Chapter 103 - Drifted Away (2)

It took some time for Valerie to take off her disguise. She'd been training for weeks on this. She had to guess the right time to sneak back into her rented house. She had to make sure no one noticed when she came. She had to be sure no one would catch her. For that she needed to observe the surroundings, and also know the schedule of Raphael and some of her neighbors. If Valerie could successfully pull this off for a week, Maxwell says she's ready.

Valerie refolded Celia's clothes, placing them with the rest of her clothes. She then removed her hair dye with a special liquid. Bringing back shiny silver hair that easily amazes others. She was back to being Valerie, it's just that her heart was still broken. She didn't want to conclude anything, but hearing that Raphael wanted to leave her — reminded Valerie of Raphael's changed attitude recently.

They lived in the same house, but rarely spoke. Raphael always had reasons to avoid or was always busy doing something. He refused to look at his wife's face and spoke as needed. He also left earlier than Valerie and came back late. Raphael rarely even touched his wife.

The last time they did, Raphael tugged at Valerie's blanket, gave her a kiss and had sex without saying much. When he finished, he just hugged Valerie, turned around and closed his eyes.

Did Valerie do something wrong? Valerie didn't feel like doing it so she didn't want to discuss anything with Raphael about it. She tried to be communicative, she tried to get to know him. She tried to be a worthy wife for him. However, Raphael remained cold to her.

At first, her busy schedule and new task made Valerie not thought about it too seriously. Maybe just like Valerie, Raphael was just too tired of his new rank and title. He had to talk a lot and coordinate even though he was not a talkative person.

When he is at home, he must be tired if he has to force himself to talk with his wife.

But, what if Raphael had lost interest in her? Maybe he met another girl who was more attractive than Valerie and regretted his marriage. Valerie's heart ached just thinking about it. She shouldn't have demanded much. Raphael married her, because he wanted Valerie to join Florentia. Now Valeire has had her chance, she was also the one who insisted on splitting up the division with Raphael.

Could it be that Raphael felt he no longer needed to look after Valerie? That's why he said it to Duke Dubois? Valerie was good at analyzing and she was sure — even though she didn't hear all of it — it must have something to do with Raphael and Valeire who were no longer working in the same unit.

Valerie put her uniform back on, she soiled the toes of her shoes and let the slightly faded makeup go untouched. It was the appearance she usually showed after a long day of work. Raphael must not have known that she slipped out and disguised herself as Celia.

The door of his house opened, Raphael was greeted with the smile of his wife who kept a secret.

"When did you come?"

"Recently,"

Raphael took off his gloves and military coat then hung them behind the door. A maid would pick it up tomorrow morning to wash it. He then took off his shoes and was barefoot. Raphael took off his shirt, revealing his masculine curves that made women hold their breath. Valerie was no exception, no matter how often she saw him naked.

"Why don't you get changed?" Raphael comforted himself, sat on the sofa and ruffled his hair a little.

"Have you drunk some blood?" Valerie seemed not to hear the sentence.

"I've had enough to drink this afternoon," said Raphael, looking intently averting her gaze. Valerie was a little annoyed by it. Why did he try to keep his distance from her?

Valerie tried to forget his cold treatment the last time she helped him in his study. Raphael asked her to leave, without explaining the reason. As if she was a nuisance or not good enough to help him. That offended him, moreover Raphael didn't apologize for it. But, he kept avoiding her, speaking only as needed and now, he might as well leave her.

"Can I drink your blood?" Valerie asked. Raphael slightly widened his eyes, but calmed down not long after. He nodded, allowed Valerie to sit on his lap and plunged her fangs into his neck.

Raphael covered his mouth, swayed by a sensation that was both pleasurable and tense. He saw Valerie who closed her eyes while drinking her blood. It had aroused him, and Raphael didn't think to hold back.

"Why don't you change your uniform?" Raphael asked once again into her ear with a slightly heavy breath.

"I was waiting for you," said Valerie.

"Why?"

"I want you to remove it," Valerie whispered into his ear. That became the trigger for Raphael's next action. He didn't answer other than hastily undressing his wife. However, Raphael was not willing to wait for Valerie to finish undressing and immediately bite Valerie's neck. He drank her blood like thirsty.

