Lady Dhampir
Chapter 226

Despite doing her best to ease her ladies-in-waiting, Milena herself wasn't very keen on going. Still, she had to go anyway, and she hated to push back difficult issues. The quicker she'd be able to end this, the better... After a short while, she finally stood up again, and made her way to the throne. She was once again helped up a couple of times, but she didn't mind this time. In fact, the closer she got, the more nervous she found herself about seeing the King. It was a strange and uneasy feeling. Was it because she had managed to avoid Ellias for a while, was she out of practice?

The fact that he was drunk was probably making everything worse. She had never seen Ellias drunk, or at least not to that point. She just couldn't figure out what was going on in his head, and Milena hated what she couldn't control. She tried to put on her best front, knowing how many eyes were on her already. People had been waiting all along to see what the Grand Princess would do, after being away from the Castle for so long. There was no way to escape the audience' scrutiny, despite all the chatter, noise and music going on around. There would be dozens of ears trying to pry on their conversation. Her only worry was to have Ellias act at least a little bit like a King and not cause a commotion now. Despite everything, he was still the King, and their Kingdom needed one. At least, until her husband came back...

"There she is!" He exclaimed when she was close enough.

He tried to stand up, but fell right back on his throne. From afar, it may have looked like he had stumbled a bit, but he was visibly drunk. Milena was mad at that stupid expression he had on, too. The Celebration had just begun, how many drinks did he possibly have? She did her best to do a faint reverence, keeping up the appearances for the audience.

"Evening Greetings, Your Highness. It's been a while."

"A while indeed," Ellias chuckled. "I suppose the cold Manor is more comfortable to you than the Royal Palace, Lady Milena? For you to have not even visited in weeks!"

"As your Majesty knows, I have been trying to put my health first as of late. My doctor and even the Queen agreed I am having a difficult pregnancy, which keeps me from traveling too often. I merely wish for calm and quiet, these days." "Oh, your tower wasn't calm and quiet enough, then? Should you move to the other side of the Kingdom, then?"

Milena's fist tightened on her skirt. Did he really have to make a show out of this? In front of so many people and so loudly, at that! She just was at a loss for words, and worried. She had no idea how this conversation was going to turn, but she could tell Ellias wasn't going to make it easy for her. She sighed very faintly, and without waiting anymore for permission, walked to sit on her throne, which had been placed on Ellias' right, opposite to the empty Queen's seat. He scoffed, putting his elbow on the armchair and sulking with his chin in his hand.

"Ah... I guess you won't sit on the other side," he muttered against his palm.

"It is not my place," Milena retorted.

"...You wish for it though, don't you, Milena? If my brother comes back, you still have a shot..."

Her whole body stiffened. What was he talking about now? She was grateful he was finally mumbling and muttering instead of exclaiming things aloud, but it didn't mean there would be no one to listen. Perhaps some could even read lips, and not miss a word he said. Milena glanced around, trying to assess the situation, and desperate for allies. Her ladies-in-waiting and Raphael were nearby, all dancing or busy having their cups refilled, but there was nothing they could do for now. Even the Royal servants next to them looked a bit sorry for her, sending worried glances towards the King. Milena tried to take a deep breath in. She only had to endure this for a few minutes, and then, she could suggest Ellias to leave, or leave herself before this got any worse. She was half-glad her sister-in-law wasn't there to see this, and half missing her help...

"You must have heard," said Ellias, unaware of her dark expression. "Rayan's almost won the war now..."

Milena was shocked to hear this coming from him. She had thought Ellias would try to deny it completely, and stall. Was he giving up, or did he have something else in mind? It was hard to understand his expression. The King was glancing around with an empty expression, staring at his subject as if the scene going on around them had nothing to do with him. He let out a faint sigh, shaking his head.

"Look at this," he muttered. "Everything going well, people dancing and having fun. You really can't tell we had a war going on..."

"The war isn't fully over yet," Milena carefully reminded him. "Even if the first bataillons come back, it will take a few more weeks before it's completely over. You're the one who decided to still hold this celebration." "Why not?" Ellias chuckled. "There is matter for celebration, isn't there?"

Milena was once again at a loss. Ellias grabbed his cup and drank it with big gulps, leaving her dumbfounded enough to stare. The King really wasn't in his normal state, and she hated that. She would have expected him to be upset about Rayan returning, and perhaps looking for a way to steal the light from his twin, not getting drunk at a stupid celebration banquet!

