"Ah, hello again, my lord…" Victor smirks at the sight of Kian "Here to recruit me again? I wonder if you are a limpet sticking to me every day?"
The blond vampire casts him an odd look, unfazed at his comment. He is here, once again, to get Victor to agree with House Vatore's proposal.
"You and that human girl are the same, clingy as always…" leaning against the wall of his cell, Victor scoffs "Just tell Caleb Vatore to come and slay me already. He loves to do that, doesn't he?"
Kian remains silent, undeterred at his taunting. With Lilian's help, he is able to learn more about Victor. How this man knows that he can not give up on his friend, how he understands the dream of restoring House Straud to its glory is a farfetched one, and how he refuses to accept anyone's kindness, especially when it is from Caleb Vatore.
Lilian slowly extracts information from him and with each game she wins, the more he speaks up about what is on his mind. Victor is not a gullible fool, he knows that allying himself with House Vatore is the only way to protect him from being hunted down by other vampires, yet he is too prideful to admit it. Kian understands why, no vampires want to be at the mercy of their enemy, an arrogant creature who bows to no one.
"Victor, what is it that you desire?" the blond vampire asks "Money? Power? Political stand? What is it that will make you consider my proposal?"
"Naïve as ever, Kian Straud. I need naught…" laying on his bed, Victor waves his hand "Leave, there is no point for you to be here trying to recruit me. Let this criminal rotten in this cell."
Grabbing on the bars, Kian's frustration is visible. Caleb, while not saying anything, is slowly out of patience with Victor's antic. While he respects the input of Marlin about using Victor's cunningness in this game of life against House Bloodhaven, the fact remains that he hurt Caleb's mate, Primrose. His patience already wears thin and Victor's reluctance to cooperate only frustrated everyone even more.
Even Lilian, who rarely showed her frustration during their ongoing chess games, had visibly opened up about her annoyance. Victor's jabs about her life experience hit a personal chord, and the usually composed Lilian found herself irritated by the vampire's insolence.
"You know, Victor," Kian speaks up, her tone carrying a hint of annoyance, "You might find cooperation more rewarding than stubborn resistance."
"Is that a mockery I just heard? You need to do better than that." Victor, undeterred, hurls an insult at him.
"Victor, I understand your reluctance, but this is not just about you. It's about the future of Forgotten Hollow. House Vatore offers stability, protection, and a chance to rebuild."
"And Forgotten Hollow can rot for all I care." the man spats back bitterly "Get lost!"
Kian takes in a deep breath, pondering his thoughts as he contemplates his next words. Victor seems like he could care less about the survival of this realm and with his cunningness, it is not a stretch to say he can survive even with the downfall of Forgotten Hollow. The more he thinks about it, the more he sympathizes with Victor. The lone life has pushed him to the brink of isolation, unfazed even at the sight of madness within this world.
"Victor, you're playing a dangerous game here," Kian warns, his voice edged with frustration. "We are offering you a chance to ally with us, to protect yourself and find a way out of this predicament. Do not let your pride blind you to the reality of your situation."
Victor, lying on his bed, simply chuckles at Kian's words. The sound echoes in the confined space, a manifestation of his defiance.
"Your pride is a double-edged sword," Kian states, his voice firm. "It may have kept you alive until now, but it can also be the very thing that leads to your downfall. There's strength in alliances, even for someone as capable as yourself."
"Alliance, you say? Just like how you abandon your family to join forces with the enemy? Don't make me laugh…" rising from the bed, the man walks closer to Kian, meeting the lilac eyes with his piercing blue ones "Are you trying to be a saint, Kian? Perhaps I should remind you of what happened years ago when you ran away and adopted the identity of your enemy instead of standing by House Straud's side."
Kian's expression remains strained as he absorbs Victor's biting words. The weight of his past decisions bore heavily on him, and Victor's accusations strike a nerve. House Straud's downfall, the adoption of a new identity, and the perceived betrayal—all laid bare in the harsh light of Victor's scrutiny.
"You may think highly about yourself, Kian, but you are just an opportunist who chose to abandon his own family for the sake of your safety. A disgrace, that is what you are."
A moment of silence lingers, pregnant with the weight of unspoken histories and unresolved conflicts. Kian's gaze remains steady, a mix of regret and determination in his eyes. His decision to join forces with House Vatore is a necessary step to salvage what remains of their existence.
"Forgive me if my actions seem unforgivable, but House Straud's fate was sealed long before I made that decision." Kian finally responds, his voice carrying the burden of his past "You know this too, Victor. A house that relies solely on blood and adapts to no changes is doomed to fall."
Victor's smirk persists, unyielding in the face of Kian's explanation. The air in the cell crackles with tension, a battlefield of words and emotions. No matter how much the blond wishes to redeem himself, the fact remains that he chooses to abandon his family.
"You can justify it however you like, Kian, but in the end, you still abandoned your own blood. No amount of reasoning can erase that stain." Victor retorts, his tone cutting through the confined space.
