Lady Dhampir
Chapter 282

She watched Blanche fly away with her answer. There was still hope for the future. Even if something happened to Milena, she trusted Philomenie and Rayan wouldn't back down from their position. Truthfully, she was still a bit surprised about her sister-in-law's new position. What had prompted Philomenie to suddenly act so blatantly against her husband, and in Milena's favor? Taking control of the Royal Castle was already big, but now, she was going as far as moving out and protecting Milena's allies, too... Perhaps had she realized the final fight was coming, and had decided to pick a side before it was too late. In consideration of Philomenie's kind nature, it made sense that she couldn't stand by her husband and the Church's senseless decision anymore. Moreover, Arseus was her biggest dilemma. Her brother was the Duke De Winter, and it was almost a given that the Queen would agree with both her family and her husband. Perhaps Philomenie had realized her intentions would be mistaken by most if she didn't make such a bold move. She had brought her daughter, too. Did that mean she felt the child would be unsafe at the Castle? But who was she protecting her baby princess from...

While Milena was still lost in her reasoning, and the soldiers downstairs had begun to move to clear the bodies and prepare for the next part of the fight, she heard Digory's light steps coming her way. "How long do we have before the three hours are over?" Milena asked.

"Just about two left, my Lady," sighed the Butler.

She nodded faintly, her eyes still on the outside. The snow was calming down a little... Which meant they had to use this opportunity to re-prepare their barricades, and evacuate who needed to be.

"Alright. Let's not waste it. Have the kitchen prepare food for everyone, as fast as they can. We can't relax, so make sure they prepare something we can easily distribute, like sandwiches or something. Don't open wine, only pass around tea or warm milk. I don't want any man drinking."

"I understand, my Lady....Lady Eugenie has already offered to bring her help to the temporary infirmary, I will share this with her if that's alright with you."

Eugenie. With all this, Milena had almost forgotten about her sister-in-law. She felt a bit sorry for Eugenie. She hadn't asked to be brought into a conflict between the King, the House De Winter, the Church and the vampire Faction... Still, she was the Lady of the House De Crescent, and she knew into what kind of family she had married. Regardless of her love for Valentin, she ought to be prepared to face any responsibility that came her way in her quality of first spouse. Milena knew she could rely on her sister-in-law to at least relieve a piece of the burden off her shoulders.

"Let her take care of it, then, she probably will manage this better than me. ... What about father?"

Professional as always, the butler managed to keep his expression straight, but Milena, who had known Digory for many years, noticed he slightly lowered his head.

"The doctor is still taking care of His Highness."

"Digory, tell me the truth. There's no way you don't have an update. Tell me."

"... While there is still room for hope, I hope my Lady's heart can also be prepared for the worst. I'm very sorry."

Milena's heart sank. In other words, the news wasn't good. She knew Digory wasn't one to lie to comfort her, so if he said there was still hope, there probably still was hope, but she could tell it had to be rather slim. In fact, she wasn't so surprised that it came as a complete shock to her. She had seen her father's injury for herself. And Milena had seen many injuries throughout her life. She knew when someone was mortally wounded... She wanted to believe her dad would push through, but her reason was telling her the same as Digory, to not hope too much.

After a few seconds of letting it sink in, and trying to keep her emotions in check, she very faintly nodded, before turning her purple eyes to Raphael.

"Let's go see him, then. Can we?"

"Yes, my Lady. The Doctor said he has already done what he could. Everything that will happen in the next hour... is in Fate's hands."

Or in her father's, Milena thought. Glancing one last time at the De Crescent Lands, she let out a faint sigh. They could probably manage just fine while she went to check on her father... She didn't want to think "for the last time," but those words came to her mind anyway. With a heavy heart and a tight throat, Milena turned around, heading for the room her father had been taken in.

The Manor was in a frenzy, despite the heavy atmosphere. Digory had quickly left to pass on her orders but, even without that, every single person standing inside the Manor had something to keep themselves busy with. The soldiers that were on the ground floor, while relieved they had avoided partaking in a fight this time around, were busy sharpening their weapons, readjusting their armors, or discussing strategies. The servants of the Manor, too, were running in all directions to provide food, drinks, or help wherever it was needed. A maid even almost ran into Milena while bringing some towels, barely apologizing before she ran off. Milena had never seen so many people in the Manor. Even after Eugenie had entered the family, they barely ever held any social events, and nothing was ever large-scaled. Perhaps a tea party from time to time, at best. Her father had never held any large receptions for his children's birthdays, ever since the passing of his wife. Perhaps things had been different, many years ago, but that was a time Milena couldn't remember.