However, when Ellias finished his cup, a drop sliding down his chin, he carefully wiped his mouth, and slammed his drink against the tray one of the Royal Servants brought up almost too late, and suddenly stood up. He had stood up so rapidly, Milena was shocked to see him stand so straight instead of staggering again. Yet, as if nothing had happened and he was completely sober, the King moved forward, putting on his usual smile, the smile of a politician ready for his next act. A little drop of sweat ran down her neck. She hated this. She hated whatever was going on right now, whatever Ellias was planning to make happen.

"My dear subjects!" He exclaimed, his arm extended to the audience to gather their attention. "This evening will not be remembered as one of the brightest celebrations held by our Kingdom. Tonight, it is about our Kingdom's anniversary, but there is more. Everyone, hear this. My beloved brother is on his way back to us. The War with the Giants is over. The War we won!"

A few seconds of silence followed his words, everyone a bit shocked. Many nobles exchanged glances. For most, it was the first time they had heard this, enough to doubt their ears. For the others, it was Ellias' joyful attitude about his twin's return that was most shocking. There wasn't a nobleman or woman in the Kingdom that was unaware of their rivalry.

Yet, soon enough, people began to show reaction, as this silence couldn't continue. Many applauded the news, cheered, went to their friends and family to happily rejoice. The explosion of joy took the room by whirlwind, and for a few seconds, it felt like an unreal scene Milena had to watch from the side. Those who were involved in politics had to put it all aside for a short while, to be happy about their loved ones coming back. Everyone had someone they had hoped to reunite with, so even if it was surprising, this news couldn't go without a proper response.

Meanwhile, Ellias slowly stepped back, keeping on a smile that felt emptier and emptier as the seconds passed. He finally sat back down on his throne, looking suddenly exhausted. His smile had turned into a bitter expression, his green eyes going over his subjects cheering.

"Look at them, Milena. That was all they wanted... My brother coming back with his precious victory."

"They are happy about their loved ones coming back," she hissed. "This isn't about Rayan."

"Of course it is. Look at them. All cheering and congratulating each other, as if I wasn't here... They are all ready to have a new King already. That's all there is, now. Rayan and his victory."

Milena was shocked. That was all he could see? His twin coming back and taking his place? Even if Rayan did come back, there was nothing that said he would take his brother's spot as the King. Ellias was the King, and it wouldn't be easy to take him out of the throne now that he was there. He even had an heir on the way, which meant that soon Rayan wouldn't even be the crown prince anymore!

"You're so... ridiculous," Milena gasped. "Ellias, we needed to win this war! We needed to win, you knew how important it was we won! This whole Kingdom would have been lost otherwise!"

"Lost on me?" He retorted. "Why, you think I wouldn't have been able to win this war too?"

"You... Ellias, you're drunk," she retorted, annoyed. "You're being irrational, and ridiculous. Do you even hear yourself? You were the one who sent Rayan to war. You knew if he didn't win, he'd die trying, and we would most likely die after the army failed. If he won, of course he would come back. What were you expecting!"

"I didn't think he would win this damn war in just a few months!" He hissed. "Now, everyone is only going to see him, once again. The brilliant vampire Prince, while I am just the useless King they all want to get rid off!"

"Get rid off...? What in the world are you talking about?"

"Oh, don't pretend," he rolled his eyes. "You are probably behind this too. The Royal Council mentioned a motion against me, this very morning. Apparently, some of them are not very happy with their King. Now they don't even bother to hide it, they need to rub it in my face! I guess the news of my brother coming back must have given wings to some..."

Milena was shocked. Some nobles had already moved to have a motion against Ellias? Who, and why? Were the vampires growing impatient already? Or had something happened at the Council that would worry them enough to try and demote the King? Was it really because of Rayan's return? If the nobles had also heard before tonight, it was highly possible many of them were still hoping to see her husband get on the throne, but that was way too soon!

Rayan wouldn't be back before a few more days, at the very least. As the Commander-in-Chief, he would have to be amongst the last ones coming back. Voting against Ellias now would only result in annoying the King even more, and showing him exactly who his enemies were! Had the whole issue with the Wendigos caused some people to feel scared, and pushed them to act? Everything was happening too fast. She needed more time, especially when her pregnancy kept her from getting too involved in the politics... Milena's anxiousness rose up. She was hot, and uncomfortable. She wanted to get out of there. On the side, she saw Ellias have his cup refilled, and she wanted to slap the idiot who was pouring more wine. Couldn't they tell the King was drunk? Who would take responsibility for that!

"...If you can't calm down, you're going to start a civil war," she hissed, unable to hold it in anymore.

