Lady Dhampir
Chapter 193

"So you are really going to make his Majesty wait?" Chuckled Yasina, sipping her tea.

"It cannot be helped," shrugged Milena, turning around for the assistant to take her measurement. "Our appointment was planned long ago, and I cannot ignore how busy you are, either. It's about time His Majesty learns some manners..."

Lady De Cictrin chuckled behind her cup. Only Milena De Crescent could afford to make the highest authority in the Kingdom wait for her... The Royal Servants had already come twice to insist on her presence being requested right away by the King, but the Grand Princess didn't care. Each time, they had to go back sweating bullets about how to explain to His Majesty that they couldn't convince his sister-in-law to obey...

This was an obvious game of pull-and-push between the two, and Yasina knew her friend well enough to know she wouldn't budge. The Castle could go down in flames before the Lady Dhampir would ever submit to a man's whims... Although, regardless of their titles, it was obvious the King was the one in the wrong. Considering their busy schedules, even the Queen would have been upset if he called her out of the blue like some servant at his disposal. The Baroness sighed. "Oh, men... This Kingdom would already be ashes if we let them do everything they wanted."

"Isn't that an odd stance for someone who just got engaged a few months ago?"

"I picked wisely, trust me! It's not like I didn't have much choice, either. My father doesn't really care as long as my future husband is nobility and I happen to be quite popular among the male population. No, I picked a feminist that will not bat an eyelash at his wife having her own business, and has his own whereabouts. I genuinely like Lineus, my lady. He is hard-working, progressionist, and we have been friends for a long time already. It's true I may have waited a bit more to get engaged in different circumstances, but with the war, I knew I wouldn't be pressured to have a child yet, and my husband can go to war knowing I will take care of our businesses here."

"The Tanzan family is a good match," nodded Milena.

It felt a bit strange to speak of her friends' engagements as if they were absolutely certain their fiancés would come back from the war, but Milena could understand this process. She, too, refused to put her sentences to the conditional, regarding her own husband. It was hard to envision anything but a victory. Both of Yasina's brothers had also left for the front, meaning she was busier than ever supporting their father and managing their businesses. Actually, most of the young noblemen from their generation were gone, and now, the young women left behind were truly working harder than ever... It was also a reason why Milena wouldn't have missed this appointment. Yasina needed her to keep buying and wearing their products, both to help as a customer and to be an important model. The assistant brought the notepad she had taken Milena's new measurements on to Yasina, who took it for inspection. They were in one of the salons of the Royal Castle that was exclusively made to receive guests, but, since the Grand Princess was trying clothes, only Yasina's assistants and Milena's personal staff were allowed in. Matheus and Jeremiah both had to look towards the door and turn their backs to the room, even if Milena was already hidden behind a large folding screen.

"... No offense, my Lady," sighed Yasina. "But you have added a few more inches since last time."

"I noticed," retorted Milena; "Hence why I mentioned I would need new clothes soon."

"At this rate, and from those measures... Don't you think you might be having more than one?"

Milena smiled. Indeed, she highly suspected that she was having twins. Her belly's growth was too fast and too much for a simple pregnancy, even taking into account that she was a dhampir with many unknown parameters. Her pregnancy couldn't be that different from a vampire or human woman's... No, she was almost sure there were two babies growing in her belly. Even in her dreams, she had recently begun seeing two children. "...maybe," she said with an enigmatic smile.

She loved the idea, but it also put fear in her heart. Twin pregnancies were twice as dangerous. It was almost as if, after so much time hoping she could bear children, Milena's body would be put to the test once more. Destiny truly had a funny way of playing out... The two women exchanged a glance, and Yasina smiled while the Princess was putting on a bathrobe.

"Well, in any case, I will make sure to take this into account for your next order. How were the latest fabrics?"

"Much more comfortable... Especially the burgundy one. Can you make the same one again?"

"Of course, with the new measurements... Oh, I know exactly what shade I should make it this time. A dark, mysterious green. I want to orient the popular shades to some wintery-ones this time."

"As if we didn't have enough winter already..."

"My rival is going for this horrendous yellowish palette, so I will stick to cold colors, and Your Highness shall wear it, for fashion's sake!"

Milena chuckled. Regardless of the trends, she trusted Yasina to know what would best suit her. She wasn't much interested in fashion these days anyway. Not only did she have little to no appearances in public, but she also had a recent need for comfort that put everything else in second place.

"I will try to send you everything as soon as possible," sighed Yasina. "Thankfully I had already begun working on some pieces for you..." "Are you still very busy?"

