Lady Dhampir
Chapter 167

An embarrassed silence ran through the room. Ellias looked like he had been struck by lightning. Milena had said her words as if it was a joke, and even now, she was smiling politely, but a lot of Senators understood this wasn't so funny. A few of them cleared their throats, embarrassed, but soon enough, laughter echoed through the room. Rayan, too, was laughing and grinning, his scar moving along his face.

"That's my wife for you, brother. I guess she's going to put us both to retirement if we don't watch it and to work!" "Indeed..." Muttered Ellias.

Milena took a deep breath, a satisfied smile on her lips. In truth, maybe she belonged more to a battlefield than a castle. She was just as good a fighter as any man out there. She probably missed some practice, but years and years of training under the House De Crescent just couldn't be forgotten so easily. Milena was confident in her abilities, and, for some fleeting seconds, she wondered if she shouldn't have considered going to the battlefield herself indeed.

Rayan put a gentle hand over hers with a smile, putting an end to her day-dreaming.

"Alright, dear brother, enough of teasing my dear wife. Moreover, I believe such a strategic leader will be better overseeing our supplies, troops, and rations from here. Regardless of which one of us eventually goes to battle, we shouldn't underestimate those who will support us from here."

Although he was speaking for Milena, everyone knew those words couldn't apply to Philomenie De Winter. She had literally no military or battling experience whatsoever, and unlike the Princess De Crescent, she wouldn't be entrusted with anything regarding this

war.

"Does anyone else here want to raise any more objections regarding Princess Milena De Crescent's proposal over our Ultimate Progeny Law?" Asked the Royal Secretary.

A lot of Senators were still unhappy but, as they were all glaring left and right, none raised a hand, an objection, or a concern. Milena smiled, satisfied, and Rachael went back to her seat, crossing her legs and sitting straight as if she'd been a queen herself. "Well then, shall we proceed to the vote?"

Despite a lot of grumbling, it was time this vote was held. Milena held her breath, but Rayan gently put his hand on hers, giving her a little smile. Slowly, the votes were counted. Milena could barely contain her excitement. This adrenaline and the blood rush easily beat the nausea that was surging... or maybe not. As the hands were being raised, and counted, Milena began feeling really ill.

"Millie?" Whispered Lucian right next to her.

She tried to nod, or say something, but instead, Milena felt herself leaning forward. Someone caught her, and black dots appeared in front of her eyes.

"Damn it... Guards!"

Milena fought to stay awake, but her head was incredibly heavy. She felt like throwing up, and she just couldn't stand up.

"She needs some water, and fresh air," said someone.

Milena was furious after herself. Couldn't she wait a few more minutes? She felt strong arms suddenly carrying her.

"Continue the vote. We will be back shortly," said a calm voice.

Milena wanted to thank him. She was quickly taken outside of the Council Room, escorted by a handful of people. This was embarrassing. She could hear all the ruckus and whispers her exit had triggered in the Council's room, and she was unhappy with it. All this over some stupid nausea... Someone was still carrying her, and she felt lucky to be able to lean her cheek against the cold fur on his shoulders.

He chuckled softly.

"I didn't think I'd get to carry you like that after you were married..."

"Thank you," she whispered.

"You know we got you, Millie."

Lucian gently sat, still carrying her, and Milena saw Olivia suddenly coming into her field of vision, putting a cup of water in her hands. "Was it..."

"Yes Master Lucian, we double-checked it. Will my Lady be alright?"

"She's just sick from her body fighting off my blood," suddenly declared the Saint's voice behind her. "I guess Dhampir really doesn't go well with our special ability..."

"Your blood?" Repeated Lucian. "Gross..."

"Gross maybe, but it still saved your sister's life, young Duke. Does no one in your family know how to actually say thanks?"

"On really good days, maybe. I still don't trust you, either. If you knew your blood would make her so sick, why didn't you do something before?"

"Believe it or not, she's the first and only dhampir I've tried it on..."

Lucian grimaced. Of course, she was...

Meanwhile, Milena was gratefully drinking the cold water and feeling a lot better from it. It was like cleansing alcohol from her system. She asked for more and more from Olivia, until her stomach felt so full she couldn't take it anymore. Meanwhile, Lucian put his hand over her forehead. It felt strange to see him take his older brother's role, for once... Milena had never realized how tall Lucian had gotten again. Everyone in their family was tall, compared to the average citizen, but Lucian was probably only losing in size to their father now.

"You have a bit of a fever..."

"I'll be alright," protested Milena. "I need to get back to the Council."

"In your state? Are you sure?"

"I'm just feeling intoxicated, I'll be fine. I want to see the results of the vote."

"Millie, you could take a break..."

"We won the vote."

Milena raised her head, seeing Rachael walking in with a large smile on her face.

"Really?" Asked Milena, her heart thumping like crazy.

"Congratulations, Princess, you just wrote your name in all the future history books of our Kingdom... If we still have one left after this war."

