Lady Dhampir
Chapter 91

Milena looked over her shoulder to look at whom had arrived, but their names were announced a bit late.

"Your Highnesses, here come Lady Rachael de Nova, heiress of the Duchy de Nova, Lady Verona de Narcissus, heiress of the County de Narcissus, and Lady Aurora de Camellia, 2nd daughter of the County de Camellia."

All three of them arriving together flustered Milena a bit. Had Rachael tried to talk to Aurora once again? By the way the three of them split ways right away to come and sit, it didn't seem like it. They probably had just happened to arrive at the same time. Milena felt a wave of anger rise in her, remembering the earlier events of that day. Thankfully, she had her hand busy holding her glass, because she would have loved to slap that smirk out of Aurora's mouth... "Ladies," coldly said the Queen. "It is a bit late to come and join us for dinner, isn't it?"

"My apologies, your Highness, it seems your invitation arrived terribly late, we had to rush from across half of the Palace," retorted Rachael.

Once again, Milena tried hard to repress a smile behind her cup. Rachael really was getting awfully good at annoying the Queen. Lyriana was obviously furious, glaring at Rachael while the young Duchess took a seat next to her.

The table was rather long, so Milena hadn't noticed before but, with so many guests, they were seated within half an arm's length to each other. On her right was Bella, while Prince Rayan, which she was carefully avoiding to look at, was on her left. Next to Philomenie was her friend Penelopia, her only ally remaining. Next to Bella, the De Iris sisters were seating next to each other, on the queen's left, but Aurora had taken the closest spot to her Highness, facing Rachael and Verona. It was truly a strange situation to be in. As if the dinner with the Queen weren't already awkward, but now, they had the Princes and the King as well... Moreover, anytime Milena glanced towards the Queen, she would meet Aurora's burning glances towards Rayan, and if she looked in front, she couldn't avoid Philomenie.

"Enough, enough," said the King. "This is the last evening before the selection, let's relax a little bit."

"It is not a reason to ignore the protocol," retorted the Queen.

The King exhaled loudly, annoyed. Being caught between the two of them was even more suffocating. Milena hadn't witnessed how bad their relationship was before, but she sincerely hoped she would never be like that with her future husband. Both of the Princes were acting normally, pretending this was just fine.

"Let's raise a glass to the future of this Kingdom," said the King, still glaring at his Queen. "To my sons, and the noble ladies who are here with us tonight."

Everyone joined the toast, trying to lighten the atmosphere a little bit. Philomenie, once again, seemed a bit blind to the cold atmosphere in the Royal Family, and turned to the King with a bright smile. Milena noticed she hadn't looked at Rayan even once. "Your Highness, will there be a grand celebration tomorrow? A double engagement ceremony shall be twice more fun, right?"

"For those who are the engaged ones," retorted Aurora from across the table. "The other wallflowers will replace it quite long, I fear..."

"That's right, you should prepare to wear something rather blend, Lady de Camellia," retorted Verona with a placid smile.

She was met with an immediate glare from Aurora. Once again, the vampire ladies were merciless with the enemy, and Milena appreciated that.

"How is your drink?" Whispered Rayan next to her.

"...Bitter," she retorted.

Stubborn, Milena was deliberately avoiding to look at him, though she could feel his red eyes on her for a while now. Not only his, actually. Ellias, too, was almost facing her and seemed to be analyzing each of her movements. On his left thought, Philomenie was the one trying to get his attention.

"Have you thought about what you will wear for such a great occasion, your highness?" She asked.

Her voice was so sweet it annoyed Milena even more.

"Ah... My brother and I will be wearing tailored costumes for the occasion," replied Ellias. "Our dear mother had both made ahead of the ceremony."

"Everyone will be dressing up," said Bella with a smile. "Lady de Crescent has been setting the trends lately. I cannot wait to see what you will come up with this time."

"Thank you, Lady de Camellia."

"Well, it better be something else than black," retorted Aurora. "Unless you already plan to give up from this competition..."

Milena didn't even bother to glance or glare at her. Aurora was full of confidence when she was seated far from her and next to the Queen, Milena knew better. Dogs that bark the loudest won't bite.

"Actually, I could very well see Lady de Crescent become a trend. Isn't there a high demand for embroideries these days?" Said Prudence.

Milena was grateful for her friend's attempt at shifting the conversation, and Clorence worked with her sister to orientate the topic towards women's fashion. This was one topic all the candidates were always happy to chat about, and it allowed the atmosphere to tone down a little.

