Lady Dhampir
Chapter 25

"I really don't recommend it, my Lady," insisted Dinah, frowning. "Olivia would disapprove too!" Milena ignored her, putting her leather gloves on. She was in her riding outfit today, and for once she coat on, frowning and worried.

"My Lady, your horse is ready," said the stable boy, bringing Milena's black horse.

She grabbed the reins and got on her horse in a swift movement, despite Dinah's horrified face. "My Lady, your injury..."

"My injury is fine Dinah, stop whining."

Her maid had insisted she should take one of their family's coaches, but it was such good weather ou

to wear some jewelry and a pretty black coat, tailored last spring for her. Even so, Dinah thought her r "I will be back before lunch, Dinah. Ask Digory to adjust my schedule until then." "Yes, my Lady."

have to put on her horrible heels to go out. Her boots had minimal heels for riding, which she liked much better. Behind her, Dinah was helping her put her

and Milena was in a bit of a hurry. And this way, she had an excuse to be wearing something else than her damn heels and large dresses. She had only agreed s was definitely pretty, the dark, mysterious beauty type. It was even more obvious when she was mounting her big black horse.

Milena then left the stable, riding her horse all the way to the end of the Crescent Domain. A couple of Crescent Knights joined her halfway, as per her father's orders. Milena's security was tighter than ever since she had left the Hospital. The young Duchess was used to assassination attempts since she was a child, but each made her father worry even more for her safety. She didn't pay attention to the men in the black and red uniforms and kept riding across the City, aim fourteenth birthday.

She slowed down in the busiest part of the City, but the Knights following her and the red crescent m When she reached one of the Palace's building, a stable boy came running to take her horse's reins ou "Good Morning, Lady de Crescent! Can I take Black Bella to the royal stables for you?" "Yes, thanks. I'll get her back in a couple of hours."

The stable boy took her horse away, and she entered the Palace, with the Knights following her. It was "Lady de Crescent! Excuse me!"

the Palace. Milena liked to ride. She had learned late, but Valentin had been patient in teaching her, and he even gave her her favorite horse for her

her coat had everyone let her through, soldiers and crowd alike. er hands.

aisle but mostly occupied by servants, who bowed to her but didn't slow her down.

An old man walked up to her after he had spotted her from across a Hall. Milena stopped for him, turning to receive his quick bow. "Elder Count Tanzan," she saluted him.

"My Lady, do you have a few minutes to spare for this old man? I greatly appreciated your insight on the new silk taxes from last time..."

"I just happened to discuss it with Lady de Citrin at the last Tea Party, Elder Count. I'm glad if my advice was of any help to the Guild. Did you receive my letter?"

"I did, I did, Lady de Crescent. But as expected, using Lady de Cictrin's idea is a bit...

"Give it a couple of months, elder. The new collections aren't ready yet, but as soon as our friend can provide samples of her embroidery work, I'm sure the Guild will see the demand rise and compensate for the new tax." The old man seemed a bit embarrassed, despite Milena's confidence.

"But silk is..."

"A new trend you'll see on every Lady's dress next season. Trust me, practical or not, the noblewomen will want it as soon as it becomes a trend."

"I see..."

Seeing the old man still hesitant, Milena smiled and put a hand on her waist, full of confidence.

"Are you doubting me? With how much I spend each year, Count?"

The Count raised his head, suddenly catching sight of the bright, red ruby on Milena's choker necklace. It was a large, oval jewel, that surely cost a lot. Something only on a Ducal House could afford... "I see. Thank you, Lady de Crescent."

Right after that, the old man disappeared quickly, Milena sighing behind him.

"Impressive, Lady Milena."

She turned around, spotting the young man in the corridor who was watching her, a little smile on his face. He walked up to her, clapping his hands.

"Even the Merchant's Guild is listening to you. Truly impressive, Duchess."

"Good Morning, Prince Ellias," she replied with a bright smile.

"Good Morning. So, how did you obtain the Elder Count's trust? I'm curious. The Guild's elders are known to be stubborn..."

"Well, as soon as they understood a young Lady is better than a bunch of old men at guessing the fashion trends and upcoming sales, they were more willing to listen. Can you believe that?"

Ellias laughed. He didn't expect anything less of Milena. The young Duchess was already known around for her bright and sharp mind, even impressing the most stubborn nobles. He glanced down at her outfit, a regular riding outfit, with a fashionable fur and leather skirt on top of her pants.

