because of Draven, who was behind her. "Feels like...magic. I never thought the color of one’s eyes could change so suddenly like this."

"You are the first." Draven began to stroke her hair. "Perhaps it’s because you were human. It seems you have not completely lost your humanity. I don’t think you turned into a complete vampire."

"Right...I think so too." Avelina nodded, concurring with him.

Draven grabbed her shoulder and turned her around to have her look at him. "Avelina..."

Avelina gazed at him, wanting for him to speak. "Is...something wrong?"

"No." Draven shook his head. He walked her to the bed and had her sit down. He squatted in front of her while holding onto both of her hands, squeezing them affectionately.

"Are you angry with me for...turning you into this?" he asked. "Look properly inside your heart and tell me."