"Did they move on to the War?"

Rachael nodded.

"They are appointing generals and second commanders, and overlooking all the military proposals. There are half a dozen, so you have that much time before they really need you. You'll want to be back for the last one, though." "Why?" Frowned Milena.

"...De Winter submitted it," said Rachael, crossing her arms.

"The young Duke Arseus?"

"No, Philomenie."

She turned to the Saint, who had a snicker on. Milena raised an eyebrow.

"Philomenie De Winter submitted a military proposal?" She repeated. "...Is that some sort of joke?"

The Saint rolled his eyes.

"Ugh, this is why I hate you. So self-sufficient, as always. Anyway, you're fine now. I'll go back inside. If you still feel sick, not my problem, your Highness. At least you're alive..."

They watched him walk back inside the Council Room, with his strange walking and flashy blue outfit. Rachael groaned.

"What the hell is it about that guy? What in the world is he?"

"A white one," sighed Milena. "Like the Oracle... I still don't really understand his aim, though. I thought he was a pawn of the Church, but... now it sounds like he and Philomenie are trying to grow out of that."

"Tsk. Good luck with that," snorted Rachael. "Although I did notice Prince Ellias didn't seem too happy about our Princess Airhead's latest interventions... Is it me or has she suddenly turned into some groupie of yours?"

"I don't understand either," sighed Milena. "However, for now, Philomenie is the last one I care about... Also, is it alright for you to come out now?"

Rachael took a deep breath.

"I just... wanted to ask you something."

While saying that, she glanced Lucian's way, who frowned. Milena sighed.

"Lucian can stay."

She was, in fact, still seated on her brother's lap, and it would have been a bit embarrassing to actually ask him to leave now. She understood that Rachael was reluctant to give out any secrets in front of him, because he wasn't a vampire, but Milena knew her brother better. Lucian had no political interest other than their family's, which was also hers. He didn't care much about the fights between humans and vampires, either.

Rachael shrugged.

"Fine... De Crescent, I wanted to ask you if you're still so... sure, about your vote."

"What are you talking about? Wasn't it voted already?"

"I'm not talking about the Absolute Progeny Law. It has been voted and agreed. By a very thin margin, actually, but it is done now. No, I am talking about the War. Are you sure we are still... We should still push for Prince Ellias to go?"

Milena's heart sank. She couldn't believe what she was hearing from Rachael's mouth.

"You can't be serious...?" She muttered, in shock.

The Duchess took a deep breath, her arms crossed. She had an extremely sour expression.

"I'm just... We both know I would never say something like that in normal circumstances. In my heart, Prince Rayan is already my King. You're the Queen this Kingdom needs, Milena. We are not children anymore, I'm not going to keep this rivalry going if I can't say this much. You belong to politics, and I belong to the battlefield, we're past the time we were arguing to get the crown. However, we have a war coming. A real war, a war that might well be the last for this Kingdom." "And you're suggesting we let Prince Ellias become King? What is wrong with you!" Hissed Milena.

"Lower your voice," retorted Rachael. "You know I haven't gone mad yet, so listen to me. Look at the situation, De Crescent. It's not the same it was two days ago. We lost a third of our military leaders. Ellias put half of the vampire families in prison and threw doubt over the whole vampire community with his slander. You saw the Council's reaction, didn't you? This isn't a fair game anymore, De Crescent." "Rayan can still win. We still have so many people by our side, my Father is even in there!"

"I know. You're his greatest ally, and the one everyone else in the vampire community looks up to. You just allowed half of our population the respect they were due to long ago, and you did so in a room filled with men who value their pride over anything else. You're a great leader, De Crescent. We all know that, but this might not be enough. This war is more important than whoever sits on the throne tomorrow. We just cannot afford to lose. However, are you really willing to put the fate of our Country in this imbecile's hands?"

Milena was having a hard time breathing; Not because of the Saint's blood, but because Rachael's words were slowly sinking into her head, and she did not like what they meant. The Duchess De Nova was just as smart as she was. Her reasoning wasn't hard to understand or follow. In reality, Milena hated how much she was right.

This war was about the life and death of their entire Kingdom. All of their army was going to leave for the North. Their Kingdom had already almost fallen just three centuries ago, and they still dealt with the aftermath of that. Each year was harder than the previous one, and the population was growing tired, hungry and cold. They were trying hard to rebuild, to launch new trades and grow their population, but this would all amount to nothing if they lost the war. Maybe in a year from then on, the Giants would reach the Kingdom, and simply wipe them all out. The survivors, if there were any, would die of hunger and cold. There was no miraculous math that would see them survive a defeat.

Rachael, sighed, and put a knee down in front of the Princess. She had done that to be at the same height, but it meant a lot about the respect she felt for a woman she was willing to kneel down to.