Kian lowers his head, understanding the gravity of his action. He chose to run away because of the horrible deeds that House Straud had inflicted on the innocents, he couldn't fathom the thought of using humans as a mere blood source and subjecting them to a painful demise, his heart couldn't handle it. But leaving House Straud also means he abandons the people he has grown up with, and Victor is one of them.
He abandons Victor for the sake of his ideals, subjecting his so-called brother to the life of solitude, leaving him in the remnants of the once mighty house.
"Victor, I know that no amount of apology can help you see through my reasons, but…" taking in a deep breath, Kian locks his gaze onto those icy blue eyes "No matter your choice, you are and always will be my brother."
The vampire flinches at those words but immediately masks his surprise with a nonchalant expression. Turning away from the blond man, Victor returns to his bed as Kian takes a defeated retreat, not knowing that he may hay strike a nerve within his friend's mind.
Victor lies on his bed, staring at the dimly lit ceiling of his cell. Kian's words linger in the air, and the weight of their shared history presses down on him. The mention of brotherhood brings forth memories - of a time when House Straud stood united, of familial bonds that transcended the darkness that surrounded them.
In the solitude of his confinement, Victor reflects on his choices, on the path that led him to this desolate cell. Pride, defiance, and a refusal to bow to the changing tides have been his guiding principles. Yet, a seed of doubt has been planted, and the echoes of Kian's plea for alliance resonate within him.
The cell door creaks open, and Lilian enters, carrying the chessboard once again. Her gaze meets Victor's, and there's an unspoken understanding between them. The ongoing game of chess becomes a refuge from the complexities of their respective lives.
But Lilian is here with a different approach this time…
She can not shake off the irritation of his jab about her age, how she is young and naïve, that is the worst insult she can ever imagine being thrown at her. Her upbringing as an orphanage child navigated in this complex has shaped her into the person she is today and Victor, without knowing her story, downplays her cleverness to the point he sees her as a mere child compared to his centuries of existence.
That insult strikes a nerve…
That is why today, she is here to turn the table. A chess match that will bind his loyalty to House Vatore, whether he likes it or not.
Victor is a cunning and manipulative man, he enjoys playing games and toying with his victims. The games he chooses are always high stakes, the higher the wager is, the more he is invested in it. He is also a man of his word, once he loses, he will fulfill his promises. A smirk plays on her face as Lilian sets down the chessboard, she will make sure he knows she is not a mere child who knows nothing about the game of light.
Lilian is a woman who enjoys dancing on the edge of sanity and madness after all…
"Hello again, Victor."
"Such formality, my dear." he looks at the chessboard, noticing her arrangement "My, is today's game going to be high-stakes?"
"And what makes you say that?" placing the pieces on the square, she hums in response "Let it be the same game we always play, be it chess or life…"
Victor smirks at her comment, it is that nonchalant smile again. What is she planning this time?
The vampire moves his white piece, then comes Lilian with her black one, a silent game that halts the tension in the air. Perhaps it is a good start as Victor contemplates Kian's words about brotherhood, a fond memory, dare he say. But it is all just memories, one that should never have been made.
Kian's betrayal struck a chord as he did not understand why his friend would do such an atrocious thing. When Vladislaus Straud returned and stated that Kian Straud was no longer his son, the news of his betrayal haunted Victor. His brother, although not by blood, had chosen to join the enemy's family.
The compassionate heart of Kian did not allow him to comprehend the reason for House Straud's cruelty and chose to run away. Victor had always known Kian was a weak and pathetic vampire, the blond always came to him when he needed help, a brotherly bond that exceeded everyone's expectations.
Kian was strong in his own way and together with Victor's cunningness, they were an invincible duo. But life was unfair to him by taking away the man he saw as his father figure, Vladislaus Straud. Life was unfair to let him witness Kian's betrayal. Life was unfair to let him see the demise of House Straud, forcing him to rebuild the once mighty family.
Life was unfair to a vampire like him…
So he chose a darker path, one that was derived from light and happiness. He surrounded himself with the darkest, most twisted figures in Forgotten Hollow, forging an alliance to form Vladislaus Straud's loyalist group. But even then, he was betrayed by the same members of the group, pleading for their lives as they agreed to sell information to House Vatore for a chance of getting pardoned.
Maybe Victor has gotten used to the life of solitude that even being confined in the cell alone doesn't bother him anymore.
But Kian still wants to call him his brother…
What a nuisance…
"I see that today's chess match is able to pull your interest…"
Lilian's soft acknowledgment pulls him out of the train of thought as he raises his head, meeting her warm gaze. He nods, a silent agreement to their intricate dance. The chess pieces continue to move around the board.
"You know, Victor, alliances are not always a sign of weakness. Sometimes, survival requires adapting and finding strength in unexpected places." she moves her pawn, watching him contemplating his move, or maybe, her words "Even if it means to ally yourself with someone you once considered your enemy."
"Survival is a dance, my dear. A dance between one's principles and the harsh reality that surrounds us." Victor responds cryptically, his focus on the chessboard unwavering.
"It is harsh, isn't it? The reality, I mean…" the brunette hums, taking in Victor's insight "However, one must find a way to live with it, no matter how unfair their lives may be."
