Lady Dhampir
Chapter 81

The audience was stunned, everyone's eyes on the black carriage. Even if they couldn't recognize the old vampire woman, the crest on her car and Milena helping her to get down were enough clues. Also, the Queen was absolutely livid, looking like someone had just slapped her. "Was the trip alright, grandmother?" Asked Milena, as soon as her grandmother was out of the carriage.

"It was terrible! What happened to the roads of this Kingdom? I'll see if that little brat doesn't take care of that soon once he receives my complaint!"

Milena tried hard not to smirk, hearing her dear great-grandmother refer to the King as a brat... Archduchess Maribella was the only person alive whose status could be considered equal, or even higher to the Queen. It was extremely rare for a noble to receive that title, and in all the history of Solaris, which was roughly three centuries, the old vampire lady was the sixth one. As always, the Archduchess wore a black dress, with no frilly and only delicate embroideries. Unlike the puffy dresses that were trending at the moment, hers was straight as a tube, with only a large bow in her rear back. She clicked her tongue, glaring at the gathering, but did not say anything and walked there by Milena's side.

Even if her status gave her no obligation to go and great Queen Lyriana first, the fact that the Archduchess went straight to her oldest great-grandson had some people gossip. The poor Queen was frozen where she was, completely helpless and unsure what to do. Seeing his great-grandmother approach, Valentin smiled awkwardly.

"Good Evening, Grandmother. I didn't know you were coming..."

"Obviously! Or else, I hoped you would have worn something else! Doesn't your father have any money? What is that attire!"

Milena and Iris were used to the old woman's nasty comments and had to look down to hide their smiles. The poor Valentin tried to laugh it off, but he was obviously embarrassed. "Grandmother, this is the official uniform for Royal Captains..."

"Is it? Well, it's ugly anyway!"

Valentin opened his mouth, shocked, but unfortunately, there was nothing he could answer to that. To relay him a little, Eugenie De Iris bowed politely, her sisters behind her doing the same. "It's an honor to meet you again, Archduchess."

"Oh, the De Iris girls. Well, at least my grandson seems to have good taste. You look decently smart and well-educated."

That was the closest to a compliment anyone could get from the Archduchess, and thankfully Eugenie knew that. She was much better than Valentin at handling the picky old lady and smiled brightly. "Thank you, Archduchess! I'll look forward to your guidance as a Lady of the House De Crescent."

"What guidance? You can do whatever you want, let this old woman retire!"

Milena and Eugenie secretly exchanged smiles. Despite being a few years over a hundred years old, the Archduchess didn't look like an elderly ready for retirement. She was standing perfectly straight despite her cane and looking healthy with her shiny white hair and sharp eyes.

Behind them, seeing the Archduchess wouldn't come to her first, the Queen had no choice but to walk over herself. For once, it was very nice for Milena to see the all mighty Queen be so wary. She had reasons to. Even if she was the current Queen of this Kingdom, among the nobility, no one could disrespect the elderly. Each family had their own ancestors who, if they were still alive, retained their influence until they died. It was not like what everything they had done and their popularity at the court was forgotten once they retired from the main scene. Archduchess Maribella hadn't made an official appearance in ages, but everyone instantly knew who that old Lady de Crescent was, and the respect she was entitled too. After all, she was one of the previous King's sister-in-law, and, back in her time, she was known to be quite a powerful woman of her own. While her husband had shined among the military, the Archduchess had been a figure of women empowerment.

"Greetings, Archduchess," said the Queen.

She didn't need to bow, but she did make sure to lower her head very respectfully, trying to regain her composure. With the few women who followed the queen and bowed, their group had grown, and nothing intimate could be said there. However, as usual, Milena's stern grandmother had no filter. She glanced at the Queen from head to toe with a disdainful look.

"Young Queen Lyriana," she said. "What is this now? Are you giving me manners?"

Milena was truly savoring this moment. Even if she didn't give anything away anymore, the Queen was definitely in a tight spot, trying to smile politely.

