Chapter 104 - The State Of Jalad-Hur

When Raphael expressed his feelings, Valerie didn't answer right away. Of course she was happy that Raphael considered his marriage no mere formality. She was happy to know Raphael didn't hold back his growing feelings for her. Valerie couldn't deny that when that happened she felt a sense of emotion welling up. She seemed to have escaped from reality and entered a fantasy realm where she saw the elves dancing among the jacaranda trees that were in full bloom.

All right, that was exaggerating But Valerie didn't know how to describe her feelings at that moment. Valerie responded by hugging her husband and giving him a kiss. At the very least, she wanted to show that Valerie was happy with his confession. Raphael didn't look shy. He was an honest man who used to tell the truth. He didn't feel like saying love was a shame.

He also did not expect anything from his wife. But at that time, Valerie knew that the burden he had might exceed Valerie. She did not dare to confirm her own heart; does she feel the same way? They just got married. Even though Raphael was the perfect vampire with all the qualities that might be hard to find in other men— Valerie wasn't a woman who fell in love easily.

Raphael wasn't disappointed that Valerie didn't answer his feelings right away. Whether there was love or not, the two of them were blood partners. Valerie had belonged to him and Raphael made sure Valerie wouldn't even think about seeking comfort from other men. He could be patient, he could wait. Valerie was part of his future plans and he would strive for it.

It had been a month since then, and they were busy with work again. Raphael had confessed to Valerie that he met Duke Dubois. He explained about Valerie's decision as well as the military's new policy of not always being able to keep them together. However Duke Dubois was no longer stubborn. He understood Valerie's decision and hoped that she and Raphael would do their best for Florentia.

When Valerie heard it, she didn't respond much. Her father's overly calm reaction raised many questions. Maybe he had made a secret deal with the generals again. He didn't just rely on Raphael to protect her. Dubois had done that before and there was no reason he wouldn't do it again.

Unfortunately, Valerie wouldn't be that strict to follow with the generals. She probably wouldn't disobey their rules or orders. But Valerie was also prepared to act on her own like she did when she killed Gunther. Valerie had studied a pile of Florentia's military regulatory documents and she just needed to be sure that she hadn't made a fatal mistake.

Valerie played the piano keys in front of her with ease. It was almost the third week that she had disguised herself as Celia Durant. Apparently, she didn't directly work in the house of the Avalon royal family she was targeting. There weren't many connections that could help her sneak there except one way; one of the royal members had to recruit her himself.

For all that, Celia must appear as a true Avalon. She became a piano teacher for twin boys of Miriam Richie. She was a high-class socialite in Avalon's Vampire Circle. She was a vampire who firmly believed that their rank was far above humans. She didn't hesitate to say that humans were like cattle to vampires.

Celia Durant was the second daughter of a talented Count. She was not a fully fictional character. The Durant family was still alive and well in one of the states of Avalon. It was said that the Durant family was secretly a supporter of Florentia and was willing to lend his family name for Florentia's interests. Valerie didn't really understand how it worked. Clearly, she came to Richie's residence without any major problems.

"Excellent Miss Celia, I've never heard such a beautiful piano playing before," a short blonde haired noblewoman clapped elegantly for her.

Valerie nodded no less elegantly and gave a smile to her listeners. After showing her good work as her children's piano teacher— Valerie was finally invited to a drinking party with the nobles in the state of Jalad-hur.

This was a city that had a very strong Avalon feel. No human servants. They didn't even employ humans as coachmen or gardeners once. Humans cannot live there. Their duke made sure every human who set foot there was prey. Humans who stay more than two days there would be forcibly sacrificed. It was a neutral land of humans. Humans in Jalad-hur were like cattle imported from other states.

The Richie family home had cages of poor humans who were ready to be harvested. They were not allowed to talk, chained and metal mouth bands kept them from moving or trying to call for help. Some were old, some were very young. Avalons were not very picky about prey. However, sometimes when they find a handsome or beautiful prey, they will invite their colleagues to drink together.

Like this time. When Valerie returned to her desk to socialize, she saw a handsome man with red hair with slightly dark skin. Maybe he was a lost Florentian knight. Valerie felt pity, felt his life was wasted. Though he looked healthy and could have a bright future if he hadn't been caught by the avalon vampires.

Valerie couldn't act rashly. She had to focus on her mission. She couldn't let pity take over. Even if she saw the king Dimitri Avalon in front of her eyes— she wasn't allowed to kill him. It didn't matter if it was a rare opportunity or even if he was careless.

The poor man looked pale, all his zest for life had evaporated. His soul had probably been shaken and he was now resigned to waiting for death. He was young, and there was a trace of joy on his gloomy face. The boy reminded him of Kyle. Valerie, who has learned to interact with humans, felt the current situation was unfair.

The humans could be on par with the vampires. Like Kyle Brennan who was an archery genius, or Margaret Rain who was a skilled technician. The avalon vampires were too proud to accept that fact. They fear that humans feel they have a chance to fight back. They try to suppress and make them even give up before fighting. Therefore, what Florentia did was betrayal to Avalon.

Vampires, especially those of pure blood, did not reproduce easily. They were endangered. Creating a new Vampire with the bite method in the neck was also not a way out. Because they were not easy to control and did not always produce good offspring.

Half of their children could be born as ordinary humans. The vampires drank recklessly too. They could infect other humans quickly and threaten to reduce the human population. It would create new confusion and worry. That said, Avalon has made the rules. No more vampires infecting humans.

"Ah, Miss Celia, come sit beside me," Miriam Richie waved her hand for Valerie to come closer. She walked gracefully and sat next to her. Valerie wore an understated soft pastel pink dress, and natural makeup. Her presence was quite a contrast to other noble ladies who wore fluffy clothes with lots of ornaments. But she didn't lose her noble aura. She didn't look uncomfortable at all and blended in well.

Her real identity was Valerie Chastain, a young socialite who was also friendly with this kind of hospitality. Her vast knowledge, unpretentious demeanor and skill of praise have made Lady Miriam Richie fond of her. She later involved Valerie in many of her activities. She was not too impressed with her skill at playing the piano. She wasn't the best piano player, even though her teacher used to say that her skills were on par with the performers in the capital.

Lady Richie's twin sons were already busy doing other things like practicing swordsmanship or horse riding. They are eleven years old yet they were already allowed to drink directly from their human prey. The children of the nobility—despite their cute appearance—were said to be sadistic. Their childish behavior were displayed in the way they torture their prey before being killed for their blood.

of the many states that Valerie has visited. Jalad-Hur was the worst. Right now, in the majestic and luxurious dining hall— They were talking and laughing at each other. While some of them started to pierce the skin of the red-haired youth with a knife. Blood oozed from the wound and they licked it naturally. While the handsome young man shed tears hoping his suffering would end soon.

"You're lucky, Lady Celia. Today, we have a special guest," Lady Miriam told her.

"Oh I can't wait, lady Miriam, wish I was wearing more decent clothes," Valerie looked a little disappointed.

"It's okay, she won't mind it, she must like you too Lady Celia," Lady Miriam said confidently.

Not long after that. The door opened, and a beautiful black-haired woman with two maids by her side entered the dining hall.

"Thank you for your invitation, Lady Miriam," the girl bowed her head in courtesy.

"Your Highness Princess Ivanka, welcome to my humble home," Lady Miriam stood up and bowed to her.

Valerie and the other women did the same. Valerie felt her heart pounding. It was for this that she had stayed for almost a month at the Richie residence. She had to get Princess Ivanka to be liked her.

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