The vampire looks at her, the warm brown eyes that conceal her true nature suddenly flicker with an unknown emotion, one that he can hardly grasp. Is this the nature of humans? To shift from one emotion to another so easily?
Their game continues, each move a calculated step in their mental duel. Lilian's fingers graze the chessboard gently yet each move is executed with precision, as if she already knows how this game will end and who will triumph. Stealing a glance at the man across her, she shifts her focus back to the game, watching his chess piece fall onto the square.
A chess match in silence sounds lovely to the ears, but she is not here for that. If Victor enjoys games that much, then let this be his final game before he joins House Vatore.
"Say Victor, how are the stakes?"
Her question catches him off guard as he turns his attention to her, raising a brow amusingly.
"The one who loses will reveal a secret to the other person."
She blinks at his words, realizing that he has dropped his previous wager. Smiling to herself, now that won't do it at all…
"I see…" pausing for a moment, her warm eyes lock onto his striking blue ones, a playful smile dangling on her lips "What do you say we raise the stake?"
"My dear, what kind of proposal are you seeking?" intriguing at her proposition, Victor continues "What kind of wager is it this time?"
Another chuckle escapes her lips, nonchalant and unbothered. He looks at the chessboard, the white pieces are his while the black ones are hers, a hidden message from the start that today's game is not an easy one.
"One that will set the record straight, Victor. Allow me to present it…" placing two hands on the table, she looks at him with seriousness in her eyes "If I win, you will pledge your allegiance with House Vatore."
"Oh my, that one came out of the blue…" smirking, he leans forward "And what do I get if I win, my lady?"
"If you win…hmm…" she ponders her thoughts "What is it that you desire? I can make an arrangement for that to happen."
His smirk grows wider at the daring nature of this chess match.
"Desire is a strong word, would you be a dear and ask Caleb Vatore to let me go should I win this round?"
There is a hint of sarcasm in his voice, but Lilian's persona doesn't falter.
"Is that what you truly want?" she asks again, still very serious about this.
Victor looks at her, contemplating the price he just announced. But maybe, that is not enough. If he wants to, he can easily sneak out of this jail cell without anyone's notice. A cunning vampire, he has survived this long thanks to his brain prowess. So what is it that he truly desires? What is it that he needs to have it at all costs?
Money? Power? Political stand? A means to escape? A guarantee on his life?
What is it that he truly wants?
He steals a glance at Lilian, who is sitting neatly in her chair, waiting for an answer. Her brown hair is tucked behind her ears, revealing a small yet delicious part of her skin. Those facades of her, the way her brown eyes look at him, challenging his every move, how her lips are speaking with a mixture of playfulness and defiance, how she continues to bat her lashes at him, pulling Victor into a game of mind with her as the controller. He has always wondered what is the true nature of this human in front of him, who she truly is deep down…
This woman intrigues him with the first chess match they have and he desires to see every part of her that she is desperately trying to hide. The thought of unraveling her true nature is fascinating, to say the least…
With a smirk on his face, he returns her gaze. His piercing blue eyes land on her warm brown orbs, ready to propose his wager.
"Well? Ready to share your thoughts?" her nonchalant way of talking is enticing.
"Of course, my dear Lilian. For this game's wager, I have thought of something special, a reward for my effort…" Victor pauses, his gaze darkens as he speaks "I want you to be my woman."
There is a pregnant silence between them as his words sink in, allowing Lilian to slowly process it. She blinks a few times before throwing another question at him.
"Pardon me, but what do you mean by your woman?"
"It is very simple, my lady. I want you to be mine. Your heart, your soul, your body, and every fiber of your being, they all belong to me." Victor's voice drops into a sultry tone, challenging yet seductive "You will be my partner, mine to hold, mine to love. And I will have you know, I don't plan to share you with anyone."
Lilian blinks again, contemplating the gravity of such a high wager. Is he being serious? Or is he just joking around? A vampire like him, one who preys on the weak, wants a human to be his partner. What kind of twisted tale is this?
"I must say, that is quite an interesting proposition…" she shifts uncomfortably in her seat when Victor stands up and circles closer to her "May I ask why me? A mere human?"
Seizing his opportunity, the vampire has his arms around her as she places her hands on his chest, attempting to push him away. His breath dances on her skin, the way he murmurs his words sends a chill down her spine. His palm lands on the small of her back, pressing her against him even more, feeling the unusual warmth of a human body against his cold one.
"Because my dear… You have something that I wish to unravel myself." his fingers trail from her face to her neck to her heart, pointing at the reasons "It is not the matter of sinking my teeth in your neck and draining you from your life source, it is the true nature of who you are deep down." he taps lightly on her left chest, alluding to her heart "To unravel such an intriguing puzzle is every man's dream and I will make sure that I am the only one who do it."
His suggestive words and seductive tone get on her as she finds herself fumbling in her words, surprised at the drastic turn of events. But her plan remains absolute…
"The stakes are very high indeed…" smiling, she coyly removes his arms from her "Well then Victor, let us start this chess match then, or should I say, the game of life?"
"Of course, my dear. May the most cunning person win…"