Lady Dhampir
Chapter 57

The next morning, Milena certainly regretted not going to bed earlier. Her maids kept sighing and worrying about her puffiness, and it took a bit of snow to help her get rid of it before they began her make-up.

It was the day she would be temporarily moving to the Royal Castle, which meant not only her, but her belongings had to be ready as well. While getting prepared and dressed up, Milena had to answer countless questions about what she wanted to bring in or not.

Even the Butler Jeremiah had to step in for a bit and direct the operations.

"It will be enough for the time being, my Lady. I believe it will be better for us to send you a second suitcase once you are properly settled in. At the moment, it is difficult for us to evaluate what you will really need... Who put that dress here again! I said to put it back five minutes ago!"

Milena sighed. She really wasn't good when it came to preparing her own things. She was very organized with her books, paperwork, but her personal things like the dresses and jewelry, she usually left for the Manor's staff to handle. "Young Lady?"

An older vampire maid had come, and Milena recognized one of her great-grandmother's personal aides. She gestured her to come despite the craziness of all the maids running in the room to get everything ready before the Royal Coach's arrival soon. The middle-aged maid came and presented her with a little velvet box.

"My Lady asked me to deliver this to you before you left this morning. She said she wanted to send her congratulations for the Selection, and that this little family heirloom should accompany you to the Royal Castle." Milena nodded. Her great-grandmother probably hadn't used those exact words, but she understood Maribella's feelings well. She took the little box from her hands and thanked the maid, who left quickly, looking tired. "What could it be?" Asked Dinah, curious. "How rare for the Archduchess to gift you a present, my Lady!"

Indeed, it wasn't her type. She even did the bare minimum for the siblings' birthdays or any family occasion... Milena sat down, and Blanche immediately jumped on her lap, her car from staring at the box with the same curiosity.

As she opened it, she discovered a beautiful, ancient-looking broch inside of it. It was beautiful, with a big amethyst gem at its hand, and several little ones hanging from it with thin metallic strings. The object itself was beautiful, but Milena understood the double message as she took it in her hand. This broch's pin was big and long, and though it would be hidden under her clothing, it would be perfect as a defense weapon... She sneered. As expected of her grandmother.

"My Lady, shall I add it to your luggage?"

"No, I'll keep it with me. Find me an indoor jacket that would go well with it."

"Yes, My Lady!"

A while later and after a lot more decisions and running, Milena was ready, in the entrance hall of the Manor, one big luggage next to her. She had her favorite black fur coat on, a little hat, and was ready to say her goodbyes. For the occasion, all of her brothers and her father had gathered, despite the hour for the two vampires.

"Be careful there, Millie," said Raphael. "Don't get into catfights, and tell us if you are in trouble, alright?"

"What are you saying, Milena can win any fight anyway," argued Lucian.

"Eugenie's sisters will help you, Millie," calmly said Valentin. "But Raphael is right, just tell us if you have any issue."

Milena chuckled, amused to see all three of them being so worried about her.

"Don't be silly, big brother. You will be right next door for work anyway, and Father, too. It's not as if I'm sent to some foreign country, is it?"

It was true, but sending their younger sister to the Royal Castle wasn't making any of the brothers feel any better. Truth was, they weren't comfortable with Milena sleeping anywhere else but their home in the Capital. The Vermillion Lands were different; She had gone there to work, and she was on her territory. Sending her to the Royal Castle for the Bridal Selection felt like sending her to war... with other lionesses.

Finally, her father stepped forward. The Duke didn't seem as worried as his sons, but he had a serious expression on nevertheless. He took her hands gently.

"As your brothers said, be careful, Millie. Don't worry if you have to come home. You're the young Duchess de Crescent, no matter what. Alright?"

Those simple sentences warmed her heart up more than anything else. Milena smiled to him, and, something she rarely did, stepped forward to hug her father.

The Duke meant it. Even if she failed, if she wasn't picked as a potential princess, it didn't matter to their family. They would always support her, unconditionally. She could go with their full support, and keep her head high. Milena felt infinitely grateful to be his daughter, their sister.

The De Crescent Family was small but powerful, and more importantly, close. Unlike some noble families, they truly cared for each other more than their own successes. Milena knew that each of her brothers would react if something happened to her, regardless of which one she was closest to.

They accompanied her outside when the coach arrived, Lucian even carrying her luggage himself despite Milena's laughs and their family Butler sighing. The coach sent was the usual Royal Coach, white and gold, with four horses in front, a coachman and two footmen. Milena had been informed beforehand that she couldn't bring her own maids, hence Dinah and the others had to watch her go too. Only Blanche hopped in after her before the coach closed the door.

