Lady Dhampir
Chapter 60

A short silence followed Milena's words. All the girls exchanged looks, unsure of how to react. The first one to be heard was Rachael, who snorted, unable to hold it. The third young duchess laughed, barely holding back. "What a brilliant answer, Lady de Crescent!" She said.

Rachael's laugh was so genuine, Milena was bound to believe that was a real compliment. Next to her, Prudence and Clorence were barely holding it in, too, but large smiles were on their faces. All of the other candidates stayed in shocked silence, wondering what reaction they should show to that.

The Queen, as elegant as usual, put down her cup of blood, acting a bit curious, her elegant eyebrow raised. She didn't look annoyed or amused by Milena's answer, and as always, it was impossible to know what the Queen was thinking.

"A butler. Would you mind explaining your answer in more detail? It certainly isn't one we were expecting."

For a second, Milena felt like a hint of appreciation in the Queen's voice, as if she was surprised, in a good way, and eager to know more. This gave her the confidence to stand tall and answer.

"I do not believe a lady should focus on her housewife skills, not when she is of high noble rank. Our status gives us the privilege to take a more active part in our domain and country's well-being. Having a good butler in the House de Crescent allows me to study more of the Country's economy instead of micro-managing the budget for the household. I do not know what's a good color for napkins in a tea party, but I do know what is the current state of our tea's trading market. The House de Crescent takes pride in its staff. Our Butler is so skilled that I can focus on what is important to me, and not be worried about the color of the curtains or sewing back my old dresses."

"...Is that your answer, then?" Asked the Queen, slightly tilting her head.

"Yes, Your Highness. A good Lady of the House and wife needs most and foremost a skilled staff to help her out. My attendants are like an extension of myself, saving me precious time and helping me fill in the gaps, whatever it is I'm lacking. It is the same for a King, a Scholar or a Commoner. The King needs his ministers. A Scholar needs his assistants. A merchant needs his workers. No one can do everything alone. A housewife cannot afford to lose too much time over trivial matters." A long silence followed Milena's words.

At Philomenie's words, no one dared to say a thing, or lookup. All the strawberry buns had turned sour. After what seemed an eternity, and Milena had started to wonder if she hadn't said too much, the Queen chuckled. "A Queen needs her attendants," she said. "You're very right, Lady de Crescent. Lady de Nova, it is my understanding that you concur with that answer?" Rachael nodded.

"Yes, Your Highness. As a Duchess, I would feel sorry for my people if I lost so much time on napkins and tea. Pardon my language, but I am not meant to remain a stupid decoration in my own house. I don't believe the term housewife should even be relevant in our time and age, your Highness. If I become someone's wife, I will be their partner and equal, not their doll and household manager."

Milena chuckled. This was so like Rachael to say such words. For a long time already, the young Duchess de Nova had been advocating for a less traditional gender role, and defying any standards for a lady... She certainly was a bit too ahead of her time, but Milena internally praised her words. It was too bad they were enemies and unable to trust each other because she liked Rachael's way of thinking. The Queen sighed, opening her fan.

"It appears the young Ladies of this area are terribly progressive. Though I do acknowledge your passion, I hope you will remember that a Lady's first and most important role is to provide heirs for their husband, Lady de Nova."

"I will, your Highness," confidently replied Rachael. "I would love to show how skilled and multi-tasking women can be to those gentlemen."

Milena could have sworn that the Queen chuckled behind her fan, as her eyes slightly changed. She soon cleared her throat, however, and sipped a bit more of her tea. At Philomenie's table, no one dared to open their mouth anymore, either to eat or to talk. Feeling the uneasiness in the air, the Queen swiftly changed the topic once again, to the touchy subject of gender differences, notably the recent addition of female knights into the army forces. For a while, Milena decided to seldom participate, as Rachael was very strongly opinionated on the matter. A bit too much, even. The Queen frowned several times at her words, and Philomenie's friends retorted back several times, underlining how female knights were renouncing to some of their family duties for their carriers. Milena even gestured for Prudence not to intervene a couple of times, as she felt the Queen was carefully listening.

However, when things got too tense, the Queen very carefully picked when to put an end to the breakfast. The Ladies didn't discuss it, and everyone stood up at the same time, bowing as her Highness was leaving.

This time, no big mistake had been made... Milena decided to go back to her room, along with the sisters, as she hoped to be able to take off her heels for a while. She wanted to check on Blanche, too. Hence, Milena and the de Iris quickly left the room, parting in front of their doors and agreeing to have lunch together in a couple of hours. As soon as she was in her room, Milena let out a long sigh. "Food?"

Blanche was sitting on her bed with a frown. Milena grimaced.

"I'm sorry, Blanche, I didn't even think of bringing you something."

