Lady Dhampir
Chapter 76

That little taste of blood remained on Milena's lips even long after the Vampire Prince was gone. It was hard to forget the sensations she had felt to simply go to sleep. She was faced with what might be the biggest decisions of her life in a single week already, but that discussion with Rayan had topped it all.

Her future husband... Milena had been aware of her status since she had been retrieved by her family. No one was hiding that she couldn't marry anyone, and that her wedding would be a political one. No matter how much he loved her, the Duke had been clear from the start. Milena had always thought it was fine. She would put her family's well-being first. However, recently, things were changing around her, and a bit too fast at that.

Her frienship with Ellias had turned into something different. A strange game of push and pull, where the rules didn't allow them to speak their feelings, only to read between the lines. It was confusing, and with time, it had become too confusing for Milena herself. She couldn't say when she had gotten bored with it, but lately, all the situations going on around them had become too real for their games to be fun to entertain anymore. She was concerned about her family, about protecting Raphael's secret, about foreseeing who the future King would be, who would she get married with, and, more recently, what was going on with the Wendigos, and whoever was behind their creation. As Milena laid in bed, unable to replace sleep, the memories of all those last few weeks were playing over and over in her mind. She grabbed her little notebook, taking some random notes about everything that was bothering her, as if putting in on the paper would take it off her mind. It didn't really help make her better about those, but at least, she didn't get drowsy, and fell asleep as soon as she let go of the pen.

Her night was agitated.

Blanche tried to comfort her several times, but Milena still woke up earlier than usual the next morning, to get lost in her thoughts again. She was up right before the sky turned into a light purple, when the first lights of the day beamed outside, outshining the stars. Milena watched it while caressing Blanche, trying to organize her thoughts once again.

Somehow, she had realized how she was not as important as she thought. The people didn't really care who the next Queen and Princess would be, as long as they stayed safe. Milena had made it too much of a big deal in her own mind. The one thing that was making her crazy was that she hadn't been blinded by love but by mere jealousy. She didn't want Rachael or Philomenie to overpower her and win the race to the bridal selection. They were all playing the Queen's game.

Now, Milena was tired of playing anymore. She didn't care about the Queen's petty games and tests. She was a young Duchess already, with nothing to worry about her future. No matter what, she was spared from the hardships of life, with three meals a day, clean clothes on her back, and a warm bed to sleep in. All she needed to concern herself about was not getting killed, and not fighting with the wrong person. There weren't many people she couldn't afford to anger. "Blanche?"

The cat next to her stretched, meowing loudly before standing up; Milena sighed. "Are you still pouting about last night?"

As an answer, the silver cat started its day by scratching the carpet loudly. Milena sighed. She knew Blanche didn't like the sneaky prince and hadn't been fond of witnessing their hot interactions from the previous night, either. Milena felt a bit sorry for her, but Rayan had no idea her friend was able to understand a word they were saying, let alone shape shift into a human form...

Milena couldn't help but wonder how Rayan always seemed ahead of her, on so many things. Not only was he deeply aware of her close relationship with Ellias, but he was also often around her, appearing in unexpected places where she didn't even expect to replace herself in, like that brothel...

She decided not to dwell on that matter any longer. She would have Ruby investigate about Rayan's secrets later. There were still three days to go with the competition, and even if she had now secured her place as a Princess, Milena had no intention to stay still and lose some opportunity. She was still suspicious of the Queen's whereabouts and, from what she had gathered from the twin Princes, she was even more curious about her family. Because the Queen was a decisive judge in the bridal selection, it was essential that the De Boreal family wouldn't get involved or show favoritism to any of the candidates. Though she had a few relationships with that family, all positive, Milena had no idea what was their relationship to the Duke De Winter or even the Duke De Nova. She noted that she should ask Rachael about that later.

Despite Blanche's sulking, it didn't take long for her to come back to her human form to help Milena change before breakfast time. She made sure to speak her mind, though. "Ugly prince to sneaky!"

"I know, Blanche, but this was actually a good thing for me, right? You heard him. Even if Prince Ellias eventually picks Lady Philomenie instead of me, I'll marry him." "Millie happy with ugly?"

Milena chuckled, and turned to have Blanche help her tie her laces.

"It's not just about me being happy, Blanche. If I don't become one of the Princes, a countess will, and it will be a bad reputation for the House De Crescent. Even if there's a bridal selection, everyone knows it has to be two Duchesses. It would be too much to have a countess picked. The Royal Family would anger the two Duchy Houses left." "Still, Millie happy or not happy?"

"I promise I will do my best to be happy with whoever my husband turns out to be. How about that? Oh, not those, I want the other pair of shoes..."

"Bet stupid. Pretty Prince so boring."

"So you don't like either of the twins?"

Blanche sighed, and shook her head, getting on her knees to help Milena put on her shoes.

"Millie happy, Blanche happy. But ugly Prince too sneaky, and pretty prince too chatty."

"Which one do you like better then? Prince Ellias or Prince Rayan?"

Blanche paused a moment to think of an answer. She was actually struggling a bit to help Milena put on her shoes. She wasn't very good at using her human fingers, and never had to lace her shoes either. She had to focus for a couple of minutes before she could stand back. "Prince pretty too confusing... Bad liar. Prince sneaky very sneaky, but not a liar."

"So you're thinking so too... I really wish I could be fixated once and for all. I'm still wondering if betraying Prince Ellias for his brother will be the best move..."

"Millie thinks too much! Prince pretty picks princess, Prince sneaky pick Princess! Millie good choice!"

