Lady Dhampir
Chapter 177

"....So the majority rules. The Commander of the Fifth Division is now Knight Gabriel De Hyacinth. Lady Alexis De Carseus is exceptionally appointed as the Commander of the Eighth Division. Upon return to the Kingdom, her military merits will be weighed into her pending trial for being a suspect in the attack of the Grand Princess by her cousin, Alban De Carseus."

Milena let out a silent sigh of relief. This had been a tough one, but they had done it. She glanced to the side, and indeed, she was able to witness that bitter expression on Ellias' face... He was glaring at her cousin Gabriel, probably thinking he wouldn't have dared to betray him. Milena wondered what he had initially promised the Hyacinth family to get them on his side... or perhaps he had thought their newfound loyalty towards the House De Winter would extend to him. Either way, it wasn't her problem anymore. She turned to her husband, and despite his tired expression, Rayan answered with a smile, gently kissing her temple. No one seemed to mind them interacting in public anymore, as if everyone had decided to turn a blind eye. Only Ellias' glare could be felt, but Milena ignored it.

"Thank you, De Crescent," said Rachael, turning to Valentin with a bright smile. "I owe you another one..."

"Please let the House De Nova remember that this debt lies with my sister," replied Valentin.

"I will."

To Milena's surprise, Rachael marched towards her, and leaned forward, discreetly passing her something in her hand.

"This is a little thanks from me. I know you had been interested in our House's Scientific research for a while... Now you'll be seen as a guest to our home. Show this to my Father, and he'll let you know anything you want."

Milena was shocked. She had almost forgotten she had asked Rachael to share the information she had, after everything that had happened... The new Duchess had certainly shifted the interests of the House De Nova towards weapon development and military research, but they were nonetheless one of the most powerful families of scientists... Milena shivered just at the mere thought she'd get to walk into their library, ask questions to some of the most brilliant minds of their era. It probably hadn't been easy for Rachael to convince her Father, after centuries of rivalry between their families... However, things had certainly changed between the two heiresses, and the situation called for such alliances now. Carefully putting the envelope into one of her pockets, Milena greeted the Commanders as they walked out, but to her surprise, Bryce De Boreal walked up to her.

"Grand Princess... I may have a slim favor to ask you."

"To me?" Repeated Milena, surprised.

"My brother... Henry. I know the House De Boreal hasn't been very... supportive of you from the beginning, and to be honest, I can also see why. However... Henry is the only vampire of our House left since Queen Lyriana and our mother died. He will have a lot more pressure coming from all sides, so... take care of him, please." That was a request she wasn't expecting.

Milena had met Henry several times, of course, but she'd never gotten close to him. She knew he had been a friend of Valentin and Lucian through their knighthood training, but... In her eyes, he was still the busiest and most secretive of the De Boreal sons. Perhaps because he had been born as a vampire in a mostly human family, and could be replaced at any moment by one of his younger brothers or cousins, he had gotten sterner over the years. Even now, there was a big question mark hovering over the House De Boreal. Milena had pushed the events with Queen Lyriana to the back of her mind, but... nothing was really solved yet. She highly suspected the Oracle herself had played a big part in those events, but... it didn't mean it wasn't the case for the De Boreal family, as well. Still, she couldn't refuse a request from her brother's best friend. Bryce was a nice gentleman, and he was pleading so honestly to her... There was no specific request, either. Asking a woman of power to take care of his brother could also be interpreted as Milena giving Henry some fair warning or leniency if things went wrong... There was no real promise made, it was more about showing some understanding.

"...I will."

Bryce politely bowed to her with a gentle smile before leaving. Milena let out a long sigh. Things had really changed, once again... She looked around, but Rayan was also finishing his discussion with the last General to leave. Only Ellias had stayed there, slumped in his chair, with a sullen look. Milena stared at him, feeling tired already. As soon as they were left, the three of them, she crossed her arms before he opened fire.

"You're going to be a thorn in my back until the very end, Rayan, aren't you?" He hissed. "Replacing the Commanders like that, just to piss me off?"

"As much as I respect your need to feed your ego, brother," said Rayan, folding back the military maps, "This wasn't about you in any way. We need strong Commanders on the field, and we made sure to have all of them." "You used this as a way to turn De Hyacinth against me!"

"The House De Hyacinth weren't your pawns from the start, were they?" retorted Milena.

"Don't you start, Milena!" roared the Crown Prince, pointing a finger at her. "I'm already tired of seeing you strut around since you got that stupid title. Are you going to oppose me every single time once he's gone? Is that what you want, to split our Kingdom in two?" "Not every decision I make revolves around you, Ellias. I'm trying to do what's best for our people, not you. You were the one to make a mess when you arrested all those vampires, are you going to blame me for putting our military back to what it should have been? Or were you thinking sending all the vampires in prison would help with the war with the Giants?"

