Lady Dhampir
Chapter 109

That was the kind of kiss that made one feel like she truly was a woman. It wasn't just about the sweet forcefulness of his lips, it's was all about her own sensations. Milena was young, but she knew what desire was, how it felt like. To taste one's stranger lips, and want more. When Rayan was kissing her, she felt like she was stepping onto a f*******n land, something that was calling out to her and playing with her reason. She couldn't stay reasonable.

Milena let him kiss her forcefully, a bit ashamed and a bit thirsty. She liked it and wanted more. She was getting slowly used to this, to the vampire Prince's reckless kissing. There was something a little bit dirty about it too, something that made her blush a little and fed the thrill. Technically, they weren't even properly engaged yet, but they had already gone too far, and there was no coming back from that...

When he finally slowed down, Rayan got lower, to kiss her cheek, her jaw, and finally, her neck. His cold lips on her skin sent delicious chills down Milena's spine. How could she have become so addicted already? She should have been a bit ashamed or at least pretending she wasn't, but no matter what, the thirst was there. For someone who knew the thirst herself, it was even worse to know that she wanted to be bitten. Were the ones she fed on feeling like that too anytime she pushed her fangs onto their skin? No one had complained, but no one had ever seemed as troubled as she was whenever she let Rayan bit her. Milena blushed a little more.

The vampire prince did not bite her, though. His lips were nibbling her skin, playing with it, and making that sweet pink bloom under the surface, but his fangs did not even come close. Milena frowned. She was a bit disappointed, but once again, also too proud to ask.

He chuckled against her neck, leaving one selfish kiss there.

"Some other time, my Lady. I wouldn't want to mess you up... At least, not too soon."

His taunting words made her blush, and Milena pushed him away a bit to show her annoyance. Moreover, she was messed up enough already. The young Duchess wiped her runny makeup and tried to tame her lipstick, hoping she wasn't looking too much like someone who had cried like a child just minutes ago. The Prince smiled, gently helping her adjust herself too. His fingers running through her hair to put back the wild locks of raven her couldn't have been more efficient in making her just embarrassed again. She took several deep breaths to calm herself down. At least, she felt a bit better. It was as if the ice had melted between Rayan and her, and she didn't feel as cautious as before. She didn't really protest when he put a not so innocent hand down her back too. "Feeling better?"

"I don't have many tears left to cry," she retorted, sulking a bit.

"I could get used to salty kisses."

"I do not plan on crying or whining like a child either."

"We'll see. For now, you should put on your strong front. We still need to learn what we can from that maid..."

Milena let out a long sigh, closing her eyes to cool herself down a little. Actually, she had a headache from so many emotions, and her throat was dry. Rayan gave her some time, knowing she wasn't really as calm as she let on. The Duchess actually took him by surprise, putting her hands around his neck, either for comfort or for support, he couldn't tell. Yet, Milena seemed to feel better like that, and he was not going to complain about it.

"...I don't think she knows more than what she said," she sighed. "I think... We should get to the streets directly."

"That black market... I'll need to investigate."

"Don't tell me you've never heard of it," grimaced Milena. "You have spies everywhere..."

"Like everyone, but the black market can mean a lot of things. Sometimes it's some illegal trading, sometimes it involves the underground network, and sometimes it's just some stupid nobles looking for something they shouldn't."

"That woman... She said something like they were looking for dhampir children. It sounds like it never was about me as the young Duchess. Just about dhampirs, any dhampir... It is supposed to be extremely rare, though. The previous one was..." "Lady Silvra, a few hundred years ago. I know. This is why I really don't like it..."

Milena frowned, looking up to him.

"Do you think it's possible? That other dhampirs were born and simply... missed?"

The Prince looked as perplexed as she was, but his frown had nothing joyous. He nodded slowly.

"It could be... There are some vampires among the common people too. Even among the nobles, there could have been some secret births we don't know about."

Milena agreed. Child trafficking was nothing new for her. Maybe it was time to give a visit to Bandit, and see if there was anything new from the streets' perspective.

Behind them, someone gently knocked at the door, and the two of them separated a bit, although the Vampire Prince had no intention to take his hand off. Milena invited them in, and a maid came in first, followed by Valentin and Briseis. "Are you alright, Millie?" Asked her older brother, although his eyes suspiciously went towards the Prince, and his hand on his sister's lower back.

Milena didn't realize that. Actually, for her older brother to suddenly use her nickname in public meant he was really worried about her. Valentin was the only one of her brothers who was even stiffer than her about protocols and the like. "Yes, I'm alright... How did the... interrogation go?"

