Lady Dhampir
Chapter 47

On the ride to the Royal Hospital, Milena was so fidgety, she completely forgot the thing she was manipulating nervously was a very important key. On her lap, Blanche the panther got annoyed and nibbled her finger to have her stop. Only then did the young Lady sigh and put it in one of her inner pockets. Sitting across from her, Ellias couldn't help but stare at the creature sitting with Milena. He had already seen that creature changing forms and interacting with Milena, but he was still as curious about it. Blanche didn't seem to care for anything but her mistress, and didn't let anyone else touch her, not even the maids or Milena's family. He had never seen anything alike...

At some point, Blanche felt his staring and growled. Apparently, she didn't even care for royalty...

"I really hope his highness is fine," whispered Milena.

"My brother is tough. Moreover, we have no idea how long it takes for them to... transform. We gathered some testimonies, but people don't remember seeing the undertaker's wife in the week before those events."

Milena slightly nodded, but she couldn't shake off that unsettling feeling. They had left Rayan in a serious condition, though her blood had helped a lot. She didn't like being in such an uncertain state. She left word of the current events for her brothers and father to see and rushed with Ellias to the Royal Hospital again.

The young Duchess also felt a bit guilty for not visiting the Prince all this time. Truth was, she was still flustered by the events of that night. She had always seen Rayan as a cunning, manipulative and talented sweet-talker, but he had really put his life on the line. Was it merely out of chivalry? No, this situation had been to violent and sudden to care about such things and moreover, Rayan was certainly not that nice. What was he thinking...?

"Milena?" Ellias called her, suddenly taking her out of her thoughts.

"Excuse me, I was thinking..."

"It's alright. I was saying, I'll hire scientists to study the creature and my brother's blood. No matter if Rayan is infected or not, we must make sure it doesn't spread. If one bite is enough to turn a vampire into a wendigo, the situation might turn into a nightmare quickly."

"Agreed. We should conceal all this information until we are certain. Especially until we are sure that all the wendigos have been killed or captured..."

Though Milena knew it would definitely not be so simple. Blanche's memories were years old now. If they had been creating wendigos since then, what was the situation now? Why didn't those people made use of them sooner? What was their aim? No matter what, Milena couldn't help but think this was all related to the shift of power... A war was coming between the humans and vampires to decide whom between Rayan and Ellias would ascend the throne. It felt like this choice would be the trigger to something much worse...

"At least we know how to kill them," said Ellias. "They have about the same physical resistance as vampires, from what I've seen."

Milena couldn't help but frown a bit.

"No... They are stronger, and faster," she whispered with a concerned look.

Ellias had barely seen the attack, but Milena had been there from the beginning. From the way that creature moved, how it attacked Rayan, it wasn't as simple as that. The Vampire prince was an excellent fighter. Probably among the best of the Realm. Yet, he had barely managed to survive against that creature, despite his weapon. The reckless movements, its speed, and silent moves were engraved in Milena's mind. This creature was far from a vampire, it was completely nightmarish. If it attacked citizen, people without any fighting skills, they would have died in seconds.

"We need to increase security," suddenly said Milena, with a new determination. "Inform the Army, prepare them for an attack."

Ellias stared at her in surprise and chuckled.

"You're talking like a Queen, my dear Friend."

Milena blushed immediately at his words and looked outside to hide her embarrassment. She didn't know what he was hinting at if she was being bossy with the Prince without knowing. She had just voiced out her idea without thinking. Thankfully for her, the carriage stopped after a few minutes, and Ellias helped her down. Dinah, who had been following on a horse with two Crescent Knights, silently stood behind her as they entered the Hospital.

Due to the exceptional circumstances, a special area was dedicated to the Prince, far from the other patients and well guarded. Of course, Milena and Ellias were able to walk in without question with only one glance, even Blanche and Dinah.

As soon as they entered the bedroom, one of the Royal Doctors ran to them, along with two nurses.

"Your Highness, Duchess de Crescent, his Highness is very stable. We have..."

"Everything is fine, you say?" Asked Ellias abruptly. "No significant changes?"

