The Great Vampire General is a Girl! - Chapter 52

For a moment, Valerie felt that time had stopped. She was still trying to digest Raphael’s words. Was he serious? Did he realize what he said? Indeed, in her past life, they were somehow engaged. Perhaps it was just an agreement between the two noble families. Matchmaking was a common thing. Valerie shouldn’t be surprised by that.

But she knew Raphael better now. That man was her teacher, her commander, they even fought together and achieved quite a number of military feats together.

“Wait a minute, sir..are you sure about this? If you want to date me—”

“Valor, we are both nobles. Sooner or later our parents will set us up with someone. Are you sure after our lies are exposed, your parents will not set you up with another noble? What if he strictly forbids you from joining the military?” Raphael said. He explained his logical view.

Valerie thought. Indeed, there were not many female knights. Husbands were usually reluctant to allow their wives to serve in the military. it was a job that required them to be away for months or more frequently. While they were considered more needed to take care of their children and their homes. Therefore the female knights would resign when they got married. Not many female knights reached high ranks. Unless they were willing to be unmarried.

“So, one day we will—get married?” When things got serious, Valerie couldn’t look at this casually anymore. She was nervous, blushing and awkward. Imagining married life with Raphael still seemed strange to her.

Raphael took a deep breath. He tried to sound rational, though a feeling of awkwardness was creeping up on him as well.

“I can propose to you in the near future, Valor. That way, you can return to the military faster..I will take care of it. You can stay as Valor if you want. I do not mind. It’s just, you should know that I see the bond of engagement, let alone marriage, as important. meaning, if you are willing to be with me, each of us must promise to protect the honor of his partner, and not think about seeing another man or woman,” Raphael asserted.

“It’s a common thing for upper-caste nobles like us. political marriages, or bonds on the basis of economic gain. So the presence or absence of love is not something that people like us usually consider. Or—perhaps you wished you would fall in love with someone else? If that’s the case, you better let me know. .I don’t want any scandals,” Raphael explained again.

“Erm, wait a minute. Too many things to think about right now. Yesterday you seemed fine with this. Why now—”

“The problem is you,”

“Why me?”

“Because you think we’re pretending to be dating, that’s why you don’t feel guilty when you get to know another man like Caesar. It makes me look stupid, as if I was being ignored by my own lover,” Raphael looked a little angry at saying that.

“But that’s because I want to seek information from Caesar. Isn’t it in the military we can disguise or do tricks to get information?” Valerie defended herself.

“That doesn’t apply to you, Valor. You are Valerie Dubois..everyone knows you as the duke’s elegant and feminine favorite daughter. You haven’t even officially joined as Florentia’s knights yet. No captain or commander told you to do that. In fact, I’m not even your commander now. Stop acting like you’re a knight and feel entitled to act alone on Florentia’s behalf. You should focus on trying to rejoin the military,” Raphael sounded slightly admonished.

“I see, but— are you willing to accept a future wife like me? I mean, I’m not as graceful as the rumors say,” Valerie asked a little doubtfully.

“I don’t think I have a problem with that. I hate women who are too attached and wait for me to come home everyday. You don’t have to change anything, stay the Valor I know. So, what do you think?”

When saying that, Valerie felt Raphael was a little nervous.

“If you want to propose to me, do it right,” Valerie folded her arms and acted dissatisfied. She didn’t really like everything he talked about. It was as if he was trying to make a long term business contract with Valerie. But this was a marriage. Valerie was hoping for something romantic.

“Yes, I will see Duke Dubois one more time,” said Raphael.

“Did I say that I would be willing? Sir, I also have the right to refuse,” Valerie said seriously. Raphael felt something pressing against his chest area. He didn’t know how disappointed he could be at the thought of Valerie not being willing to accept his proposal. That meant, Valerie would choose another man from the pile of proposals sent to the Dubois residence.

“I don’t think you have any other candidates that fit your criteria. Not many noble men would allow their wives to join the military,” Raphael smiled. He should have won.

“Yeah, but. Can you really see me as a woman?”

“Of course I know you’re a woman, Valor,”

“Then try to call my name properly,” Valerie smirked.

“Huh?”

“You call me Valor too often,” said Valerie, slightly frowning.

“Well, that’s because—”

Raphael felt compelled to do it, he wanted their relationship to remain professional. But still, he had already made a serious proposal to Valerie.

Raphael took a deep breath then grabbed the girl’s hand and held it a little nervously. He looked into her eyes.

“Lady Valerie Dubois, will you marry me?” Raphael finally said it, though he realized that his overly nervous expression wasn’t as elegant as usual.

“Well, if you insist, I will,” Valerie smirked.

“Valor, stop toying with me..I’m serious,” Raphael pursed his lips disapprovingly.

“Sorry, sir. It’s just, I’m afraid my heart will explode if I get too carried away,” Valerie confessed. She lowered her head with a smile and looked the other way.

“When it’s just the two of us, there’s no need to call me sir,” Raphael said quietly, still a little awkward.

“Oh, then what do you want to be called? ‘darling’?” Valerie teased him.

“Valerie, Stop teasing me, grow up a bit,” He grumbled, his ears turning slightly red at this point.

“We’re here,” Valerie pointed out the window. They had arrived at the courtyard of the huge Dubois mansion.

Raphael got off the horse carriage first and helped Valerie out. Her torn clothes were covered by the commander’s mantle so that Valerie still maintained her elegance and pride as a noble woman.

For a moment, Raphael thought that in the future he should take care of Valerie so that no one would look down on her because she was a knight. Being a female knight was not an easy thing for vampires. Valerie would face her true challenge when she uncovers her identity as a woman. She probably won’t be treated equally. Therefore as Valor, she had to achieve many achievements that the other Florentia higher-ups could not ignore. So that when she claimed to be Valerie, they couldn’t belittle her.

“I’ll be waiting for your formal proposal, Raphael—” Valerie said before running into her house feeling flowery.

***

“My Lady, would you like a blue nightgown, or a pink one?” The servant asked.

“Just pink,” said Valerie with a dreamy look.

She sighed, feeling like everything that had happened today seemed unreal. First, she nearly died from an explosion, confronted by Shadows who wanted to marry her and Raphael’s unexpected proposal. She knew that Raphael might have done that because of his logical calculations. He may not really have romantic feelings for her.

Even though Valerie was already preparing to face Raphael professionally. She was no longer blushing when she saw the shirtless commander. Valerie was already immune. It was because she treated Raphael as his colleague. Or his comrades.

But now, she might actually marry Raphael. Valerie gasped. She once again realized her current situation.

She was going to marry Raphael Chastain! Florentia’s hottest bachelors, war heroes and men with established upper caste nobility. Plus he was willing to let his wife join the military. Valerie probably won’t have such a good chance again.

She didn’t think that Raphael would be serious about her. Because he was a stiff person. She even doubted that Raphael liked women. Wait a minute! Valerie was silent. Did Raphael really dislike women and he married Valerie as camouflage?

Or even more sadly, because Valerie likes to dress like men, Raphael finds her attractive?

Whatever it was, Valerie didn’t care. She would make Raphael comfortable with her. As his future wife, Valerie’s job was to accompany and support him. Valerie clenched her fists determinedly. The servants looked at her confused.

“My lady, are you all right? I heard something bad happened in the neighbor town,”

“Oh, that-”

“Kyaaaaa!!!”

When Valerie was about to answer, the maids screamed in fear. A figure of Shadows was now on the veranda of Valerie’s bedroom window. His hair was long and he was tall and thin.

“Finally I found you,” said Lust as he stuck his long tongue licking his own chin.