The War Hero

"I never thought I'd ever set foot in this state," Kyle looked enthusiastic. He rubbed his blue eyes which were slightly dazzled and watery because the sun was shining too brightly.

He rode with Raphael's entourage. Not much, only about five horses. The majority of the Jaguar team members have separated and returned to their respective territories. The war at Taverin was over and there was now a truce. Avalon still controls the majority of the territory with twenty states. Florentia controlled seventeen. Elite knights, usually not permanently joining the military.

They were nobles who already had their own jobs and responsibilities. Many of them attended out of obligation. However Raphael was the second son of the Marquess who would not inherit his father's title. He chose to join the military and be fully involved in it.

"There are a lot of Avalon supporter here, but you don't need to worry. Lapella forbids hunting of humans here. You can report to the knights if you are attacked," Raphael explained. He wore an oversized black hood that covered his body and head from the sun. Raphael hadn't long awakened his demon DNA, he hadn't even had the chance to ask anyone about it. It's just that he feels more vulnerable to sunlight and gets thirsty faster.

Raphael now only drank human blood because he would feel sick if he drank animal blood.

He had ridden on his horse for more than three days. He left Taverin with several of his subordinate knights who would also be serving in Lapella. Kyle insists on coming, he wanted to officially enlist as a knight of Florentia. General Maxwell also gave him a recommendation because of his considerable contribution to the Taverin war. Kyle wanted to see Valerie again because they hadn't said their goodbyes long enough.

"Then where is Valor's house?" Kyle looked enthusiastic.

Raphael glanced at him and asked him to ride alongside him.

"None of the knights of Florentia know her identity apart from the generals and us. Don't spit it out so easily," Raphael warned in a slight whisper.

Kyle was a little nervous about it.

"I'm sorry, sir," he said.

"You haven't said her name yet, but remember, we know her by the name Valor," Raphael reminded him again.

"Okay sir. Then, when are we going to meet him?"

"We have to report first to the Florentia headquarters in Lapella," Raphael responded.

"Sir, the vampire girls are looking at me, is there something wrong? Maybe it's because I'm a human and riding horses with you guys?" Kyle asked.

"They just think you're delicious, Kyle..you're human,"

Kyle suddenly turned nervous. He hadn't had this feeling in a long time. He struggles among vampire men and forgets that he could be someone's prey.

"But they can't hunt here can they?"

"No, but I know a few places in Lapella that allow vampires to drink human blood straight from their skin. With supervision of course," Raphael said. He took his horse and walked unhurriedly.

"Oh, like Valor. did they drink blood from the back?"

Raphael squinted.

"Valor drank blood straight from your skin?"

"Yes sir. And to be honest, it was fun. Not as scary as I thought," Kyle said cheerfully.

"Oh," Raphael was annoyed to hear that. He didn't know how to respond. The thought of Valerie drinking a man's blood like that felt wrong. Was it because Raphael had always thought he was a man?

"But I won't give my blood to just any vampire. Valor says mine is the best..only she can eat me," Kyle said again.

"Why?"

"Of course because Valor is a great vampire. I was helped a lot by her. Now I'm quite famous among the archer squad, because he taught me how to show my skills,"

Raphael was a little relieved. He was worried that Kyle was hoping something romantic could happen between him and Valerie. He didn't know why he felt relieved about that. Maybe because he was worried about a scandal that could cost Valerie's military career.

"Valor guide you?"

"Yes, sir,"

"That's a little funny, he's trying to teach you, even though he's still clumsy with his own sword," Raphael smirked.

"I feel he is special sir, it seems it is true that he can predict the future,"

"I also have a lot of questions about Valor, that's why I went to Lapella..I hope to persuade her to return to the military."

"Sir, did Valor also ask you to call him Valor even though no one else was around?" Kyle asked.

"No, she introduced herself as Valerie when I finally found out her identity," responded Raphael.

"Why?"

"What?"

