Lady Dhampir
Chapter 12

Milena had only heard very few things about the Vampire Prince and, like many others, couldn't help but stare when he walked in. She knew he was a Vampire, with the familiar red eyes and black hair like her brother Raphael.

She hadn't expected he would be so similar to his twin, though. Physically, at least. His attitude, however, was nowhere as warm or as welcoming as Ellias'. Rayan stood in the middle of the garden, staring at everyone around him with a defiant attitude. She even felt like she was looking at a block of pure ice. She couldn't feel any warmth coming from him, nothing that made people want to talk to him. Indeed, no one dared to approach the Vampire Prince. While people had flown to Ellias like moths drawn to a flame, everyone safely stayed away from Rayan.

Milena wondered if his scar, too big and visible to be ignored, was part of it. Was it a burn scar? She swiftly got closer to Raphael, who put a protective hand on her shoulder.

"Big brother, the Prince is-"

"Stay away from him, Millie."

Surprised, she looked at Raphael; so did Lucian. This was the first time he gave her a clear warning, and against a member of the Royal Family too. Behind them, many other nobles were whispering while looking at the Prince.

Like them, some of the other children had gathered in small groups. Her cousin Helena joined them, saluting Raphael first.

"It's been a while, Helena."

"It has been, my cousin. I'm sad we don't get chances to see each other like this more often..."

Indeed, it was not often that Human and Vampire children could meet.

First, events for the noble children weren't supposed to occur in the late afternoon. At that time, most wealthy families would be reuniting for dinner, not meeting with others. If there was a party, it would occur later, when Human children went to sleep. Moreover, because it was so cold at night, only special occasions required Humans to go out after the sun had set. Hence, it was also unusual for Vampires and Humans to hold parties together.

However, because this Tea Party was organized by the Queen herself, everyone had no choice but to come if summoned.

Raphael's hand was cold on his sister's shoulder, and there was some snow remaining on his coat. All the Vampires who had come either met with their younger siblings, if there were any among the Humans, or stayed between themselves.

The wall between Humans and Vampires was almost visible. Milena knew of it beforehand, but it was the first time she was seeing it for herself. The difference in attitude between the Princes made it even more palpable. Rayan walked up to his mother, greeting the Queen politely, but didn't add anything else.

Only when the Queen left his side to speak to someone else did people start moving. Just as the Human children had walked over to Ellias' side, a handful of Vampire kids walked over to greet Rayan.

"Big brother... Are all the Vampire children here?" asked Milena.

"Most."

She slowly nodded, taking note of what was going on. The children that had greeted Ellias were staying away from Rayan, and the other way was also true.

"Are they already... taking sides?" She asked.

"It cannot be helped," whispered Raphael. "The family of Human nobles will try to make sure Prince Ellias is named Crown Prince, while the Vampires wish for a Vampire King..."

Suddenly, three girls, all Vampires, walked their way and respectfully bowed to Milena.

"Our respects, my Lady."

A bit surprised, Milena bowed back, but she had no idea who she was talking to until they introduced themselves.

"It is an honor to meet you. I am young Marquess Verity De Katsein," said one.

"My name is Soria De Niebe, my Lady."

"And I am you... young Countess Clara De Rosella."

The last one looked very young and spoke as if she was reciting a text.

"Nice to meet you all," said Milena, a bit awkward.

"My Lady, would you accept this invitation to my next Tea Party?" suddenly said Niebe, handing her a black letter.

Inviting someone in person was considered a bit rude, as she was basically forcing Milena to accept it, and thus to attend her Tea Party. But Milena nodded to the Marquess' words and took her letter without showing her surprise. "It would be a pleasure, Marquess. I look forward to it."

As soon as she had taken the letter, Niebe's face enlightened, and she quickly excused herself before leaving, followed by the two others. Lucian frowned.

"... What was that?"

"They were probably sent out by their parents..." sighed Raphael. "Don't worry, Milena, there won't be any problem even if you don't go."

Milena already knew that. Putting the letter into one of her hidden pockets, she looked at the three girls who had gone to see another girl, a Vampire who looked her age.

Accepting the Marquess' invitation actually didn't mean much, except that she would also be participating in Vampire gatherings. If any noble had doubted which side she was on, Milena was sending a clear message: she hadn't picked one yet. She would be socializing with both Vampires and Humans her age.

"Millie, Lucian, I need to go salute my friends. You can go and meet other people. We will leave later, all right?"

"Yes, big brother," they answered back.

Raphael left, and they watched him greet other young Vampires like him. Lucian sighed.

"I wish I could make Vampire friends, too."

