Lady Dhampir
Chapter 67

Asking her directly to speak after the young Countess de Camellia was definitely a test. The previous answer had been so good, it was hard to replace another better one. Yet, Milena couldn't simply agree with her. If she did, that would have meant a young Countess had beaten a duchess at that little game, just because of her pride, Milena wasn't fine with that. She smiled slightly. She could feel of her peers' stares, too.

"Of course, Your Highness, but in my eyes, Princess Silvra should be also rewarded for her merits."

A silence followed her words. Some of the Ladies were confused about her choice, and a couple of them didn't even seem to be able to remember who that Princess Silvra was. The Queen raised a surprised eyebrow, too. "Princess Silvra, as King Silvius' younger sister? That is an interesting answer, Lady De Crescent."

"We are talking about military accomplishments, Lady De Crescent," suddenly said Chorea de Zinnia, with a smug look. "Princess Silvra was no knight and no soldier!"

Milena could oversee some things, but a Countess talking to her in that way was not one of them. She immediately glared right back at Chorea. Right away, her purple eyes took that dangerous ruby shimmer that appeared when she was angry, and her blood boiled. The whole thing was silent and happening in a couple of seconds, but Chorea immediately looked as if Milena had slapped her.

"You're right, Young Countess de Zinnia," replied Milena with a voice as cold as ice. "Princess Silvra was no soldier. Records don't even let us know if she could yield a sword. However, is that all you think there is to an army? Soldiers, knights? Men in uniforms or armors?"

Despite her questions that came like gunshots, Chorea remained absolutely mute and petrified. If possible, she looked like she was shrinking on her chair. A lot of people around the table had never seen Milena really get mad, but this was a terrifying way to discover how badly the Dhampir Lady could get upset.

"Princess Silvra was by her brother's side at all times," continued Milena. "While he raised an army, she was the woman who stood by him and coordinated all the medical supplies our people needed. She put the teams of doctors and nurses together to help the whole Kingdom get back on its feet. After everything they had gone through, the situation was so dire, our records show the amount of properly trained staff they could gather was ridiculous. Yet, Princess Silvra did her best to gather anyone she could, trained more and made sure to use every man and every woman to lend a hand. Hundreds of our people volunteered, under her orders, to help go through the crisis of the Ice Age and make sure everyone could get to a safer place." Milena's tone was so imperious, no one dared to interrupt her. Some girls were even admirative of the bottomless confidence she was showcasing, but Milena was entirely focused on reducing Chorea's petty comments into shreds. She was unstoppable. "Princess Silvra went through the worst period of our history, and she stood to help our people in need. She sacrificed her sleep, her own safety, and even her reputation to do whatever she could, to help tend injuries and diseases. People called her an abomination because she was a Dhampir, and yet all she focused on was helping her people. Do you think our army would be what it is today if Princess Silvra hadn't been able to establish military hospitals, proper medics and help the young King Silvius make the journey to our new Capital after the Great Catastrophe? Princess Silvra was even so unpopular at a time that people almost rioted against her attempts to hire more volunteers, saying she was spreading the diseases. Yet, that woman never gave up, and never even took credit for all the good she did. All she received was a medal no one heard about, and some thanks from her brothers. She had no throne to sit on, and her only reward was her own abnegation. Now, if you think our military forces are only about soldiers and knights in all their glory, shiny armors, and medals, I strongly suggest you try getting injured on a battlefield and see what becomes of you then!"

Another one of those long silence followed Milena's words but on a very different tone this time. The Ladies present were, for most of them, completely shocked by Milena's speech, and her passion for defending Princess Silvra. Chorea was utterly defeated, and her face was so white, even for a vampire, that she looked like about to collapse or vomit.

Milena was done, however. She ignored the poor countess, going back to grab her glass. The Queen snickered.

"Well, now that was an unexpectedly great answer, Lady de Crescent. Lady de Zinnia, I'll assume you don't have any objections."

In that situation, the countess wouldn't even have dared to open her mouth again. She had enough of a humiliation for the day already.

The Queen nodded, looking satisfied.

"Well then, I see the military matters raise a lot of passion among our young ladies, but I would like to see the dessert be brought on a lighter note. Hence, we will close that topic here, Ladies."

Since the Queen had spoken, no one added anything. The servants came to take out the plates and bring in some desserts, but Milena didn't really care for them now. Actually, she even felt a bit tired and focused on taking long sips of her tea. The Queen decided to speak about some recent tea party, and what the girls could remember about it, the latest news of the world. Milena wasn't much into gossiping, and anyway, this was probably just a way for the Queen to keep them talking on trivial matters while also gathering information herself.

Truth was, since the Royal Family barely ever left the Castle, their only way to know what was going among the Nobles was through those nobles themselves. Milena realized the Queen perfectly knew how to direct the conversation where she wanted to get more information. If she wanted to know more about one of the nobles' properties, she would flatter the candidate a little and let her brag about whatever estate she was talking about. Milena quietly observed for most of it. Some of the Counts probably would regret their daughter's chattiness once the taxes came...