"Why don't you ever call her Valerie?" Kyle probed.

Raphael didn't answer right away. He always referred to Valerie by her pseudonym. Even if he was talking about it with someone else.

"To me he is Valor, he is my student as well as my subordinate..someone I respect and I hope she will become a great vampire in the future. I never saw her as Valerie," Raphael shook his head.

Yes, except in some cases. Like when he saw the girl in the bath or when he carried her badly injured from his battle with Avalon's General. At that time Raphael was nervous. He wasn't used to hanging out with girls. Calling her Valerie would only remind him of her true female identity. That's why Raphael always called her Valor.

"But she can't be Valor forever, sir. One day she'll have to break her disguise," Kyle said again.

"Commander, we have arrived!" A knight called. Raphael stopped his chat with Kyle when they almost missed a large building dominated by dark mountain stone as the material. The gates of the military headquarters of Florentia were decorated with the emblem of a dashing lion in golden nuances. There were many knights standing guard. They noticed Raphael's arrival and immediately closed the ranks.

"Welcome Sir Raphael Chastain!" One of the vampire knights with the rank of captain said. They gave him respect.

"They said, could I meet commander Dubois here?"

"We have been asked to prepare a special office and room for you at headquarters, sir. Commander Dubois is currently on duty at Duke Dubois' house. Would you like to be escorted?"

"Sir, can we go straight to Valor's house?" Kyle asked.

"No, you and the other knights have to stay at the base to report..Kyle, you're going to get assignments from your commander here. I'm going to the Dubois house alone," said Raphael again.

***

Valerie went home in a bit of a hurry. Her hair, which had been in a bun, was now loose. She was walking too fast earlier and her clothes and shoes were quite a drag. She feared that she had become too familiar with Caesar Petrovsky. She was worried that her identity would be exposed. Even though they said there was now a truce, it didn't mean that neither Florence nor Avalon would attack each other in secret.

Caesar could have killed her unnoticed and then fled without anyone punishing him. He just wanted revenge. He didn't need to kill with his chivalric identity. He could have been a criminal despite the risks to his military career.

Although the man spoke sweetly and showed a gentlemanly side, Valerie must not forget that he was the feared commander of Avalon.

"My lady? What happened?" Valerie was still a little irritated by her meeting with Caesar. Her maid Rebecca was a sensitive girl. She could always guess if something was going on with Valerie.

"I am okay!" She said,

Valerie entered her room, followed by Rebecca who was still curious.

"You only went out with lady Patricia. Did you two have a fight?"

Valerie faced her mirror and began to quickly undress. She immediately wanted to change into more comfortable clothes.

"Whoa, my lady. You're a girl, don't be in a hurry to undress," Rebecca criticized her as she helped her open her stifling corset.

"Ah, I'm used to fast paced life in the military," said Valerie again half regretfully.

"Where's my scarf?" Valerie had just realized why her neck had been feeling cold.

"You haven't worn it since you arrived home, my lady,"

"Oh my gosh," Valerie immediately guessed that she had left her scarf behind.

"So what happened?"

"I just met someone scary, no big deal," Valerie shrugged.

"Oh, is there another gentleman who seduces you?" Rebecca guessed.

"Why is he scary? Is he a big tall man with a beard and fur all over his body?" Rebecca said again.

"Not like that," Valerie shook her head. If she didn't know what Caesar Petrovsky was like—she'd probably find him a charming gentleman.

"My Lady," someone knocked on her door.

"Lady Valerie is changing," Rebecca replied.

"A guest is looking for you, my Lady," Hilda, the butler, opened the door and put on a serious face.

"What? Who? All right, I'll be down soon," said Valerie casually.

"No! No! You look too simple, my lady. Rebecca, you should dress her up a bit," Hilda ordered seriously.

"Eh? why did she have to?" Rebecca asked.

"Because our guest this time is not an ordinary gentleman," said Hilda as she adjusted her glasses.