Lady Dhampir
Chapter 71

The Prince Ellias' chocked expression didn't soften Milena one bit. She was pissed a bit more every time he had mentioned her rival, and this was one too many times already. He seemed to hesitate a little bit, looking for his words. "Lady Milena, don't be like this, please."

"I said I understand, your Highness."

Milena's cold tone was a clear statement itself. Her arms crossed, she had replied without even looking at him. Ellias didn't hide his flustered expression. Never had Milena rejected him like this. He glanced at Rayan. His twin had a smirk on, obviously very pleased with the situation. That annoyed Ellias even more.

"Brother, would you mind giving us a minute."

"What for?"

"I would like so speak to the young Duchess. Privately."

Milena and Rayan exchanged a glance. She knew that, if she asked him, Rayan would ignore his brother and stay. However, she didn't. A little part of her was too curious, and the other too proud to ask for Prince Rayan's help. The Vampire prince sighed and got up. "Fine. I have to do some research now, anyway... I'll see you later, Milena."

Rayan had never called her simply by her first name before, but Ellias didn't know that. The human prince went livid, and Milena didn't display any emotion of surprise or say anything to establish the truth. Actually, she was more concerned about what Prince Rayan meant by "later". Later, she was supposed to go to have dinner with no one but the Queen and the candidates... Was he going to show up after that? Milena sighed, thinking she was never going to be able to sleep peacefully now.

Once the door was closed behind the Vampire Prince, Ellias frowned.

"What was that?" He asked, almost brutally.

"What was what, your Highness," sighed Milena.

"Stop calling me that! We have been friends for years, why are you giving me the cold shoulder now! I don't understand how you can be so jealous just because I mentioned Philomenie a couple of times! This is just all politics, and we both know that very well!" "So you can call her Philomenie to my face, but you're shocked about Prince Rayan calling me by my first name?" said Milena, annoyed. "I am starting to wonder what kind of politics you are playing at, exactly!"

Once again, Ellias seemed completely taken by surprise by Milena's anger. Her burning eyes were now glaring at him with an accusing look. He almost stuttered, walking up to her, but Milena took a step back, clearly showing her defiance.

"I have always been very clear with you!" He claimed. "Milena, you've always known I want to beat Rayan and be crown Prince! We both know my brother cannot be made the King, it has to be me, for everyone's sake. Didn't we have that conversation many times? And you always agreed with me, all of my political ideas, too!"

Ellias took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure and talk very seriously.

"I need as much support as I can now, it is critical. Phi.... Lady Philomenie knows that, and just like you, she is my friend and has done nothing but try to help! I don't understand why does it have to be now that you can't keep your jealousy in check! We only have a few days left to go, so why did you have to act like this now? The wendigos, the Oracle, all of this can wait after the Selection, can't it? I don't understand why you are so focused on this while everyone else is trying to make connections, and become the best bridal candidate!"

Milena was rendered speechless.

"Is that what you really think? That I'm just a pathetic woman, being jealous and losing my time with trivial things?"

"Well, you were not like that before," replied Ellias, looking a bit sorry. "I don't mean to insult you, Milena, but we both know what a smart woman you are. It hurts me to see you stoop to those women's level. We both know Philomenie's worth, and she is nothing compared to you, but this is exactly the time you should be attracting more families to rally you, and..."

"Don't you think I'm only sipping tea and taking strolls in the gardens?" Retorted Milena, exasperated. "Sorry to bring the news to you, but I am not just sitting around doing nothing!"

"I am not saying that! But look at the situation. You only have gained one more ally since the beginning of this, Milena, haven't you? Do you think the De Camellia daughter will weight much compared to the support of the Church? If Rayan marries Philomenie, I..." Milena scoffed.

"Is that what worries you? That Prince Rayan will snatch the support of the Church? Are you that blind? Prince Rayan is and will always be a vampire! The church as always been rooting for you, too! There is no way he..."

"My brother might be a vampire, but his wife will be human! If the church wants Philomenie to be Queen, they will support whoever she marries. I can feel their support will waver any time, Milena, and you just said it yourself minutes ago, them putting the Saint by her side was no coincidence!"

Milena took a deep breath. So that's why Ellias was stuck to Philomenie those days. He was scared she would give the support of the church to his brother... Or snatch it from him herself. This was utterly ridiculous, in Milena's eyes. Of all the candidates, there was no way Rayan would pick Philomenie. Moreover, Philomenie herself was most likely nothing but a puppet, and Milena was more interested to know who was pulling her strings.

However, Ellias couldn't see that. Because there was such a gap between both brothers, Ellias was only focusing on taking all of Rayan's pieces without knowing what Rayan was truly relying on. Certainly anything but the Church he loathed. Milena chuckled. "Prince Rayan is not interested in Philomenie, or the Church," she said.

"You're being blind, Lady Milena," retorted Ellias. "Rayan is playing you. He lets you think he has no interest in the crown, no interest in you, no interest in Philomenie, but that's not true. He's been my rival my whole life. I know how Rayan thinks, and if he wants to be King, that's exactly how he will do it!" "Who is blinded by jealousy, now, your Highness?"

Milena's words seemed to shock Ellias. However, the young duchess was very calm, and perfectly controlling her emotions. She felt insulted enough that Ellias had been underestimating her in the competition, but now, she really didn't like to be put between the two princes. She took a deep breath.

"Prince Ellias, I will say this once. I am rooting for you to become King, as I always have. However, I really hope you make the right decisions for the future of this Empire, not just to beat your brother. As a young duchess, it will be my pride to support the next Sun of Solaris, in all the ways I can. However, Prince Ellias, if you insult me or my intentions again, I won't allow it. I have my own pride, and it can't measure to any political scheme you'd like me to play."

