Lady Dhampir
Chapter 179

"... Is that it?" Asked Milena, arms crossed in front of the pile.

"That's enough," chuckled Lucian. "I don't think we're going to have the luxury to even carry this much onto the battlefield, Millie, let's be realistic!" Milena sighed.

She had never had to help her siblings prepare for war before, so she was glad the staff of the House De Crescent had known better than her. As expected, Digory had merely sent her a note before taking care of everything. Now, her brothers' things were neatly getting arranged with the rest of the things that would go onto the chariots transporting the supplies of food, munitions, and clothes. The chests carried the Crescent Moon Insignia of the House De Crescent, but neither Valentin nor Lucian had brought many things that were truly personal, only a few sets of clothes, their favorite weapons, and anything they were allowed to carry.

Their tents were provided by the Army, but as Superior Officers, Valentin and Lucian were allowed more personal effects than the regular soldiers. Still, Milena knew her brothers probably wouldn't bring much. Perhaps a memento of his wife for Valentin, a bottle of wine or two, some stationery to write letters if they could, and something that would allow them to relax during their rare breaks on the way to the battle...

"Come on Millie, what are you making that face for?" Said Lucian, giving her a little elbow bump.

"You look like you're going on a simple hunt," protested his sister. "Lucian, are you sure you'll have enough? You're only taking a couple of outfits, and even your weapons..." "I'm not going to a ball, Millie. I'm going to change perhaps once a week, and enjoy not having to take baths every day or wear perfume!"

Milena rolled her eyes. Despite being in his early twenties, it felt like her brother had never outgrown his unruly teenage days... Even now, the only outfit she ever saw him with was his knight uniform, aside for the times he really had no choice but to wear formal wear, and that did not happen often. Except that this time, seeing him wear this felt very, very different. He was too young to be a Division Commander, but Lucian still could brag about being in a very good position, as one of the Special Forces Knight. That position, however, was probably one of the most dangerous he could be in. His team would be the one deployed for extremely risked missions, one that would require to go behind enemy lines, place traps and quickly get out of there. He would be both under Rayan's direct supervision and under the authority of the Generals, but, as Lucian had always, this could also the position that would make him a hero... or a martyr.

"I remember when you were so eager to go fight..." Said Milena. "I guess you got your war in the end."

She just couldn't picture Lucian in the middle of a real battlefield. Valentin and Rayan were military leaders, so they would be in the front positions, but protected by their men. Lucian however, would be the one to take most risks, and wouldn't be able to rely on anyone but himself to survive. It wasn't too different from being some sort of assassin, sent to do a quick and silent mission, and come back if he could. She knew how well her brother had been trained, and how talented he really was, but Milena still didn't feel comfortable with any of this.

"Come on, don't be like this. You know me, Milena, I'm going to get there, kick some butts and bring you a Giant's pinky toe as a souvenir!"

"This isn't funny, Lucian," she sighed, tightening her fur coat around her shoulders.

He chuckled, and gently, offered his arm so they'd walk together. Milena was surprised by that gesture. Lucian had never been the one to act like a gentleman, not even with her. She had rarely seen him interact with ladies at all, at least not the noble one. She was somewhat aware her brother like many young men his age had been peeking towards the brothels with his knight friends a few times... so he probably wasn't of the same inclination as Raphael.

They strolled slowly around the long line of chariots getting ready for departure. Each time she remembered they'd be leaving at dawn the next morning, Milena felt her throat and her chest tighten. She had been an emotional mess lately... and it wasn't just because of her possible pregnancy. She kept trying not to think about their departure, but each hour, something or someone wouldn't let her forget. The whole Capital was like a hive frantically preparing for their departure, buzzing with people carrying things around, soldiers getting ready, and supplies being brought. The first chariots had actually already left before the ceremony that would happen the next morning, and some more were planned to depart that night too. They would be establishing the first camps on their way to the battlefield and spy ahead on the giants' to know their position.

"It's not like I really wanted a war," suddenly chuckled her brother.

Milena turned her head to him, and he sighed.

"I just wanted somewhere I could express myself and prove my worth to our family..."

"What are you talking about? We all love you, you don't have anything to prove!"

"Come on, Millie, you know what I mean. You and Valentin are workaholics, and even Raphael is able to manage the Manor perfectly fine. Plus his daughter. I just... never found my way outside of a training field. You know, I always felt like I was the odd one in a family of geniuses." "You're not making any sense..." muttered Milena.