"So you think so too... I wish everything could think like you. I know this is all politics, but I wish I knew which of their words are the truth, and which part are just manipulating lies. It's tiring. I spend my time trying to prove my value to two men who have nothing to do but be born in the right bed."

"But Millie likes kiss kiss!"

Milena blushed. She had forgotten Blanche had seen all of that, too... Rayan had taken his sweet time before leaving, enjoying the young Duchess' lips until they got almost swollen. Milena unconsciously touched her lips, still able to remember that feeling very vividly. She felt shameless. What would her father and brother think if they knew what had happened the previous night with the Prince?

"Millie likes Prince ugly kiss kiss, and Prince ugly bite bite too..." "Blanche!"

Her friend was teasing her on purpose. Milena was getting redder and redder. It was true that, far from the innocent, quiet love she had always had for Ellias, Rayan was awakening some very passionate parts of her heart. Their interactions were more physical and shaking Milena to her core. What would it be like to be married to the Vampire Prince? She didn't even dare to imagine. Moreover, she had promised to sleep every night with him if that happened! "Millie kiss kiss... bite bite..."

"Blanche, enough!" Milena exploded.

Her friend smirked like a cat teasing his prey and jumped to shapeshift into an ermine. The silver creature climbed up Milena's dress, all the way up to come and rub her furry cheek against Milena's. The young Duchess sighed and went to sit in front of the mirror to finish her make-up and hairdo. Somehow, she had that strange feeling that she was carrying her new secret all over her face. Those three days were going to be very long...

Milena decided to leave her apartments early. She hadn't slept enough, but the little morning breeze would surely wake her up. Walking among the corridors, she tried to replace her way back to the little winter garden they had taken their breakfast in a while ago. She only encountered a few maids on her way, and no other candidates. The Royal Castle was still very quiet at that early hour.

When she arrived at the garden she was looking for, a few servants appeared surprised to see the young Duchess, as they were still in the middle of preparing everything, but they politely greeted her and went on with their tasks. Meanwhile, Milena walked a bit further, venturing into the winter garden. It was a romantic garden, with some new types of flowers she had never seen before. Truth was, Milena still remembered all those books about gardens she used to read when she was a child. She loved flowers, but she couldn't remember when she had stopped reading them... Blanche sneaked down her arm, and, like a little animal, went on to explore between the bushes. Milena was left alone to watch the flowers.

"You big idiot! Do you know how dangerous this is!"

Milena turned her head, surprised to see one of the maids scolded heavily. She frowned, and walked back, curious to see what the ruckus was about. Nothing seemed amiss, except for the young maid that was clumsily holding a bottle in her hands. "I'm very sorry, sir! Please don't fire me!"

"What is the matter?" Asked Milena.

The superior butler, judging by his outfit, lowly bowed to Milena.

"I'm deeply sorry for disturbing your walk, Lady de Crescent. This subordinate of mine was extremely uncareful in handling this morning's drink for the guests of her Highness."

"What is wrong with this bottle...?"

The servants exchanged a look behind them, a bit unsure on how to respond. However, the superior butler stood back up, taking the bottle of what was obviously blood from the hands of the maids.

"Every dish and drink served to the ladies has to be double-checked by the guards, Lady de Crescent, and this bottle doesn't have the usual marking of our usual security process. We are doing our best to verify everything that..."

Before he finished his sentence, Milena grabbed the bottle and opened it. It smelled like blood indeed... She grabbed a glass and poured some in it. Nothing seemed a miss by the color or smell, but she was curious. Turning one of her rings, she opened a secret compartment and poured a little liquid. Immediately, the blood in the glass turned black. Milena frowned.

"So it was poisoned indeed..." She whispered. "How many of those... threats have you stopped so far?"

The superior butler seemed hesitant. Milena saw him frown and bite his inferior lip, but he couldn't ignore the young Duchess' question for too long.

"Yes, young Duchess. As you know, having so many esteemed guests at the same time is a very serious matter, and her Highness has specifically instructed us to pay extra care to anything..."

"How many times?"

"Excuse me?"

"I asked how many assassination attempts have you stopped so far?" Asked Milena, getting impatient.

"It's hard to say, your Highness... Perhaps three or four per day..."

Milena was astonished. Even if it was a big matter, she had no idea all of the candidates were in such danger daily... Moreover, this bottle of blood could have been served by any vampire candidate, or herself. Were people so eager to strike them out of the competition? Milena suddenly realized how much danger she truly was. All the debates with the Queen and the bickering with her rivals had almost made her lose sight of the fact that, beyond those doors, there were still enemies trying to get her away from the

crown.

The Dhampir Lady snickered. Well, those people would be soon disappointed, because she had no intention to die, and no intention to retire from this competition either.

"Lady de Crescent, we will do our best to replace who is behind this. Our guards are already..."

Milena was done listening to the servants. She walked back to the gardens, and, once she was far enough, stopped to wait for Blanche. Sure enough, the silver snake came back to crawl under her skirt.

So someone was very eager to take her out of the competition. Probably not a vampire, but someone supporting one of the human candidates. Milena frowned. She was about to turn around and leave when, a bit further away from her, deeper into the garden. She spotted blonde hair among the branches. She stopped and hesitated. She had seen her enough to recognize Philomenie's hair.

Milena hesitated. Should she go and see? Very silently, she got closer, without making herself seen. Though her eyes weren't as good as those of a vampire, her ears were pretty good. Hence, she could stop while still standing far enough. A sound, in particular, stopped her when she recognized it. Milena was surprised.

Philomenie was sobbing.