Chapter 73 - Their Romantic Trip (2)

Valerie feels threatened right now. Like a lamb that accidentally stepped into a fox's cage—Valerie sat quietly in a corner waiting for the fox to devour her. Raphael might level up their relationship.

Valerie had been relaxed all this time, because she felt that Raphael was not an ordinary man who easily seduced. Moreover, he never showed his interest in women openly. She liked to tease him from the very beginning of the marriage. She actually wasn't quite ready, though.

She only believed that Raphael was a cold man with no interest in such things. Valerie thought it would take more effort if she expected Raphael to touch her. The commander still kept his distance from her, because Valerie was his subordinate in the military.

A kind of realization flashed across her mind. She was married. Any kind of touch was natural to happen between them. Valerie and Raphael were both adults and they were physically attracted to each other. Valerie herself always thought Raphael was one of the most handsome vampires she knew. His popularity among women was no joke.

Was Valerie ready for this? After all, something was odd. Why did Raphael's attitude suddenly change?

"Have you been drinking strange animal blood lately? Maybe you tasted lizard or ape blood?" Valerie tried to get rid of her nervousness by inviting him to chat. She looked the other way trying to avoid her husband's eyes.

"No, lately I can only drink human blood," Raphael shook his head.

Valerie still didn't want to get too close to Raphael. She just covered herself with a wide towel and buried her body low. She exposed her shoulders and curled her hair. This was a private hot spring. Raphael rented the place for a few hours. He probably wished he could get to know Valerie more. But his wife was now just soaking in the corner like a cowardly puppy.

"You— not the usual Raphael," said Valerie again.

"What do I usually like?" Raphael spread his arms on the edge of the pool to emphasize his perfect silhouette. Valerie will never tire of admiring his physique. Dense black hair, impeccable looks, his rare charming smile and deep— alluring voice. A series of slightly impolite thoughts flashed through her pretty head and made her blush.

"You're usually more reserved, shy and not as relaxed as you are now," said Valerie, still avoiding looking her husband in the eye.

"Well, all the tension during my time in Florentia may have made me stiffer. But, we're on our honeymoon now. I think this makes me more relaxed," Raphael responded.

The man then shifted his body towards Valerie. The girl gasped and panicked a little. But it would be a little offensive if she swam away from Raphael. So Valerie just tightened her towel with a pounding heart.

"You too, we're on vacation. Forget about Florentia, the war and Apollon. Getting to know your partner is important too, right?" Raphael said using his charming voice.

The burly man grabbed his wife's waist behind the steaming warm water and brought her closer. Valerie screamed inwardly but tried to look calm. Even now, her heart was beating wildly.

"You think you know me well enough? You've been talking easily and always teasing me. Speak disparagingly when I refuse to touch you. How about now, Valerie? Why have you been so quiet since earlier?" Raphael enjoyed Valerie's nervousness. Their vacation had confirmed a few things. Valerie just pretended to be used to the interaction between a man and a woman. She's still inexperienced. The girl just bluffed.

"Ahaha, looks like I've had enough soaking..I want to go back to the room," Valerie said nervously as she got up from her bath. But Raphael held her hand. They stared at each other for a while before the commander pulled her into his arms and grabbed her beautiful face. The nervous Valerie averted her eyes and tried to escape.

"Why?" Raphael asked.

"This is too strange for me, you are — my commander," Valerie responded.

"You're wrong, you should get used to this..I'm your husband, Valerie Chastain," he said before embracing her face which was red from the hot steam of the bath. Raphael hugged her and closed his eyes. He gave Valerie a kiss on the lips.

Raphael did it so well, until the girl was lulled and closed her eyes too. She also let Raphael control her, resigned to whatever he wanted to do to her. Valerie didn't struggle when the man slightly touched her. The inexperienced girl was now even obediently opening her lips. Allowing Raphael to explore her deeper and take away the innocence she had guarded during her nineteen years of life.