As the daylight was disappearing, the human girls seemed a bit more tired, while the vampires brightened up. Milena realized that the dessert part was dragging on... Unless the Queen said so, this dinner wouldn't end just because they were tired. It would be rude to even mention it before Queen Lyriana did. Milena had no problem being up late, this was in her genes. Her Dhampir condition made her a crepuscular creature. Back at the De Crescent Manor, she could go to bed late and wake up late, all of the staff was used to it. Here, however, regardless of if they were human, vampire, or dhampir, all the candidates had to live to the Queen's rhythm; she was definitely testing them out. The most plausible scenario would have Prince Ellias marry a vampire girl, while Prince Rayan would pick a human spouse. Of course, nothing kept Ellias from picking a human partner, though that would probably anger a lot of the Vampire senators. Rayan, however, would have no choice, and could only pick a human candidate, or Milena. Her situation was truly unique... As the night was going down behind the windows, Milena observed the candidates. Of course, all the vampire ones were perfectly fine, but some of the human girls were fighting not to doze off. They all had to wake up early for breakfast and hadn't prepared for a late night. Actually, young nobles often took naps in the afternoon if any event was following in the evening, so they didn't show a sign of fatigue and could last until the late hours. Here, the Queen had obviously taken all the candidates by surprise. Prudence was having a hard time, too. She kept trying not to close her eyes, and Milena noticed Clorence pinching her sister a couple of times. Even Valentina de Rosella wasn't smiling anymore, she just tried to hold the conversation, but was a bit off. It was interesting to see her struggle for once. The one who was struggling the most, however, was Aurora. She tried to yawn very discreetly in her napkin, but her teary eyes betrayed her. Milena felt a bit amused, for once that she wasn't among the ones in a position of struggle. Just like the vampires, she hated the early breakfasts, but this was fine.

When the Queen finally released them, some of the girls were only too happy to finally go back to their rooms. Milena bid goodbyes to the De Iris sisters, who went back first, while she took her time walking along with Bella. However, as they were only a few corridors away from the dining room, steps came from behind.

"De Crescent. Do you have a minute?"

Milena was surprised that Rachael came to replace her on her own. She exchanged glances with Bella and turned to her rival, a bit curious. Rachael was standing with her arms crossed.

Lady de Nova. I didn't think you liked me enough to come personally for a chat."

"I still don't like you," said Rachael with her usual bluntness. "However, I do have a few things I'm curious about. You knew about the Giants, didn't you?"

Milena remained quiet. She hadn't thought another of the candidates might be looking our for reactions, but apparently, Rachael hadn't missed hers. The young duchess de Nova understood Milena's silence as a yes, and nodded.

"I see. I suspected the Duke de Crescent may be aware of this and have shared with you before we came here."

Even if she was wrong on how she had gotten that information, Milena was more curious to see what Rachael had come to talk to her about it for. The Duchess de Nova had always been cold to her, to say the least, and totally impervious to her arguments and attempts to replace common ground.

Rachael sighed.

"I was impressed, tonight. I didn't think someone like you would think about matters of medicine in an army. I guess it's only natural you'd be interested in Lady Silvra's life, though."

Of course, since she was the last recorded Dhampir of their country. Milena remained silent, wondering where Rachael was aiming at.

"Anyway. It made me think a bit, about our previous discussions, and those offers you've kept coming my way."

"Really, Lady de Nova? I thought you didn't want me anywhere your school and businesses..."

Rachael snorted.

"Don't misunderstand me, De Crescent, I still do not like you. I think you're the most cunning woman around, and I don't trust you on many matters. However, I'd rather bet on a smart woman than a complete idiot."

It was clear as to who the complete idiot was in Rachael's eyes. She had made a fool of herself tonight, even if no one had said it out loud. Was that the reason for Rachael's sudden trust, then?

"If there is a war coming, it won't be just a question of arguing about the fabrics of our skirts anymore. My school will need money, and our businesses will need support."

Milena couldn't believe her ears. Was Rachael hinting at an actual alliance? Between the two of them, at such a time? Next to her, Bella looked just as surprised.

"Isn't it an odd timing to be suggesting this, Lady de Nova? When we are more rivals than ever?"

"We are just as rivals as before, De Crescent. However, this will be over in a few days. I'm letting you know this in advance so you won't think I'm trying to suck it up to you later. Whoever wins this stupid competition will be a Princess. If a war starts, we will get our hands dirty right after we get that crown, and to be honest, my people's well-being comes before my own pride."

Milena was speechless. Somehow, she had never imagined that her speech defending Princess Silvra's doings in the Army would earn Rachael's trust. Even if it was more because of Philomenie's idiotic answer than hers, Milena didn't really care. This was too big. Even before a Princess was chosen, two of the most powerful ladies would associate, as partners, to do anything they could to prepare for the upcoming war. Milena understood better why Rachael had confronted the Queen earlier. She was taking the temperature, seeing how Her Highness Queen Lyriana would be ready to give information, and more importantly, how the candidates would react to it.

Since Rachael had been looking for information, the fact that Milena was perfectly aware of the upcoming battle had played in her favor. This was a unique chance. A unique chance for Milena to take an upstart in that race, or even better, for later. If having allies was important, turning her rival into one of them was a great accomplishment. Milena smiled.

"It's... very unexpected, Lady de Nova, but I appreciate your sincerity. Is there anything specific you want us to discuss, then?"

"Don't get too heated up," said Rachael with a sneer. "It isn't said which one of us will take the crown, De Crescent."

"How? Are you really here to play, then?" Asked Milena with a little smirk.

Rachael shook her head.

"There's twelve of us, De Crescent. Duchess or Countess, it's time we realize it doesn't matter much to her Highness. She's here to test us and like she promised, we have no guarantee, don't we? Though, I'd rather let you have the crown than see that happen. I do hope we won't get beaten by a Countess. That would be damn embarrassing..."