Lady Dhampir
Chapter 215

Her sister-in-law grew more and more worried about her prolonged silence, and without Milena noticing, Philomenie was nervously rubbing her hands together. "I... I'm sorry if this is too much from me," she muttered, visibly regretful.

"No, it's not," finally declared Milena. "It is quite annoying to think I'd get to such a tragic... outcome to satisfy those wretched people who could target my children, but what you've said is true. My pregnancy does piss off a lot of people, your brother just confirmed it again minutes ago." Philomenie grimaced at the mention of her brother's behavior, but Milena had no intention to spare her. It was long time she grew up and more wary of her surroundings, especially the closest people to her. Moreover now, they were discussing her future children's safety, which was much more important to protect than the Queen's feelings. Milena removed her veil, a bit conflicted. She didn't want to hide this birth, she didn't want to have to hide her babies as if they had done anything wrong by being born. They were the legitimate children of a prince and princess, why would she have to hide her babies at all!

Yet, the truth was there. Since she had even been betrothed to Rayan, she had been the target of people who did not want the vampire prince to have a progeny. Those children would definitely cause turmoil in the political world, even more so if their dad returned victorious from the war. It was sickening, but the twins would definitely be targets for their whole life, just like their parents. As much as she wished it wasn't true, she couldn't act blind to it and simply hope for the best. It would have been foolish, and Milena De Crescent had never acted foolish not to regret it later. She was their mother. She already knew she would do absolutely anything to protect those children, her babies, from anyone and anything.

"... What was your idea?" She muttered, a bit bitter. "Do you have a more detailed plan?"

"Oh... W-well, I thought that if we used our own people during the birth, we could spread around the news that you had... The babies weren't born safely, and you had lost them. We can hide the babies somewhere safe, until the situation gets better and safer..." Milena grimaced. She really hated that idea. Hiding her babies meant she wouldn't be able to be by their side all the time like she had hoped and imagined. She almost fell as if she was going to cry right there and then, just thinking about it... She hated that idea. She hated those nobles who never took care of their children, letting their servants handle it. She knew how extraordinarily close her family was compared to some of her friends. She saw each of her brothers and her dad every single day since they had found her, and although half her family was nocturnal, they had always had dinner together, sometimes even breakfast, her dad or Raphael stopping by to see her before they went to bed. Although she had grown without a mom, Milena was deeply grateful for how caring her family had been towards her, even her infamously stiff great-grandmother. Each time she had imagined what her own family would be, in the future, she had dreamt of her and her husband personally raising their children, tucking them to bed, and chatting with them other family meals. It didn't matter which of her children would be vampire, human, or dhampir. She didn't want one of those families where people all acted like strangers...

She leaned her back against the cushions of the carriage, mad at herself. In fact, she was scared. What if her babies resented her later for this? What if they really ended up growing away from her? Would they love another woman more than their biological mother? She shivered, remembering Rayan's relationship with his own parents... "Lady Milena?"

Several long seconds had passed in silence, but Milena dragged her eyes back to her sister-in-law, depressed. She sighed, and nodded. Her children's safety and happiness ought to be her priority, right now. She couldn't even predict what would happen in the next week, how could she think she'd be able to make plans for several years ahead? No, it was time she focused on the present and the close future instead.

"....I agree with your idea, although I'm also genuinely mad about it," she sighed. "It's not like this plan is completely mad, either. Miscarriages are so common, and a lot of people already had doubts about my health and ability to give birth safely, in the first place. The more we let them think my pregnancy isn't going well, the better. I can always pretend I had meant to go back to the Castle, but my health keeps me from it. It will calm down everyone back at the Castle, since I hadn't mentioned my plans to anyone yet." "...Will you be alright, though?" Asked Philomenie, visibly feeling guilty already. "People will definitely talk behind your back about all of this..."

"That would be nothing new," scoffed Milena. "No, just let them speak and fable all they want... Even better if news of my bad condition spreads."

"I understand. I will ask my maids to spread the word, too... They already are all doubtful about my relationship with you, if my maids say I've learned you were ill, people will most definitely believe it. Who should we tell the truth to, though?" "No one."

Milena's purple eyes suddenly glowed a bit, and she stared at her sister-in-law with a very serious, almost scary expression on. The Queen instinctively reacted, shivering a bit and backing away. The Grand Princess looked almost as scary as her father at times... "Philomenie, I'm serious," she said with a cold voice. "You cannot talk about this to anyone. Not even the Saint, not even the closest maid you have. Don't even talk about it to your pet, or your mirror. No one must know. All the walls have ears, and even your most trusted people can be bought. This secret must remain absolute. Never speak about it again after today, understood? Just act exactly as we said."