Milena didn't take part, though. She watched the ballet of servants bringing in the first dishes, and everyone started eating in a better mood than earlier as soon as the king picked up his fork. Milena tried to focus on her meal while keeping an ear out for the conversation, but something made her pause. A very distinct touch against her leg. She tried to ignore it. She had forgotten Prince Rayan was a lefty, and his other hand was not on the table. She wasn't sure he had done it on purpose, but she had very clearly felt his fingers touching her. Once more, she regretted her choice of a tight-fitting dress...

"It is so nice to have young ladies for dinner with us," exclaimed the King with a bright smile as the servants removed the first plates. "I cannot wait to have more of those with my future daughters-in-law!"

"That hurts a bit, father," said Rayan. "As if your sons were boring to dine with."

"Don't be so self-centered! Since my beloved niece decided to focus on her studies, I don't have anyone to chat with, you two are always so busy!"

Milena had almost forgotten about the Princess. They had only met briefly when she was younger, and the princess even younger, and then, neither of them had appeared in the same social circles. Both weren't very fond of those events, and somehow, the young Princess had appeared less and less in public over the years. Princess Alessia was a stubborn young girl, in her memories, but she wondered if they would get along now...

"Oh, I wish I could have tea with Princess Alessia again!" Exclaimed Philomenie. "She is so funny to chat with!"

"...You're close with Alessia?" Asked Ellias, a bit surprised.

"Of course! We have sent each other many letters!"

Milena felt a bit frustrated. Philomenie had even gotten close to the young Princess? Alessia was known to be very dear to the King, who considered her like his own daughter and had given her the title of Royal Princess years ago. However, with so few mentions of that princess anywhere, Milena had never seen her as a potential ally...

"Your family will most likely get bigger soon, Your Highness," declared Penelopia. "After all, you will most likely get grandchildren soon as well!"

Philomenie and several young ladies blushed, thinking about that matter. Milena, however, went a bit white.

"What are you saying..." whispered Philomenie, though everyone could hear her. "Don't embarrass their Highnesses with such talk."

Milena didn't know what she hated most, this topic deliberately brought up now, or Philomenie acting coy with her friend. Moreover, Aurora was quick to jump on that wagon.

"That is true. It will be the Princess' most important duty to give an heir to the Kingdom."

Milena didn't say a word. Her heart was going a bit colder, as she knew exactly what was going on yet couldn't say a thing. Moreover, Bella and Clorence were both sending her worried glances, as if they felt sorry for her. Milena didn't want her friends to feel sorry. They had no idea yet about her fertility, so why was everyone bringing that matter up all the time? She hated it. Even more so when it was brought up in front of the Princes.

"I hope my future wife will be more interesting than a brat-producing machine," said Rayan.

This time, Milena turned to him, a bit surprised. Had he said this on purpose, for her? He couldn't ignore that they were doing this on purpose to destabilize her. Was that why he had said that? Ellias, too, was frowning a little bit, glancing at Rayan and Milena. "That is right," said Rachael. "If someone just wants kids, he can look for a mistress. Otherwise, why would have her Highness went through the trouble of gathering the most capable ladies in the Kingdom?"

"Capable Ladies yes, but Ladies with the higher ranks," retorted Aurora. "Being of noble birth and noble blood matters a lot, doesn't it? Otherwise, any peasant could be seated here with us."

Milena and several other ladies at the table were now glaring at Aurora, annoyed. How could she so shamelessly say such a thing? Philomenie was the first one to get mad at her.

"Lady de Camellia, you can't say such a thing! These are our people! No matter their birth, every one should matter just the same! The future Queen will be the mother of the whole nation, she should understand our people's hearts the most! Isn't it too conceited to talk about our people as if they were inferior to us? Many of the brightest minds of our generation came from very modest families!"

Milena was genuinely impressed. Since when did Philomenie know how to talk so well? She had always been the one to make the dumbest remarks and come as simple-minded, but now, she was on par with Aurora?

"You are both right," suddenly said the Queen.

Everyone turned to her as Queen Lyriana took a big breath.

"A Queen need to abide by her rank. The gap between us nobles and our people was created so we could maintain order. I will not simply accept anyone as my daughter-in-law. My sons shall replace capable, smart women coming from the most powerful noble houses. Hence your presence here."

"The most powerful noble houses...?"

Everyone turned heads once again, towards the King this time. He chuckled bitterly.

"My sons shall marry someone they actually love," he suddenly said. "There is no power, no rule that shall prevent them from replaceing someone they will actually be able to love."

The atmosphere became incredibly cold between both ends of the table, and no candidate dared to say a word. Even Ellias and Rayan exchanged a few glances. Milena was taken aback by the King's sudden bitter expression while glaring at his wife. Was that directed at her? Because he had married someone he didn't love? This was a rather awful way to say it, with so many people present.

