Lady Dhampir
Chapter 117

Milena felt her resolution crumble upon hearing that sentence. Despair? The Oracle didn't seem like she was lying, but still, the young Duchess couldn't help but feel this was a bit too extreme... She glanced towards her fiancé. Rayan's expression didn't change much, but there was a hint of seriousness that wasn't there before. Seating next to her, he gently put his hand on hers, being cautious about her injuries. Ora's eyes looked defiant as if she was still hoping they'd change their minds. She sighed, shaking her head.

"Are you really sure? Knowing about the future can be extremely dangerous. Some people have gotten crazy about some prophecies I have made before." "We will do our best to stand the shock," said Rayan with a smile.

"I... I'd rather not," said Raphael.

Milena turned to her brother, surprised.

"Are you sure?"

He slowly nodded.

"Sorry Millie, I have this stupid belief that once the Oracle says anything, it will be set in stone, and I do not want to hear that and be bound to it. Sorry." "It's fine..."

Just like that, her brother bowed and left the room. Milena wasn't too surprised by Raphael's reaction. Her second brother had always been the most sensitive one, and just as he had said, he didn't like those sorts of things.

She sighed but eventually turned back to the Oracle.

"Alright," she said. "What can you tell us?"

"It always comes to me as prophecies. Nothing else."

"Of course," chuckled Rayan. "Having you write a book about the future would have been too simplistic, I suppose."

"I cannot explain why my power works this way, your Highness, I am not sure of it myself. Just like Blanche can only shape-shift, I can only abide by that power. I think about someone or something, and a prophecy comes out of my mouth like water out of a fountain."

"Do the Prophecies ever change?" Asked Milena.

The Oracle shook her head slowly.

"I have never seen such a case."

Rayan took a deep breath, and nodded, before turning to Milena. The two fiancés stared into each other's eyes, as if a long dialogue was taking place between the two of them. That silent conversation was all they needed. Milena could understand Rayan's emotions even if he didn't tell them out loud. She wished she was always this good at reading his mind, but for tonight, it was enough. The red eyes of the Prince sparked with some confidence she was still lacking at this moment. Was it because Rayan thought he could beat destiny? Or did he suspect it would work in their favor anyway? Milena couldn't tell, but she decided to trust the Prince once again. She turned to Ora and nodded.

"So, you cannot tell us Prince Ellias or Prince Rayan's prophecies," she said. "Who else should we look for..."

It was a bit thrilling to think that, after all this time, they had finally access to all the Prophecies they wanted, or almost all of them. Ora was like an open book ready to deliver her secrets. Milena was excited like when she was just a child stepping into a new library. She had no idea where to begin and what to ask. Yet, the white-haired woman spoke first, with a solemn expression.

"I think the most revealing one would be His Majesty's," whispered Ora.

Rayan and Milena exchanged a glance again. The King himself? They hadn't even dared think about it, but it was definitely something worth checking. The future of the most powerful man in the Kingdom, even Milena felt a bit nervous about it. Yet, they nodded. There was no way Ora had suggested the King, out of all people, without a good reason.

The woman took a deep breath.

"A Father with the Sour Soul, The twin sons and the golden feather. At dusk the armies will march, but for the lonely King, the sun will set early. Close the heart and Spill the secrets, the little bell will ring at dawn."

Milena was shocked. This was the... darkest prophecy she'd ever heard. Even Rayan, next to her, was looking shocked.

"My father will die before the War begins?" He asked, leaning forward.

"Or soon after he sends the armies to the north," said Ora with a nod.

The Vampire Prince had never looked so in shock. Milena gently rubbed his fingers, trying to show her support while being cautious of her injuries, but he was stunned. He gasped and shook his head.

"I knew he was unwell, but... the disease..."

"Your father is a strong man," said Ora.

"But the little bell is about... the bells they ring at Royal Funerals, isn't it?" Asked Milena, her voice a bit hoarse. "Why? Why is His Highness' Prophecy so... so..."

"So negative? Even if I have no power to change them, I've been telling all those prophecies for long enough and studied enough of them to understand them a bit. I think His Majesty's prophecy was... influenced because it was made so late." "Late? What do you mean?"

"I don't know any Prophecy before it leaves my lips. Unlike what most people think, I'm not that omniscient. All I know is from the prophecies I have told before, and putting all the pieces together. It's rather... enlightening, how many of our lives come and intertwine with others. Like your Prophecy and Lady De Winter's. Wasn't it already clear, the outcome of that bridal selection?"

