Lady Dhampir
Chapter 294

"My God, Lucian!"

The little strength Milena had left, she used all of it to run towards her brother. Even Blanche ran ahead to rub her furry head against his leg. Lucian was all about his little sister though, and he happily welcomed her in his arms when she almost jumped in. He hugged her with a big laugh, the best sound to her ears, and hugged her tightly. Their hug was even better since they both wore thick, comfortable winter clothes, feeling like they embraced a warm plushie version of each other. Lucian's face was a bit cold, and there was some snow in his blonde hair, but Milena still happily held her cheek against his, she couldn't care less about the cold now.

"I missed you so much," she muttered.

"Yeah, me too Sis."

They slowly separated, but Lucian kept his arms around her shoulder, staring at her with his happy expression, his blue eyes shining with optimism. He chuckled.

"I heard you got into some trouble again, without me? Couldn't you wait to make a ruckus?"

"You're the one at fault for missing out on the fun," she pouted.

He smiled, and hugged her once more. This time though, she felt his lips close to her ear, whispering so softly only she could hear.

"....I heard about Dad. Don't worry. It will be alright."

Those few words almost brought Milena back to tears. Lucian ended their hug, giving her a comforting smile, and finally glanced over her shoulder, giving a quick and a bit impolite nod to greet everyone present. "Hello there," he said. "I see we're holding quite the meeting!"

Behind Milena, Rayan had walked up to Lucian too to shake his hand, the two men exchanging a knowing glance.

"Miss me yet, Commander?"

"Just tell me everything went well."

"Oh, come on, you should know your best spy by now. Of course, that was a piece of cake! I'm thirsty as hell after running around to get past all those knights downtown, but other than that, I think we're good."

He even winked at Milena, who remembered, Lucian had been the one in charge of protecting her twins until now. Sadly, they weren't with him, but it made sense. While Rayan had taken the most dangerous secret mission to rescue his wife, Lucian had probably been charged to bring his niece and nephew to safety, and, as agreed, to the other safe house, which was even safer than this one. Milena still had a couple of doubts about Raphael, but at least, she knew Olivia and Dinah would take care of her twins to the best of their capabilities.

"Did you replace it?" Suddenly asked Rayan.

"No sign of it," Lucian grimaced. "That bastard didn't show up."

"...Who are you talking about?" Milena asked, confused.

"The other White One, the one who can change its appearance. I tried to lure it with decoys downtown once I was sure the twins were safe, but that thing didn't show up."

"What do we know about it?" Asked Milena, frowning.

Lucian sighed, but after exchanging a glance with Rayan, both of them escorted Milena back to the couch. There, Rayan sat by her side, Blanche took her spot back on her lap, and Lucian sat on the carpet, at her feet, unbothered. He had probably picked up a few bad habits from his days in the military camp.

"Not much, to be honest. If it wasn't for Blanche, I wouldn't even have noticed it had taken Sofia's body."

"Wait... it actually took her body?" Frowned Prudence, shocked. "I thought the white one had taken her appearance, like Miss Blanche shape-shifts..."

"No, it really was Sofia's body," grimaced Lucian. "I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference. I think it... that thing inhabits its host's body. When I... I killed Sofia, that thing just popped out of her body. Blanche tried to chase after it, but it disappeared." "...You were sure it wasn't Sofia, then?"

"Absolutely sure," nodded Lucian. "When Blanche started growling at our nanny, I figured something was off. Physically, it was exactly the same person, so I tested her. I joked about the day Valentin tripped on the carpet of the second floor and spilled all of his hot cocoa...."

"It wasn't Val that tripped," muttered Milena. "It was Raphael."

"Yeah, exactly, and he spilled blood, not hot cocoa. The real Sofia would have definitely known because she arranged for it to be cleaned and spent half the day comforting him, but the fake had no clue and just went along. That's how I knew for sure it wasn't our Sofia."

"So it doesn't take their memories, then."

"Maybe just the recent ones, but not the long-term ones for sure."

"But we should assume it can take anyone's appearance," muttered Rayan.

"So far, I've found three ways to test them," nodded Lucian. "Either questions about the person's past, Raphael checking their memories, or Blanche sniffing them out. Apparently, that thing smells like f*****g death."

As if to agree, the cat on Milena's lap growled, her tail whipping the air.

"That's why we let Blanche come here," said Raelius. "Once we confirmed Raphael would be able to check anyone's memory that came in. He can even hear the thoughts of White Ones without touching them, from what we've established, so if that wretched thing comes near the safe house, he'll know."

"How is he supposed to warn us?" Frowned Milena. "The other safe house is quite far..."

"I've been going there every thirty minutes," sighed Raelius. "Anything for my dear great-grand-babies!"

