Lady Dhampir
Chapter 171

After all of this, what happened next in the Council room was somewhat of a blur for Milena. She cried, a lot. She bawled her eyes out, and did all she could to hide it, but even the fur on Rayan's shoulders couldn't muffle all of it. She was an absolute wreck, in devastating pain over what had just happened. She was only glad her husband had hugged her until she was able to stop, because otherwise, she might have collapsed right there and then, in front of the whole Council. Milena wasn't sure if it was an effect of her wound, the Saint's blood, or the anger of this Council or all three combined, but she was absolutely exhausted. She wanted nothing but some peace, and time with her husband. She was tired of the politics, the fighting, and the cruel choices they all had to make. Now that it was done, that the one decision she had hoped to avoid all along had come true, she was left with an infuriating bitter taste on her tongue, and her heart broken. For once, Milena's mask had really broken in front of all those Senators, in front of the Royal Family, and she didn't even care about it. She was past all the pretense, the lies and the politically correct. It wasn't the time for that anymore. They had now ventured past a road they would never be able to come back... Everything was going to change from then on. Everything was about to get a whole lot harder.

To everyone's surprise, Rayan had carried his wife and, instead of having her leave the room to regain her senses or putting her back on her seat, the Prince had gone back to his own, and kept his wife on his lap. He had taken his large cape to hide most of the Princess from the curious eyes, and his red glare was more than enough to dismiss any questions some might have been daring enough to ask.

Just like that, Milena was able to stay like a child in her husband's arms, and no one blamed her for that. How many princesses, in the past, had been able to come with such a heavy decision with so much courage? She had moved many, many hearts today, both with her words and tears, and many would never forget that heart-breaking speech of hers. It was difficult to resume the Council after that, but everyone was now in a hurry to get this done and over with. No one in the room felt anything else mattered anymore but to get the work done, and the military preparations started, or finished for whatever had already been done. Since they know knew exactly who was the Commander-in-Chief, it was easy to finish electing the other Commanders, the lieutenants, and so on. Once it was time for the De Crescent family to speak, no one dared to glance towards the Dhampir Princess. Instead, the Duke De Crescent rose and spoke, and everyone went along with that. It was as if Milena had earned herself some immunity, for a little while, from everyone's scrutiny.

While the Commanders and Military Leaders argued about the next steps, Rayan took a deep breath, and gently moved to kiss her temple.

"... Are you alright?"

"No," Milena sighed. "Just... not now, please." "I understand."

The vampire Prince put another gentle kiss on her temple, and, very quietly, Milena finally took her seat back, although she and Rayan never parted hands. She needed to feel him. She didn't regret her decision, and she knew there was no choice, but it didn't lighten the pain in her heart at all. Milena was just barely holding on to her pride to regain her throne and attend the rest of that too long Council.

She ought to keep an ear out for absolutely everything that was said there. Despite the circumstances and the heartbreak she was going through, Milena simply couldn't find a corner to cry. Her work wasn't done. Actually, it may even just be starting. As soon as her husband would be gone for the battlefield, she would be his most important ally in the Royal Castle, and the one who could provide him, hopefully, with all the help he was going to need. This wouldn't be an easy task, but Milena was actually glad she had something else to occupy her mind with. She took several deep breaths, trying to ignore her red eyes, burning cheeks and tight throat.

The Generals were arguing as expected about what supplies they needed and felt entitled to, each one trying to get as much as they could before the final departure, but under Rayan's impulse, each argument was solved swiftly. The new Commander-in-Chief might not be everyone's favorite Prince, but they had to acknowledge he was a great military leader.

The only person in the room who didn't participate at all, after that, was Prince Ellias. Milena glanced his way a couple of times, but he looked in complete shock. That was perhaps the best comfort she needed. Milena may not have been the kind of lady bitter enough to purposely attack someone from upfront, but she was still feeling a lot better from the blow she had sent her brother-in-law's way. She truly thought he deserved it, after everything he had done. This ought to be one very brutal wake-up call for the Human Prince. Milena's speech had reduced him to an almost insignificant King, while Rayan was the true Hero of the Kingdom.

