Lady Dhampir
Chapter 88

The girls resumed their breakfast in a strange atmosphere. Philomenie and her friend hesitated and, after a few seconds of no one paying them any attention, decided to leave quietly. When the door closed behind them, Rachael snorted. "That little princess is really lost, isn't she." "I don't care much about Philomenie," sighed Milena, grabbing her drink. "She's probably just someone's puppet anyway..."

Rachael nodded, resuming her breakfast quietly. She was clearly very satisfied with herself, and Milena could easily understand that feeling. Queen Lyriana hadn't been playing a fair game with either of them, and it was time she tasted her own medicine. The girls finished their breakfast in a rather relaxing silence. Milena did notice some of the glances going on between Rachael and her, but unless their friend asked, she didn't feel the need to say anything. Once the breakfast was over, the two groups separated, Bella and the De Iris sisters following her out to the garden. Somehow, Milena felt like they had something to say, and had decided to go somewhere that wouldn't be as closed as a salon, but rather this garden, since Philomenie had gone back to her room. This Place was a winter garden, and since it was on the ground floor, it had enough light going through the glasswall without the cold that went with it. Maybe a door was opened, since there was a little breeze inside, but it didn't bother Milena. After a bit of a stroll between the flowers, Bella finally sighed and bowed.

"I owe you an apology, Lady De Crescent. I haven't been careful enough about my younger sister, and she even ended up insulting you publicly... I should have scolded her more. I'm truly sorry."

Milena easily understood her inner dilemma. Bella had offered to partner up with Milena, and willingly given up her spot in the Bridal Selection to ensure her seat next to her, yet Aurora had just sabotaged it. If Milena had been truly offended by her words, she could easily blame Bella and decide to punish her in someway. The young countess was counting on Milena's support to secure her own position, she couldn't afford to lose it now. Aurora's attitude was truly a problem for her.

However, Milena wasn't so blind. Though she had clearly hated that moment and the accusations done, she was smart to see the two sisters didn't have much in common. Aurora was smart. She hadn't just made a ruckus in front of the Queen to throw shade on her sister's choice, she had clearly also done this to harm Milena's chances. Reminding everyone that her fertility had yet to be proven could have been a big blow to Milena. After all, everyone at the hunt had seen her come out of the forest with Rayan, and chat with Ellias. Was that why Aurora had suddenly decided to make such a fuss? It was truly such a ruckus...

She let out a long sigh, and turned to Bella, who was still bowing. On the side, the De Iris sisters were waiting without saying a word. They would clearly follow anything Milena decided then. However, the young Lady Dhampir stepped forward and gently took Bella's chin to raise it.

"Do not worry, Bella, I'm not that much of an idiot to ignore what your sister was doing."

"But still, she harmed your reputation, in front of the Queen, too..."

"For her to act like this was probably a desperate move. She knows her chances are thin, so she thought she could sabotage me along with her, using those old rumors. The Queen is already aware of those rumors, she probably doesn't care much about those. She would have had me do some sort of medical exam otherwise, to kick me out of the Competition in case my infertility was verified."

"I don't believe there is anything wrong with you, Lady de Crescent!" Affirmed Bella, looking determined.

Milena chuckled.

"Thank you, Bella, but that's my problem to deal with. I don't care what others think, as long as their Highnesses think nothing of those rumors." "Lady Milena..."

Prudence was biting her lip, looking like she wanted to say something but wouldn't. Clorence glared at her, too, but it was a bit too late for that. Milena was already waiting to listen on what she had to say. The youngest De Iris sister cleared her throat, speaking while looking down at the bottom of Milena's dress as if she didn't dare look up.

"I... I know those rumors made it all difficult for you, but... aren't you a bit worried that her Highness will really use it against you? She... The Queen doesn't seem to like you very much..."

Milena chuckled. As always, Prudence was a bit too honest and caring, to dare ask such a thing. Milena shook her head.

"We are one day before the end of the Bridal Selection. Like I said, if she had wanted to threw me out, her Highness would have done so already. This was exactly the reason for this whole competition thing to begin with. Get rid of each unfit candidate." "I thought we would have more... actual competition, to be honest," said Clorence.

"I thought so too. However, there isn't many things daughters of noble families from high ranks can be evaluated on. Well, be compared on, to be precise. We all received very good educations from the best teachers in all subjects young noble ladies have to be versed in. Since birth, we have been groomed to become Duchesses or Countesses. There isn't much difference from an education a Royal Princess would receive. Actual tests would only have put forward our strongest points perhaps, but this isn't just about being well-educated or skilled in our studies. What matters more in picking a Queen is to replace a woman with good judgement, someone who can handle herself in public and stay dignified in all circumstances."