"I don't see why I would," Ellias chuckled. "What army do I have, anyway? A handful of knights left defending the Castle? The nobles have a lot of the force left, and Rayan will come back with whatever is left of our Kingdom's army under his command... No, Milena, I doubt there will be any fight. Things will be solved the good old way... with lies, politics and poison. I remember the history books we loved. There were never much face to face fighting for succession, was there? Everything was done to whoever could survive their next meal..."

His eyes went down on his glass of wine and, as if his own sentence had suddenly disgusted him from it, he made a grimace and pushed it aside.

"Ah... How are you, by the way?" He asked, suddenly surprisingly polite. "I guess still pregnant..."

"I'm doing fine," Milena hissed between her teeth.

She hated having Ellias' green eyes on her belly. Something in her was desperate to protect her unborn children, and right now, although he looked nothing like it, she knew the biggest threat to their survival was their paternal uncle. Ellias chuckled. "Of course you are... Philomenie can barely put one foot in front of the other and there you are, parading in front of everyone with that belly. You know, each time I see you, it doesn't feel real that you're carrying my brother's progeny. After everything, I'm still..." His eyes had changed, and Milena almost wanted to push her chair away from him, but it would have been extremely impolite and obvious, let alone impossible. A little part of her was still very aware of all the eyes on them, and trying to do her best not to let the situation get out of hand.

Luckily, Ellias sighed, and leaned back again, making his cup twirl between his fingers.

"Ha... Sometimes when I can't sleep, it's because I play a thousand scenarios in my head. What if I had married you instead of Phil? What if my brother had died in combat? What if you had never come back...? You know, you were the first thing he and I both wanted, the first one we were both desperate to have. Before that, we had never envied what was meant for the other. I had my mother's affection, my brother had his freedom... He didn't even want the crown until you re-appeared. See, Milena? You came back, and you triggered everything else. So typical of you, isn't it..."

She didn't bother to answer. She was growing tired of this conversation, and she was growing tired of Ellias. Her back was aching more than usual, she felt uncomfortable, and she was dying to go home. Anywhere without all this noise, these people, those bright lights and that drunk king she couldn't stand anymore. Milena looked for her brother with her eyes, and when she found Raphael, she tried to signal him to come and help her out.

"In a way, you're the one who will seal the future of this Kingdom, aren't you?" Continued Ellias, with a low voice. "As always, the one everyone wants... Even when you're so pregnant from my brother's seed, most men in this room are seduced by you. I will never understand women..."

"You're making me sick, Ellias," she hissed. "You're being disgusting, and you're so drunk it's gross. Next time, you bring your wife to keep you company. I did not sign for this."

"Rayan signed you up for this," he chuckled bitterly. "Didn't he? He left his Grand Princess behind to deal with me... How much did he really trust you, Milena? My brother must have been crazy to leave you here with me, while he was away. I wouldn't have been able to leave you. What do you think he imagines, where he is? Isn't he worried you'll get tired of waiting? What if he was gone? Would he be fine with you remarrying? Rayan is really crazy. If it were me, I wouldn't be able to..."

Milena stood up, unable to bear it any longer. Raphael was almost there, anyway. She turned to Ellias, turning her back on the crowd and glaring at him without restraint.

"Rayan would be capable of a million things you wouldn't, Ellias. And right now, you're worse than ever by being a drunk in front of our people; I knew you were a coward, but I never thought you'd be able to stoop so low. You're not even trying at all, yet you want to make fun of me? To blame me? That motion is your own doing, not mine. You're so obsessed with Rayan taking what you have that you're already letting go of it when he's not even back yet. Yes, you should be afraid. Because if that's how you're going to act as a King, I can't blame anyone for not wanting to put up with you. I won't. And I'm sorry Philomenie has to. She doesn't deserve this, no one does. So I hope you won't embarrass yourself anymore, and go back upstairs, now. Or you might as well throw away that stupid crown right now."

Raphael finally arrived, doing his reverence at the King before quickly moving to his sister's side to help her. Milena was keeping herself from grimacing, but perhaps because of the stiff throne and her own anxiety, her back was really painful right now. She was tired, and wanted to go home. Without even trying to pretend she was parting peacefully with the King, she turned away, before remembering something. She turned to him again. "... And for the record, you did leave me. I just didn't leave you a chance to make that mistake again."

With that said, she put her arm around Raphael's, and walked away. She didn't care about any answer Ellias had for her, she was seriously done. She just wanted to go home, far from this place and this ruckus. The cheers for victory fell deaf on her ears.