"Even in this kind of outfit, you could outshine any Lady of the court," he whispered, getting a step closer. "I haven't seen my dear friend in a while."

"I'm sorry, dear friend, a little incident kept me in a hospital bed. How have you been?"

Ellias shrugged.

"Could you believe it? A little incident kept me bedridden as well."

Now that they were close enough to avoid curious ears, Milena let down the polite facade to address him in a lower voice, concerned.

"Do you have any leads on the culprits...?"

Ellias shook his head.

"We are still looking into it. According to the Royal Guard, their attack was well planned, they made sure I was isolated and paid off some of my bodyguards."

"Do you think it came from the Supremacists?"

"Most likely. No other faction as started to move yet, but the older vampires are definitely getting agitated. As long as we can get some names..."

"They are still wary of my Father, and the King."

"Do you think Lady de Nova..." He whispered.

Milena shook her head.

"The House de Nova isn't stupid. As long as Rachael could become Queen, they won't allow the Supremacists to get in their way. The Duke de Nova may disagree with my father on many points, but Rachael is his only heir. If I were them, I'd wait to be married to you to try anything..."

Ellias sighed.

"I forgot how painfully blunt you can be, sometimes."

Milena chuckled.

"I thought you liked it."

"Well, I like a smart and honest lady. Still, planning my assassination is a bit much, dear friend. Shall I take it that you didn't like my gift?"

Ellias was so alike his brother when he smirked confidently like that... At times, Milena was brutally reminded how similar the twin Princes were both physically and in minds. Yet, her relationship with Ellias was completely different. She had never felt uneasy with him like she was with Rayan. While the vampire Prince was always keeping her on her toes, his human twin had won her friendship and trust long ago. She shook her head with a little smile.

"I love it, your Highness. I'll wear it soon, I sent for a scarf to be made with it."

"I'm sure the color will look great on you, my Lady. Actually, I may have sent that gift with a secret motive in mind," confessed Ellias.

"Is that so?"

Milena's heart suddenly thumped a little faster, as she secretly hoped his hidden motive was the one she had kept in mind for a week now... Yet she tried to look surprised and curious. "Really? Do I have to be wary of your gifts now, dear friend?"

"Certainly not! Actually, I would have asked you back at the hunt, if I could. I had thought about giving you that gift personally, and then... Taking my courage to ask you on a date."

Milena's eyes shone immediately. A date! That word she had been waiting for! She smiled at him, her cheeks blushing a bit.

"A date? Aren't you a bit presumptuous, young Prince?"

"If I can't get a date with this Duchess, no one can! Please, Milena, do not play with my heart. What would you say?"

She chuckled, seeing Ellias almost worried.

"Of course, how can I refuse my dear friend? Does your Highness have any idea yet?"

"Actually, your splendid outfit today gave me one. How about a ride, young Duchess? I feel like we both could use some time spent outside, and the Spring scenery is right around the corner. Shall we?" "We shall," said Milena with a bright smile.

Ellias was radiating.

"Then I will send you a letter soon to convene of a time and place! I missed our exchanges, Lady de Crescent."

"So did I, your Highness."

"When do you..."

"Milena!"

They both turned, as Milena's older brother Valentin had just appeared. He bowed politely to Ellias, who did the same. As always, despite his highest status, Ellias was extremely polite and respectful of any noble older than him. Valentin de Crescent walked up to them. "Good Morning your Highness. I hope I didn't interrupt you?"

"You didn't, Young Duke. I was just catching up with your younger sister, Lady Milena and I have been apart for a bit longer than usual, I fear," said Ellias with a wink at Milena. "I will now take my leave, Lady de Crescent, if you don't mind."

"Who am I to keep a Prince to myself?" said Milena with a little smile.

Ellias chuckled and left promptly, leaving her to watch him go until he was out of sight.

Valentin sighed.

"A date with the Prince, Millie?"

"How long were you eavesdropping?"

"Sorry. I didn't want to interrupt, you would have been mad at me otherwise..."

Milena couldn't say she wouldn't. Valentin was her older brother, but at times, he was a bit too controlling and intrusive to her taste. She finally turned to him.

"I came to see Father. Have you seen him?"

"Father? He should have gone home long ago..."

