Chapter 44 - The Other Man

"Petrovsky, what are you doing here?" Raphael said angrily.

The governor's house party hall turned heated. They danced and had fun with crystal glasses filled with blood in each other's hands. The maids carried trays of blood through the guests in elegant uniforms. When the two of them stood side by side, many eyes were on them. Raphael and Caesar were famous knights. Their ages and abilities were equal and they were equally attractive.

Caesar and Raphael were of equal rank. They were both young and single and recognized as having the power equal to generals. When the two meet, people worry that a fight will ensue. But they were both educated nobles. They would not attack when Avalon and Florentia were on a truce.

The sound of soft music playing was a sign that the party's still going on. When the majority of guests believed that they would not draw swords at each other and spoil the event, They returned to their respective activities.

"I received an invitation from the governor..it's not unusual, we're on a truce and Lapella also used to interact with Avalon. No need to be so wary, I'm not in the mood to fight," Caesar responded.

Each of the two of them wore civilian clothes, their appearance was that of most aristocratic men. Caesar has a cream colored suit with dark brown leather shoes. Caesar had blonde hair, a sharp nose and charming thin symmetrical lips. His eyes like any other vampire's were red, but because he regularly drank human blood—the color was a little more intense. His skin also looks fresh and not pale. Caesar was about 180cm tall which makes him only slightly shorter than Raphael who was 187cm tall.

Caesar had a body shape that was not too muscular but quite masculine. His arms and legs were firmly established because he practiced sword and martial arts from a young age. Ever since he inherited Vulcan, he took his destiny as a knight seriously.

"I hope you're not plotting something here, Caesar," said Raphael coldly. He was alert and ready to draw his sword at any moment. Caesar also thought the same thing. Despite being on different sides, the two of them were childhood friends who used to be close to each other. They even studied with the same person. The rivalry between the two of them lasted into adulthood and continued in the war between Florentia and Avalon.

"I'm not wearing my uniform, Raphael...though I may have my own mission, but rest assured that I will not draw my sword," Caesar patted his shoulder once again and walked away confidently.

Caesar was quite popular at parties. Several nobles greeted him and he was like the sun shining on the clouds. wherever he was, he spread his light. Petrovsky was such a friendly and confident person that even Florentians seemed to forget that he was an Avalon. He was a social magnet, everyone wanted to know him.

"Sir Raphael, come here, I would like to introduce someone to you," One of the nobles whose name he had forgotten asked him to come. Raphael met a lot of people in Lapella and he couldn't memorize them all. But it seems that person was one of his seniors when he was at the academy. He finally took his eyes off Caesar.

Petrovsky was having a friendly chat with someone who caught his interest. He immediately fell silent and ignored all the pleasantries from the nobles around him. The alluring smell of someone's blood had provoked him.

"Lady Valerie," Caesar bowed in greeting. Valerie was surprised and a little pale from meeting Caesar at the party. She knew that Avalon used to hang around in Lapella but she didn't expect the governor to invite him.

"Sir Caesar?" Valerie fixed her hair nervously. Patricia, who was again aware of the situation giggled and took her fiancé away. She had discussed it with Valerie and felt that interactions with enemies were romantic. Like what she likes to read in romance novels or she watches in drama theater.

Even though earlier Valerie had said that she was dating Raphael. Patricia also had time to squeal with joy because she knew how popular Raphael was. But now when she saw Caesar Petrovsky, she switched sides.

But Valerie saw for herself how scary Caesar was when he was in action. Valerie doesn't understand why she always felt nervous when around Caesar. She often fixed her hair, which was already perfectly neat and kept her eyes averted.

Caesar found it attractive in his eyes. Valerie was not like most women he knew, they were always trying to please him. But Valerie kept her distance even though he occasionally caught the girl stealing glances at him. Whether it was interest or sheer curiosity, what was clear was that Caesar had never felt like this with other women.

"I always carry this, I hope to meet you someday to return it," Caesar reached into his pocket and handed her a rolled up sky blue scarf. Caesar took good care of it so that there were no wrinkles on the scarf.

"Oh thank you sir Caesar," Valerie wanted to reach him but the man held it back.

"This feels stupid, but—after I gave it—I'm afraid I have no reason to see you again, Lady Valerie," said Caesar with a sad expression.

"Eh? Why?" Valerie blushed. She wasn't innocent, Caesar was trying to get close to her. Was the man attracted to her? Surprisingly, Valerie didn't hate the treatment. She was even a little flattered. She was usually approached by men. Some even openly send proposals to her.

But after a few minutes, a realization appeared in her mind. He was an Avalon, he was her enemy and it looks like he was looking for Gunther's killer. Valerie couldn't get too close to him.

"You may keep it, sir!" Valerie was nervous and made a strange statement.

"Sorry? Lady Valerie, but I don't need this scarf."

"You can give it to your girlfriend," Valerie rolled her eyes. He realized that what she said was very stupid.

"If I had a girlfriend, would I be here and flirt with you?" Caesar laughed.

"Eh? Flirt with me?" Valerie blushed, her skin was so white that it was useless to hide her blushing skin.

"I'm only joking, but I want to get to know you better, Lady Valerie. Would you allow that?" Caesar looked at her intently and gave her a smile. Valerie was pounding at the moment. She shouldn't have felt that way towards an enemy.

"Lady Dubois, his Grace is calling for you," a woman in a maid dress whispered to her.

"Oh, I'll be right there," Valerie responded.

"Dubois?" Caesar could not hide his annoyance when he heard that name.

"Sir, then about my scarf—" Valerie wanted to reach for it. But Caesar held it back.

"Didn't you say you could give this to me?" Caesar smirked, he smiled.

"Don't you need it?"

"Now I need it, isn't the night at Lapella so cold?" He stretched Valerie's scarf and wrapped it around his neck mischievously.

"Oh, sir! You—" Valerie was at a loss for words.

"Valerie!" Raphael came to both of them with a terrible face.

"Sir Raphael?" Valerie said a little unfocused.

"What did he do to you? Did he bother you?" Asked Raphael sharply.

"Oh, you know Lady Valerie?" Caesar's expression also darkened a little.

Raphael grabbed Valerie's shoulder as he glared at him.

"She's my date tonight, sir Petrovsky. So can you return the scarf and leave? Can you see if Valerie is uncomfortable?" Said Raphael.

Caesar was silent, he lost his smile for a while. Then his gaze softened and there was a speck of sorrow covering him at this moment. He took off his scarf and was about to return it to Valerie. But he stopped.

"I've already worn it, even if it's just joking . I'll wash it first and take it to your house, Lady Dubois," Caesar bent slightly and grabbed the back of Valerie's hand then kissed it softly.

"I'll see you later, Lady Valerie," he said before leaving.

"How did you know him?" Raphael scolded her.

"In the town of Kirogar, I drank with him at a bar," Valerie answered quietly.

"What? Why didn't I know about this?"

"Umm, why should I tell you about that?" Valerie whispered, objecting.

"Am I not your commander?" Raphael whispered back.

"I'm pretty sure that being my commander doesn't mean I have to tell you everything. That's my personal business, sir. Who I meet is my own choice," Valerie objected.

"Yeah, but aren't we lovers now? Isn't it weird that I don't know about this? Petrovsky is a dangerous person, Valerie," Raphael growled.

"Sir, we're just pretend lovers," Valerie replied.

Raphael was silent. He realized he had crossed the line. He didn't understand how his always cautious and calculative self couldn't be rational right now.

"Caesar is probably looking for who took Apollon. If he finds out—"

"I understand, sir.. I'll be careful," said Valerie again before leaving to go see her father.