Lilian and Victor engage in another game of chess, finding their fingers dancing on the board, moving each piece delicately. The ominous air wraps around them like a cocoon, with Victor's cunningness versus Lilian's mysterious nature. Crossing his leg, the man holds a watchful gaze, meeting her warm brown orbs with his piercing blue eyes. Something is amiss…
This Lilian is different from the last one…
"I have to say, my dear Lilian, that is quite a few masks you wear on your face." moving his bishop, he continues "I wonder how many faces that you put on to conceal your true nature?"
Another peculiar giggle escapes, warm eyes looking at the chessboard as she contemplates her next move. She speaks naught, continues with the game and offers no answer to his curiosity. A dangerous glint appears in his eyes, the human girl remains silent about herself, an intriguing act nonetheless.
The room echoes with the subtle sounds of the chess pieces clashing against each other. Lilian's fingers move with grace and poise, making her move with a sense of confidence that belies her mysterious nature. Victor, on the other hand, responds with calculated moves, his mind working tirelessly to unravel the secrets hidden behind Lilian's facade.
"Lilian, you handle these pieces as if they were extensions of yourself…" Victor remarks, both amusing and intriguing "But I wonder, what lies beneath the surface? What secrets are you hiding?"
The brunette looks up and a gracious smile plays on her lips. Emotions dance in the depths of her eyes, hidden behind the composed façade of a chess player. Lilian places a finger on her lips, that teasing smile still entices Victor.
"You know, I always believe that secrets make a woman more beautiful."
Victor narrows his eyes, her answer is another puzzle for him to unwrap. The smirk on his lips widens, what a tease this woman is…
The dim light in the cell highlights the subtle expressions that play on their faces, the nature of a cunning master and a doctor lies behind the mask of a chess player. As the game unfolds, Victor's attempts to unravel Lilian's secrets are met with a clever defense, leaving him in a perpetual state of anticipation.
"Well, shall we present the wager then?" she sings teasingly "You wish to know what secrets lie behind this mask I'm wearing?"
"Very much, my dear. The puzzles you present are always a joy to unravel." leaning closer, his blue eyes locked onto Lilian's "Very enjoyable…"
"And what about you, Victor?" Lilian questions, her voice is a whisper that carries through the silence. "Do you not harbor your own secrets, carefully guarded in the recesses of your mind?"
Victor's smirk widens, a silent acknowledgment of the truth in her words. A price has been set and secrets are meant to be revealed should one lose the game. The stakes aren't high, but the vampire desires to peel off her façade more than anything else right now.
"You enjoy dancing in the shadows, don't you?" Victor muses, a sly smile playing on his lips.
"A lovely dance, nonetheless."
Lilian closes her eyes, long lashes brushing against her skin. Even the way she moves each chess piece is a tease of its own, he doesn't need two brain cells to see through her playful manner.
As she contemplates her next move, Victor can't help but feel a growing fascination with the enigmatic woman before him. The cell that confines him seems to fade away as the chessboard becomes the focal point of their confrontation. Her charming smile carries a sense of secrecy, one that he has to earn in order to know what lies beyond the façade she is wearing.
"Shall we reveal a bit of ourselves, Lilian?" Victor proposes, his voice a smooth cadence that echoes in the confined space. "A secret for a secret. What do you say?"
"Well, I guess you will have to reveal it first, good sir…" eyeing the chest board as a victory smile dances on her lips "Checkmate, Victor."
The final move declares Lilian's victory, and he can't help but appreciate the strategic finesse behind her play. Her brown eyes twinkle with a sense of triumph as she fixes her gaze on him, expecting the vampire to fulfill his part of the wager.
"Well played, my dear Lilian. You've proven to be quite the skilled player." he remarks, his tone carrying a mix of admiration and amusement "Now, what secret would you like to know?"
Feigning innocent, she bats her eyes at him, a teasing act that entices him even more. Even in a winning stand, she is still able to force him to unravel the puzzle she once again throws at him.
"What now, my dear? You wish for me to guess what question you have in your mind?" he laughs, finding this lovely woman even more amusing "That is quite a heavy task, don't you think?"
"Aw, you are no fun at all, Victor." her lips purse up and his eyes immediately fall onto them, licking his lips dangerously "Fine, answer me this…Where does your allegiance lie?"