The further she got from the crowd, and the closer she got to the room her Father was in, the more she realized how this would be trying times for the House De Crescent. In fact, it was certain nothing would ever be the same after today... Her brother Raphael had changed, and her Father was dying. She missed Lucian more than ever. She wished her brother would sneak his way back in, once again. She missed her best acolyte in battles like this...

The maid guarding the entrance of the room her Father was in seemed almost sorry to see her. The young lady jumped, fidgeting.

"I want to see my Father," said Milena. "Y-yes, my Lady..."

Under Olivia's annoyed stare, the young woman pulled the doors for her, hands still trembling. She visibly felt very sorry for Milena, and sorry to open those doors, but she also happened to be part of the Duke's staff. That young maid was probably upset herself. As she stepped inside, Milena found herself strangely calm and composed. Perhaps she would have found herself to be a lot more emotional, if the situation of the domain wasn't so complicated already. The servants had prepared a temporary bed for the Duke, with a mattress put on the floor itself, and the Duke lying on it. His eyes were closed, making Milena's heart skip a beat, but, as she got closer, she realized he was still breathing. He seemed merely asleep... He suddenly opened his eyes, as if he had felt her presence.

"Father."

"Millie."

It had been a long time since he had called out her nickname. Milena smiled faintly, and kneeled to his side. All the servants immediately cleared the room, including Olivia, leaving her and Raphael alone with their father. While she was glad he could talk and see them, she also noticed how pale he was. Even for a vampire, her father's skin tone was unusually pale... almost grey. It was even worse than Raphael during his deep coma. Not only that, but there was an almost ethereal aura around him. Milena had always known her father was old, one of the oldest vampires in the Kingdom, but she had never realized until then, how much white hair he truly had. It felt as if they had just appeared in the last months, but, really, she also knew she had seen him through her filter as a daughter until then. However, the truth was catching up, and her Father was tired. She heard him sigh, and his red eyes went to her brother behind her.

"...Raphael," he muttered. "You really look... different."

The young man slowly nodded, but Milena found that interaction sadly awkward. Her brother probably couldn't properly remember all of his memories with their father. Raphael was the only vampire amongst her siblings, and somehow, Milena had still always felt he looked like their father the least, in many ways. Right now, he only looked sorry for their father.

"I wish I had been able to see Lucian one more time," the Duke suddenly sighed. "And your children, too. They were truly pretty babies..."

"Father, don't say that," muttered Milena. "They said you can make it. You have the strength to survive this."

"...I know I once had that kind of strength, but... maybe not anymore."

His eyes went back to his daughter.

"Perhaps I should have been stronger," he said. "I'm sorry I let you shoulder so much of the burden, Milena. You had to grow up too fast."

"I'm alright," she said; "But I am not ready to lose you too, so don't you be speaking like that, please. You need to stay with me just a bit longer! ...I need you."

"No you don't," chuckled her father. "You're a braver, stronger woman than your mother ever was, and she was already far better than I am. You're an amazing daughter, Milena....I am sure you'll make an amazing Queen, too."

His words got her speechless. A queen? She hadn't dared to think about it for a long while now. This idea always knocked at the back of her mind, along with the thought of her husband returning, and Milena had tried her best to stay away from that kind of thinking.

"Can you let me speak to your brother?" Her Father suddenly asked.

She glanced back at Raphael, as surprised as she was, and turned back to their dad, a bit confused.

"...Alone."

Milena hesitated. Raphael wasn't quite the same anymore, was it really alright to leave the two of them alone? But while she was pondering, Olivia suddenly appeared at the door, with a sorry but urgent expression. Milena let out a faint sigh, and gave a kiss on her father's head.

"Hang in there," she said. "It will soon be other. Raphael, stay with Father, please."

Her brother nodded, and after one last glance at her Dad, Milena stood up and left the room, following Olivia outside. Once she stepped out, she slowly closed the door herself, and found the family doctor standing there, with a sorry expression.

"... Is there really nothing more that can be done?" She asked.

"Your Father is strong, Lady Milena," said the man, bowing a bit. "However, this will be down to him. Medically speaking, I have done my best, and he was given blood too. We shall see what God decides for him."

Milena barely repressed the urge to roll her eyes at the doctor's choice of words. Faith hadn't exactly been on her side for quite a while now... Ignoring him, she then turned to Olivia. "What's going on?"

"Food and beverages are being distributed, as you requested, my Lady. Lady De Carseus and the Duke De Nova have decided to merge their forces into one defensive line, due to many of Lady De Carseus' troops being already injured, or unable to resume fighting. Now, we just learned that movement has been spotted, incoming to the Manor..."