The De Iris sisters exchanged surprised glances. They hadn't thought that much about the competition's results until now, but it was clear once they could think about all the events with Milena's words in mind. All the Ladies that had been eliminated were Ladies who had openly acted unfitting of their rank, or angered someone else and been unable to defend themselves against the retaliation. A real Queen couldn't be found having a fabricated affair, she would have found a way to hide it or get away from that situation. Helena de Hycinth should have expected the consequences of her betrayal towards Milena and found a way to deal with it ahead, and Chorea should have simply held her tongue better to keep up the appearances. All of them had picked the wrong fights and handled it poorly, causing their demise.

This completely changed their view on the Bridal Selection. It also explained why Milena and Rachael were still in it despite their poor attitude towards the Queen: both Ladies could stand their ground.

"...So, you won't address the rumor Lady Aurora spread?"

"First, she isn't the one who spread it. Secondly, if I start mentioning it, it will actually give it an importance it didn't have before. The higher the rank of the person who talks, the bigger the ripples. Like I said, unless their Highnesses ask, I won't answer." Clorence glared at her younger sister once again, making Prudence understand she should stop her questions now. Bella glanced at the sisters, then to Milena, who was now staring at the white roses next to her, caressing the petals with a relaxed expression. "Lady de Crescent..."

"Bella, you can call me by my name; Nothing has changed between us despite your sister's doing."

"...Thank you; Lady Milena, you haven't told us much about your preferred outcome of the Bridal Selection. I think we all know who are the favorites by now, and I know there's only one night left before we know the end results of it, but..." Milena hesitated.

It was true, she hadn't said to her followers about her relationship with either of the Princes. Aside from their talk at the Hunt perhaps, they hadn't seen much interaction between Milena and Rayan or Ellias. She chuckled. Both princes had actually worked hard in keeping their relationship hidden... She was hoping this Bridal Selection would come to an end quickly, she was tired of it more than anyone else. She wanted her doubts settled, and her heart too.

She took out one of the roses, piercing her finger against one of the thorns. Frowning, Milena took out her glove and sucked it right away. Her own blood tasted like nothing to her... It was a bit strange. She didn't felt the excitement she'd get drinking human blood, yet her own blood was attractive to other vampires... Well, it was to Prince Rayan.

"Will your thoughts on me change depending on which husband I'll end up with?" Asked Milena, still looking at her own finger instead of the girls.

"Of course not!"

"You have all of her support, Lady Milena, no matter what happens!"

Milena chuckled. She wondered if Rachael and Philomenie's supporters would follow them as much if they didn't end up as one of the Princesses... For Rachael, the answer was probably yes. She was more followed as a symbol of the Vampire cause than a candidate to the Queen's title anyway. Milena wondered what was her relationship to the Society of Vampires at the moment. She hadn't asked Raphael about them in a while, actually. Maybe she would have to use that card later, though she knew Rayan was definitely involved with them as well... Was it related to whatever was going on with the Senate, then?

"It's alright. They probably won't decide on the crowned Prince right away anyway..." Said Milena.

"That would be most considerate," agreed Clorence. "Once you will be fianced, the young couples should at least get some time together before their weddings. Moreover, if His Majesty pick a crown Prince right after the Bridal Selection, it would be a bit insulting for the other Princess, right?"

"Certainly, they will give it at least a few weeks," nodded Prudence.

"We might not have that long, though," sighed Milena.

With the War coming closer, each decision would have to be taken faster than usual, and that somewhat scared her. She couldn't help but think about her Prophecy these days. In darkness, the heart mends... What if something happened to her husband? Milena felt foolish worrying over this when she wasn't even betrothed yet, so she chased those dark thoughts away, and walked a few more steps into the garden, getting closer to the glasswalls.

Feeling cold, Clorence and Prudence stayed a few steps away, tightening their fur coats around them, but Bella followed Milena without any issue towards the end of the garden. It was truly sensibly colder there, as the morning weather was pretty cold that day, with a light snow falling. "What the..."

Milena turned around, to see Bella stuck against the window with a horrified expression. Milena frowned and walked over to see what she had witnessed. Because of the snow outside, it took her a few minutes to replace the cause of Bella's shock. Finally she saw it, and Milena, too, felt her heart grow cold.

The winter garden was vast, and in one of the lateral aisles of the castle. Hence, it had a view on a few windows of some other rooms, like the closest salons. They could only see a few of what was going on there, but because the couple was standing against the other window, the silhouettes were almost clear. Milena had to force on her vision, but she clearly recognized the dress Aurora was wearing earlier. Moreover, she was obviously standing very close to a man wearing a black uniform, and her hand on his arm had Milena furious.