"Ah, don't worry," he chuckled, putting a quick kiss on her temple. "I'm fine not being half as smart as you are. As long as I can protect my family, I'm fine. Trust me, I'll going to do great in that war. I'll return a hero, Millie, and make you and Dad proud. I'll make sure to protect Val, too. We need him to come back and let Dad retire, right?"

"...I hate it when you talk like that."

Lucian smiled, not even trying to tell her she was wrong. Milena just knew him too well. They had grown together into adulthood... The mere fact that he called their father "Dad" already meant a lot in her eyes, as if he didn't care to keep up the appearances anymore. Talking about protecting Valentin, too. Lucian was fine lying his life down to protect his older brother, he didn't think a single second Valentin wouldn't be the one to return... if only one of them did. Even more heart-wrenching was the way he wanted to be a hero. They had both read enough books to know that not all heroes were also survivors...

Milena shivered, and held his arm a bit tighter, leaning her head against his shoulder. Despite all of them being rather tall, Lucian had outgrown his brothers now. His blonde air was shining under the strokes of the sunrise, and his good looks were really showing. "...you have to come back," Milena whispered. "I'll find you a good fiancé."

"A good one? Really?"

"Yes."

"Oh... You better not forget that, Millie. I want a really pretty one. A vampire lady if possible... How about your friend?"

"Do you know how many female vampire friends I have, Lucian? Which one are you talking about?"

"Come on, you know me! A really pretty one, with a personality that would match this guy?"

Milena gave it a few seconds to guess. Indeed, Lucian would probably not be the type to settle for a lady with a too strong personality, he hated being bossed around, even by the women in his family. All vampire women were pretty, so he had to mean one that had a peculiar charm... After a while, Milena blinked a couple of seconds. "Do you mean... Lady Chartiana?"

"Yes! That's my sister..."

"I had no idea you had a crush on Lady De Pristin!"

"Well, she has grown into... a fine young lady. Plus, I like her personality, too....Do you think you could introduce us more formally? When I come back?"

"For sure," chuckled Milena, imagining the scene. "But... why a vampire lady? You said it as if it was your main criteria..."

Valentin smiled.

"I want to help the vampires have more children, Millie. Although I am a human, and probably lucky to be, I... I don't like the idea that one of our people's races feels less fortunate. Maybe our parents' marriage influenced me too, but... I grew hope in a family that had both vampires and humans, so I feel close to both sides equally. I don't understand the fear some of my peers have of vampires, and when I hear one of them treat vampires as if they were more dangerous or something, I can't stand it. We need to mix even more, so those mixes become the norm. Plus, who knows when we will have another Dhampir in the family!"

Milena shook her head.

"What, your sister isn't enough? Do you know how rare it is?"

"So rare you're the second one we know of. I know, I know... Still, I'm allowed to hope, right? Moreover, perhaps you'll have a dhampir baby soon!"

Milena froze. Had he noticed? As promised to Rayan, she had been careful not to let it show to anyone.

"Come on Millie, don't worry. I'm sure you'll be a mother soon... It's not like you and his Highness haven't been trying!"

Milena slapped his shoulder, blushing, but he was obviously making fun of her. So it didn't seem like he had any idea... Milena felt a bit guilty again that she wouldn't be able to tell her brothers before they left. Rayan would have to carry this half-secret with him too, without even being able to confirm it. She let out another sigh, as they stopped to let a carriage by.

"You better write me," she said.

"You know I hate writing letters!"

"I do not care. I want mail from my brothers to look forward to, and Valentin won't have time to do it for you, either. So please, if you have time, make sure you write to me... And update me on both you and Valentin. I'm already going to have to be waiting back here, I can't go on if I don't at least have letters to look forward to."

"You know I may not have time to write?"

"My husband promised he'll write, too. If he can do it, you can."

Lucian grumbled, but Milena knew he'd do it.

"...I'll try to have Chartiana send you a letter or two if you do," she said.

"Really?!"

Milena chuckled. Lucian was really a young innocent boy in his core. To get so excited over just a letter from a lady he had set his eyes on... Milena was confident she could make it happen, too, so even when he made her promise over and over, she only smiled, amused.

They continued strolling down the line of carriages, greeting the men they knew who were bringing forth their own personal effects, or settling the packages. Milena felt like this was had never felt as real as now. Seeing the overcharged carriages, going on for miles and miles to the border of the Emerald Forest, carrying weapons, munitions, and food and ready to go, felt strange. It was as if with the army, half of their Kingdom was preparing to leave. Maybe it was the truth. Those streets would be a lot emptier once all those men and women were gone...