"Honestly, yes, more than we expected. With the temperatures dropping, the orders for warmer clothes keep increasing, although you'd think everyone already has plenty... There are also a lot of families wanting to send coats to their brothers or sons at the battlefield. We have chariots leaving almost every week now, but I expect it won't keep up long. I even had to start refusing orders. The officers will get mad at us if we keep sending unnecessary things..."

Milena agreed, but the situation was so complicated, and... unique. They just had no idea what was going on in real time at the battlefront. Because it took so much time to send supplies, as opposed to exchanging mail birds, the timing was sometimes very off. Twice already, the people sending supplies had run into giants before making it to the military camps, and been killed on the spot... Now they were trying to be careful, but since the giants were so scattered, every day they feared one might really cross the line of defense established by the army. From what their best experts had been able to observe, the giants were more separated in sorts of tribes rather than united as one population, like theirs. There were reports of giants fighting between themselves, and the larger groups were composed of up to twenty or so individuals which, although it didn't sound impressive on paper, was the worst nightmare for their army. The Commanders and Generals constantly had to make choices between uniting their forces to be able to stand against a larger group, or scattering them to make sure no giant slipped through, and found the path to Solaris. Still, it was pretty obvious more and more giants were coming down from the mountains. They had killed more than a hundred already, but more kept coming, showing no sign of this war ending anytime soon...

Meanwhile, the army ranks were slowly getting thinner and thinner. At each battle, more of Rayan's men were killed, or permanently injured... Milena shook her head, trying to chase away those dark thoughts. She didn't want to give into the pessimistic gloom, while everyone was trying to carry on with their lives and keep the Kingdom going...

Catching sight of her expression, Yasina stood up and walked up to the Princess, sofly taking her hands in hers. They had been friends for so many years, she was one of the few who could really act this close to Milena, and be honest with her. Yet, such a gesture took the young dhampir woman by surprise, a little. Facing her, Yasina sighed and smiled gently.

"Aren't you going to take several days off before you actually have those children, Lady Milena? I'm worried about you... We all are. Tiphania begged me to make sure you are alright, too. You can't keep staying holed up in that office of yours every day..." "Well, it happens I have things to do in that office every day," said Milena.

"Boring paperwork for His Majesty? My Lady, please, don't joke with me. If I wasn't sure you visit your family once in a while, I would think you're held hostage inside this castle. You should come over to have tea, sometimes. As much as we love you, we can't keep coming over like this. Briseis basically lives in the library, but... Really, please, come visit us. Tiphania, Chartiana, or me. Even Lady De Tourmal said you haven't been to her mansion yet." Milena smiled a bit awkwardly.

"It's just that... I don't know. It hasn't felt... right to leave."

Yasina let out a long sigh.

"My Lady, it's not like this castle is going to disappear if you step out for a moment. It's not like your work is going away either, unfortunately, or as if the Kingdom will crumble because you skipped a day of work or two. Please... you ought to take a break, some time. A real break. Otherwise, what will we do with you once you have those little ones to take care of, on top of the rest? None of us will come babysit for you!" Milena chuckled, but she knew Yasina was right.

She had been... almost confined in that castle for weeks now. The rare times she went out, she was going to the De Crescent Manor, and nowhere else. She had grown used to her friends visiting her... perhaps a bit too much. Of course, she knew it wasn't her sense of duty, or her workaholic side keeping her there. Milena had shut her feelings down in a corner, once again, to not have to face the truth. She was scared.

Ever since she had been left by Rayan in this castle, a lot of things had changed. Milena thought she had been replaceing a new balance, but really, this wasn't a good one at all. Like Yasina had said, she was trapping herself in that castle. She was simply afraid to let go, to make a mistake....

"I'm alright," she sighed. "I just... I don't know why I haven't been really going out lately, but... I promise I'll be the one to visit you, next time."

"Thank heavens," sighed Yasina. "I'm sorry for being the pushy one, but out of all of us, we decided I would be the best to convey our feelings... Let's just have a small tea party at my house. Anywhere but here or at the De Crescent Manor. We can go to Lady Lilyn's mansion too, it's perfect and just located on the City's edge, too. I haven't been there yet, but Lady Tiphania swears the view is amazing. How about this? We should all take a day off. You can relax with all your ladies-in-waiting, just our closest friends. No secrets, and I promise the highest security possible. We can even set this up with your older brother, if it makes you feel safer. I mean... We don't mean to underestimate that you're potentially threatened, Lady Milena, but... we just hope you'll remember you're not a prisoner, and you can count on us, too."