"The vampires are just waiting to turn against me. They hate me!"

Rayan rolled his eyes.

"There we go again, your ego speaks louder than your brain. How long are you going to keep acting like this, Ellias? You got your crown, now act like you actually deserve it."

"I deserve it!" shouted Ellias, standing up. "Stop doing this thing where you meddle with everyone's brain, making me look like I'm unworthy! You two are always looking down on me, making others look down on me too!" "Enough," sighed Milena. "I'm not having this fight with you today, Your Highness. I'll be retiring now, if you'll excuse me."

"You are not allowed to leave."

Milena glared back. Ellias' green eyes had never seemed so detestable and hateful. The three of them stood there, sending daggers back and forth with their eyes, but really, it was pathetic, and sad. This was how it was going to be for the next few months, wasn't it? This was beginning, just when Rayan was still there. Milena didn't want to imagine the hell Ellias was going to give her once his twin was gone...

She took a deep breath, and with some inspiration from Rachael, she did her reverence, and left anyway. She didn't wait for his permission; she was past this sort of childishness from him. If she began giving in to his whims and childish bickering now, there would be no end to it...

Rayan followed right after her, and she soon felt his arm wrapped around her waist, as they walked out of the Military Council Room. Once they were far enough, he sighed, and gently put a kiss on her forehead.

"It makes me sick to think you'll have to endure my brother's temper alone..."

"I can manage Ellias," sighed Milena, thinking about the events from earlier with the young Duke De Winter. "...What is it?"

She stopped, realizing Rayan had noticed her frown. Blanche suddenly appeared at her feet, in her cat form, and meowed loudly to get their attention. Milena sighed, and lifted her up, carrying the cat. "Milena."

She sighed, and shook her head.

"It's nothing I can't endure alone, Rayan."

"Is it De Winter?"

Of course, he knew... Milena petted Blanche some more, trying to think. It would have been easy to just slip a word in, and let her husband take care of that annoying man for good. She knew he'd do it without hesitation if she only asked him. This wasn't something he'd back down from, for sure. She slowly shook her head.

"Milena..."

"Leave it be, please."

"You can't ask me that. I don't want that pork anywhere near you..."

"I don't either, but I need that idiot alive for a little while longer."

"Why?"

She let out a long sigh. Even Milena had a hard time convincing herself for the better...

"If you and Rachael are gone, I'm going to need more allies."

"You can't be thinking..."

Milena chuckled at his baffled expression and gently lifted her hand to caress his scarred cheek.

"I'm thinking of his sister, silly husband of mine. Philomenie has... We both know there have been some changes. I didn't think I'd say that one day, but his wife might become my best weapon against Ellias, and against Arseus De Winter." This time he remained quiet, and put his hand on hers, although his scar was torn as he was frowning and thinking about her words.

Milena needed to keep Philomenie on her side, or at least make sure she wouldn't become an enemy again. If anything happened to Arseus, it could be even more troublesome for her. It was a bit of a pain, but she knew she could endure the young Duke's attitude for the sake of an alliance with Philomenie. Milena was confident she could defend herself, anyway. She ought to be careful before the war started, as they couldn't afford to lose anyone else in silly duels or another row of arrests by Ellias, but she was already preparing for what would happen after. It wasn't like Rayan would be the only one able to do the dirty job, either. Even if she didn't do it herself, Milena had people ready to kill for her at any time. If Ruby heard her word, she knew the assassin wouldn't come back until the young Duke was dead... But once again, it would be way too soon. She ought to lie in wait until she could attack...

She smiled again, showing him her most confident expression. In truth, Rayan already had much more on his mind, and she didn't want to share her own burdens with him.

"Trust me," she said again. "Did you forget I was no damsel in distress long before you married me?"

Finally, the shadow of a smile appeared on his face.

"No," he sighed. "You simply can't blame me for worrying for my wife..."

"Worry about yourself only, for once," Milena retorted. "Please. You'll have to forget about the Castle and me soon."

"As if I could..."

She blushed a bit, as he pulled her hand closer, and kissed her wrist. She felt his tongue slowly [*****g her skin, and shivered. They were still in the Castle's corridors... anyone could see them at any moment. Rayan obviously didn't care much about being seen. His crimson eyes were already burning with desire, and he was staring at her while heating up her skin with his breath. Milena could feel the flames of passion growing in her stomach. She barely felt Blanche jumping down and out of their way, and Rayan gently pushed her against the wall, cornering her in a terribly seductive way. Milena wouldn't have let any man but him do this...

