Chapter 40: His First Visit
"So, what is the need for our esteemed war hero to visit Dubois residence?" Jasper asked in a slightly sarcastic tone. He sat opposite Raphael Chastain who felt a little intimidated. He still hadn't taken off his military clothes and that made his sudden visit this time feel formal. Even though all he wanted to do was to say hello to his comrades in the army.
He did not expect to be greeted by Jasper Dubois, who was the heir to the title of Duke. Jasper wore a comfortable white shirt and brown trousers. He was a little paler than the other vampires, maybe the news he was sick was true.
But Raphael couldn't ignore the report from the Scout unit which said that Jasper Dubois—who had visited Taverin the other day—had defeated a group of Avalon knights and their commander. So far, Raphael views him as an irresponsible young man. How could he let his little sister take her place in the war? Then after realizing that it was a stupid thing to do—he just took his little sister home without even telling her commander.
Raphael wants to punish someone. He should have scolded Valerie for being a deserter. But General Maxwell said that Valerie never officially enlisted as a knight. What she did was not a deserter. It's just that Raphael couldn't just give up Valerie. That girl had great potential in the Florentia military. He had also promised to continue Valerie's training.
Jasper, looked at him intently. Even though he was smiling, there was a suppressing aura, as if he was not someone to be underestimated. He was definitely not weak. Raphael didn't know why the Dubois family always insisted that Jasper was a weak vampire. Even though he could defeat an Avalon's commander alone. Reportedly the female commander also had a cursed weapon.
The bluish veins protruding on the back of his hand immediately caught Raphael's attention. That person probably had a fate similar to him. He has demon DNA. Something that even the brightest people in Florentia have not been able to explain. What was clear is that some pure-blood vampires suffer from this symptom.
Recalling the issue Damian had discussed in the past—Raphael also guessed, did Jasper awaken his demon DNA when he was very young? So what happened to him now? But there was still another day where he could ask that question. His focus right now was Valerie.
"Unfortunately, we didn't get to meet at the Taverin. I was surprised that all of a sudden Valor—I mean Valerie—came back to Lapella," said Raphael.
"I heard about you sir Raphael. So you fought together with Valerie in the military?" Jasper said as he opened the cigar box and took one. Jasper then lit it with fire and smoked it.
"I'm not a smoker, it's not good to smoke for our lungs..but this thing became a kind of medicine for me. It can hold my hunger for a while," said Jasper again.
"Valerie is part of the Jaguar team that I lead, my Lord. She is a valuable partner of ours. She has accomplished many things in her short tenure..I regret that a brilliant knight like her had to leave the military," explained Raphael.
Jasper leaned back, then sucked in his cigar.
"Valerie was a victim of the desperation of my father who was under pressure from Avalon," said Jasper.
"You mean?"
"Avalon persuaded us several times to join. Starting from verbal to a slightly harsh action. It involved all members of our family including Valerie,"
"Why didn't you tell Florentia about this?"
"Because the Florentia military is busy with its own war affairs. We will only get second-class knights. After all the support we need is not just guard, we need political support and we can't get it quickly..Lapella supported Florentia but we are neutral towards the presence of the Avalons. That's what makes Florentia totally reluctant to help us. That's also what made Avalon think we could easily switch supports." Jasper explained.
Raphael listened. Rumors stated that Jasper was a weak heir. It was proven wrong. But another rumor that said Jasper was an intelligent person might be true. Only by occasionally opening his mouth could one see him as a broad-minded and politically savvy person.
"I see, but why did Valerie have to be in the military?"
"Didn't the generals tell you?"
"No, they just said the reasons were complicated,"
"Our parents hid the real reason for Valerie's safety. So Avalon started to aggressively approach Valerie..Avalon's noble youths sent her marriage proposals. The goal is to marry Valerie to make it easier to snatch Lapella from Florentia," said Jasper again.
Raphael was a little surprised to hear that. Nobles used to match their sons and daughters for reasons of power or wealth. But for Valerie's case, she really was considered a political object.
"Valerie's family has the right to refuse any proposals that come in," responded Raphael.
"Yes, but what if Valerie is approached by a young Avalon and she falls in love? Our father can't keep that under control forever . . nor can we stop her from socializing. Keeping them at home is also not a guarantee because we are always worried that they will take the military route. Dubois was not a family that gave birth to tough knights. But that's all in the past. The Dubois family decided to fight the threat themselves. Including me who is no longer hiding in the basement of this mansion," said Jasper confidently.
The thought that Valerie might be dating someone infuriated Raphael. Maybe because he felt bad for a talented person like Valerie to squander her chance for the sole reason of falling in love.
"But what if Valerie has things of her own? I think she enjoys joining the military. She's trying to prove herself..don't you as her family want to support her?" Raphael asked again.
"At this time Valerie is only safe in her own house, she is not married, our father is still selecting her future husband,"
"Sir, Valerie wielding a cursed weapon..she is formidable, I will also guide her to become one of the strongest knights," Raphael insisted.
"We just want Valerie to be safe, she almost died and I don't think our father will repeat the mistake a second time. We're not going to stop her from having other hobbies..we're not an old-fashioned family." Jasper shook his head before turning off his cigar.
"Sir Raphael!" Valerie called from the top of the stairs.
Raphael stood up from his seat and their eyes met each other. Different from the last time they met, Valerie was now wearing a beautiful maroon dress that showed her figure and curves as a woman. Her beautiful silver hair was tied in a white ribbon to match her dress. She also wears light makeup to highlight her beautiful face.
The girl had indeed been the topic of conversation among upper-class men. Valerie Dubois was one of the most beautiful Lapella girls who was famous for her graceful and impeccable manners. The Dubois family was probably just overthinking it. Perhaps the nobles who proposed to her did not want to sabotage Dubois through political marriages. They were indeed interested in Lady Dubois.
BUMP!
Valerie dashed down using her Vampire's running speed and ended up hitting her commander's body with her head. She then spread her arms and hugged him like a long lost friend. It made Raphael's stomach instantly queasy from the impact. He wasn't prepared for it.
The war has turned one of the most beautiful girl in Lapella into a little barbaric girl.
"Valerie, you can't just touch a man like that. That's not appropriate," Jasper rebuked him coldly. Raphael instantly felt goosebumps on the back of his neck because Jasper didn't like what he just saw.
"Oh, sorry Jasper. We're the knights usually like this," Valerie explained. Raphael was a little awkward. He let go of Valerie's arms and moved a little away. He was very nervous. He didn't recognize the girl in front of him. She was very different from the Valor he knew. Valerie had taken off her pentagram necklace so Raphael could smell her blood which seemed to stir something inside of him. He had drunk blood this morning. But why was he feeling thirsty now?
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone