42 Her Dangerous Plan

"So, Sir Raphael, how long will you stay in Lapella?" Arthur Dubois asked. Valerie invites him to join her family for dinner. At that time Arthur Dubois, who was always busy, would always take the time to get out of his study and gather in the dining hall.

"For a few months I think, Florentia assigned me to Lapella. We will recruit a lot of new knights. The truce gives us time to train them. I think the Avalon Faction does too," Raphael responded elegantly. But there was a hint of awkwardness in his voice. He was worried about Valerie's plan. And he already agreed to it. Later he became doubtful and wanted to cancel it. But he couldn't dodge because Valerie kept looking at him expectantly.

The silence that lasted for a while made the atmosphere even more awkward. Jasper didn't touch his glass at all. He only drank blood once every three days this time. He already did it yesterday. Veronica was also present at the dining table holding a crystal glass filled with fresh blood gracefully.

The Dubois family employs human Servants in their mansion. In addition to domestic work, they also become donors to the Dubois vampires. Hilda, for example, was a donor to the men in the house. While Valerie and Veronica usually get their blood supply from the knights who guard the mansion.

Valerie quietly nudged her commander's arm impatiently. Raphael once again turned nervous. He cleared his throat and began to speak.

"I know this is sudden, Duke Dubois, but— I want to ask you something," said Raphael.

"Tell me, sir. You are Lapella's guest of honor. Of course you can ask for anything," Arthur Dubois smiled at him.

"Okay, so I—wanted to propose to Valerie," When Raphael finished his sentence— his throat tightened. He wasn't sure he had thought this through.

***

[The evening before dinner,

Dubois Mansion training ground.]

"Alright, Valor..tell me what's your plan?" Raphael asked the girl to sit next to him. When they seemed to have finished training— the knights switched to entering the field and returned to being busy with their swords and shields.

"But don't be surprised, okay?"

"Why should I be surprised?"

"Because you're a pure man and have no experience with women," Valerie said seriously.

"Are you experienced?" The commander responded with a slight sneer.

"Sir, I slept in a tent with the men, changed in the men's barracks and have probably seen over a dozen bodies of men without clothes," Valerie put on a serious expression.

"That doesn't count! They don't know you're a girl!" Raphael didn't want to lose.

"Then what does it all have to do with your plan?" He continued impatiently.

"So my father and brother didn't let me join the military because there was no one there to look after me. My father even had a special message with the generals but they still let me go to the front line..So, you have to guarantee my life," said Valerie.

"Well, that—"

"I know sir, as knights we must take care of ourselves. You don't really need to do that. But you have to make my father believe that you will take care of me while in the military," Valerie said again.

"Alright, I'll say as commander I'll protect you," Raphael agreed.

"It's not that simple, sir. They know that as members of the military, we are willing to be transferred whenever we are asked. you will not always serve in the military besides me. But Florentia has some rules that can ease my troubles and put my family at ease."

"Well, then? Which one?"

Valeria spent a lot of time in her past life reading books. Includes guidebook, Florentia faction war strategy and rules. She had almost memorized it.

"Rule number 147, regarding Blood Partners. Couples who serve in the military and are donors to each other, will be placed in the same unit. So if you become my blood partner—"

"Wait, Valor! Blood partner means—"

"Sir, this isn't real, we are just pretending," Valerie responded. Now Raphael was so nervous, his ears even turning red without him being able to stop it. It was a very bold and intimate proposal. At first glance Raphael imagined his future where he became Valerie's blood partner.

Some couples in the military practiced it, the paired male and female knights could become blood partners. Vampires would not be satisfied by consuming the blood of each other. Their thirst could only be completely quenched with human blood. But the blood of fellow vampires, especially those who were pure blood, could give instant power.

This means that blood partners will be stronger if they drink regularly from their partners. It only takes a few sips and it could give them strength as well as faster self-healing abilities.

Becoming a blood partner was a long term commitment. One who had tasted the blood of a vampire—couldn't taste the blood of another. They could have separated but they could no longer find a new blood partner.

Harmonious vampire husband and wife. Like Arthur and Veronica also practiced it. Their partner's blood will not fill them up. But fitter and stronger.