The Doctor seemed baffled by his question, exchanging a glance with the nurses. Meanwhile, Milena walked around them to go to Rayan's bed. To her surprise, the Vampire Prince was awake when she sat by his side. He looked a bit tired indeed, but overall, he was his usual self, looking surprised to see them both there.

Behind her, the Doctor tried to answer Ellias' question.

"No, your Highness. His Highness is recovering a bit slower than expected but that is most likely due to... to the consumption of... of Lady de Crescent's particular blood."

"You can say Dhampir, it's not slander," said Ellias, annoyed. "Have you tested his blood? And his injuries?"

"Of course! I assure you, your Highness, nothing unusual appeared. We are watching his Highness very closely, day and night."

"How are you feeling, your Highness?" Asked Milena directly to Rayan.

He smirked.

"You're worried about me Duchess? I might get addicted to this. Have you ever considered becoming a nurse? I could really heal slowly after all..."

Milena clicked her tongue. How could he play like a child in such a dire situation!

"I feel fine," he said. "Nothing... unusual. What are you thinking about, Ellias?"

The two brothers exchanged a glance. Rayan had felt something was off, but Ellias' expression confirmed it for him.

"Leave us," suddenly ordered the human Prince.

The medical staff seemed embarrassed for a moment, glancing at Rayan.

"It's... Your Highness... Your mother her Highness the Queen ordered that we watch his Highness Prince Rayan at all times, and... uh... I'm afraid that if we leave..."

Ellias couldn't help but roll his eyes. How much had their mother threatened them for those people to be so worried? That woman was so obsessed with controlling everything around her sons...

"I'll deal with this dearest mother of mine, so get out!"

This time, they didn't ask again. Dinah and Blanche quietly left the room as well too, with one glance from Milena. As soon as they were gone, leaving Milena alone with the two princes, Ellias sighed and joined her to his brother's bedside. Rayan frowned from this situation.

"So, what is it? You have your sour face on, brother."

"We have something to tell you... It might be a bit long."

Then, Milena and Ellias proceeded to tell Rayan everything they had found about the Wendigos, and Prince Sleverin's old research. Milena left Blanche's name out, of course, only making it appear as if she had obtained the information elsewhere. They could assume whatever they wanted from there.

"So, you thought I would turn into a wendigo?" concluded Rayan.

"You seem fine indeed," admitted his twin with a sigh of relief.

"We cannot be sure yet. It has only been a couple of days, we will only be sure once a week is gone."

Rayan frowned.

"Unfortunately, we don't have one week. Tomorrow is the Royal Council held up. I have to be there."

Milena frowned, curious about why his presence was requested at a Royal Council when he could usually be left out for medical reasons. Ellias turned to her to explain.

"Mother will officially announce the bridal candidates then. They need all of the Royal Family there, to discuss her selection with the Council. The two of us must absolutely be there..."

The young Duchess stayed speechless. With everything going on, she had completely forgotten. How could she forgot! The Bridal selection was right around the corner, probably the biggest trial of her life with it!

The Spring Ball would be right the next day, the official announcement of the selected candidates. The day she had been waiting for weeks! No wonder Dinah and Olivia had been constantly annoying her about taking measurements, having her bathe in lots of fragrances everyday and watching her food.

That night could change absolutely everything. The political alliances, the families' statuses, the support of both Princes... All of the Kingdom would have their eyes on that selection. What bride would the Princes choose? It was such a simple question, yet as soon as they would make their choice, it could be the beginning of the end for either one... No matter how popular a Prince was, his choice for a spouse could make him lose his supporters or, on the other end, make him sure to end on the throne...

The Queen would announce her candidates after the Council approved of them. Rayan and Ellias had to be there to plead if one of their own favorites were not selected. Indeed, the vampire Prince had to attend, especially since he looked fine... "Milena?" Gently called Ellias.

She turned to him, realizing that she had stayed silent for too long.

"I'm alright," she immediately said.

The human Prince gently chuckled.

"Of course. You'll be alright, do not worry about the selection, my dear friend."

While he said so with a gentle smile, making the young duchess smile slightly, Rayan's eyes turned a bit darker, watching the two interact.

"Well, it will be if I don't turn into a raging blood-thirsty monster until then," he grumbled.