"I know I'm a bit late to the party, but are we alright with mentioning the twins in front of...?" muttered Lucian, gesturing towards Philomenie and the Saint.

"I trust Philomenie," Milena immediately said.

The two women exchanged a faint smile, supportive of each other.

"Also, it does so happen that the Princess is here too," sighed the Saint, rolling his eyes. "I guess she's your guarantee that if anything happens to your brats, she won't make it either."

Philomenie glared at him, but Milena ignored that. Regardless of what happened to her twins, she held absolutely no intention to harm Philomenie's daughter. Maelie was still her niece, and a completely innocent child. No matter how much Milena hated her niece's father, she would protect the baby girl without hesitation if anyone tried to harm her, just as she knew Philomenie would do the same for her twins in the opposite situation.

"So we have at least an extra White One to watch out for," muttered Rayan. "The Duke De Winter is most likely dead or very close to it already. Who should we worry about next to lead the House De Winter?"

Milena noticed how he was addressing his sister-in-law without mentioning her name, and sparing himself to have to use her title; He probably wouldn't have anyway, and Philomenie didn't take offense either. Instead, she sighed, tightening her grip on the seam of her dress.

"Most likely my Father," she muttered. "And he will definitely side with the Church, by any means. He would even repudiate me if it could save his reputation."

"...Is there any way around it?"

Philomenie shook her head.

"No... My family has far too much pride in their relationship to the Royals and the Church. Even if my Father passed, my uncle would take over instead, and his stance would be the very same."

She seemed to think for a moment, and suddenly turned her body towards Milena and Rayan, her deep blue eyes very clearly staring at the latter. Milena realized it was the first time that she saw Philomenie so incredibly calm in front of her husband, whom she had always feared more than most vampires. Either she had grown used to him, or was doing her best, she couldn't tell. Still, Philomenie was very clearly staring at her brother-in-law with a resolute expression in her eyes.

"Brother-in-law," she said. "I have to ask a favor of you. I know how badly this battle will most likely end. I know the decisions it would be most safe for you to make to ensure the future, but I have to ask, if you're given the choice, could you please keep the House De Winter?"

"...How so?" Frowned Rayan.

"I know the wrongs my family has done. I know it will be hard, after all this is over, for you to keep any faith in the House De Winter. But... for me, it is still my home, and I know for the bad deeds done by a few individuals, our family also has generations of good people who worked hard for the people. We have many charities established in our names, orphanages, and so on. I'm worried that if the House De Winter disappears, more will suffer from it....I am not asking for forgiveness, I know all too well that my brother, father and uncles are beyond forgiveness. But you've met my younger brother, Philipe. If he could get his succession rights back, he would be the perfect man to take the House De Winter back to what it was meant to be, a family dedicated to others. I don't care how much you punish me or my elders, but Philipe deserves to have a chance to redeem their lineage."

"...You're asking for a lot," Rayan muttered. "Any wise man would get rid of a noble family that conspired the most against them. Not just to eliminate the threats, but to set an example."

Philomenie's expression fell on those last words, but she didn't give up.

"Please consider it," she muttered.

After a few seconds of silence, Rayan slowly nodded. Milena would have never thought she'd witness those two ever discussing like this, and reaching an agreement...

"...That's all nice children", sighed Raelius. "So we have a White One whose identity is unknown and, as we've established, quite fleeting, the House De Winter against us, and the Church who is our main enemy."

"There will be more noble families ready to follow the Church as well," frowned Milena. "Ellias wouldn't have remained in power if he didn't have the support of a few Noble Houses. Not many, but still some, like House De Rosella, House d'Orchid, House De Lily..." "All those who used to support me," muttered Philomenie. "They all know they'd better support His Majesty and the Church to the end, since he is their only alternative to Prince Rayan and you..."

"Many Royal Guards seem to have kept their loyalty as well," said Briseis. "There was a short purge after you were rescued, Princess Milena. When the Church took control, they got rid of all the servants that weren't fully loyal to His Majesty or their representatives.... Many bodies were found outside the Castle gates, and more were dismissed abruptly. I suspect they think a member of staff helped you attack His Majesty."

It made sense, as they probably hadn't found how she had smuggled in her blade. Milena felt sorry for the servants, but it was unlikely the Church had killed more than they really felt the need to. After all, the public opinion was drastically torn.

"Right now, we're in the middle of a brief pause," said Henry, with a dark expression. "While we hide here, they are putting more pressure on the Citizens."

"Because you couldn't speak for yourself," added Prudence. "They sent all kinds of bad rumors about you, to try and have as few people as possible supporting you. They are actively searching for... well, all of us. They even implied that the Duke is holding the Queen here against her will."

"This one is a bit too much to be believed," scoffed the Saint. "Even the village dummy knows Phil came here of her own free will."