"Just pretending?" Raphael asked suspiciously in a half-whisper.

"Of course not for real sir! It's only temporary..if I could prove myself worthy and could keep myself in the military—father may grant my wish. But right now I need your support."

"And what must I do to support your plan, sir Valor?"

"Engaged to me"

Raphael almost jumped backwards as if he was facing a lunatic wielding a sword.

"That's a huge commitment! I—" Raphael stuttered, his face turning red.

"I'm almost twenty years old. You're not young anymore either. I'm sure you've received a lot of matchmaking offers so far, right? My father also always talked about selecting my future husband. Although there was never a single name that he agreed to. But I can't marry an aristocrat who will treat me like a mere beauty. You're my mentor. I believe you don't want a cursed weapon wielder who can predict the future and potentially make Florentia triumphant, to retire from the military, right?" Valerie had tears in her eyes when she said that.

"That's why sir, until we find someone we really love—get engaged to me. Make sure my family lets me join the military. After my business is done we can cancel it at any time," Valerie explained again.

"I see, so—it's like a contract engagement?" Raphael confirmed.

"That's right sir, for Florentia's sake," Valerie said seriously.

"For Florentia's sake," Raphael nodded.

"Then how do I start?"

"Ask my dad and let me improvise," Valerie smiled brightly.

***

[Dubois Mansion Dining hall]

"Wait, what do you mean? Proposed Valerie to join the military?" Arthur confirmed.

"Eh? Not like that" Raphael shook his head.

"Applying as gardener or knight?" Add Jasper.

"That's not what I means—"

"Oh my gosh!" Veronica was the only sane member of the family who knows Raphael's intentions. She got up from her seat and had a happy expression. The servants also did the same.

"I meant to propose to Valerie as my wife, Your Grace!" Raphael emphasized his point. He felt very awkward. Among noble families, marriage proposals were usually sent by official letter and the bride's family selected it.

"How dare you," Jasper glared at him with his bloodshot eyes. Blue veins appeared around his temples.

"Well, sir Raphael, I didn't expect this . . I thought you didn't see our daughter like that," Arthur smiled despite his suppressed anger.

"You even hit her earlier in sword practice!" Jasper accused him.

"Even though she's a lady!" he added.

"Doesn't that mean you don't see her as a girl?!" Jasper continued, rising from his seat and pointing at him.

"Lady Valerie likes it sir!" Raphael hit the table in panic. He spoke in a formal tone as if facing interrogation by the military police who accused him of being a deserter.

Loud noises were heard throughout the hall.

"So, Sir Raphael and Lady Valerie's relationship is like that? Surprising,"

"Lady Valerie is a masochist? And sir Raphael is sadistic?"

"Whoa, let's not judge someone's sexual preference, Valerie is an adult and—" Veronica spoke up.

"You misunderstood!" Raphael doesn't understand why this was so hard for him to do?

"Sir Raphael, watch your attitude. Can we repeat it one more time, so you want to marry my daughter?"

"Yes, your grace," Raphael nodded obediently.

"Father, I don't want to marry anyone other than Sir Raphael," Valerie sobbed, she was acting while hugging her commander's arm.

"Valerie! You've been tricked by him. How many times do I have to teach you? Don't be easily captivated by a handsome face!" Jasper scolded her.

"But— we're so close, you don't know what happened while we were at the Taverin. We're inseparable," Valerie touched her cheek as if blushing. The girl wanted to hint that she and Raphael were very close. Like sitting by the lake together, gazing at the stars together or other innocent things. But his father and brother suspected different things.

"How dare you, Raphael Chastain," Jasper grabbed his collar in anger. Raphael gulped in nervousness.

"Raphael Chastain, you are a war hero. But touching my daughter is going too far. So you've known for a long time that she's a girl and you tricked her?" said Arthur Dubois furiously.

"Your Grace, sir Jasper, you two misunderstood, I didn't—" Raphael shook his head vigorously.

"OK! when it happened like this—in order to save the Dubois family name, you two would get married," Arthur Dubois said as he adjusted his glasses which he didn't really need.

"Eh? Didn't we get engaged first?" said Valerie, confused.

"No, no! I will not allow any child born out of wedlock from our family," Arthur said again lost in his misunderstanding.