Valerie had never teased him first, since their first night. So, what he was doing now had made Raphael more aroused. He wanted Valerie more than anything right now.

"I need a shower," said Valerie, blushing.

"What, no! Later," Raphael shook his head.

"I'm tired," Valerie refused subtly.

"I will be the one who did everything," Raphael refused to accept the refusal and continued to kiss her. Valerie was just confirming, and she knew that the thirst that Raphael had for her — had not diminished. Their lovemaking frequency did decrease, but when they did, Valerie felt that she would run out of energy.

***

Well, Valerie didn't think that the act of drinking each other's blood could end up in bed. She thought she could discuss their relationship calmly afterwards. But, at least it proves a few things. Raphael avoided her, not because he hated her. But why?

Raphael sleeps with his back to her. He didn't close his eyes but lowered his head with various thoughts running through his mind. He had just met Duke dubois this afternoon. He considered whether he should tell Valerie?

"I need to talk to you," Valerie started.

"I'm tired," said Raphael curtly.

"Oh really? You didn't look like that when you wanted to touch me again for the third time just now..If I hadn't refused, you might have—"

"Alright! Fine, say it," Raphael rubbed his face in annoyance. He was both worried and happy with who he was now. However, he felt that this was not supposed to happen. If he let Valerie continue to be around him. Raphael was worried that he would continue to lose his rationality.

"I'm not stupid, Raph. You're clearly trying to keep your distance from me. Did I do something wrong that I don't know about?" Valerie confirmed that, without realizing it, tears started to pool in her eyes.

Raphael was silent. He wasn't sure how he should answer.

"Listen, I know you've noticed that too. After we got married we got along in many ways. I feel comfortable with you and I'm sure you feel the same way. However, we're both knights," Raphael started. Valerie tilted her head. Then, what's wrong with that?

"I received complaints from my superiors. They were worried that you would influence me greatly in my military decisions. As a lieutenant general, as well as the deputy of the ground and cavalry divisions—I have to make sure that I still maintain my rationality," Raphael continued.

"That's bullshit, you're not like that, Raph,"

"I know, but they don't see it that way,"

"It's normal for a husband to be infatuated to death with his wife. But all that will not be a problem if their wives stay at home and have absolutely no idea what their husbands are doing to support their family," continued Raphael again.

"Unlike us, you and I both work in the military and you and I can influence each other. Everything we do can be viewed as non-objective. Our decisions will be questioned and cause prejudice for other knights,"

"But, hasn't the Florentia military long ago recognized blood partners?" Valerie denied.

"I know, but recently the Generals are considering abolishing the rule. Blood partners are not addicted to their partner's blood, they can live without it. So, the rules will change. Blood partners will work together only in life-threatening situations," said Raphael again.

"Then? Even before that we agreed to separate. I left the jaguar team," said Valerie firmly.

"Yes, but that's not enough for them," Raphael rubbed his face.

"They decided to assign me to another state, away from you," Raphael said in a low voice. He looked displeased when he said it.

"What? Isn't that too much? I'm already in a different division than you,"

"They said they had to make sure that my logic and rationality went well. They said that after some time, we could see each other more often."

"They separated the two of us?" Valerie looked very angry. She unconsciously shed tears because of it.

"What did we do wrong?"

"I know, but, it's a condition of the generals if I want to defend my new title and post," Raphael lowered his head.

"You have to remember, that we are knights who must obey orders," Raphael hugged her head to comfort her.

"I'm worried that we'll be forever apart," Valerie muttered quietly. She didn't expect those words to leave her lips because she herself had never thought about it before.

Raphael tightened his embrace, gave a soft kiss on her forehead and hair while stroking it with pain in his chest. They couldn't live a normal husband and wife life, because of their status as both knights. Their lives, owned by the Florentian military. As long as they still swear allegiance and wear uniforms— they couldn't refuse.

"I can't argue with that. Maybe I unconsciously made subjective decisions about you.. Because I know I love you Valerie," Raphael admitted his feelings.