"It's only a matter of time before they replace a way to trash her down too," muttered Milena. "Philomenie doesn't serve their interests at all anymore, they will replace a way to limitate the influence she has."

A few seconds of silence followed, mostly because several people in the room felt a bit sorry for Philomenie. She hadn't endured much physically, but because she was standing against her husband, she was going through an awful lot emotionally. Prudence, who had fled the Castle thanks to her, felt the most sorry.

"... What do you suggest we do?" Frowned Philomenie.

"It's too late to worry about such things," muttered Rayan.

"We're rushing towards the final battle," nodded Milena. "Right now, our forces are perfectly positioned to cut off the Church's forces."

She took a deep breath, and slowly stood up, and addressed the whole room, gathering all the attention on her.

"First, we need to leave this place secretly, and hide amongst the population," she said. "Henry, Philomenie, you both need to act as if nothing has changed here. Stay here, act like you would have a few days ago. Lucian will sneak all of us downtown, and right after, with Prudence, I want the two of you to evacuate as many citizens as possible from the area surrounding the Castle, where the main fights will take place. Chartiana will help us get access to more weapons, and Tiphania has spread the word to the Guild so they will clear the streets as much as possible. Lady de Carseus is in hiding with her men, and waiting to start the fight downtown as soon as I tell her. That will be our first decoy, we need to make it look like we are revolting from the main streets. Bella De Camellia will join us there as well. She is similar to me in age and body shape, so we agreed to pretend she is me, to win me some time, with Yasina helping her out. The trick might get their attention enough for them to send some of their forces away from the Castle. Right then, Rachael and Rayan will lead the Army out from the Emerald Forest and directly against the Castle. Our enemies will believe they are our main force of attack, attacking from behind, but while Rayan's army will be our main force, they will also be another decoy. The real game will start when I will infiltrate the Castle. I have to free Duke De Nova and our forces from within. From there, we can regain control of the Castle while their forces are busy fighting outside."

"... How do you plan to do that?" Frowned Henry. "There's the highest level of warrant against your name, Princess Milena. The second you appear, they will shoot on sight, and kill or capture you, if not worse."

Milena took a second to think. Compared to the armies and men fighting in their name, she had thought sneaking into the Castle would be easy amongst the commotion, but indeed, it would be quite difficult for her of all people to get in. Lucian would be too busy to sneak her in, and he wasn't familiar with the place anyway. Rayan would be busy with his army, while both Blanche and Raelius wouldn't be able to take her there...

"...I'll replace a way," she muttered. "I just need to go unnoticed, with all the commotion..."

For a few seconds, no one really spoke, all trying to think of a ruse, until a loud sigh was heard.

"...There's a secret passage," said Briseis. "In fact, there are several, but I believe I know a couple that could be used for this."

"...You never told us about this," Prudence said, surprised.

Briseis shrugged.

"As great as my loyalty is towards her Highness, I still owe my family to keep a few of their secrets. Well, I guess this one had to be used some way or another..."

Milena smiled. She was sure it would always be good to keep the Castle's best and worst bookworm by her side. Then, she nodded, feeling a bit more confident in her plan.

"Our main goal is to take control of the Castle, subdue the enemy forces, capture the King, and get rid of whoever is acting behind the scenes on behalf of the Church. If we can manage to do all those things, it will all be over."

"Sounds like one fun giant Chess Game," smiled Lucian.

"What about the White One?" Frowned Henry.

"Blanche will be staying with me all along," smiled Milena, petting her cat. "She can warn me if the White One is near. Raphael can protect the other safehouse, and I don't see them attacking here either while the action is elsewhere. We must spread the word to our allies about questioning each other. We probably all have at least a couple of things we could ask to be sure of each other's identities..."

"We might not have time to ask," said Briseis, raising an eyebrow.

"We will replace a way," said Rayan, taking Milena's hand. "My wife's plan is the best for now."

"1.

I agree," nodded Raelius with a proud smile. "But what of me, Love?"

"You'll need to relay information on each front," said Milena. "You're the fastest messenger possible, and the timing of each attack will be crucial. You saw my brother's memories, right?"

"Yes, he showed me plenty of it... Why?"

"Because then we can use those to verify your identity if needed," smiled Rayan.

"Oh come on children, you don't think I'd be caught! I'm literally the fastest thing alive!"

"But we don't know anything about that other White One. They are the main threat to our plan... We will have to be careful."

"And that's assuming there aren't more White Ones, or more Wendigos," sighed Milena. "I doubt the Church's revealed everything yet."

A heavy silence followed, everyone lost in their thoughts about the upcoming battle. After a while, Lucian let out a sigh.

"...So really, no one's going to offer me anything to drink?"