Lady Dhampir
Chapter 84

Milena's question obviously stunned him. The vampire prince frowned and took a step back, a bit surprised. Milena's piercing purple eyes were watching his every reaction. She had clearly seen that trouble in him while she asked. However, the Prince soon regained his composure, tilting his head. "I wonder where does that question comes from? That's a pretty serious matter to bring up suddenly..."

"Aren't you going to answer?" She said, coldly.

Milena was annoyed at him avoiding her question, again. She was dead serious, and after that earlier fright, certainly not in the mood for one of his games. Rayan seemed to hesitate for a few seconds, all smile disappearing from his lips. "Why are you suddenly asking me that?"

"You've left hints," she said. "Now I'm getting really curious. We knew each other before I was kidnapped, didn't we?"

"You were two years old, Milena. I'm not expecting you to remember."

"You sounded like you did. When you mentioned your scar, you said I was the only one who had never been scared of it." "That's the truth."

"It sounded like you were talking as if we knew each other for a long time. Longer than I knew Prince Ellias."

Rayan's eye twitched slightly at the mention of his younger brother. He took a deep breath.

"Didn't I promise to tell you everything after we got married?"

"Engaged. But you never mentioned it had anything to do with my mother," retorted Milena, upset.

His scar, their relationship, and her mother were never three things she would have associated together before. So how was it all related now? Milena didn't have any answers yet, but after all the hints, she couldn't take it anymore. She was boiling to know. There were already too many mysteries going on in her life.

In the Manor De Crescent, the death of the Duchess was an absolute taboo. Milena had understood that it was a topic that brought nothing but pain and despair to her father and brothers, and she had never dared to ask twice. Somehow, she knew why she was so scared to ask. Because her k********g and her mother's death had happened on the very same day, she had always been afraid to know how she was responsible for it. Her first years back in the manor were about replaceing her place back in her family. The ones after that, about becoming a real lady. Now, there was this race to the throne that had taken all of her thoughts for months. There never seemed to be the right time to investigate or ask.

However, now, she really had to ask. Milena was getting some really bad feeling about all this, and the fact that the man she might be about to be engaged had anything to do with her mother's death was ringing in her ears. She needed to confirm. Rayan waited for a few seconds, gauging the look in her eyes. When Milena was like this, her amethyst eyes could turn as cold as ice. She was not going to be satisfied with him simply brushing her off this time. He sighed. "What do you want to know?"

"My mother. Did you have anything to do with her death?" She hissed.

He hesitated a few seconds, carefully thinking his words.

"Not directly. I was barely five years old, Lady de Crescent. Do you seriously think I could have anything to do with the Duchess' death?"

"Then how is it related to you, or your scar?"

His eyes got a bit redder, annoyed.

"Those are questions I can only answer after we are engaged."

"Why not now!"

"I don't trust you, Milena de Crescent. Not yet, not fully. Despite everything going on between you and me, I will not reveal my darkest secret until I'm sure of the woman I am set to marry."

Milena was shocked. His darkest secret? ... He didn't believe her? After all this, everything that had already happened between the two of them? That was a big blow to her. Not because she trusted him too much; she always had some reserve towards both Princes, but because she had forgotten that Rayan, too, was a schemer. Even more so than Ellias. Somehow, with everything he had told her, all he had done to head her way, she had thought he trusted her already.

However, after a few seconds thinking about it, Milena couldn't blame him. Truth was, she hadn't yet proven anything to him. The bridal selection wasn't over, and Rayan probably wouldn't be sure of her loyalty until she was legally bound to him. That would take for him to put her name on a piece of paper, and for Milena to say yes to his proposal. They weren't there yet. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes. Everything was always so tense, like... like standing on the edge of a cliff, and be scared to fall if she didn't know who would hold her hand.

As she remained silent for a while, seemingly hurt by his words, the vampire prince sighed and grabbed her hand gently.

"I didn't mean to sound so harsh. However, you know how tense the situation is. I just need to be absolutely sure. I know what feelings you have for my brother, Milena, but I..."

Before Rayan could finish that sentence, she kissed him.

