Valerie, a Vampire girl laden with suffering, hailed from the Tepes royal family. However, due to her human bloodline, she was not acknowledged by her kin.
Apart from Gasper and Tenraku, everyone she encountered would bully and mock her. Even when Marius discovered the Sacred Gear within her and brought her out of the castle, he merely exploited her.
The cold and heartless world had tightly sealed the girl's heart. Bullying, mockery, and manipulation had become a norm for Valerie. However, Tenraku's Peerage treated her with care and warmth, unlike anyone she had encountered before.
Even the Fallen Angel claiming to be Tenraku's tool, Raynare, only occasionally teased her, lacking the coldness and malice of other Vampires.
"Valerie-san, is everything alright? Is the food not to your liking?"
Marion asked when she noticed Valerie remained silent, her head hung low. Although both Marion and Burent had prepared the dishes, Valerie had stopped eating after a few bites. Perhaps Vampire's taste preferences differed, but Gasper seemed to be enjoying his meal.
"N-no, the food is delicious. I just... I just..." Valerie quickly wiped her slightly reddened eyes, struggling to express herself.
"From now on, we are your family, and no one will bully you. Hurry and eat; the food is getting cold." Understanding the girl's emotions, Tenraku spoke.
"Yes, Tenraku-sama..." Feeling a warm surge, Valerie nodded. Eating a simple meal brought her to tears several times. Everyone couldn't help but feel compassion for this girl who had endured so much suffering.
After dinner, Marion and Burent prepared a tea time for everyone. Valerie gradually adapted to the atmosphere, feeling less constrained than at the beginning.
"Valerie, tell us your story now. I should have already warned you that even if you awakened the power of the Sacred Gear, you should be careful to hide it. How did you still get discovered?" Tenraku inquired after sipping some black tea.
"I'm sorry, Tenraku-sama." Valerie explained the circumstances of how she awakened her Sacred Gear's power and was subsequently discovered with an apologetic expression on her face.
Listening, Tenraku shook his head incessantly. That's the Valerie he knew!
"The power of the Holy Grail is formidable but also dangerous. In your current state, you cannot control it. Although I have healed the injuries on your body, continuing to use the Holy Grail's power will again consume your body and mind."
"Valerie, I need your Sacred Gear. Can you give it to me?" Without beating around the bush, Tenraku directly stated his intention.
"Tenraku-sama needs my Sacred Gear?"
"Yes, you saw how I took Gasper's Sacred Gear before, right? By seizing others' Sacred Gears, I can gain more power. Currently, I have powerful enemies to deal with and need more strength."
"Valerie, can you give me your Sacred Gear?"
"Sure, if Tenraku-sama needs it, take it."
Looking confused, Valerie evidently didn't quite grasp Tenraku's meaning. However, if Tenraku-sama needed her Sacred Gear, she would gladly give it.
"Your Sacred Gear is a precious Longinus. Think it over carefully. Even if you make some requests, I will agree to them."
It was surprisingly easy to get her consent. Tenraku didn't know if she was simple or just plain naive, sighing as he said, "It's okay. You're just someone born to be taken advantage of. Wait for me in my room later."
Without bothering to say much more, Tenraku stood up, then, embracing Xuelan's waist, he walked into his room.
...
Standing at the entrance of Tenraku's room, Valerie hesitated.
Gasper mentioned that the process of having one's Sacred Gear seized was very painful, causing Valerie a small amount of fear. However, soon, the hesitation in Valerie's eyes was replaced by determination.
It was Tenraku who rescued her from that cold and despairing world. Both she and Gasper owed Tenraku a tremendous debt. If she could help Tenraku even a little, what did a small amount of pain matter?
"Tenraku-sama, I am Valerie."
No longer hesitating, Valerie knocked on the door. It didn't take long for the door to open, but instead of Tenraku, a very beautiful elder sister stood before her. Valerie remembered her name as Yubelluna, apparently Tenraku's Queen.
"Come in, Tenraku-sama has been waiting for you."
Yubelluna smiled and led Valerie into the room. However, upon seeing the scene inside, Valerie first froze and then blushed uncontrollably.
In the room, Xuelan stood beside Tenraku, while Isabela was lying in Tenraku's embrace, passionately entwined in a heated kiss.
"Wait a moment; Tenraku-sama and the others will finish soon."
Yubelluna smiled faintly, thinking Valerie truly was a naive girl. She then said, "Hmm..."
Unable to lift her head, the embarrassed Valerie could only wait patiently.
No one spoke, and the entire room was filled only with the intense sound of Tenraku and Isabela's passionate kissing. It wasn't until more than ten minutes later that the two finally ended their fervent exchange.
"Hā… Hā…"
Satisfied, Tenraku licked his lips, and Isabela, still in a state of bliss, lay in his arms, breathing heavily.
"Come here, Valerie."
Assisting Isabela to rest on the side, Tenraku called out, "Ah..."
"Yes, Tenraku-sama."
Regaining her composure, Valerie hurriedly walked over to Tenraku.
Seeing the girl's flustered and embarrassed demeanor, Tenraku couldn't help but chuckle. As the saying goes, a woman undergoes a transformation at eighteen. Initially a little loli, Valerie had now grown into a stunning and elegant young lady.
Time really flies...
"Taking the Sacred Gear will be a bit painful; I'll try to be gentle, and you endure a bit."
Brushing Valerie's forehead, Tenraku spoke.
"Y-yes, Tenraku-sama."
Seeming still flustered by what happened earlier, Valerie responded nervously.
"Well then, let's begin."
Without further ado, Tenraku directly activated the ability of Sacred Gear Plunder. One hand plunged into the girl's chest...
To be continued...
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