"Well, he didn't and missed breakfast with Grandmother. He's been overworking himself lately, I fear."

Valentin sighed, a bit embarrassed.

"I feel bad for not checking on him more often. We are both working at the Palace, but I don't see him that often, due to our different schedules and offices. Things have been kind of hectic lately...

"I know, but it will calm down soon with Spring, Val. Let me handle Father, you can focus on your own work. I understand."

"That's the problem, Millie, you're already helping a lot. I know Digory has you handling the Duchy's accounts when I'm too busy..."

Milena shook her head, smiling to him.

"Don't be, big brother. Truthfully, our mother should be handling those, but I'm the woman in the family, aren't I? I can handle it, and I'm pretty good with finances, aren't I?"

"That's true, professor Hendrick is still praising you about that, but... Shouldn't, hem, grand-mother help you...?"

She couldn't help but laugh. Her brothers were still intimidated by the old Archduchess De Crescent, despite the years. It's true their great-grandmother wasn't getting any easier to deal with. Milena was used to it, but the old woman was stricter and grumpier than

ever.

"You can forget about it. Grandmother is one hundred forty-six years old, and any time the Head Butler tries to approach, she throws him out, saying she wants to enjoy her retirement and drink tea with her friends one Sunday per month only. I'm pretty sure even His Highness couldn't get her to do anything she doesn't want to."

"I would bet so too," sighed Valentin. "I guess I'll be counting on you for a while more, then."

She winked at her brother, and they kept walking and climbing stairs until they reached their father's office. Milena knocked, and a servant opened.

"The Duke asked not to be disturbed... Oh! It's you, Lady de Crescent, Young Master de Crescent!"

Milena and Valentin entered the room, dark as usual with the curtains closed and the few candlelights.

"Father?"

The Duke looked exhausted indeed. He raised his head upon seeing his children, but even so, his desk was buried under hundreds of papers, folders, and notes. Milena frowned upon seeing the mess.

"Father, this cannot go on. You missed sunrise and breakfast, you'll die from exhaustion at this rate."

"Milena, Valentin. Is it that late already?"

"What are you working on to be so busy?" Asked Valentin, taking one of the papers. "Record of the West Land Management, Vermillion Lands, year 503..."

"Father, are you investigating those Lands!" Protested Milena, shocked. "Those are my responsibility! Why are you working on this!"

"Milena, the Queen gave us such a complicated thing to take on, I couldn't leave you..."

"Father, do you have so little faith in me? I can manage this on my own, why would you add to your own workload! You are overprotecting me again..."

"Father, Millie is right, we already talked about this."

Seeing his children g**g upon him, the Duke sighed.

"Sorry, I just thought... Those Lands are a real nightmare, Millie, you'll be starting from scratch, and with the Spring Ball approaching..."

She sighed, crossing her arms.

"Father, you think I cannot handle it all myself? I know where my responsibilities are, and how much of a challenge this will be as well. If you had been there at breakfast, you would have heard me asking Grandmother's advice." "Why are you the only one she's willing to help?" Asked Valentin, surprised. "She won't even see me!"

"You ask her yourself. Anyway, Father, please, leave this to me and come home. I already have a plan to put the Vermillion Domain and lands back on their feet and as Valentin can testify, I am managing my relationships well too." "Millie, you don't understand. The Spring Ball won't be for the Princes to choose a spouse."

This time, Milena frowned, surprised. What did he mean?

The Duke sighed, getting up and finally letting go of the papers. Valentin, lost too, exchanged a look with his sister.

"Father?"

"I had an audience with the King last night... He still hasn't decided on which son to name crown Prince yet."

"But Prince Rayan and Prince Ellias will soon turn nineteen, he can't push it back indefinitely..."

The Duke nodded.

"I know, so does his Highness. That's why he's decided to let the Queen put her idea in place."

"What is her Highness' idea...?" Asked Milena, worried.

She knew the Queen wasn't a nice woman. She had proven many times to be cold and calculating, and even the King Silverius often argued seriously with her and her methods. Their Father hesitated before answering.

"She wants to hold a competition, for the prospect Princesses."

"...A competition?"

"A formal one, with trials, and tests. She didn't say precisely, but... Her idea is to have the Prince pick their bride among the best candidates, and then... The King won't choose the Crown Prince, but the Crown Prince and Princess directly."