Milena didn't like that idea, but she had indeed thought so herself. Their prophecies were indeed way too similar. The two young women were bound to have several parts of their future tied together. However, she refused to believe her becoming a princess had been set in stone from the start. She had put too much efforts into this, to think there was some form of higher power pushing her to where she had thrived to get.

Milena's anger appeared in the shape of a little wrinkle between her eyebrows until she realized it wasn't the time to be upset. Rayan had just heard his father only had a few months left to live, what right did she have to complain?

"If you've studied those prophecies so much, can't you decipher them more than that?" Asked Rayan. "You said it yourself, even if the meaning can change, the outcomes are the same. Haven't you been able to read deeper than the prophecies themselves?" The Oracle chuckled.

"As expected of Lyriana's son, you're very smart. Indeed, I have come to understand better some parts of the prophecies. However, there is no guarantee my conclusions are the exact truth, or they work for everyone..." "Say it anyway," said Milena, a bit annoyed.

"Alright... As you've already guess, the first part always refers to the current position within their family, at the time the Prophecy is done. If there is any younger generation, the person will be called a mother. If not..." "A daughter," said Milena. "Fine, but that seems pretty obvious, no?"

"...Unless you don't know you're a mother-to-be yet?" Suggested Rayan, noticing the Oracle's little smirk.

"That's right. A couple of times before, a prophecy said at the right time as allowed one to know of an upcoming pregnancy... or a child they weren't aware of."

Rayan and Milena exchanged a glance. Indeed. If one was a Father and had no idea of it, it was probably quite the not-so-good surprise to hear it from an Oracle's mouth, especially in the case of Nobles... Milena nodded, realizing she had been a bit impatient. "Alright, then what's next?"

"I am not sure about the second part, but it usually refers to an important part of the person's past, like the one who broke her chains."

Milena nodded. She had thought so too, that part of her prophecy was perhaps the only obvious one...

"After that, I think the... pair refers to the most important person, and their most important skill, or activity."

Milena frowned. She had figured The Wanderer was another name for Blanche, given by her creators, but... what could the black hand refer at, as a skill or activity?

"Wait... You said those are accounted for the time the prophecy is said, right?" Said Rayan, frowning.

"Yes, young Prince," chuckled Ora.

Milena stared at him for a few seconds, confused, before the ruby eyes got down on Blanche. The wolf and the vampire were glaring at each other, and that's when Milena understood. That fit of jealousy was so ridiculous at such a moment... She rolled her eyes and turned back to the Oracle, ignoring the two of them.

"The Black hand, what do you think that could be?"

"I have no idea, Lady Milena," confessed the Oracle, shaking her head. "I'm just as curious as you are, your prophecy is one of the most enigmatic ones I've ever uttered..."

"What next, then?" Asked Rayan.

"Everything that follows is most likely the biggest life events that will occur to that person. Not in historic terms, but upon their own feelings. What will shake them the most, what will the biggest decisions of their lives be? It always has to do with someone crying, regretting, rejoicing, and so on. It's the usual pattern. Finally, it relates to how they will... end, most likely."

Milena frowned. The end of prophecy didn't sound like someone's death... At least she had never seen it that wait. The Dark crown shall rise at dawn didn't sound as gloomy as her death. Moreover, Philomenie had almost the same one, did it make any sense to even have similar deaths?

Next to her, Rayan shook his head.

"Alright, I guess that's it for tonight."

Ora and Milena both turned towards him with a surprised expression, as the Prince suddenly stood up. He turned to Ora.

"I understand you're willing to partner with my fiancé, and I am fine with that. However, I'd appreciate it if that conversation could be resumed tomorrow. It is very late, and I'd like my Lady to get some decent sleep after everything she's been through today." The Oracle nodded and stood up too, adding a little polite bow to that.

"I understand, Your Highness. If you'll allow me, Lady Milena, I'll retire for tonight. I think your Butler was kind to prepare a room for me, and to be honest, I do find myself to be quite tired also."

"But..." started Milena, unhappy for this conversation to end so fast.

However, Ora shook her head, and Rayan also put a gentle hand on her arm, almost like a barrier, between the Oracle and her. The white-haired woman chuckled.

"Do not worry, young Lady, I am not going anywhere. I am already glad to be allowed here. Then, if you'll excuse me. Good night, Your Highnesses."

Just like that, Ora left, shutting the door behind her. Milena immediately stood and turned to Rayan, upset.