Suddenly, under the table, Milena felt Rayan's hand once again. She hadn't paid attention and put back her hands on her lap while waiting for the next dish, and with the long tablecloth, she hadn't seen him move. His eyes were still on his father, but his hand was very clearly put on Milena's. She wanted to pull it back, but the Vampire Prince suddenly grabbed it and held on to it, keeping her from subtracting herself to his grip. Milena glared at him, annoyed. What was he playing at, with his father right next to them! "Do not worry, father," said Ellias. "My brother and I will definitely make the best choices for our future."

"Definitely," repeated Rayan, though he was staring at his brother.

A new battle of glares began between the two brothers this time, and Milena sighed. She wasn't sure anyone would be very willing to enter the Royal Family after that. Even Philomenie looked at a loss of what to say, and everyone welcomed the return of the servants with some sighs of relief. They resumed eating, and at some point, Milena pretended to replace her napkin on her lip, giving herself an occasion to put her other hand under the table and pinch Rayan until he let go.

He frowned, and finally retracted his hand. Milena was fed up with him, and not ready to forgive whatever he had done with Aurora. Why her? He hadn't spared one glance towards the young Countess once all this time, making Milena even more suspicious. Ellias, too, kept string at them multiple times. The human prince also seemed flustered about Milena's black dress.

"About the topic of children..."

Milena let her fork loudly fall in her plate, but Aurora ignored her.

"Won't it actually become a very big matter once their Highnesses are married?" She said. "After all, everyone will be looking forward to seeing the young heirs of the Kingdom!"

"I think everyone will have more pressing matters than pregnancies," retorted Milena, fed up with that girl. "If all the future princess is expected to do is have children, then anyone could do the part." "Almost everyone, Lady De Crescent. Almost..."

Once again, Milena regretted not being a vampire. It would have spared her from becoming red of anger in front of all of her rivals and allies. Ellias noticed, too, and turned to Aurora.

"Lady de Camellia, I insist that you think about your words before saying such things. This is a delicate matter to women, anyone here could be faced with issues later regardless of their blood." "Exactly," added Philomenie. "There are so many women struggling with infertility, you cannot be so insensitive, Lady Aurora.

"Isn't that so easy to say when you are human?" retorted Milena.

This time, she was glaring at Philomenie, not Aurora. Her anger might be misplaced, but of all people, Milena didn't want to receive any of her pity. Not from her.

"All vampire women are bound to marry a human just because our society pushes them to," continued Milena. "While humans can marry anyone. Have you ever thought about what they actually want? What they could do, if there wasn't constantly this pressure to have children, have a family? Don't come talking about pity when you humans have no idea what this is like!"

Philomenie stayed mute as if Milena had slapped her. Ellias, too, looked shocked.

"Lady De Crescent, you're being a bit rude..."

"Rude? With everyone here talking about nothing but having children, since when did this conversation even bother with being polite? No one is married yet, why does it have to be a fertility race already?"

"L-lady Milena..." Said Philomenie. "I'm sorry..."

The young human Duchess was already tearing up, vexed by Milena's words, but she had enough.

"Well, I am sorry too," retorted Milena. "Sorry, we all have to sit here and be at each other's throat instead of eating peacefully and talking about serious topics like actual adults!"

A long silence followed her words. Even the King and Queen looked somewhat flustered by Milena's words, as they hadn't been very cordial either. The Queen grabbed her drink with a shaking hand, while the king made a sour face. Facing her, Philomenie was still almost crying, looking absolutely hurt and pitiful. At one hand of the table, Rachael suddenly started clapping. She was alone, and her claps didn't last long but resonated inside the room.

"E-excuse me..." Suddenly cried Philomenie, getting up and leaving the room in tears.

"Lady de Winter!" Called Ellias, getting up and watching her leave.

"You should go after her," said Rayan, with a smirk.

To Milena's surprise, Ellias glared at his brother, but then turned to her.

"That was extremely rude of you, Lady de Crescent. Lady de Winter was only trying to be understanding!"

"Well, she understood wrong," coldly retorted Milena.

Ellias seemed shocked by her answer for a second, but, seeing that no one else reacted, he turned his feet away and chased after Philomenie. Milena sighed and put her glass down. "Your Highness," she said, turning to the King. "May I be excused? I fear my attitude has been detrimental to your dinner. I'll retire if you'll allow it.

The King let out a long sigh and, to her surprise, stood up.

"Actually, I am done for tonight, too. Lady de Crescent, what would you say about a stroll outside with this old man?"