In reality, Milena hadn't really meant to or thought about hurting Ellias' pride as she had spoken, but this was a nice side-effect. After all, although she hadn't meant to hurt him directly, Milena felt it was much deserved. She still couldn't forgive how he had basically made their father's dying wish completely irrelevant, tried to manipulate her and Philomenie, and even worse, how he was ready to cause a Civil War just to secure himself the throne and the crown.... and completely unapologetic about all those. Prince Ellias had been reckless one too many times, and this was a drawback that had just been waiting to happen...

"All right then, we will follow the Duke's recommendation for the Second Battalion, then. Duke, I believe my understanding is that your... son will be taking command?"

Milena shifted her eyes to her father. The Duke had never seemed so old, or so unhappy. His cold glare sent a chill throughout the room, even though he slowly nodded. Valentin was excused because, as planned after his wedding, he was on his honeymoon and out of the Capital, but truthfully, he was accompanying his new wife to her hiding until she could come back to the Capital, when her pregnancy wouldn't raise as many questions. Milena felt like this war was going to be too much for her heart to handle. Rayan, Valentin, Lucian. Not just them, but also most of the Crescent Knights she had admired since her childhood and grown up next to. Rachael De Nova, and almost all her noble male friends who'd partake in this war. Like she had said, too many would have to leave. There was going to be a void left behind, and Milena could already tell she wouldn't have enough friends left to fill it...

She could only pray everyone was going to be able to come back, safe and sound. Milena had never prayed, but at this very moment, she wondered if going to Church, for once, had the smallest chance to help... She loathed the organization, but faith was something she might want to try, just this one time, for the sake of her loved ones...

For now, the strong taste of liquor still lingering on her tongue was probably what kept her so awake, and ready to handle what was left for the Council to decide. The military matters being the largest portion now that the Commander-in-Chief had been decided on, she could relax a little and let the people who'd actually be on the field, or had the highest expertise, decide on it. She was just glad to see Ellias remained quiet, almost... defeated.

"Alright, your Highnesses, Senators," said the Royal Secretary. "All the mentioned proposals will be sent to our Royal Bureau for review, and all the amendments will be applied to the Military Decrees as soon as possible. Now... Ahem, if I may, I think there's... another military-related matter we shall settle before His Highness Prince Ellias can be appointed as Crown Prince..."

At these last few words, the said Prince sent daggers with his eyes towards the Royal Secretaries. For just a second since she had been crying earlier, Milena felt the shadow of a smile perking on her lips. Ellias was now about to be officially named Crown Prince, and future King, and he didn't even get to enjoy it. She felt no pity for him, and instead, she was more than glad to see him so furious. It relieved a little the pain she had to send her own husband to the battlefield...

"As was mentioned and agreed earlier by their Highnesses, as of Prince Rayan's appointment as Commander-in-Chief of the Solaris Kingdom, Princess Milena De Crescent will now be offered the title as Grand Princess. Unless anyone still has an objection, Princess Milena, do you agree?"

For a couple of seconds, Milena waited before answering, her purple eyes circling around the room. She wanted to see if anyone in the room would dare say a thing now. She already had sacrificed a lot by proposing herself for Rayan to be sent to war, they couldn't deny her right to this title, not now...

As expected, not one dared to utter a sound. Even better, many were nodding, looking very satisfied with this outcome. Subtly, the Royal Secretary even glanced towards the other half of the Royal Family. While Philomenie looked very still, almost as if she was completely detached from what was going in the room, Ellias was breathing heavily. He was clenching his jaw, his green eyes directed right in front of him with an angry expression. Still, he didn't utter a single word. Actually, he didn't even glance their way, as if he hadn't heard about the proposal. No, maybe that wasn't even hitting him, after everything that had just happened. For Milena to be named Grand Princess might be trivial compared to everything she had already done, or maybe he just didn't realize how much more this was about to secure her position... unless he hadn't thought of hurting her at all. Still, Milena could already predict she was going to need that title and everything that came with it. With her strongest allies gone, who knew how long she'd have to fend for herself before Ellias decided to attack her next...