"I know, Yasina. Thank you for... the reminder."

"Don't thank me yet," chuckled her friend. "I promised to harass you about it until we actually hold that tea party with everyone, Chartiana insisted a lot as well."

"I'm thankful to have such pushy friends," added Milena. "I know you are right, I just... forget there's a world outside of this Castle, sometimes."

"That, we noticed. You're the most workaholic of us, and yet you would have the most excusable reason to take a day off, at the very least!"

"Alright, alright. I..."

Just then, several knocks were heard on the door. Yasina frowned, putting her hands on her hips.

"I can't believe this," she grumbled. "If it's those servants again..."

"Your Highness Grand Princess De Crescent, His Majesty is here to see you."

Milena and Yasina exchanged a glance. So he had decided to come in person, after all... The lady-in-waiting rushed to grab Milena an extra coat and push the folded screen between her and the door, but Milena raised her hand. "...are you sure?" Whispered her friend.

"If he doesn't already know, he must at least have some doubts. There is no use keeping the show going now..."

Yasina made a grimace, visibly unhappy with Milena's statement, but she didn't insist. Instead, she exchanged a glance with her assistant, who quietly stood to the side and began packing up everything they had brought. "...Let His Majesty in," Milena said to her bodyguards.

Next to them, Dinah made a sour expression, but bowed anyway. Blanche, who had been sleeping in a corner, began hissing and ran over to Milena's side, her hair up.

Two Royal servants were about to walk in, but Matheus and Jeremiah drew out their swords in one same movement, barricading the entrance.

"Only His Majesty was allowed in."

"But we are his aides!"

"And we obey the Grand Princess," retorted Jeremiah.

The two aides frowned, but the De Crescent knights weren't moving an inch. So, they stepped back, and let the King step in first, while his staff was prevented entry by Milena's men.

Ellias was looking thinner than before, and older. He had a slight beard growing, dark circles, and his clothes were a bit too large on his shoulders. Although his brother was the one at war, the King looked like he had been the one fighting many battles lately. Only his hair was well kept and perfectly cut, his golden crown shining on top of it.

"You're seriously pushing it, Milena," said Ellias as soon as he walked in.

"Good morning to you, too, Your Highness," said Milena.

Next to her, Yasina bowed too, silently.

"Lady De Cictrin, leave us," ordered the King.

"With all due respect, Sir, I won't just yet," retorted Yasina. "I was helping Her Highness get dressed, and she requires my help to finish dressing up. Or shall I let Her Highness remain half n***d there?"

Milena sighed behind the folded screen. She could almost see Ellias glaring at her friend. He hated more than anything for anyone to contest his authority, and she had already pushed all of his buttons in the past hour.

"...I will be fine, Lady Yasina. Please wait for me next door."

"Yes, my Lady."

The Baroness walked out, obeying Milena's orders to the letter, her assistant following behind. As soon as she had left the room, Milena's men closed the doors again.

A silence fell in the room, and Milena stepped out of her hideout, keeping the thick bathrobe tightly closed around her body. Still, no one could ignore her body shape now. Her belly was very visibly sticking out in a perfectly round shape. Dinah ran to her side to help her sit, but both women were well aware of the King's eyes on the Princess.

Ellias looked like he had eaten something sour and bitter. His green eyes were so blatantly glaring at Milena's pregnant belly, she almost wanted to laugh at his dramatic expression. She sat down in the chair, very deliberately ignoring the protocol that would have had her bow at least once. Blanche was stuck against her legs, hissing and growling faintly, watching the King's every move. Even Dinah was standing closer than she would normally have, and the tension in the room was palpable. Ironically, Milena was the only one visibly relaxed. Perhaps thanks to her talk with Yasina just before, she didn't feel as tense as before, and instead, found the situation more laughable than anything.

"What is it, Your Majesty?" She said with an imperious tone. "You seemed to have an urgent need to summon me, and now you don't have anything to say?"

"You should have come the first time I called for you, Lady Milena," he retorted with a cold tune.

"No. Unlike what you seem to think, I am not one of your pets or servants...or your wife. I don't simply come running when you suddenly decide to summon me."

Ellias' anger was visible. Not only his green eyes were sending daggers, but she could even see the veins beating at his temple, and in his neck.

"How ironic of you to say that, Milena? Aren't you the one my wife runs to these days? I don't know what tricks you used to let the Queen think you could possibly be her friend, but Philomenie is my wife. She won't be on your side." "Right, your Majesty," chuckled Milena. "I believe we have both established your wife obviously has very poor taste..."