Victor's smirk maintains as Lilian poses the question. The atmosphere in the cell grew taut with anticipation, an answer to her curiosity.
"Well now, my dear Lilian, you cut right to the chase, don't you?" Victor chuckled, his blue eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and calculation "Allegiance is a delicate matter, don't you agree?"
Victor, once a fervent member of House Straud, now finds himself in a precarious position. The dream of restoring the glory of the once-mighty house, led by Vladislaus Straud, has become a solitary pursuit. Abandoned by his comrades, the loyalists who sold crucial information to House Vatore to secure their freedom, Victor stands alone, a lone soldier in the aftermath of Primrose's kidnapping incident.
His loyalty to House Straud remains evident, fueled by a desire to resurrect the legacy of Vladislaus Straud. However, the harsh reality of betrayal and abandonment has forced Victor into a solitary role, casting doubt on the feasibility of realizing the dream he clings to.
His devotion to House Bloodhaven is questionable, one might say that they use each other for their own gain. Victor is rewarded with not only the blood source that fuels Seraphina's twisted vision but also the body of the Bloodhaven princess herself. She chooses to be his nighttime partner in exchange for his loyalty and his success in capturing Primrose Emberlynn - a failed mission after House Vatore came to her rescue.
Even before they departed, Seraphina Bloodhaven ensured that he would not reveal her secret - that she was the mastermind behind the whole human trafficking case and the missing students of Glimmerbrook. Victor kept his promise, but he never said that his goons would do the same.
"Well now, that is quite an odd way to talk about allegiance…" Lilian hums "Then may I ask, what value does House Vatore hold for you?"
"Oh, it seems like you are well-informed on the matter." Victor's lips curled into a half-smile, his expression remained unreadable, his blue eyes holding a glint of amusement
"Oh my, well-informed is a bit much…" her voice maintains a casual tone while her eyes bore into his "Just a little songbird told me, nothing more, nothing less."
Victor hums, entertaining her nonchalant answer with a smile of his own. He knows the meaning behind Kian's proposal, that gullible fool can't turn a blind eye when his friend is in danger. But that is what makes him hate Kian the most - his compassionate nature doesn't fit the image of Vladislaus Straud's son. He has and always will be too weak to be a formidable vampire.
He doesn't want to owe House Vatore anything, especially Caleb Vatore. Just thinking about serving under that man leaves a foul taste in his mind, his allegiance lies solely to House Straud, even when his dream is proved to be unobtainable.
"I see…"
Lilian's gaze remains fixed on Victor, her eyes probing beneath the surface of his stoic demeanor. She has chosen her words carefully, aiming to unravel the complex web of loyalties and motivations that bound Victor to the world of vampires and political intrigue.
"It seems like you have pledged your loyalty to House Straud, even if it doesn't turn out the way you want it to be…" she stops for a moment, contemplating her words "And dare I say, a foolish and blind loyalty."
Victor raises a brow, taken back by her gentle yet jabbing insult. Her warm brown orbs stare back at his piercing blue ones, challenging him with a defiant gaze.
"And why is that loyalty foolish and blind?" his voice drops its tone, low and dangerous "Choose your word wisely, my dear. I would hate it if something happened to you in this cell."
Lilian doesn't flinch at Victor's menacing tone. Instead, she meets his dangerous gaze with a calm and collected demeanor, unfazed by the subtle threat that lingers in the air. The dim light in the cell accentuates the intensity of their confrontation.
"Foolish and blind because you cling to a dream that has long crumbled, Victor." Lilian's voice maintains its composed cadence, her words deliberate. "House Straud is no more, and yet, you persist in your loyalty, hoping for a resurrection that may never come."
Victor's finger taps on the wooden surface of the table, the nonchalant composure on his face masks the wave of emotion beneath it. Lilian's words strike a nerve that he hates to admit that she is telling the truth.
"You're swimming against the current, Victor, and the tides of fate are not in your favor. Your loyalty blinds you to opportunities beyond the crumbling walls of House Straud."
"Opportunities, you say? House Vatore's benevolence, perhaps? I'll have you know that my allegiance cannot be bought or swayed by fleeting opportunities." his gaze hardens, the intensity of his blue eyes piercing through the dimly lit cell.