"I-I get it. I won't... But do you really not want to tell anyone...? What can we do, just the two of us...?"

"I didn't say I wouldn't tell anyone else, but it's better I don't tell you who. I'll take care of things on my end, but with your husband and the Saint by your side, I can't tell you who else I'll tell, to protect those people. I'll just tell you what I need you to know. I'm grateful for your plan and your will to help, but those are my children this is about."

"....I understand," muttered the Queen.

Although she did understand Milena's reasons, Philomenie still hopelessly thought the young woman was a bit cruel to her, once again. She clearly meant she didn't trust her enough, and, sadly, she couldn't blame her for that either. At least, Milena was honest, even if it was painfully honest. Wasn't it what she had always appreciated about her sister-in-law? That she was the only one actually willing to tell her things? Still, Milena's words were as sharp as blades, and leaving injuries behind... "Then... How shall we proceed? Do you have somewhere to hide the children?"

Milena remained quiet for a little while, frowning, visibly lost in her thoughts. Philomenie could tell she was carefully establishing the details of their plans, considering all options and probably replaceing the very best way to go. Once again, the Queen was a bit envious. She wished she had the Grand Princess' clear sight for those things. She had barely been able to come up with that plan herself, and when Milena agreed to it, she felt like a puppy rewarded by its master, but now, that gap was there again. She didn't dare pressure her sister-in-law with her response, simply waiting nervously, fidgeting with the hem of her dress. Milena's eyes were directed outside, although there was nothing but another endless snowfall to see. The sky was getting pretty dark now, and Philomenie was a bit worried about what time she'd get back to the Castle...

"...I know where," finally said Milena. "Really?"

"... The White Palace. Rayan gifted it to me as a wedding gift, mostly to piss off his brother. That's one place Ellias would never even think of looking, I haven't even visited it myself yet. They were still remodeling it for me, I believe. But it belongs to me, so I can watch everything going there." "I don't understand," muttered Philomenie. "If we want to hide the babies' birth, why would E... why would my husband go look for them...?"

"We can't be naive as to think everyone will believe our story. It's always the same. Regardless of whether we say a lie or the truth, people will wonder if we lied or not. If we say the babies were stillborn or I miscarried, people will suspect I might be lying. We won't be the only ones who thought about hiding the twins, many of our enemies will suspect I lied to protect my children. It is not the most obvious, but people will definitely try and figure out if this is true or not. While we will be busy pretending there were no babies born, we should also predict that some will look for them anyway. If that's so, we should hide them the best we can, even putting up a few false leads. Most people will suspect they are hidden within the De Crescent Manor, so I can't keep them home." "But the Manor is so secure..." Milena shrugged bitterly.

"The last time we thought the same and tried to hide someone there, I lost my great-grandmother. Even if I trust all of our staff, we've already seen how far people can go. People will want my babies dead at all costs; I can't put my family at risk again. It's better if we have them realize they are not in the Manor, and they focus on replaceing them elsewhere instead."

"Then... Do you mean you will use decoys?"

Milena nodded.

"That would be the smartest move. Multiple possible leads, while I'll never let them close to where my babies really are. It's even better if we have our enemies running around and keep them wondering whether the children were really born or not. It might be the perfect trap to lure out some of them..."

"I understand," nodded Philomenie. "I'll never speak about the White Palace, then."

Milena slowly nodded. She was already thinking of how she could hide her children, and where she'd send the decoys. All her enemies would look into the most obvious locations first. The Manor, obviously. She'd have Digory hire new servants in a timely manner, so the spies would get to see there was no other child than her nephews there, and leave her family alone. She would need to send De Crescent guards to the fake locations, and catch whoever tried to follow them...

"...You should go home, Lady Philomenie," she said after a while. "It's going to be cold outside tonight, you should get back to the Castle. Don't get sick... you're going to be a mother soon too."

Philomenie let out a little smile, feeling a bit better from Milena's kind words. She nodded, and watched as her sister-in-law slowly stood up.

"My condolences again, for your brother," she said. "I would have paid my respects even without... this topic."

Milena froze, and just as she was about to leave the carriage, she turned her head towards the Queen, looking a bit unsure.

"Lady Philomenie... You told my husband about my brother's death, right? That night, when you helped me. Ellias came, and you told him my brother had passed?"

"Y-Yes. But I didn't have a choice! He wouldn't go away, and you were..."