"Father is done. That maid truly didn't seem to know much. She did give a name, though. A manhunter called Marim. Apparently, he was the one who put her in contact with the men from the auction. He had all the information about the people looking for Dhampirs, too, although he was careful not to share too much with that woman."

"The men from the auction were arrested around eight years ago, right?" Asked Rayan.

Milena had vague memories of the Knights De Crescent barging into that scary place, and taking her out of it. Gunshots were exchanged too, and though she was protected from most of the sight and sounds, she could remember the ruckus. It had probably been a wide operation. Milena frowned and turned to her brother.

"How did you know? About the auction... How did you replace me?"

"The House De Crescent was only advised two hours prior by the Royal Guards," Valentin explained. "They were about to dismantle a large operation involving some illegal goods, and they had word about several creatures captured. A lot were animals from rare species destined to be sold at high prices, but then, there was a rumor, an intel about a little girl with purple eyes, too. So, as soon as we got the word, Father hurried there with our Knights and got involved right before everything happened." "Did you replace anything about the actual buyers?"

"No... The men we captured were only employed, and whoever paid them made sure they kept their lips sealed or had nothing to spill. The only clues we found were from a couple of Noble Houses who had provided some of the... rare pets sold, but that was it. The King punished them, but they were nothing more than pawns once again."

Milena nodded and rubbed her chin with her finger, thinking.

"It sounds like we need to get both the head and the tail of the snake," she said. On one end, who were the buyers interested in buying all the creatures, the ones who were supposed to attend that auction, and the providers. From what you said, there were multiple, but it also means anyone could have sent anything to sell."

"It does sound like a network," said Briseis. "We could check the list of the retrieved... goods and living beings, see if we can replace any clue."

"Is that still available?" Asked Milena, a bit surprised. "It's been years..."

Briseis smiled.

"Of course. The Royal Archivists keep track of absolutely everything, and such a big operation from the Royal Guards ought to have been kept in some file. I will replace it, Lady Milena, you can count on me."

"We could do some field investigation as well," said Rayan. "Find what this black market is about, who knows about it, and how to get there. There has to be someone in town who can help us replace that manhunter." Valentin grimaced, glancing at his sister.

"You sound like you want to go there yourself, but if you'll pardon me, I am not sure that kind of operation is very... suited to you and my younger sister, your Highness. Maybe we should consider sending some of our people?"

Milena and Rayan exchanged a glance. If it was about field action, they both had some first-hand experience at it, and their previous nightly outing in some shady part of the City had indeed ended quite in a surprising way. Rayan had one of his wry smiles on, and Milena could tell they were not remembering the same part of it.

"Don't worry, older brother," she sighed. "His Highness and I will do just fine by ourselves."

Valentin seemed unhappy and shook his head.

"This sounds extremely risky, Milena. Moreover, with your wedding coming up sometime soon..."

"Nothing better than some date downtown to get to know my fiancé," responded Rayan.

He got a glare from the older brother De Crescent, but Milena did nothing to stop either of them. She knew well that neither of them could afford to really go against the other. She crossed her arms.

"Where is Father?"

"He went to... wash off."

Milena grimaced. That was the part about her father she did not want to know about. She sighed and nodded.

"Do not worry, Valentin. We will simply go downtown and ask some questions. I'll be perfectly safe with his Highness and Blanche, too."

"If you go to the... not so respectable parts of the City though, I'd suggest you disguise yourselves a little," said Briseis. "The two of you are very recognizable, even for the last of idiots."

Milena exchanged a glance with Rayan. Indeed, they both had some very noticeable traits. Milena wondered how they could hide his scar and her purple eyes...

"Fine, Lady Yasina should be around, I bet she can do something about it. Actually, Lady Briseis, could you reach out to Lady D'Aventur as well? If there is anything to know from an illegal business, there is no way she hasn't heard of it. Maybe she will help us replace out where to start..."

"I will, my Lady."

Just as she was about to add something, Milena witnessed Blanche coming in. The silver wolf was l*****g her lips, and Milena felt a strong smell of blood coming from her. She had probably taken part in that "interrogation" too... Blanche slowly walked to her, despite grasping everyone's gazes, and very purposely, put herself between Rayan and Milena. The young Duchess raised an eyebrow; Despite her obvious attitude, the wolf sat down and innocently kept [*****g herself. The Prince too was looking at her a bit confused. Blanche was almost sitting on his foot, making him step to the side and let go of Milena.