This was totally unplanned, but Milena just felt like this was what she wanted and needed to do at that moment. He couldn't trust her, but she had no other weapon to show to him. Giving herself to him was like a silent pledge, a token of passion until their fates were sealed together. Holding his hand in hers, she had her lips against his. Rayan was so surprised, it took him a few seconds to react, close his eyes, and answer her kiss. Milena wasn't acting any innocent. Her kiss wasn't as passionate as Rayan, but she was definitely not being a prude lady right now. He smiled a bit, enjoying the young woman's sudden boldness, and had her step back a bit, cornering her against a tree. This was the first time she initiated a kiss, and he wasn't going to let her end it so easily. His cold hand on her neck, Rayan kept kissing her wildly, avidly. His fangs were almost tingling.

He wanted this young woman, it was almost vital. It wasn't just about this carnal desire he had for her, but his own existence felt like he couldn't part with Milena. Whether they became enemies or lovers, he could feel their destinies were closely intertwined. However, if he had to choose, he'd definitely have her. Everything about her had an addictive taste, and he was her junkie. That kiss wasn't enough, but he loved it. He pursued her lips, more and more, trapping her until she could barely breathe. Milena was regretting her boldness a bit now. He wasn't giving her any room for air, and no chance to escape. Not so much decency, either. Their kiss was almost savage, as Rayan had clearly taken the lead. His hand was still on her neck, almost trapping her there. She couldn't stop blushing. This felt absolutely unreal. Just the two of them, kissing wildly in the middle of a winter forest. Was it bad that she was getting used to his kisses? Somehow, it felt like the two of them were getting deeper inside a world they wouldn't come back from...

They brutally stopped, when they heard the sound of horses coming. Thankfully, their sharp ears gave them a few seconds of advance to step back from each other, and adjust their hair and clothing, erasing the traces of their f*******n kiss just then. Milena took a deep breath. What would happen if anyone had caught them in the act? How bad would it be? She was scared just to think about it. Her reputation dragged in the mud, and the queen's wrath... This had been a very risky move when they were only two days away from the ceremony...

The Prince smiled, and though he left some space between them, he was still dangerously close. Milena gave him an insisting look. The men were coming, they couldn't be seen like this! However, the vampire was obviously playing with her nerves. His fingers gently caressed down her neck, giving her a chill. Rayan gave her an intense look.

"What an interesting choice of necklace..." he chuckled.

Milena blushed uncontrollably, embarrassed to death. He knew! He knew why she had chosen a wider chocker, and he was playing with her nerves on purpose! She pushed him away from her, annoyed.

Just about then, the soldiers finally arrived on the scene, five of them. Milena felt a bit guilty when she realized they had done this only a few paces away from an actual dead body... This was a bit late to think about, though.

"Your Highnesses! Are you alright?" Asked the Captain of the Knights, jumping down from his horse.

"Aside from the time lost for our hunt, yes, captain," answered Rayan, stepping forward.

While he explained things to the men who had just arrived, Milena whistled for Black Bella to come to her, grabbing her horse's bridle and petting her. She had almost forgotten her mount with all of this, but the good horse had stayed close, searching in the snow for something to eat. She quietly stayed by Milena's side while the main inspected the body, though they didn't replace anything more.

While his men grabbed the body to take away, the Captain bowed to Milena and Rayan.

"My deepest apologies for this, your Highnesses! It was my mistake to have not checked the most recent recruits' background in more detail!"

"You can have the general look into this once we get back," coldly retorted Rayan.

"Yes, your Highness! Meanwhile, please allow me to accompany you and the Duchess for the rest of this hunt!"

Rayan got on the horse the soldiers had brought for him and turned to Milena with a little smile.

"Why not. It would be better if we have a chaperone with us, to avoid any gossips..."

Milena tried hard not to roll her eyes at him. It was a bit late to worry about a chaperone, after what had happened! She knew she had initiated it, but his boldness was seriously over the limit! Moreover, he was almost bragging in front of the Captain of the Knights, too!

Hence, the young Duchess ignored him and quickly got back on her horse, a bit annoyed at his attitude. She didn't like the little smirk he had on while looking at her, either! Couldn't he tone down his attitude at least when they were not alone? Thankfully, the Captain mistook her pout as Milena being upset about the whole incident with the fake knight and kept decided to detail her their recruitment process. It was different for nobles and common people. While the sons of noble families could easily access the higher ranks, as they came from families that had paid for their sword lessons since their early childhood, the common people had to go through several trials and would end up with a different faction and rank depending on their score.

