A Game Of Chess With A Vampire
Chapter 94: Does It Feel Like This Too, Avelina?

Chapter 94: Does It Feel Like This Too, Avelina?

Draven was not able to say a word. All he could do was subconsciously nod his head.

"I’m glad." Avelina yanked him yet again into another hug.

Draven held her tightly. He loved it. He enjoyed the feeling it brought. The warmth, the peace, and the comfort—he had never felt it with anyone before. No one has ever hugged him so dearly before, not even his mother. His mother never got the chance to hold him in her arms in such a way. They were mostly separated by his father.

"Avelina..." he called.

"Hmm?" Avelina responded.

"Can we...stay like this a little while longer? It is okay if you don’t want—"

"Absolutely." Avelina was beaming. "I will hold you for as long as you want."

Draven blinked his eyes and let out a soft breath. He inhaled and exhaled before relaxing in her arms. Never once has he felt this vulnerable before.

"Avelina..." His voice was gentle.

Avelina answered, "What’s wrong?"

"Did he tell you everything? Everything...about me?" Draven asked. He knew that it was Valentine who must have told her as it would make no sense if anyone else did. No one except Valentine knew him that well.

"Yes..." Avelina nodded at him.

Draven pulled back from the hug and looked at her. "Do you see me differently now? Do you perhaps think...I’m a freak?"

His eyes alone said it all. Deep within, he was anticipating to hear the opposite of what he thought she would say. He hoped she didn’t and that he was still the same in her eyes, despite knowing.

Avelina gazed at him and abruptly chuckled. "Why would you ask that?"

"Heh?" Draven appeared confused. Why did she cackle?

"Of Course not! You are still Draven to me. It does not matter if you are different. You are perfect and imperfect just the way you are. I am not sure if that makes sense." Avelina stroked her chin. "But what I am trying to say is that I like you just the way you are."

Draven rapidly blinked his eyes. "You...do?"

Avelina nodded at him. "Of course!" Her smile was wide.

"My heart..." Draven touched his chest. "... It’s beating again. I think...I think I am happy."

"Happy?" Avelina inquired.

Draven gave a nod. "I have never felt happy before."

His lips were starting to curl up into a natural smile. "It’s a good feeling. It feels like I have tons of butterflies fluttering around my heart, and it makes my stomach churn."

He looked at Avelina and asked, "Is this what it feels like to be happy?"

Avelina pessimistically gazed at him and softly exhaled. She reached out her hand and tucked the few strands of his hair behind his ear.

"Yes, that is what it feels like to be happy. It makes you smile."

Draven’s eyes lit up at the sound of her words, and his smile broadened. "Happiness...happiness..." he mumbled. "Ha! If this is what it feels like to be happy, then what does it feel like to love? What does it feel Like to be loved? Tell me, Avelina."

He shifted closer to her. "What does it feel like to cry? You cried, so tell me. Tell me, Avelina. What does it feel like to cry?"

Avelina was rapidly blinking her eyes. "Draven..."

"Does it feel like this too, Avelina?" Draven probed. He was eager to know. He wanted to learn.

"No," Avelina said, shaking her head at him. "All emotions are different. There are different types of tears, and the feeling of love is different as well."

"Oh..." Draven was a bit surprised. "Is that so?"

Avelina nodded in response.

"Draven." She stared into his eyes.

Draven met her gaze. "Mhm?"

"Valentine told me that you used to play the violin, is that true?" Avelina inquired.

Draven took a moment before replying, "Yes, I used to. Why?"

"Can I hear you play?" Avelina was beaming at him.

Draven went silent. He stared at her, but he was not able to give her a response.

Avelina realized that something was wrong, thus, the smile on her face dissipated.

She awkwardly scratched her neck and waved her hands at him. "You don’t have to if you don’t—"

"Okay." Draven stood up to his feet. He extended his hand to her.

Avelina was a bit flabbergasted. He had looked sort of offended a few moments ago. It was surprising to hear him abruptly agree.

She grabbed his hand, and he pulled her up to her feet.

"Sit down," Draven said to her.

"Oh...okay." Avelina sat down on the one-man sofa. She watched him walk into his dressing room and come out with a weirdly shaped bag.

As he opened it, Draven said, "It has been a long time since I last played, so I don’t know if I still remember the notes. However, I do recall a note that I loved to play."

"I have never played for anyone before except my mother."

"Huh? Really?" Avelina asked. She was quite surprised.

"Yes." Draven nodded. "She was a lovely singer, and while she sang, she loved to watch me play for her."

Avelina inquired, curious, "Why did you stop playing then? It sounds like you really loved playing."

Draven halted what he was doing. He was silent for a few seconds before he replied, "My reason for playing died."

"My mother only ever smiles when I play for her, so the second she died, I lost all reason to play."

Avelina was stunned. Her mouth was slightly agape, and she could not find a way to voice out what she had in mind. She batted her eyes and covered her mouth.

"I’m...sorry..."

Draven whipped his head to look at her. "Why are you sorry?"

He was genuinely baffled.

Avelina could not give him a response. She simply smiled at him.

Draven’s fingers brushed gently against the lid of the violin case, and for a moment, he hesitated. The memory of music, once so vivid, had grown dim with the passage of time.

He opened the case, revealing a white-colored violin nestled within. The wood gleamed dully under the chandelier in the room.