"What is she doing!" Exclaimed Bella.

Maybe she couldn't recognize the man facing her sister, but Milena knew that stature by heart. She ran out of the winter garden without waiting one more second. Bella and the De Iris sisters followed behind her, struggling to keep up with Milena's furious pace. Bella was probably the one more anxious than Milena was. She had recognized her sister, but if Aurora was found alone with another man... How could she act like so!

When they finally arrived inside the salon, to their surprise, Aurora was alone, and jumped at their entrance.

"W... What are you doing here?" She asked, flustered.

"You little..."

Bella walked over and slapped her sister, furious.

"Who were you with, Aurora? Spill it!"

The younger sister seemed totally shaken up by that slap for a second, and glared at her older sister, her hand against her cheek.

"What are you doing? How dare you injure me? What if I get disfigured because of you? I knew you were jealous, but you don't have to take it on me!"

"Jealous? Of a little snake like you? Do you have any limits to your ambition, Aurora! Enough playing around! Tell us who you were with?"

At that very precise moment, Aurora glanced towards Milena, and snickered.

"I don't know what you are talking about... and you have no proof, do you? Should I go tell her Highness that you are bullying me?" "You damn...!"

"Lady Bella, enough," suddenly said Milena.

Milena's stare didn't betray any of her inner turmoil. Her purple eyes on Aurora were as cold as ice, as she slowly walked towards her. Her attitude was intimidating, to the point where the young countess lost all of her snarky attitudes to step back and swallow her saliva.

"W...what...?" She whimpered, unsure about Milena's attitude.

"You were alone, just now, Lady Aurora, weren't you?" Said Milena.

Despite her gentle voice, it felt like a blade was coming out to threaten Aurora. She was flustered. Did she just want her to lie...? Unsure, she slowly nodded, not even trying to put on a front anymore. Milena smiled, a smile that didn't go all the way to her eyes. "Good. Then, my friend and I were thinking of using that salon. Would you mind going back to your room to give us some space?"

Aurora hesitated. Going back to her room? Not even the vampires had gone back to their rooms yet! She hesitated one second too long. Milena stepped even closer, cornering her against the cold window.

"I said, go back to your room," hissed the Duchess. "Go to your room, and I suggest you stay there for the rest of the day."

Milena raised her hand, making the young countess shiver. However, she put her fingers on Aurora's cheeks, almost as if she was caressing her skin, with that scary smile stuck on her face. She gently slid her finger down to her jaw, and Aurora realized something cold was spread under Milena's finger.

"I-I will go back, Duchess," whimpered Aurora. "Good."

Aurora had to squeeze her way out to the side, and left the room almost running, frantically wiping the little line of blood of her face with a horrified look. Milena, still standing in front of the window, took a deep breath. Why did they all have to piss her off and try to play games until the very last day...

"...Lady de Crescent?"

Milena didn't turn back, but the voice was unsure and unknown, it had to be one of the Royal Maids.

"S-sorry to disturb ladies, but... His Highness Prince Ellias has sent me to request a lunch with Lady de Crescent. His Highness would like to formally invite you into the Royal Library..."

Milena turned around, and with a sigh, walked to one of the couch, letting herself fall on it with a sigh.

"Tell his Highness I will be there."

She could have said no, she could have chosen to not let him try to sway her heart his way, but after all, it was the last day. She could do this last one time.

"Yes, Lady de Crescent. Then, if you'll excuse me..."

Right after the maid left, the three young ladies standing exchanged looks, and decided to come to sit with Milena. Bella de Camellia shook her head. "About... Aurora..."

"Lady Bella, despite all my best efforts at being patient, I think if I hear about your younger sister one more time, I will end up doing something we will regret later. So please, no more." "Yes, Lady Milena. My apologies."

Meanwhile, Prudence looked excited, as if she had forgotten all about the previous events.

"Isn't it exciting! Lady de Crescent, you will be having Lunch with his Highness!"

"I wonder why the Royal Library, though? Isn't that a strange choice for a... lunch date?" Said Clorence.

Milena did not answer to that, but she had a rather precise explanation for Ellias' choice. Though she hadn't gone there in ages, the Royal Library was the one place that contained most of their childhood memories together. The hours spent reading books side by side and bonding over their favorite titles...

She didn't really appreciate that invitation. First, Rayan was having secret rendezvous with the youngest of the De Camellia sisters, and now, even Ellias was planning a date with Milena out of the blue? After the words exchanged the previous evening? What was going on with those twins? Milena threw her glove she had been gripping on all this time on the table. Really, she had enough. Those Princes were set on driving her crazy, and she only had one heart!