The brunette meets his intense gaze with a determination of her own, challenging his stand on the topic of loyalty and whether he is willing to lay his hands on him. She is playing with fire, yet this fire is alluring, and Lilian is a moth to the flame, a willing victim to be crumbled in his hands. She is gambling at a very high stake, a gamble that she knows she will see through.
"And loyalty should be a strength, not a weakness that chains you to a sinking ship."
Victor's expression remains unreadable, a mask of indifference concealing his thoughts. Her words linger in the air, a subtle challenge to the vampire's entrenched beliefs.
"But, that is all I have to say for now."
Again with a nonchalant smile and here he thinks that he might have cracked that little mask she is wearing. Lilian gathers the chess pieces back in the container, cleaning the table as she stands up, ready to take her leave. Staying here proves to be futile, but the brunette knows her words have struck his core.
"Goodbye, Victor."
But before she can take her leave, the vampire quickly seizes her wrist and spins her around, meeting her brown eyes with his icy blue ones. The way he has his arm around her, how dangerously close his face is to her, and how his cold finger grazes her lips. The proximity almost forces her to break her composure façade.
"May I ask what are you doing?" she raises a brow at his antic.
Victor's lips curl into a half-smile, the dangerous glint in his eyes remaining. He leans in slightly, testing the limits of her resolve. Lilian's eyes narrow slightly, but she doesn't pull away. She can sense the game he's playing, a subtle dance of power and intrigue.
"My dear, you have uncovered a few layers, and I thought it's only fair that I get something in return."
"And that is what the winner gets when they win the game, Victor. Maybe the next game?" she holds a steady gaze, challenging the boldness of Victor of House Straud "Or do you find my company too much of a hassle?"
His smirk widens, his gaze dropping to her lips. His actions are calculated, a silent play that keeps Lilian on the edge, but she refuses to give in to his advances.
"Not at all, my dear Lilian. Not at all…" slightly licking his lips, Victor leans in a bit closer, just enough that send a chill down her spine. His fingers dance on the small of her back, excitement surges within him when he feels her shiver "Until next time…"
With that, he releases her wrist, allowing Lilian to take a step back. The tension between them remains, an unspoken understanding of the intricate dance they are engaged in. Lilian gathers her composure, but the dusty pink on her cheeks is visible to the eyes. She looks at him again, wanting to wipe off that smirk on his face.
"Harassment is not a good flex to put on your resume, Victor…" dusting off her clothing, she sighs "Until next time…"
As she walks away from the cell, his eyes remain glued on her back and a knowing smile forms on her lips as he awaits for their next encounter.
Their next games are the same, a subtle tease, a determination to reveal to truth, a nonchalant giggle, batting eyes and so much more. Lilian with her intricate way of playing chess mirrors her dance on the edge of sanity and madness. She chooses to play with fire, enjoying the temptation of taunting Victor yet subtly pushing him into the realm of doubt and uncertainty.
"Lilian, I must say, it is not every day that I find an intriguing woman like you." Victor looks at the chess board in front of him, admitting his defeat "You have cornered me, my dear."
The brunette covers her lips, hiding the chuckle. She has heard from Kian that he is able to prop into Victor's mind even more, tempting him with the idea of getting out of this cell should he choose to pledge his allegiance to House Vatore. However, the man is still maintaining his stand on the matter.
"Well, Victor, it's not every day that I find a vampire so resistant to change," Lilian looks at him, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Perhaps you're not as adaptable as you think." she hums for a moment "Or maybe you just simply avoiding the truth?"
"And what truth are you referring to, my lady?" leaning against his chair, Victor watches Lilian gathering the chess pieces "Perhaps you are talking about my delusion of restoring House Straud? Or how I hang onto the alliance with House Bloodhaven?"
She raises a brow when his voice drops a tone lower, a dangerous glint shining in his eyes, an attempt to challenge her stand.
"Or maybe you are talking about that little exchange House Vatore wants me to oblige? To pledge my loyalty to the house that struck down Vladislaus Straud?"
"I don't know, Victor. Care to elaborate?"