"Of course, Lady de Crescent. Your an inspiration for all the ladies of this Kingdom," replied the Queen.

"Really? Then I probably didn't do enough back then, seeing that sad show today!"

The Archduchess' stern words managed to shook the Queen. She lost her smile for a second, looking distressed. She glanced around, trying to see what the old vampire lady could be complaining about, but so far, nothing seemed a miss. The servants from the Royal Castle were working to keep the plates and glasses full, the tents, tablecloths and dresses didn't have a spark of dust on them, and even the snow was regularly swept away to make sure no one dirtied their shoes.

"Is there anything to your discomfort, Archduchess?"

"Are you kidding me, young Queen?"

It was satisfying to see her grandmother playing with the Queen's nerves. Whatever Maribella intended to complain about, she was obviously having fun making the poor Queen sweat trying to guess. At least, Milena was aware of that. The Queen's entourage seemed lost trying to understand, and some were probably dying to walk away from this painful situation. No one wanted to get on an Archduchess' bad side, no one.

However, Queen Lyriana was obviously doing her best to stay composed. Her eyes went over Milena for a few seconds, before she returned to her great-grandmother.

"Archduchess, I don't understand... If there's anything bothering you, I can..."

"What bothers me is how self-entitled you are, Lyriana!"

Everyone was struck for a second. It took more than two extra lives to dare say such a thing to the Queen's face, but now, the De Crescent Archduchess had definitely done it. Even Milena was a bit surprised, glancing at her grandmother. She hadn't expected so much while inviting her to attend the hunt tonight... Did Maribella had more bad blood with the Queen that her great-grandchildren didn't know about?

The Queen looked deeply offended, she had her lips tightly sealed, unable to hold a glare at the Archduchess anymore. The old lady sighed disdainfully.

"A competition? Really? Oh much higher do you think you stand above the young generation of this country, to arrange such an outrageous thing? Summoning all the young duchesses and countesses, comparing them like some merchandise? What is that supposed to mean! As if a Queen was made in a week! What were you thinking? Do you dare think you got this position because you were the best, perhaps!"

Now, that was some serious offense. Valentin and his younger sister exchanged a glance, both helpless. It was as if someone had launched a hurricane without thinking and everyone was waiting to see when it'd stop, and with how much damage left behind. The Archduchess truly wasn't afraid of anything! Now, everyone around the Queen seemed very embarrassed to be there to witness her Highness' utter defeat.

The main problem being that each word the Archduchess had said was awfully right. All the nobles of the Kingdom knew why Lyriana de Boreal had been chosen as the queen many years ago. Milena, too, remembered Rayan's words about his mother. Lyriana hadn't been chosen because she was the best candidate, but because she was convenient. She was the only vampire of the right age, the right background, without being anyone too important in her own family. Compared to her, any of the three young duchesses were superior to the Queen when she was their age. Rachael was even the sole heiress of her family, Milena had a lot of relationships and a business in her name already, and Philomenie had the people's love plus the full Church's support. All three of them were highly valued in their families, wealthy too, and had marriage prospects waiting for them and even if they weren't picked as princesses, their future was bright.

Meanwhile, if Lyriana hadn't married the King, she would have been married off to some Count and forgotten. Moreover, it was notorious that her relationship with the King wasn't a loving one. They were closer to a strictly professional relationship and rarely appeared together in public. They had produced some heirs, and that was pretty much it.

All of a sudden, Milena even felt a bit of pity for the Queen. Archduchess Maribella probably didn't mean to remind her of her pitiful circumstances, but she did need the stern wakeup call. The nobles around were giving the Queen some judging glances, waiting to see how she'd react.

Lyriana looked like she was boiling inside, her lower lip trembling despite her mouth firmly closed. Her eyes were sending fire at the old lady and Milena would have bet her entire fortune that, if she wasn't a vampire and cold-blooded, she would be red with anger right now.