"Well... I suppose we have a date then, my Lady?" Asked Rayan with a smile.

"Before that," loudly said Valentin. "Your Highness and my sister have some paperwork to sign."

Milena actually found adorably cute how protective her older brother was now acting. Valentin was the type to express himself through actions rather than words, and he was rarely as vocal as he was when keeping her away from men... Including her future fiancé. It took a lot more to break Rayan's confidence, though, as he extended his arm to Milena.

"If my Lady is willing to follow me, I'm all the more eager to take care of the paperwork, for once."

For a second, Milena wondered if Blanche would really dare bite the Prince, but the silver wolf finally moved. Lady Briseis had her eyes on the creature, but she didn't dare ask, probably out of respect for Milena. Rayan and Valentin weren't surprised by now, but Milena noted that Blanche should probably set herself on an appearance to keep in public from now on, something a bit more... domestic and less than a wolf. Probably her cat form.

They walked to the Royal Office, and there, Briseis was happy to lend them a hand to go through all sorts of officials and papers to sign. Rayan obviously hated paperwork and only moved when his signature was needed. Because a nuptial agreement of a Royal Couple was such a big deal, it was taking a rather long time, and even Milena got annoyed at some point. Thankfully, the House De Crescent had already submitted most documents needed. She noted to send a word to thank Diggory later.

"Alright, that is it," announced one of the Royal attendants. "The young Duchess Milena De Crescent and His Highness the Royal Prince Rayan De Solar are officially betrothed as of today's date. You have five months to agree on a wedding date and sent it to the Royal Office... But of course, that won't be an issue! All my Congratulations, Your Highnesses!"

With a bright smile, the young man sorted their papers, and they could finally leave the offices. It was already late outside. Milena stretched a bit. The corset was getting harder to wear as the day went on, and her heels were aching from standing all day. Rayan looked fine and grabbed her hand to kiss it.

"Congratulations to us, my Lady. How shall we celebrate? A bottle of blood under the moonlight? A night ride? Or..."

"We should go downtown and start asking questions as soon as possible," said Milena, ignoring him. "I hope Yasina can pull something convincing..."

The Prince frowned.

"Lady De Citrin is most likely a very smart lady, enough to have gone home by now, my Lady. Us, however, have the entire evening to ourselves. You can spend another night at the Royal Palace, and..."

"Eager to consume that wedding, your Highness?"

Rayan lost his smile faster than Milena, for once. The young Duke Arseus de Winter was in the stairs behind them, glaring at him with a nasty smile. Milena grimaced. Of all people she could have run into, there was one she truly didn't need any congratulations from. Moreover, he looked in a terrible mood, probably because he realized she would never be his like he had hoped. Still, those eyes were still going over her with a disgusting [**t in them, giving Milena shivers that had nothing to do with the cold.

"A man should enjoy what he gets indeed," mocked Arseus. "Your Highness, I am surprised at your choice, though. Weren't you interested in other options as well?"

Rayan extended his smile, stretching his scar without an ounce of fun in it.

"A man needs to take the best dishes and leave the bones to the dogs," he retorted.

The insult was barely hidden, making the young Duke go red.

"You shouldn't act so arrogant, Prince Rayan," he retorted. "You are not King yet."

"Thank you, Sir Obvious, I'll take good note of that information. Is there actually something worth wasting precious seconds of my time with my fiancé that should have us stay any longer in your presence?"

Arceus made a sour face, coming down a few stairs and getting closer. Rayan moved to get closer to Milena too, but Blanche was clearer and started to growl at the Duke. The young Duke De Winter glared at the silver wolf.

"That thing again... You should learn to control your dog, Duchess."

"Too bad your sister isn't there to hear that advice," Milena retorted.

Arseus became red, but he was defeated, and neither Milena nor Rayan were going to stay there to indulge his sourness any longer. Without any word, he left, but neither of them held him back to teach him about politeness. Milena shook his head. "That pervert... That's one thing, at least he'll finally leave me alone."

"I had almost forgotten he had his eyes on you..." Hissed Rayan, still pissed.

"Well, maybe our engagement will keep the dogs at bay."

"He'd better. I picked a long sword and if anyone comes around, I'll gladly have those idiots turn around and see if it fits..."

Milena chuckled.

"Blanche gets first to pick, though, Your Highness." She retorted. "Sometimes she needs something to sharpen her fangs on some fresh meat... And it's going to be you or them."