"Why did you send her away so soon? We only heard one prophecy!"

He sighed and shook his head.

"You really do need some sleep, Milena. How many hours have you been awake? It's way past midnight, I can see your dark circles despite your makeup. I'm not letting you ignore your health even before we're married, I'm hoping for a quite healthy wife. Moreover..." He glanced towards the door with a sour expression.

"To be honest, I don't really believe in those... prophecies, or the Oracle so-called power."

Milena was surprised. She took a step back, speechless.

"Really? But I thought..."

"I listened to those because I know you do, and even without believing her prophecies, the Oracle has been stuck to my mother like a shadow for two or three decades. She definitely knows more than a few prophecies scattered here or there. I am actually quite content she's smart enough to stay stuck to you."

"So that's why you insisted on us going home? To make sure we... capture the Oracle?"

He smirked.

"Isn't that a rather cruel way to put it, my Lady? This isn't a capture, she came here of her own accord. No, I was truly worried about your injury back there, but to be honest with you, I was also worried about the people who'd be targeting us." "What do you mean?"

"Milena, the Oracle didn't come alone to that Auction, but she came alone with us. Don't you think this is funny for someone with so many enemies, to be able to wander around in some shady part of town in the first place?" The young Duchess remained quiet for a minute.

Everything Rayan had said was true, and for a second, she blamed herself for being an idiot and inviting Ora in so easily. What if she was a spy sent by some other noble, or planning to do something bad while within the De Crescent Manor? Milena silently scolded herself. Since when had she become such an idiot to not think so far? Because of her connection to Blanche, she had lowered her guard with the Oracle. Not that she thought she was really able to do anything big on the House De Crescent's surveillance, but still... Her blood suddenly grew colder, her resolution taken.

"Ruby!"

Her personal assassin appeared right away, a few steps away from them and one knee down on the floor, her head low. Ruby hadn't changed much from when they were younger, even her body shape was quite small. She could have passed off for a teenager if she wanted.

Rayan raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised, but Milena didn't care.

"Find someone to watch the Oracle. Day and Night."

"Yes, my Lady."

Ruby disappeared just as fast as she had appeared. A few seconds of silence followed, and Rayan whistled with a smile.

"...I'm surprised. You actually trust me enough to let your personal bodyguard appear?"

"Every Duke has one, you probably knew already. You might as well get to see her at least once if we are going to be married..."

The Prince chuckled, and gently, he pulled his hand around Milena's neck, grabbing some of her hair with it, and kissed her temple gently.

"You could have put it more nicely, but thank you for your trust, my Lady."

Milena blushed a bit. She was once again a bit too transparent with him. She needed another topic to discuss.

"Your Father... Do you think..."

"To be honest, his health is a secret, but it's bad enough that I'd think the Oracle is right on that one, Prophecy or not..." "Really? I didn't..."

"It's not something visible, but yes, he's been feeling worse and worse over the years. He has headaches, dizziness... No one among the Royal Doctors has been able to cure him. I think that's also why he... rushed things a bit. My mother's death probably will accelerate things even more, sadly."

"... You really don't believe in those prophecies, then? Have you heard mine?"

"Yes, and I can't believe you like your wolf more than me, first."

Blanche growled back, and Rayan clicked his tongue. Milena couldn't help but roll her eyes. She didn't know how much she could take of that bickering between those two... However, Rayan chuckled, and grabbed her chin to pull her closer to him. "However, I refuse to believe any Prophecy that doesn't state my fiancé will make one Hell of a Queen."

"Really?" Milena chuckled.

"Yes. It doesn't make much sense to me, anyway. I mean, I did hear yours, and it doesn't make much sense, but..."

He let out a smile, and got closer to kiss her forehead gently.

"I like how a Dark Crown sounds," He whispered.

Milena blushed some more, and a bit shyly, snuggled against the Prince's torso. It was the first time she made such a move by herself, and she felt Rayan stiffen a bit by surprise.

"I... I thought that part was related to you," she whispered. "It makes me scared that it predicts your death, now, not mine."

After a few seconds, she felt his arms wrap her in his embrace, allowing her to relax a little bit. Milena closed her eyes, taking his smell in. She really liked that feeling of his arms around her. It was surprisingly warm, and comfortable. They didn't have much height difference, and she could rest her head against his shoulder just like this...

"I'm not sure....Why would you think so?"

"...I'm not the one that raises at dawn."