Back at the De Crescent Manor, the shapeshifter usually went outside to hunt or made a little trip to the kitchen to feed herself whenever she was hungry. She never seemed to care about eating at a table or at regular hours, hence Milena had never thought about making sure she had her fill. However, things were different now that they were staying in the Royal Palace. Blanche couldn't come and go as she pleased. The Castle's staff would have freaked out or chased her outside. "Blanche hungry!"

"Alright, I'll ask for something to be brought right away, stop sulking."

Milena asked the maid outside for some food to be brought to her bedroom, mostly meat and bread. If they were surprised, the girls were professional enough not to show it.

A few minutes later, Milena brought the tray inside by herself and watched Blanche sit on the floor to eat.

"Will you have enough?" She asked.

"Blanche hungry!" Blanche answered, her mouth full already.

"We really need to work on your use of pronouns, it's not getting any better," sighed Milena. "Anyway... The Oracle wasn't there today. I hoped to be able to ask more about you." "Ask cages?"

"Yes... I still think whoever created you also created the Wendigos. You said you were too young, but the Oracle may have more intel. And Philomenie's Saint too, but I really wish I don't have to ask her of all people." "You fussy."

"I'm not fussy! I just don't like Philomenie."

Milena went on to explain what had occurred during the breakfast, though Blanche was barely listening. However, the young duchess didn't care much. Reciting the events actually helped her organize her thoughts. "You make new friends?" Asked Blanche.

"Who?"

"Nova vampire girl."

"Lady Rachael? I wish... But she doesn't like me. Whenever I tried to approach her, she thinks I have some agenda..."

"She like you."

"What do you mean?"

"Nova, you and Winter girl. All same. Complicated."

Milena took a few seconds to understand Blanche's words. Then, she understood. Indeed, Rachael was giving her the same attitude she was herself giving to Philomenie... With different reasons, though. Milena was well aware that, aside from their rivalry, her relationship with Philomenie was also fueled by a bit of jealousy.

"It's complicated, Blanche," sighed Milena, sitting next to her on the floor.

Blanche rolled her eyes at her.

"You complicated. Always."

"Maybe..."

Milena kept thinking about her friend's words for a while. Blanche was so different from her, and from her whole world, sometimes she was brutally honest... It made Milena reflect on her actions a little.

Maybe, if she trusted Philomenie a little more, she could ask her about the Saint... Still, it was a lot to ask from Milena. She had never liked Philomenie, or her manners, the way she acted as the perfect girl all the time. It always reminded her of her own flaws. Blanche might be right about Milena being too complicated, but, to her, Philomenie was a problem.

"I really need to use that week to look for more pieces of information... If we replace whoever made you and the Wendigos, it might give us clues about what happened fifteen years ago. To me and my mom..."

Milena had never forgotten about the mystery of her k********g. She had no memories older than the day her father and brothers had found her and freed her from that slave traffic, but she still wanted to solve the mystery. Somehow, Milena had never felt complete, as if a too big part of her story was missing for her to feel she belonged where she was now.

"Books again?" Asked Blanche.

Milena chuckled. The long hours spent in the library had led Blanche to think this was Milena's automatic response to looking for answers. She shook her head.

"No, not this time. We won't replace our answers in books..."

She remained silent for a while, and Blanche finished her lunch. After an enjoyable silence, Blanche let out a sigh of relief, the plates empty and her stomach full. "Blanche satisfied."

"I can see that."

"Oh."

Blanche looked around, and frowned, turning to Milena.

"Servants came here."

"They probably made the bed, as usual..."

"No. Millie stuff too. Millie luggage, and wardrobe and bed. Take it, touch it. Again again. Everything. So annoying!"

"The servants went through our belongings?" Asked Milena, suddenly on her guard.

Blanche nodded.

"Long time. Blanche couldn't sleep!"

Milena was speechless. She didn't expect that... If it wasn't for Blanche, she would have never thought someone had gone through her stuff. She stood up and went to check all of her belongings, but nothing was missing, or out of place. The Castle's people had been very careful while checking everything. She wouldn't have noticed. Was it an order of the Queen? For all of their belongings to be checked? "They didn't see you?" She asked Blanche, a bit worried.

"No. Blanche tiny."

To demonstrate her words, Blanche shapeshifted into one of her smaller appearances, a mouse. She was smaller than Milena's hand when she was in that form, and fast enough to hide carefully. She probably had found a little hiding earlier and waited for the servants to be gone until Milena's return. Milena put one knee down and opened her hands for her friends to come and jump in.

"Blanche, we should be twice as careful from now on. I didn't think they would observe us from so close. You should stay with me for the time being, okay? I know you're good at sneaking away, but if they see you, I fear it'll be an uproar. I'm pretty sure mouses don't live long in the Royal Palace..."

Blanche answered with a little squeak, and obediently snuck into Milena's skirt pocket.