"You should. Look, there are many Vampire children our age here. Let's go talk to them?"

"They don't like talking with Humans... We can't even go to the same parties until we're older, too. You're lucky, Milena."

"Are you really?"

They turned around, surprised to hear another voice join the conversation. To both their surprise, Prince Rayan was standing behind them, with a little smirk on his face. Milena made a polite reverence, immediately imitated by her brother. "It's our pleasure to meet you, Your Highness."

"Is it? You looked like you appreciated my brother much more, Duchess."

She was completely taken aback by his bluntness. Trying to remember all that she learned with her grandmother, Milena thought of a polite answer.

"I only happened to have met His Highness Prince Ellias before I met Your Highness."

"How convenient. The quiet little girl reading books in the Royal Library? Is there such a coincidence? Or are you trying to score points before your rivals?"

Milena could barely believe her ears. How manipulative did he think she was! She was only nine years old, how could she even know she would have met the Prince by going to the Royal Library once!

"Aren't you too quick to judge me, Your Highness? Is it not fine for someone to simply enjoy books?"

"Don't be so naive, Duchess. You're already a pawn in the hands of your family. Doesn't the De Crescent House have a library? Is it too small for you already?"

"I happen to be quite a fast reader, Your Highness. Though our family's library is quite admirable, there are some rare books that can only be found at the Royal Library and read there."

The Prince's eyes shone for a brief moment, and he clicked his tongue.

"So quick-witted. It's curious how well you can talk, Duchess. Seems like you're back on your feet so easily after only nine months of recovering your title and place..."

"It is because I've experienced hardships outside of my ranking at birth that I've learned to not rely solely on my title, Your Highness."

Milena had voluntarily emphasized her last words, even if she was a bit impolite. But this rude prince had hit a nerve, and she was not going to let him insult her this way. Did he really suspect she was some sort of imposter? On her left, Lucian was totally lost. Prince Rayan was one year older than him, but his sister was replying so well and fast, he didn't dare to say a word. One couldn't ignore the animosity between them, though, and he felt nervous because of that.

After a few seconds of silence, Rayan sighed.

"Looks like the Dhampir Duchess is worth all of the chatter..."

"I'll take that as a compliment, Your Highness"

"Don't rely on your fame, Duchess. Being a curiosity will not help you for long."

"I never intended it to. Actually, I would like it better if people treated me normally."

"Normally? As a Vampire or a Human?"

"Is there a difference?"

Milena's last sentence seemed to finally surprise Rayan, who didn't answer back, just staring at her for a long time. It was like he was re-evaluating her, but nothing in his expression betrayed what he was really thinking. Milena, however, couldn't properly hide it; he had managed to really annoy her.

"We'll see if you can still say so after a few years, Duchess. If you survive, that is."

"Trust me, Your Highness, I'll work on that diligently."

Rayan chuckled.

"I hope so. It would be boring for you to get killed too soon."

"Why would anything happen to the young Duchess, son?"

Milena was speechless. First the Prince, and now the Queen was talking to her! She glared at her son. Had she heard everything he had told Milena? She was a Vampire, and Milena didn't quite grasp how powerful her hearing was.

She waved her fan a few times and turned to Milena. She was truly a beautiful woman, even more so up close. Milena felt a lot more intimidated than when she was talking with the Princes. The tall lady standing right in front of her was the most powerful woman in the Kingdom!

"Good evening, young Duchess."

Immediately, Milena did her best reverence.

"Good evening, Your Highness."

"Are you having fun at the party, young Duchess?"

"I am, Your Highness. Thank you for your invitation."

With the Queen present, Milena kept looking down, avoiding the stare of Prince Rayan on her. She wished he would go away. It was so nerve-wracking, being torn between the attitude she had to keep in front of the Queen and her annoyance at him.

"I looked forward to meeting the daughter of the House De Crescent. I've heard great things about you already, young Duchess."

Milena was confused. How could the Queen know anything about her already? She had barely left the Manor these last few months!

"It is said you are brilliant in your studies, well-mannered, and smart. Many houses raise their daughters well, but it is admirable how much has been achieved by yours in such a short amount of time."

"Thank you for complimenting my family, Your Highness. I can only thank my great-grandmother, my father, and my older brothers for all they have taught me."

"Has your health been well?"

Milena was confused for a bit. Was she referring to her condition as a Dhampir? Or her poisoning a while ago?

"It is all right, Your Highness. Thank you for your concern."

"... I see. I want to ask you something, young Duchess."

"Yes, Your Highness?"

"What does one need to rule a Kingdom?"