"Milena, I'm asking you sincerely. Do you believe Ellias has a greater chance to win this war, than Prince Rayan? He just put all the vampire leaders against him. I am a politician, but as a commander, I do not want to take orders from him. Even if he does a half- decent job of leading us, we both know half of his energy will be spent trying to kill Rayan, or make sure you two can't have children."

"Rachael, this doesn't solve anything," protested Milena. "Even if... we send Rayan into battle, and I don't even want to imagine that, but... if we do, Ellias will become King. He won't be better as a King than he'll be as a Commander!"

"At least he'll be busy playing house here, rather than making a deathbed of the battlefield. More importantly, you'll be here, Milena. That's the most important thing. You'll be here, and I know both Rayan and I will go eyes closed into battle, knowing that you're backing us up here." "T-this is ridiculous," muttered Milena. "You can't be seriously thinking..."

"No, I'm very seriously thinking, Milena. The future of our nation plays today, and trust me, I've been playing all scenarios in my head all day long. However, I just saw you stand in a room, half sick, to convince those arrogant men that their daughters were their future. You have the power of the House De Crescent behind you. If you stay behind, you'll have all the vampires following you, plus a lot of the humans, too. Not everyone is blind, Milena. They know how greedy Ellias is, and even Philomenie is starting to rebel against him. If you stay behind, I'm sure you'll do even more for our people."

"Rachael, we can't do that. Rayan has to be the King. I'll be powerless without him here, if Ellias becomes King..."

"You'll still be Princess Milena De Crescent! Come on, just stop that! I know we're talking about sending your husband to battle, but this is you this is about! Milena, you're the only one who can pull this off. You're the only being both humans and vampires will follow. You're the only one Rayan trusts fully to take care of this Kingdom, and so do I. More importantly, as long as Rayan is gone... We both know Ellias won't do anything to you."

That last sentence hit Milena.

...Rachael was right. The one thing Ellias had feared most, all this time, was for her to conceive a child with Rayan. Milena was the one who could have a baby and ensure his brother's position as the King, but so far, nothing had happened. Moreover, if Rayan was gone, there would be no more reasons to attack her. In the eyes of their enemies, she wouldn't be able to have a child with her husband gone, and she wouldn't be such a menace anymore, just a Princess with limited political power.

"... We both know that idiot still has feelings for you," whispered Rachael. "If he sees the tiniest chance you might still... be his, he won't risk doing anything to you. He's greedy, Milena; He'll try to have you both while his brother is away. However, that means you'll be safe....You're not pregnant, are you?"

Milena glared at Rachael.

No, she knew she wasn't. Milena knew her body well, and despite her irregular periods, she had been watching closely her health in hopes she'd get pregnant soon. Nothing had happened so far that would let her to believe so. Both her maids were helping her notice the smallest sign that might have been a clue, but... so far, nothing. She slowly shook her head.

"No..."

"Then, I'm sorry to say, but that's your luck, Milena. As long as you're not pregnant, Ellias won't do anything to you. Even if Rayan is sent to war, he'll try to kill him, not you. I can protect Rayan on the battlefield and make sure he survives this war, if we can win it. But Ellias De Solar? I seriously doubt that man has anything it takes to win this war."

Milena closed her eyes for a second.

She hated that each sentence Rachael said was a valid point. She didn't want to admit it, but... Sadly, this was where they were at now. Milena wouldn't have allowed herself to think like that if the situation had been the one they had been preparing from the start. If all of their allies had been there, if everything had gone their way. If it wasn't for this attack, and Ellias' actions that had sent so many people to be arrested. However, now, Rachael was the one who saw the bigger picture. The war, and everything it implied. Everything they'd have to face from then on, the next day after this Council. The Duchess sighed.

"I know it's not easy, but... Ellias is delusional about you. If you vote in his favor in this Council, he might even..."

"Rachael, what about Rayan? Have you told him about this?"

"For sure, between training and our morning breakfast... Of course, I didn't! How am I supposed to ask him if he'd be alright with his Princess betraying him for the sake of our whole Kingdom? A bit rude, even for me, don't you think?"

Milena groaned, massaging her temples. She couldn't believe it was all down to this. This was a nightmare. Sending Rayan to war was her worst nightmare, and now, Rachael was almost pushing her to make it real herself. Milena felt sick, again. She took a deep breath.

"Olivia, bring me... something stronger than that."

"W-what? But..."

"Some liquor, or whisky, anything. I need something strong to clean my palate and clear my thoughts."

"I'll have one too," said Rachael.

The maid disappeared, while Lucian helped his sister stand up. She was still holding on and leaning against him while she stood, but Milena just wanted to run to her bedroom. She couldn't believe this was happening. When Olivia returned shortly, carrying a little tray with two glasses and a clear liquid, Milena drank hers in one go. The liquid burned her tongue and throat, but at least, it kicked away her nausea in one try. She took a deep breath.

"...Damn it," she whispered.

"Me too," sighed Rachael.