A Game Of Chess With A Vampire
Chapter 381: The Date?

Chapter 381: The Date?

"The date?" They all glanced at each other in surprise and returned their attention to Old Master Lenort. "It’s no longer three months from now?" Ryan asked.

"No." Old master shook his head. "The selection will be held in one month’s time," he announced.

They were more than taken aback because they froze and stared at him in confusion and shock as if they couldn’t comprehend what he’d said.

"O-one month?" Ryan stuttered. "Why one month? We don’t have enough time for—-"

"That is why you should find a wife soon!" Old Master Lenort directed his attention to him.

"Find a wife soon and get married, else you would not even be qualified for the selection talk of being chosen by the crown. You are the first son, it’s already such a shame that I have to tell you of this."

Ryan’s face contorted in horror. "But father, my wife had only just been buried, how can I—"

"Then drop out of the selection." Old Master Lenort shrugged, unbothered. "If you are too caught up in your wife and can’t seem to marry another one for your goal and what you want, simply quit. You still have your four brothers. Perhaps they can be a better ruler than you can be, Ryan, despite being the first...son." He smiled at him, his lips stretching from ear to ear.

"I won’t force you to participate since it looks like you do not want to. But..." He narrowed his eyes on him. "...Remember that your wife is gone and nothing will bring her back even if you were to turn this earth upside down. Marrying another wife doesn’t mean you have to love her."

"I mean, you can learn from your little brother right here." He pointed at Draven with a smirk evident on his face.

Draven immediately looked at him, his expression darkening in an instant. Avelina who sat beside him, grabbed his hand, squeezing it tightly as if telling him to ignore his feather’s remark.

Draven let out a soft breath and looked away from his father.

Old Master Lenort smiled at him. "Did I provoke you?" He directed his question to Draven.

Draven only spared him a glance, but didn’t react to his agitating remarks.

Disappointed, Old Master Lenort clicked his tongue and returned his attention back to Ryan. "You understand what I’ve said, no?"

Ryan was quiet.

"It is all up to you, Ryan. Choose wisely." He stood up from his seat and left the pavilion.

Each and every one of them spared each other a glance and the instant Lumian’s eyes met with that of Dravens, he quickly looked away and stood up from his seat.

"Let’s go," he said to Aurora who was smiling and waving at Avelina from across the table.

Avelina waved back at her and chuckled genuinely with a happy expression evident on her face.

"You must really like her." Draven’s voice suddenly sounded and she turned her head to see him gazing at her.

"You mean, Aurora?" Avelina asked.

Draven nodded. "You two seem to get along pretty well."

"We do." Avelina chuckled softly.

Valentine, who was with them at the table, still picking at his food that he couldn’t seem to eat due to extreme loss of appetite sighed. His body was weak and his face was starting to turn paler.

Weary, he stood up from the chair and began to walk away with his hands shoved into the pocket of his pants. Everyone glanced at him and averted their gazes.

"Draven." Avelina grabbed Draven’s hand, shifting his attention to her. "Is...Valentine alright?"

"I think so?" Draven was uncertain.

Avelina shook her head. "I don’t think so. He looks sick."

"He is always cheerful and healthy to the eyes, but since I’ve seen him lately, he looks completely different as if he is a different person. He looks depressed, pale, and sick. Are you sure he is okay?" Her expression held deep concern.

Draven was quiet for a few moments. He pinched between his brows and brushed his fingers through his hair, completely lost.

"I don’t know. I’ve asked, but he won’t tell me anything."

He took a deep breath and pressed his hands on the table, standing up to his feet.

"Avelina, will you be able to go back on your own? I want to talk to him."

Avelina nodded with a concerned smile. "Of course."

Draven gently ruffled her hair and turned around walking off to make his way to Valentine’s quarter. Upon arrival, he met Adam standing with his head lowered.

"Adam?" he called.

Adam lifted his head at the sound of his voice. "Your Highness." He bowed respectfully.

Draven didn’t fail to notice the distressed expression on his face. Something was definitely wrong with Valentine.

"Is he inside?" he asked.

Adam nodded his head. "Yes." He turned to the door. "Young master, third prince is here to see you."

Valentine, lay on the bed with his gaze fixed on the ceiling and the duvet covering him, flinched at the sound of Adam’s voice.

He glanced at the door and sat up on the bed. "L-let him in."

The door creaked open and Draven entered, shutting the door behind him. The entire vast room was dark as the windows and curtains were closed.

"Valentine?" He could not understand why there was so much gloominess encompassing the atmosphere.

Draven walked to the window and opened the curtains. He glanced at Valentine seated on the bed with his head lowered.

"Draven...? W-what are you doing here?" Valentine asked in a low voice.

Draven frowned at him. "To see you of course." He approached him and sat down at the edge of the bed, his gaze fixed on him. "What is wrong with you, Valentine? Is something going on? Is there something you are not telling me?"

Valentine lifted his head and met his gaze. There were eye bags under his eyes and he looked heavily dispirited. Even the unusual flickering light in which Draven had always glimpsed in his emerald eyes right from when they were kids, was gone.