Milena waved her family goodbye in silence before they departed. It was an especially sunny day, and she watched until the Manor de Crescent became too small to see anymore. She felt strange... After this week, it would be revealed if she would become a Princess or go home. She wondered if her father knew who we would marry her too if she wasn't picked by Rayan or Ellias...

The Royal Coach was a bit slowed down by the crowds gathered in the streets to watch the Bridal Candidates pass in their pretty carriages. Milena had no intention to wave or attract attention to her, she disliked that. Moreover, she probably wasn't among the most popular ones. Her accomplishments weren't well known by the common folks.

Instead, Milena took some time and wondered if she was ready to be engaged in a week. It would be that short, one week only. Then, her life would either be tied to one of the Princes, with a crown, or she would be free of all of it. For a moment, she couldn't help but think that maybe, she could replace some relief if she wasn't chosen. It would put a lot of hardships on someone else's shoulders... Somehow Milena realized, she wasn't as confident as she thought about being picked out of the twelve candidates.

The carriage finally stopped in front of the gates, and to Milena's surprise, the Queen herself came out to welcome her. Did she do that for all the candidates? Or perhaps the Duchesses only? She was followed by half a dozen maids, including the one holding a dark umbrella to protect her from the skin. They only stayed outside a brief moment, though, and Milena insisted they go inside before she felt ill.

"Thank you, Lady de Crescent," said the Queen as they walked inside the Royal Castle. "Not everyone is as... mindful of my condition as you are."

Milena could easily imagine. The human candidates without any vampires in their family probably didn't realize how hard it was for a vampire to be up during the daytime, and even worse, in the sun.

They were walking into an aisle of the Castle she had never been to before. It was probably part of the Queen's own quarters, where the rooms were fitted to receive young noble ladies. She walked Milena herself inside, showing her most of the salons on their way, the reception room, the two libraries she was free to use and explaining to her how to get to the indoor garden too.

"Excuse me, Your Highness... What about the other candidates?" Asked Milena.

"You are all arriving at different times. For the comfort of everyone, we thought it would be better to give different times and... see."

Milena suddenly understood. This tour was already part of a test. The Queen was giving each candidate a personal tour of the aisle, and explaining many things. There wouldn't be a second time, or anyone to remind her of things. Each candidate was to arrive on time, remember the general mapping of the area, and replace her way by herself after that. Most ladies were always accompanied by maids, but now, they had to remember everything by themselves. Milena was sure none of the Royal Maids would help.

Finally, she was taken to her room. It was a nice room, though the decoration was very plain, with only a large mirror and a statue. Everything else was in tones of white and beige. Despite the size being considerably smaller than her bedroom in the Manor De Crescent, it was still a pretty decent room for a young noble lady to stay in. There was a canopy bed, two armchairs, a desk with a chair, a little library, one large wardrobe, and a dressing table. She had a private bathroom of course, but no personal salon, implying the Ladies would have to meet up in the communal ones.

"We will all have dinner at eight," said the Queen. "Please be on time for a late-night supper. Do you have any questions?"

"Will the Dinner be held with the rest of the Royal Family or any other guests, your Highness?"

Milena knew she had to ask. The Royal couple and the Princes didn't necessarily eat their meals together, and depending on men being present or not, the whole dress code of the dinner could change. The Queen smiled softly, proving she had been right to ask. "No. It will be only myself and the eleven other ladies joining us. Then, if you'll excuse me."

Milena bowed, and the door closed behind the Queen. She let out a long sigh of relief. She was now alone... Well, alone with Blanche. Her mouse friend popped out of her pocket and jumped down on the soft carpet. As usual, she turned into a cat to go and inspect the area, which she always did in a new environment.

Milena suddenly felt very small in this room... Usually, there would be a couple of maids to tend to her needs. She supposed the Royal maids would come in at a later time to prepare, this was a way to test how the ladies would pick their outfits themselves and decide on what to wear and how to ask to be prepared for dinner. It certainly wasn't Milena's best point, but thankfully, Jeremiah and the maids had been very diligent while preparing her clothes. The dresses were ordered per occasion and color. She may not be an absolute expert, but at least she would be safe from any faux-pas. Her make-up was already done, too, and would be fine as long as she didn't go to the Royal Garden, too humid.

She started unpacking, slowly, lost in her thoughts, while Blanche was inspecting the whole room. This was a new adventure. A week. She had a week to stay there, prove she could fit as a Princess, maybe a Queen, and see the results. She had no doubt the Queen could eliminate candidates at any given time. Maybe even as soon as today.

Milena smiled. She was actually a bit anxious, but also a bit excited. It felt like the ultimate test for a Noble Lady...