"I am unsure what you are talking about, Archduchess. However, all the ladies present agreed to this. This is meant to be a fair competition, and..."

Milena chose this precise moment to loudly clear her throat. A fair competition, really? The Queen's burning eyes went town to her, but with her great-grandmother standing like a fortress next to her, Milena wasn't going to flinch one bit.

"Not a Competition, but a Selection, Lyriana," retorted the old Vampire Lady. "There's a difference, and I really hope you don't forget it. They have names, houses, and whether you like it or not, power and relations. You're not getting rid of those young girls once they leave this Royal Castle, they'll remain, grow into self-entitled ladies and stay long after you're an old bitter granny, trust me." Anyone could tell the old vampire was talking from experience.

Milena too suddenly realized that her great-grandmother had probably lived in the Royal Castle, too, with her husband before they moved out to leave the new generations in charge. Maybe for a short time only, but it was the custom that the King's successor lived in the Castle, just in case. Lady Maribella had probably lived here with her husband until his nephew was born...

Lyriana cleared her throat and took a deep breath, looking furious despite her apparent calm.

"Lady de Crescent, I strongly advise you to watch your words very carefully from now on," said the Queen, not clear about which one she was talking to on purpose. "This is for the future of this Kingdom. My sons will only marry the best ladies about the nobility. Until then, I hope the House De Crescent will remember I am still the Queen of this Kingdom."

The Archduchess de Crescent took one step closer, not impressed one bit, and got in a close face-to-face with the Queen, her stern expression on.

"Not for much longer, Lyriana. Really not long. Remember that too."

Not letting her reply anything else, the Archduchess clicked her tongue and suddenly turned to Milena.

"Come, Milena. This old lady is thirsty. I need to drink something and still, none of those useless people had the decency to give me a drink yet!"

As her great-grandmother almost f****d her to move, Milena tried to give the Queen one last glance, but Lyriana was livid, and what's more, none of her so-called followers was moving to comfort her or anything. The Queen probably had learned her lesson this time...

She was a bit relieved. Even as a bystander, Milena had felt the tension in the air like electricity. While her grandmother was finally served, she tried to relax a bit. To her surprise, Maribella ordered a cup of red wine. "Grandmother, is that reasonable?"

"You make this old lady come out of her Manor for the first time in years, and you won't even let me drink? What are you afraid of? If I had to die from something, it might as well be something as fun as too much alcohol!" Milena sighed. She couldn't keep her from it, and anyway, her grandmother was indeed already too healthy for her age. The vampire genes were truly impressive...

"Greetings, Archduchess."

To Milena's surprise, Rayan and Rachael had approached their duo together, both bowing respectfully.

"Who is that now?" Said the old Lady.

"Rachael de Nova, Archduchess De Crescent," said Rachael, bowing respectfully.

"Oh, indeed. You had your father's features. Your grandmother was quite a pain, back in the day, but she was smart. We thought a lot at all those Senate sessions... She probably still hates me over a couple of matters. Oh well. She's one old hag." Milena and Rachael exchanged an awkward glance. At least, the Archduchess didn't seem to have anything against the younger generation of the House de Nova... "And I am..."

"I know who you are, young man," interrupted Maribella.

She raised the hand that was holding her cane, directly pointing at Rayan's scar. She made a bit of a grimace.

"As if I'd forget that thing on your face. Such a horrible thing, boy."

Despite the very awkward truth uttered by the old woman, the vampire prince didn't seem hurt or offended one bit. Rayan actually smiled and nodded.

"I'm glad the Archduchess is remembering me. Have you been well?"

Milena frowned. Her grandmother and Rayan? Where would they have met? She had never heard of Maribella going to the Castle, or any occasion where the Archduchess could have met the twin princes. As a vampire Archduchess, the only even she had an obligation to attend was the Crowning of the King. She didn't even need to attend the baptisms of members of the Royal Family, or any other official events all the nobles had obligations too. So where would she have met Rayan, to know about his scar too...?