"...Let me bite you," he whispered.

"Since when do you ask permission?"

"I'm talking to a Grand Princess," he whispered with a smile.

Milena squinted her eyes. He was obviously playing around, and enjoying this little game between them. She wanted to push him away, but he was still holding her hand, and there wasn't an inch between them either... Milena smiled, blushing again, and tilted her head. "You're talking to your wife, you foolish man..."

Rayan smiled even more, and gently sucked her wrist again, without biting again. Milena frowned this time.

"Will you stop playing around?" She whispered. "Hurry up, before someone sees us..."

"Sees us doing what? They'd better run away before they dare interrupt us..."

Rayan smiled, and instead of biting Milena, leaned over to come and kiss her lips gently. The Princess answered his kiss without even having to think about it. His cold lips were so refreshing against hers... She had no idea why she felt so hot, but now more than ever, she was craving the taste of her husband. Rayan kept kissing her, so passionately Milena had to lean against the wall as her legs went weak... His hand was going up under her hair, grabbing the base of her hair and tangling her raven curls around his fingers. She could feel it like a fresh breeze on her nape, sending even more shivers down her spine.

That wouldn't be enough to sate the hungry vampire Prince. Very slowly, he began kissing her a bit more forcefully, with his tongue, biting her lip and making the kiss even hotter if possible. Now, Milena was really worried someone would spot them doing those kinds of things in a corridor...

Suddenly, his fang inadvertently bit her lip, making her frown. It was a quick and faint prick, but it was a first. He chuckled and pulled back, I*****g his lip.

"Oh... My queen is going to wear her best color again..."

"I know you love me in red, but you didn't have to do it that way..." mumbled Milena, touching her lip with her index finger.

Rayan smiled, but despite his words, he came back to kiss her again. Milena moaned under this more aggressive kiss. He was obviously enjoying this a lot. The taste of blood, on both their tongues... This wasn't a first, but it was perhaps his favorite kind of foreplay. Suddenly, at their feet, Blanche meowed, making the two them jump.

Milena glanced to the side, and indeed, a group of servants was arriving. She sighed, but Rayan was quicker. He moved, opening a door she had no idea was there, somewhere behind her. Before she could react, she was gently pushed inside a strange little room, the Prince smiling.

"... What is this?" she whispered, looking around. "This is so... cramped!"

"A secret room. I used to come and hide here when I wanted to avoid my tutors... I had forgotten it was here until now."

Milena wasn't too pleased with that place, though. It was tiny, barely enough room for two or three adults to stand, and it made her feel suffocated. Flashbacks of her being trapped in such a confined space were coming back to her... She held onto Rayan a bit tighter, and glanced around, although there wasn't much to see in the dark. With her limited night vision, she could only spot a couple of books abandoned on a shelf behind them and a half-burnt candle, but that was it.

"So sinister..." she mumbled.

"You're the one who didn't want us to get caught."

"I changed my mind," she said. "Take me out of here." "Wait a second."

They waited a bit, both listening outside until the servants were gone. Milena hated having to wait, so she only focused on the noises around. She could hear Rayan [*****g his lips again, and the chatter of the servants going away... Probably unhappy too, Blanche was walking around her ankles and rubbing her fur against her. "Let's go," she said as soon as everything was silent outside.

They both left the little room, and Milena hurriedly swiped her dress of the dust it had already collected in such a short time. Blanche, too, was rolling on the carpet with an annoyed expression. Milena sighed. She knew she couldn't complain, since she was the one who had wanted them not to get caught, but still...

"Milena, come."

Before she could say a word, Rayan took her hand, and pulled her across the corridor. Milena wondered what was going on, but he looked so serious all of a sudden, she didn't dare say a word. The vampire prince rushed upstairs, ignoring anyone they walked past. Soon, they were back in their apartments. Milena blushed, wondering if he had just wanted for them to be alone, but when he turned to her, his expression was too serious for that. He kept [*****g his lips, looking bothered. He hadn't let go of her hand, either. "What is it?" She asked, impatient.

"Your blood. It's... sweet."

"I... I had breakfast with my older brother earlier," Milena said, baffled.

"No, it's sweeter than usual..."

Milena was completely confused. She knew blood taste could change faintly depending on people's diet, but she couldn't understand why he looked so bothered by it. Just then, Olivia walked in, carrying a fresh and clean set of bed sheets. Rayan's eyes went to the vampire maid, who froze.

"You," he said. "What's this?"

Olivia hesitated, taking one step back, visibly scared. Just then, Ruby suddenly appeared, one knee down.

"I asked her to bring new sheets, Your Highnesses. We believe our lady is... expecting."