She leans in, brown eyes locking on his blue ones with an intense gaze. Victor doesn't hold back, reaching out as he tilts her chin upwards and Lilian finds her neck becomes strained at the contact. A smirk grazes his lips as his fingers slowly stroke her chin, acting as if she is a feisty kitten that needs to be tamed.
"You know, my neck is hurting looking at you like this…"
"Ah, my apology then, Lilian."
The brunette returns to her spot, rotating her neck to release the tensed muscle. The tension between them is palpable, yet there is a crack of humor, a touch of jolly that is a stark contrast to their ongoing verbal battleground.
"Well, see you next time then, my dear."
Lilian looks at him, her hand stops gathering the chess pieces, pondering her thoughts. Humming to herself, she catches a glimpse of his calculated eyes, and for some reason, she feels adventurous today. Maybe it is because of the hectic schedule at San Myshuno's Hospital that slowly drained her stamina, maybe it is because of how many night shifts she has taken because there are not enough doctors, playing chess with Victor is one way for her to escape the realism and mundane of her life.
Even Caleb is working over time…
The young lord of the House Vatore is facing the same problem as her, but his vampiric nature grants him the stamina he needs to push through the busy schedule of being a surgeon and his duty as a lord.
"Say Victor…" her singing catches his attention as he raises a brow, amused at her tactic "Will you grant me another game?"
"Hm, you are enthusiastic today, my dear. What price am I getting should I grant you that wish?"
"Oh, I don't know. What are thinking?"
Victor picks up the chess piece, smirking when a thought appears in his head. He rises from his seat and walks to her side, tracing his fingers on her lips as the sly smile grows wider. Lilian, startled at his touch, removes herself as she is turned off by his bold move. The vampire says nothing a moves his fingers to his lips, alluding to the price he desires.
"Goodness, the stake is high, I supposed…" sighing, she turns back to the board as he returns to his seat "And here I thought we're just having casual conversation, good sir."
"Casual maybe an underplay, my dear. So, care to make your first move?"
As Lilian contemplates her first move, the air in the dimly lit cell seems charged with anticipation. She glances at Victor, whose icy blue eyes follow her every gesture with a hint of amusement.
"You seem to enjoy these mind games, Victor," Lilian remarks, her fingers hovering over the chess pieces. "Is it your way of escaping the reality of your situation?"
"That is an adorable way to put it, my dear. Escapism is a form of art and I know you are doing it yourself right now." her brown eyes flicker at his words and Victor smirks, knowing he has caught a crack of her persona "How about sharing your thoughts, my dear? Something on your mind?"
The brunette casually shakes her head, avoiding telling this man her life outside of Forgotten Hollow. She is just a mere human who wishes to help Primrose and Caleb, nothing more nothing less. Shaking her head, this is not the reason for her to be here.
"My life is quite intriguing, Victor. Maybe if you win this game, I might tell you about it."
But the vampire just smirks in return, she doesn't say that she can't grant him the price he asked for earlier. As the game continues, the sound of moving chess echoes in the confinement of the jail cell, each move mirrors her heartbeat as she ponders her next move. Victor leans back on the chair, studying her features.
Her brown hair, always tucked behind her ears, framed a face that held warm brown eyes—a stark contrast to his own icy blue gaze. She carries a beauty that reflects her intellect and sophistication, a woman with wits and charms. Lilian Collins who always masks her true nature behind different personas as she steps into the jail cell for her next game, Victor wonders how long their intricate dance of chess will last until he can peel away that many facades of hers.
"Your staring is quite obvious, Victor. Something captures your interest?" Lilian's voice cuts through the quiet intensity of the cell.
"Oh, my dear Lilian, it's not every day that I find someone so adept at masking their true nature. I wonder, how many layers must I unravel to see the real you?" Victor, smirking, leans forward slightly, his piercing gaze locks onto hers.
"Goodness, is that also part of your wager, Victor?" she hums in response, a nonchalant glance that answers his intense one "You are quite a greedy person, aren't you?"
"Greedy resides in everyone's heart, Lilian. And a man like me?" a dangerous glint plays in his eyes as he speaks "I desire a lot of things, some are obtainable, some are not, yet some are…" setting his hand on the table, just a few inches away from hers "…within my grasp that tempts me to capture it…"
There is a subtle change in the air between them, a mixture of anticipation and intimacy. Lilian raises a brow at his words, gazing at the small gap between their hands and humming in response. His boldness never ceases to amaze her as their little dance continues. Her fingers trace the chessboard, studying her opponent's move as she contemplates her next one.
