Chapter 64 - The Problem In The Border

Speaking with a sword he said, Valerie was still trying to digest it. All this time she had thought of Apollon as a magical inanimate object that certainly had no soul. Although Apollon seemed to understand when Valerie ordered him to transform—Valerie didn't feel like he was a living thing.

She was still on the edge of the training ground, where currently Raphael Chastain was still training there fighting swords with several knights who seemed overwhelmed against him. Raphael didn't like reducing power, he didn't use Demetria when he was on the training field. But he used an ordinary sword to make the duel more balanced.

"So, Apollon, won't you talk to me?" Valerie asked softly at the beautiful and slender sword in her hand.

Apollon didn't answer. Valerie felt stupid for a moment.

"Where did you learn swordsmanship, my lady?" Valerie saw Chloe trying to talk to her. She had a bandage wrapped around her back. There's a bit of guilt. Maybe Valerie had hurt her too much earlier.

Lately, when Valerie was faced with a battle situation—she didn't feel like herself. Raphael once said that cursed weapons could also affect her emotions. Maybe that's why Valerie was so thirsty to hurt her opponent. She became a bit lost in empathy and compassion. She will regret it after everything happened. After all, it was a cursed weapon that came from hell. There must be consequences that must be accepted in exchange for great power.

"The Dubois family also requires their sons and daughters to practice martial arts..though not as seriously as the Chastains did. We've only recently learned that we have a cursed weapon. So this is all new to me," Valerie said, still hoping to make a connection with the sword which was now silent as usual.

"Then you are a talented person, my lady. I didn't expect that. When we were told that lord Raphael married Valerie Dubois, I thought you were an elegant and perfect noblewoman. You are very famous, even to Acheron," Chloe said.

Valerie just laughed awkwardly. She didn't have any outstanding achievements. She never wrote a book, threw a charity party herself or did anything important. She didn't understand why the rumors about her were quite popular. She was indeed the daughter of a duke, but she also knew many other duke's daughters who did not receive as much media attention as she did.

"Sorry to disappoint you because I'm not as elegant as people say," Valerie responded while scratching the back of her head awkwardly.

"Oh no, my lady. It's not a problem at all, we were just surprised that you are a cursed weapon wielder. It's not an easy thing, because usually people expect more from a cursed weapon user," Chloe commented.

"My family doesn't care, they didn't even like me at first using a cursed weapon. They said it was dangerous for me. Luckily Raphael gave me a way out. By marrying him, then I can be a knight more freely," said Valerie again.

"Oh, I shouldn't have said this..my family in Lapella knows that we love each other. I hope you won't be discussing this with anyone, lady Chloe," Valerie said seriously.

"No! Gosh I wouldn't dare talk about this to anyone else," the girl shook her head frantically.

"Enough about me, how about you? Are you also a member of the Chastain family?" Valerie asked.

"Me? Yes, I am a distant cousin of lord Raphael. My mother is one of his aunts but I do not bear the name Chastain. My father works in the house of the Duke of Acheron. And lately I have heard a lot of trouble at the border,"

"What kind of trouble?"

"I shouldn't have said it, but the humans are having a hard time because of their livestock being stolen and killed. Including the mysterious disappearance of several children. They accuse the vampires of doing it..The duke is responsible for maintaining peace in Acheron so this has added to the burden on the duke's mind," Chloe shared.

"When did that start happening?"

"Not too long ago, maybe less than a month ago," Chloe shrugged.

Valerie also thought back to the intelligent Shadows who had made her life difficult some time ago. So far they have not shown themselves or said what their goal was. Investigations were still being carried out, there was a joint team between Florentia and Avalon. Valerie worried that the Shadows might have something to do with the recent bad events in Acheron.

While Valerie was having a friendly chat with Chloe, she saw a girl in a pretty fancy dress walking into the field. She was a little petite with wavy blonde hair and rosy cheeks. She was like a porcelain doll. What was clear, she was not fit to be around the training field.

"Raphael!" The girl cried out between excited and annoyed. Then she jumped around his neck.

"Brianna! How many times do I have to tell you, don't just walk into the field. This is dangerous!" Raphael tried to untie her arms awkwardly.

"I can't believe it! How could you suddenly get married!" The girl was crying loudly.

Valerie was rooted to the spot. Should she be angry, or offended by it? The girl's gesture showed that she felt Raphael was special to her.

"Who's she?" Valerie asked, trying to sound as calm as possible.

"Brianna Delacroux, she's Lord Raphael's childhood friend. His ex-fiancé," Chloe whispered back to hef.

.***

"Hasn't Duke Delacroux forbade you to come to our mansion? Why are you here?" Raphael scolded who looked uncomfortable because the girl was trying to hug his arm.

"Oh Raphael, why are you so cold to me? We haven't seen each other in a long time..and His Grace himself asked me here, because he heard you were in Acheron. But I also didn't expect you to suddenly get married!" Brianna looked disappointed, her face was sour and maybe she was on the verge of tears.

Brianna considers herself to be Raphael's childhood friend. Even though he wasn't willing to admit it. Brianna just forced her will and attention on Raphael. She tried to show everyone that she was the closest woman to Raphael.

They even got engaged, it was a unilateral decision of Duke Delacroux which was canceled at the request of the Chastain family. Because Florentia was just about to face a big war. Raphael didn't want the girl to wait for him in vain because he had no intention of getting married any time soon.

But for Brianna, Raphael was her world. She didn't think of marrying anyone other than Raphael. Brianna had done everything she could, including using her family's abilities and high titles to overwhelm Raphael.

But the commander was tired of all the attention. Not only did Brianna force her love, he also became a magnet for other single girls. His experience made him keep his distance from women.

Raphael became awkward and nervous in their presence. Except with Valerie, as well as a few female knights he knew. It was because they were involved with the same world. Namely the world of military and sword arts.

"Lady Brianna, go home, you have no business being here. Besides, you've agreed to call off our engagement.. Now I'm married," Raphael shook his head, affirming.