"...As I'll take this silence for the Council's open agreement," she said. "I'll gladly accept the honor of receiving that title."

"My utmost Congratulations, Grand Princess," replied the Royal Secretary with a warm smile. "We will immediately look into the procedures..."

"Royal Secretary," interrupted Milena. "I don't believe any big ceremony is needed. All our efforts should be focused on the upcoming war right now. If I hold a ceremony now just to receive a title, this will be nothing but a waste of time and money most of us should be focusing elsewhere. If that's alright with you, I'd rather redirect that money towards our Army."

"This is a very noble gesture, Grand Princess. Well then, I will personally look into our Royal Protocols to make that ceremony as tame as possible..."

Although the Royal Secretary was very careful to look at the Princess only, a lot of eyes in the room were not that kind. The pressure of Milena's words was, once again, heavily weighing on Ellias' position.

If the Grand Princess was refusing a Ceremony that only would happen once in a few centuries to ask the Royal Staff to focus on the war efforts, what did that say about the young Crown Prince? However, Ellias stayed completely silent. No, he wasn't moving or saying anything but, the weight of all those glares on him simply couldn't have been ignored, if not on purpose. He was making a clear statement he would not renounce his Crowning Ceremony.

The Royal Secretary even waited a few more seconds, just to see if the Prince was going to decide to finally say something, but at some point, that silence got too heavy and awkward. The man sighed.

"Alright then, we shall move on now to... well, one topic we have yet to resolve. With the current... situation about the Society of Vampires still investigated, a... non-negligible number of our soldiers is still under investigation. We have to consider the limited time frame with which our Royal Army will be sent to war. This might be quite a... troublesome detail the Council might want to settle now."

Once again, Ellias was silent and still as a statue. He hadn't said a word since Milena's speech, and more and more, it felt like a bomb was about to explode within the room.

Thankfully, it wasn't as tense on the other side of the Royal Thrones. Rather relaxed despite his new title and position, Rayan let out a long sigh.

"Indeed. I understand my brother's worries about the rise of uncertainty among our vampire citizens. However, as our Royal Secretary mentioned, I fear we don't have time for such concerns...."

"Our security inside the Kingdom shouldn't be relaxed simply because we want to add a few more men to the frontline," suddenly hissed Ellias. "I doubt the handful of Knights and soldiers among all the people arrested would make such a large difference that would push this Council to turn a blind eye over them trying to assassinate the Royal Family members."

This time, he had spoken, and as Milena had feared, his anger transpired in each of his words. This wasn't reasonable, and they didn't have time for petty fights like these... They had to solve this quickly. Not only because it was essential this madness of his against the Society of Vampires was put to an end, but they also had to show who kept the upper end of the decisions inside the Council... Milena took a deep breath. This wasn't going to be easy, but they had to settle this. Fast.

"We're not just talking about a few nameless and useless people, Your Highness," retorted Rachael, visibly upset. "May I remind you some of them were supposedly going to be among our lieutenants and commanders!"

"Well then, they should have been more concerned about protecting this Kingdom, rather than killing it's leaders!" Shouted Ellias. "May I remind you, thanks to my brother's oh-so-noble soul, I will be now the King of Solaris. While my brother fights the war, I will not let anything happen to this Kingdom! I will make sure no one, no one ever dares to rise against us again!"

Milena felt a chill going down her spine. So this was how it began. Ellias' way to have them all obey his orders. He was so obviously eager to prove his own worth as the King, compared to Rayan, that she could tell he was going to make mistakes, just because of his unkept anger. It was almost sickening.

Milena took a deep breath. So it began. Their long, long fight against this King. Moreover, she would have soon to fight this one all alone...