***

The incident made her body heat up until Valerie felt strange with herself. Not just because they did it in the stifling hot springs. Valerie now couldn't underestimate Raphael. He's too good at kissing. Yet on the wedding day he was not even willing to kiss her lips. It was Valerie who finally took the initiative to kiss him.

Was Raphael just pretending to be shy and stiff all this time? What happened to Raphael whom Valerie had known all along? Had that man been hiding his other side all along? Did Raphael have a past that she didn't know? Maybe he had a lot of ex-girlfriends? Or was he like the other knights who occasionally misbehaved visiting brothels because they could not stand being separated from their wives for long?

She would be disappointed if Raphael was like that. So far, Valerie has considered Raphael to be the perfect ideal man. Maybe she didn't have deep enough romantic feelings for him. But Valerie respects him. She likes his principles of life. She liked Raphael's assertiveness that he could separate personal matters from work. She was proud to be the wife of a respected war hero like Raphael Chastain.

But Valerie certainly couldn't forever enjoy all the facilities and kindness of Raphael without giving something in return. Although half joking, Valerie knew that sooner or later she would have to let Raphael touch her. It was an obligation she had to do as an adult couple. That was a noble task as husband and wife.

"What? I thought you were asleep?" Raphael came out of the bathroom drying his head with a cotton cloth. Apart from a few dangerous touches and hot kisses that made her body temperature rise— Raphael was sane enough not to continue whatever his intentions were in the hot springs.

But what about now? When they were in their private room. Without the eyes of a possibly curious stranger staring at them. Will Raphael continue his action?

Raphael sat next to his wife, who was now wearing a light blue nightgown. It was a dress worn by noble women in their daily life. But not simple enough to sleep on. But easy to remove and put away if needed.

Raphael smiled faintly at Valerie's nervous expression. She was quite obedient when in the hot spring. Raphael thought she would fight back a bit. Maybe the girl enjoys what he does more than he thinks. The man then took the back of her hand and kissed it. His eyes looked at Valerie sharply and deeply, showing his hidden intentions that were not too innocent.

"What?" Valerie asked a little fiercely.

"I guess I have to admit something," Raphael said as he lifted Valerie into his lap. He then hugged her from behind.

"About?"

"You're right, maybe I'm a little different at the moment. This isn't my usual self. I used to think that I could keep the relationship between the two of us innocent for a few more years. But ever since you drank my blood— I can't stop fantasizing about you," Raphael confessed.

"What does that have to do with me drinking your blood?" Valerie tilted her head.

"That's why all vampires testify that being a blood partner is a very intimate thing that couples usually do. When you drink my blood, I feel weird," Raphael hesitated a little.

"What does it mean?" Valerie was still trying to understand.

"I'm getting a little aroused," said Raphael which immediately made his wife's ears turn red.

"Ahahaha, that's weird,"

"Let me show you," Raphael then dropped Valerie's body on the bed on her back. They also looked at each other.

"Let me drink your blood, Valerie," he said again.

The girl remembered again. Raphael had done that to her in her previous life. At that time Valerie was seriously injured and disabled. Even so, she admits that it feels comfortable, soothing, but Valerie didn't remember that it aroused her.

"Okay, since I've also drunk your blood, I think you have to do it to me too," Valerie prepared. She held her breath a little. When Raphael brought his face closer and bit her neck—she couldn't help the moan that escaped her mouth without her being able to hold it in. Her breathing became heavier. She felt her body heat up and Raphael noticed Valerie's unusual reaction.

"May I continue?" Raphael asked while wiping the remaining blood that dripped slightly from his lips with the back of his hand.

"Huh?" Valerie wasn't too focused at the moment. She let Raphael once more put his lips on her neck. But not to drink her blood. His breath felt on her neck and ears made Valerie seem to lose her mind. This was far more frightening and tense than facing the Shadows. But the girl simply couldn't resist.. Raphael had conquered her.