"Movement? What kind of movement?" Milena frowned.

Her maid shook her head, visibly unsure. Milena frowned. What could be incoming this time? There were two possibilities: allies, or more enemies. She couldn't see why Henry would send more people following the letter she had sent, so she had a bad feeling about this. After taking a deep breath, Milena turned to Olivia.

"Get to the tower and warn me as soon as you see Blanche coming back. Stay up there unless I send someone to call for you."

"A-are you sure, my Lady? I have a feeling I should stay with you..."

"No. If we have enemies coming, that means either more Wendigos or a real army and either way, it's about to get dirty. Before you go up, replace Dinah, and have her replace Eugenie, and tell her to hide right away. Dinah is to stay with her, and if needed, have her and our staff evacuate the Manor. I do not want my sister-in-law in the midst of that military mess if things come down to it."

"I understand; What about Sir Raphael...?"

"He's with my Father..."

Milena hesitated. She couldn't evacuate her father, not in his current state. And what about Raphael? She didn't feel like telling her brother to leave given his new condition, but it wasn't safe for him to remain either...

"...Just get them when Blanche comes back. She'll know to get to you if she sees you up there. As soon as you get Blanche, get her to my Father and Raphael, and you four stay together, unless I give you the order to leave. Do you understand?" "Yes, my Lady, but..."

Olivia's expression looked very worried. Her maid's expression had Milena's heart sink. The vampire maid had been by her side for so long, and she rarely let her emotions take over, unlike the expressive Dinah. However, this time, she could probably tell Milena was voluntarily pushing her away, and taking drastic decisions, too. She was smart enough to understand her intentions behind every order, and feel how dire the situation was. Milena took a deep breath, and gently grabbed her hand. "Olivia, I'm asking you and Dinah this because I trust you two the most. So please, understand me, and do exactly as I asked. Please."

Her maid bit her lip, and nodded strongly, looking sad but determined.

"I will do as my Lady said, and I will return to you."

"I'm sure you will," smiled Milena. "Now, go!"

Olivia bowed, very low, and turned around, rushing to carry out Milena's orders. Left alone, the Grand Princess sighed, and swept her hair off of her shoulder. It was time to run back into action. She moved quickly, her feet taking her back to the entrance of the Manor. She could feel the gazes of all the soldiers on her as she passed through the crowd in the entrance hall. With her outfit, her metallic boots and fierce purple eyes, she was effortlessly towering the room. "Open the doors," She ordered.

A bit confused, the men quickly obeyed and undid the barricade, just enough for the Grand Princess to get out. The cold, icy air and heavy snowfall greeted her outside. She hadn't realized the stench of blood was so strong and thick in the air. She walked up to the Duke De Nova and Alexis De Carseus, who were discussing over a map.

"My Lady!" Exclaimed Alexis, surprised to see her.

"What did they see?" She asked.

"Soldiers," answered the Duke De Nova. "Lots of them, and that rotten son of a bitch at their head."

"So they are coming for the real thing this time."

"They probably heard that we stopped firing, and guessed the rest," grimaced Alexis.

"They were aiming to attack before we can regroup," muttered Milena. "I knew that three-hour limit was horseshit. They were waiting to see if the Wendigo would kill enough of us, and then attack. The mention of three hours was only to make us think we could catch a break they had no intention to give."

"Do they know we know they're coming?" Frowned Alexis.

"Most likely not. The watchers I placed spotted them outside the Manor, but that leaves us a few minutes to get back in line. Good thing we didn't allow ourselves much of a break, I suppose..."

"The men are ready," nodded the Duke. "We evacuated those who had to be, and Lady Eugenie took over the temporary emergency ward already. Everyone else will be ready when we need them to be."

"Then I need you to hear my plan," said Milena.

"You have a plan, my Lady?"

"Something like one. You're not going to like it much, but it's for the best."

"You're right," groaned the Duke. "I already don't like the sound of that..."

"I will be honest, it's a risky one. And it will depend a lot on if the King is actually out there this time or not. But, if we follow my plan, I believe we can kill two birds with one stone."

Alexis and the Duke exchanged a glance.

"...So, who are the birds?"

Milena exposed her plan. She faced their protests, explained herself over and over, justifying her choices until they agreed. A few minutes later, they still weren't happy with it, but the three of them were on their horses, all ready to face the enemy. They heard the sound of many, many horses coming their way, not long before they saw the waves of snow moved by their approach. Milena took a deep breath. Next to her, the Duke dropped a slur.

The Royal army facing them, with not the King, but Arseus again, at its head.

"Cursed be the King," groaned the Duke.

"...On it," muttered Milena.