"It's alright, I'm not blaming you. The news would have been outed the next day, anyway..."

"Why are you asking?"

Milena hesitated, but after all, Philomenie had a right to know.

"I think... The King expected to hear it sooner, and from someone else."

"You mean... A spy?" Muttered Philomenie, looking shocked.

"....You make your own conclusions out of that, Philomenie. But I think I would have been mad if your husband had known of my brother's passing before me.... Maybe next time it will be yours instead of mine."

With those words left hanging in the air, Milena exited the carriage, thinking that didn't need an extra goodbye. She asked the coach to quickly bring the Queen home, and asked four of the De Crescent Knights to escort them. This would be good to both show her goodwill towards Her Majesty, and piss off her husband... Philomenie could always pretend she had only gone to pay her respects, since she and Milena had publicly grown close over those past months, it would be defendable.

Pulling back down her veil and tightening her coat around her shoulders, Milena walked back inside the Manor, alone. She knew her family would probably still be at Valentin's funeral ceremony, wrapping things up, but she just didn't have the heart to go back there. Just this once, she'd use her privilege as a pregnant woman and go to rest first. It had been a long and excruciating night, and she just wanted to sit by the fire while writing some letters for her ladies-in-waiting, and a longer one for her husband. Digory greeted her silently just as she walked in, taking her coat off without asking anything, while Olivia arrived behind him to follow Milena upstairs.

"I'd like some tea, Olivia, please."

"...How about some warm milk instead, my Lady?"

Milena grimaced, remembering the recommendations she had received about her pregnancy. Apparently, doctors had something against tea in the evening... Resolute, she nodded, hoping her babies liked it. It was true she had started to sleep a lot better since she had given up on it, though. Olivia and Dinah were scrutinizing each aspect of her diet and life nowadays, although they were trying to make the changes as smooth as possible for her. Milena had grown out of her sugary cravings, and now, felt more carnivorous, but somehow, the chef was on her maids' side, refraining those cravings too.

She finally arrived in her room, and changed into her nightgowns, completely undoing her hairdo. One of the advantages of attending a funeral was that there was no make-up to take off, for once... Milena sighed at her reflection. She felt like she was aging too fast, and it was showing. Not just mentally, but physically as well. For someone pregnant, she looked a bit skinnier than before, except for her belly and chest. Her eyes looked tired and her skin dry, which matched the number of tears she had soaked her pillows with for the past few days. Perhaps because her brother had told her it was fine to cry, Milena had let herself cry, time and time again, until she felt all dried up even inside.

By the time Olivia came back with that warm milk, Milena was already in her bed, large pillows supporting her back, a little bed table in front of her so she could re-read her letters before writing appropriate answers. Blanche was, as always, curled up at her feet, in her wolf shape this time. She had taken that appearance more often than any other lately, and Milena figured this was her own way of protecting her owner. While petting the white fur, she kept her eyes on her letters, while Olivia poured the milk into a cup. "...Master Raphael was a bit worried about you, my Lady. I told him about your brief meeting with the Queen, and that you were tired and had decided to go to bed."

"Thank you....Is it over?"

"Yes, my Lady. Your Father went back first, and Master Raphael accompanied Lady Eugenie to her apartments, too. Lady De Pristin will be staying over too, she said she'd like to spend some more time with you tomorrow morning. Digory had her installed in one of our best guest rooms."

"Great. Tell Chartiana I'll have breakfast with her and Eugenie, then."

"I will; Is that all for tonight, my Lady? Are you warm enough, or should I ask them to come and add logs to the fire in one hour?"

"I'm good, just leave the milk pitcher here please....Good Night, Olivia."

"...My Lady, may I say something?"

Milena frowned, and finally raised her eyes from what she was reading. It was rare for Olivia to actually ask permission to talk like this. She had been by her side for years, and she could tell when the young woman behind the faithful maid would come forward to speak to her.

"Yes?"

Olivia took a deep breath, and showed a very faint smile.

"I just wanted to say... Even if it's out of line from me, I'm very proud of you, my Lady. And I'm sure Master Valentin would have been very proud of you, too. I hope you remember that."

Milena was left speechless by her maid's words. It wasn't like Olivia at all to say things like this, even when they were alone... Then she remembered, her maid had once reported all of her movements to her older brother. Although it was long forgotten and forgiven, Milena realized, perhaps Olivia had also her own reasons for doing this. She slowly nodded, trying to replace her words in this kind of situation.

"...Thank you, Olivia."

"Good Night, my Lady."