"So, what is it that lies within your grasp, Victor?" Lilian inquires, singing teasingly at his advance.
"That, my dear, is a secret I'll only reveal when the time is right. For now, let's focus on this game. A move, if you please."
Victor, leaning back in his chair, observes her with a mixture of amusement and calculation. His icy blue eyes follow every subtle gesture, every nuanced expression on Lilian's face. The silence between them spoke volumes, punctuated only by the occasional sound of a chess piece being placed on the board. Lilian's gaze lifts from the chessboard to meet Victor's, a momentary pause in their ongoing game.
"I see, I also wonder if the proposal Kian offers is within your grasp as well, Victor…" she chuckles at her own words "Or maybe you are still thinking about returning to House Bloodhaven?"
Victor picks up the bishop, contemplating the next move. Her casual remarks along with that nonchalant giggle are still ringing in his ears, a question that is waiting to be answered.
"But if I may add, returning to that place is a suicidal act of its own. I believe you are much smarter to know the right move, especially in this intricate little game…"
"Aw, that is nice. Are you worried about me, my dear?"
A sarcastic remark on his end yet Lilian is unwavering.
"It's more like disappointed since I would lose a chess partner. But you do you then…"
Her answer carries an underlying tone, serving as a small warning for his next move, whether it is for a game of chess or a game of life.
Victor's smirk widens slightly as he observes her, the chess piece still in his hand. With their banter, laces with hidden meanings and subtleness, one would believe it is a guessing game rather than a mind one. Without breaking eye contact, Victor finally placed a chess piece on a square, making his move on the chessboard.
"I see, so that is your move…" her smile, a mixture of confident and mischievous, carries a subtle message as she taps on the chessboard "Too bad though, checkmate!"
The realization hits Victor, a moment of surprise breaking through his composed demeanor. Lilian's strategic play has outsmarted him, leading to an unexpected checkmate. A rare flicker of admiration crosses his eyes as he acknowledges her victory.
"Another win, Lilian. Well done…" the vampire leans back, ready to answer another question from her "Now then, what other secret would you like to know, my dear?"
"Oh, nothing much…" she hums, gathering the pieces back to its container "Just wondering what it takes to bring you to our side, that's all…"
Unlike her previous questions, this one is cut to the chase. No puzzle is being thrown at him, no hidden message that he needs to decipher, no underlying tone that he has to navigate to respond. The sudden change is unexpected, but then again, she has always been this intriguing. Each mask she wears, whether it is a playful one or a composed one, is a lovely riddle that he desires to unravel.
Victor's gaze lingers on Lilian, a mixture of curiosity and amusement evident in his icy blue eyes. The chess pieces safely return to their container, the tension between them remains palpable, now heightens by the directness of Lilian's question.
"What it takes to bring me to your side, my dear?" Victor leans forward, his voice carrying a hint of intrigue. "That is a question that has been asked many times. It's not as simple as making a move on the chessboard."
Lilian returns his gaze with a softened one, surprising him in the process. An unspoken message, amplified by her desire to remain silent, captures his attention even more. The warmth in her brown orb flickers a light of disappointment, as if she has checkmated him yet he still stands defiant.
An annoying king piece that doesn't know when to give up…
"A game of life is an intriguing one, dear Lilian. Maybe you are just too young to grasp onto it."
The brunette raises a brow, somehow, this jab feels hurt. He is questioning her life experience, a twenty-something young woman compared to his centuries of living. Annoyance flashes on her face as the composed façade shatters. She stands up from her seat, grabbing the chessboard and containers as she makes a hasty retreat, a flare of anger lights up in her heart as her footsteps echo in the stale air of the jail cell.
Victor's smirk grows wider, her façade just magically disappears, as if he just stepped on a landmine. He just managed to provoke a reaction from her.
Ah…How I wish to rile her up again…
Outside of the jail cell, Lilian hangs tightly on the chessboard, finding her anger surged. He called her too young to understand the game of life, what kind of insult is that?
Too young my ass!