Ellias took in her words seriously and, for a few seconds, hesitated on how to answer.

"Lady Milena, I know you are already a great Duchess. Definitely the smartest of the candidates, too. However, I really wish you can make the best out of this competition, for both of our futures. If you are to be my best ally, I really hope those four remaining days can be more fruitful to you."

Milena remained silent. She could have told him. That she was on the verge of reaching an agreement with Rachael and extend her circle of friends all at once, just like Ellias had hoped. However, she couldn't. Some kind of gap was now open between Ellias and her, and she wasn't sure she could trust him so blindly anymore.

Of course, she still believed he would make a great king. However, what scared her was how far he would go for that. Rayan was scaring Ellias more than she had thought. Philomenie had become an even bigger asset in Ellias' eyes, and that was Milena's fault for telling him the truth about the Saint. She thought about Blanche, hidden in her pocket. Milena had her own people to protect, too. Unlike Ellias, she wasn't ready to give everything up for a crown. Ellias mistook her complex expression and tried to cheer her up. He grabbed Milena's hand gently.

"You'll always be the one woman in my heart," he whispered. "I trust you, blindly. My feelings for you haven't wavered in the slightest."

Milena was a bit touched by that, but she couldn't look him in the eye. Somehow, she knew she would waver if she did, and she didn't want to have to face him now when she was so confused. "Thank you, your Highness," she said.

Her voice wasn't cold or gentle, merely polite. Ellias was a bit flustered. He wasn't used to Milena giving him the cold shoulder. She had been his best friend all those years, but now, the young duchess was acting in a way he didn't recognize her.

"... Is the competition tiring you out?" He gently asked. "I am sorry you have to go through all of this. My mother..."

"You seemed happy for me to get an opportunity to make more allies," said Milena.

"That is true, but... I don't like seeing my Dear Friend put in such a position. It's like sending you into an arena and being f****d to watch. You're above all that, and yet here I am, nagging you about politics. We both know you were never the kind to make many friends, but now you have to cope with all those greedy ladies for a week."

"I think I can survive," sighed Milena.

Ellias' attitude was really troubling her. Milena didn't like feeling her heart being swayed so easily. She tried to think of an excuse to leave soon, but Ellias was still holding her hand and spoke first.

"You know... It is true that I am jealous of Rayan, on many things. I feel like you're the only one I can trust. I know you don't like my brother, and you won't be swayed by his words."

"What words do you think I would be swayed by?" Asked Milena.

"Rayan and I are alike on so many levels, but he is... cunning. If I want something, Rayan will want it, too. However, it's okay. I know I can believe in you, Milena. You've always been my dear friend, that will never change."

A cold shiver went down Milena's spine. Something was disturbing her. Not in Ellias' words, but in her own body. The human Prince had no idea about how she truly felt. About him, or about Rayan. Even Milena herself wasn't sure she knew, either. It was all becoming too blurry, too unsure. She felt like she was standing at crossroads, with no idea which path to take.

"... You'll always be my dear friend as well," she whispered.

Her words brought a large smile on Ellias' face. He seemed reassured, and Milena responded with a little smile too, but she took back her hand.

"If you'll excuse me, your Highness, I have to get going," she said.

"Of course, Lady de Crescent. I hope you have a wonderful evening."

After a polite reverence, Milena walked out of the room, and once she was out, stood against the door, taking a deep breath. Her head was hurting a bit. She heard Ellias, inside, ordering the servants to not say a word about what they had heard or seen that day. Milena took a deep breath and walked quickly to her room. She slammed the bedroom door behind her and waited to see if they were truly alone for a few seconds. After a minute, she slowly fell to the ground, feeling exhausted all of a sudden. Blanche squeezed out of her pocket and shape-shifted into her human form to sit next to her, looking worried.

"...Millie looks sick."

"My head hurts..."

"Talk talk?"

Milena sighed, massaging her temples. Truth was, she still had a bit of time before the dinner. Blanche gently took off her high heels, waiting for Milena to speak.

"I don't know what to do, Blanche... The Princes... I don't know which one is playing most with my feelings. Either Rayan or Ellias. I'm not sure which to trust. I don't want to be another pawn in their game....I'm scared. I'm scared I'm going to do something stupid because of my feelings for them, and I'll regret it later. We only have less than a week left, and I'm starting to get scared."

"?"

"They are politicians. They lie... We all do. There are few people we can honestly be friends with, without any motives behind it... Gosh, I miss my brothers."

"Blanche there," said her friend, putting her head on Milena's lap.

Milena chuckled.

"That's why I love you most, Blanche. You don't care about politics at all."

"No. Just Millie happy. If Millie not happy, Blanche unhappy."

Milena nodded, feeling a bit better. Truth was, she was holding back hard on crying. She was supposed to go have dinner in a few minutes with a dozen rivals and the Queen, and she had no time to redo her makeup. She caressed Blanche's hair. She would always cut it once in a while, as her friend hated to have it long. Blanche kept her hair in a short bob, or cut very short, whatever was most convenient for her.

"If Prince makes Millie sad, Blanche bite butts."

"Alright, you'll get to bite them, then."

"Blanche protects Millie, Millie protects Blanche."

Milena nodded slightly.

"I know. I love you, Blanche."

"Love Millie too."

Blanche nodded, and laughed a bit. Milena felt a bit better after talking to her. Since their time in that cage, Blanche had always been her lifeline. Her best friend, always by her side no matter what. The only one who knew everything about her, all of her secrets. "...Milena mushy."