Milena already knew all that, but she didn't feel like talking. That man was a bit too chatty for a knight, and he kept pestering her until Rayan suddenly shot a deer, reminding him that this was a hunt, not just a mounted outing. The continued their hunt without any further incident, but, as Rayan let her lead their little group, Milena decided to stay away from the other hunters, guiding them towards the extreme east of the hunting grounds. All the hunters would know when to come back when the Royal Castle would send a long siren sound. Until then, the hunt wasn't over and, unless something else happened, Milena wanted to give it her best.

It had been a while since she had been in the middle of the wild like this, and she enjoyed the quietness of a forest. With her slightly enhanced hearing, she paid attention to the smallest movements around her. It was miles from the Royal Castle, when there was always someone walking in nearby corridors, some maids whispering, people plotting.

Rayan went to get his prize, a beautiful deer he had killed in one shot. Milena's two hares were not a bad prize either, but she was still hoping for a bear or another deer. The Prince chuckled.

"That would be a perfect prize for my mother."

Milena frowned a bit. This was a strange present for the Queen. Each Ducal House had a representative animal, as a way to distinguish them from the other noble houses. It had been chosen long ago, as symbolism, and wasn't actually used anywhere but for seals and arms nowadays. However, it was still part of their History, and each child born in a high-ranked family had to learn all of each Noble House's characteristics by heart. Hence, Milena couldn't ignore that the deer was the symbol of the Boreal House. She frowned but didn't say anything. Deers were a common prize for hunters, anyway, no one would get offended. However, the Queen might see a little hint about her own son giving her that kind of gift... Milena took a few minutes to think about it, but, no matter what, she was pretty sure she wouldn't take it well if someone offered her a dead wolf, one of the symbols of the De Crescent House...

"...Aren't you going to hunt something for the Lady, your Highness?" Suddenly asked the Captain.

Milena wanted to glare at him. Even if he was obviously trying to make the conversation between Rayan and her, couldn't that man just mind his own business! She cleared her throat, a bit annoyed, and turned Black Bella around to start to go back. She was almost praying for something or someone to appear, just so she could ignore those two.

However, nothing happened to take her out of this embarrassing situation, and the rest of the hunt continued in awkward silence. Milena wished she could take that arrogant smile off of Rayan's face. Was that stupid man even aware that he was almost assassinated minutes ago? How could he act so nonchalant and think about flirting! Milena scolded herself for kissing him. She just couldn't take more of his grin. For the rest of this hunt, she did her best to focus on hunting, ignoring his comments. "That was one perfect shot! You're a skilled huntress, Lady de Crescent!" Exclaimed the Captain, getting down his horse to go get her prey.

"Isn't she?" Added the Prince with a smirk.

Milena wondered if anyone would believe her if she said there was an unfortunate accident with her g*n and one of Rayan's ears... She could always pretend she thought she had seen some owl fly next to his head?

Finally, the end of the hunt was signaled, much to her relief. The bags on their horses were full, anyway. She hadn't gotten any great prizes, and the Prince Rayan, too, had been rather lazy after getting his deer, only getting a snow fox and two hares. Milena couldn't help but glance at all the faces they met on their way back. Somehow, it seemed like the assassination attempt was an isolated incident. Moreover, no mention was done of it upon gathering everyone's earnings. On the side, Philomenie and the ladies who hadn't participated tried to look impressed, but Milena could tell who was disgusted at the animal bodies. Philomenie was a bit green, trying to hide her mouth behind her white glove.

"Well done," said the Queen. "Once again, the best hunters and huntresses of our Kingdom shined. The judges will now..."

The Queen couldn't end her sentence, as a wave of whispers and gasps rose. Milena frowned, turning her head to see what was going on. Rachael de Nova and her friend Verona had just come back, both ladies on their horses, but their appearance was very unsightly. The two of them were covered in blood. Not from any injury, however.

Rachael's mouth and chin were red, and it was dripping on her neckline, all the way down to her corset. Her friend Verona had a lot splattered all over her dress, and her gloves were soaked in red. Even Milena could smell the characteristic flavor of fresh human blood from where she was.