The war had seen an unprecedented amount of young people volunteer for it. Not only young men desperate to rise above their station and bring glory to their families but also young women, who had been inspired by the two Princesses' endeavor. All the Newspapers had mentioned the bottomless bravery and devotion of the Royal Ladies, giving Milena the aura of a noble female warrior standing for Justice, while Philomenie was the helping hand devoted to helping the people out. Following their example, young and old women had suddenly appeared at the Army's recruiting offices, to sign as volunteers for the army's cooking, nursing, or even as military attendants. None of those women had the most basic training, yet they were ready to risk their lives to support their brother or father that was about to leave, as soon as they had realized they could also go.

Milena was worried that so much of their population going would lead to long-term issues here, in the Capital, but she couldn't stop them from going either. The main issue was happening now, not in some faraway future...

Lucian and Milena kept strolling, discussing of the preparations for the war or the House De Pristin's willingness to give their daughter's hand in marriage...

After she had spent time with him though, Milena had to return to the Castle to get some sleep, as she had also spent the whole night awake. Her instincts as a Dhampir were begging her for some sleep, and, although she tried not to ponder too long about it, she did feel even more tired than she would usually be as she went to bed that day. She didn't even feel when her husband came later to also catch some sleep, although he couldn't get as much as her. Rayan didn't even undress as he laid next to her in the large canopy bed, gently taking his sleeping wife into his arms, holding her tight, and smelling the rose essence in her hair.

Rayan silently wished time would stop in this bedroom.

Milena's sleeping face was so beautiful, no one could tell she didn't look like a sleeping goddess. He gently raised his fingers to caress her cheek. She didn't even seem to react, peacefully breathing. Her pearl white skin was even prettier under the moonlight. Unlike vampires, it could blush and take subtle shades of pink when she was embarrassed. Perhaps was that why he liked to tease her so much... Her red lips were slightly open, letting out peaceful, slow breathing. He wanted to kiss those lips, if he wasn't afraid he'd wake her up... He gently caressed her n***d arm. Rayan was personally convinced Milena was pregnant with his baby. Perhaps it was only his own wishful thinking, but it didn't matter. He only felt sorry she would have to face even more hardships alone... He hoped she'd find ways to let him know, in those letters.

He couldn't find sleep. He didn't really want to... All he wanted was to watch her, for the longest time possible, and carve each trait of that vision onto his mind, so he'd remember it at the hardest times. He would never tell her how many times she had saved his damned soul. He would have killed so many more if he wasn't so scared she'd see him for the monster he could be... There truly was nothing he was afraid of, aside from losing her. To death, or to another man. Rayan would never allow either. His jealousy was the one beast he could never be sure to keep in check... It was a pity he hadn't managed to kill De Winter yet, but it would come. Unknown to Milena, he even had the approval of her older brother for that... As soon as he'd learned that wretched man would stay behind, he had made up his mind. Rayan wouldn't let jealousy ******e him for long... not a second time.

At times, he even felt sorry for his brother, if Ellias had loved Milena a tenth of how much he loved her... Yet, it only felt fair that Ellias had lost. He had underestimated their Queen's pride, or Rayan. The sheltered human prince couldn't have known the dark thoughts that had grown in his twin's mind all this time. It was best for him he never did. However, the premises of his madness could already be felt. Rayan had noticed. Everyone had, probably. Ellias getting paranoid about vampires was nothing more than a reflection of his inferiority complex towards his brother. He couldn't bear anyone looking down on him... and their mother wasn't there anymore to shoulder him and comfort his fragile ego. Rayan smirked. That De Winter doll suited his brother just fine, after all. Someone who could flatter him and make him feel important...

Milena suddenly moved, looking a bit uncomfortable. Rayan waited for her to find her new position, her arms curls under her head. She often slept in that position, like a young child. If she faced the other way, he'd have her back against his torso, and hug her from behind, but now, he had to stand a bit further, and only watch.

"...You'll have to be strong, my Queen," he whispered.

Rayan wasn't scared to go to war. He wasn't even scared of death. He'd happily die if it could protect the only woman he had ever loved... and perhaps, their child. He smiled, thinking how many men were probably going with that same woman in mind. Did she know how loved and admired she was? Everywhere they walked, the envious stares of his peers followed her graceful silhouette. Her brother had countless fights with some pretendants they found unfit for their little sister... and she had no idea. Even the Duke was like an impenetrable wall standing between those poor souls and his precious princess.

In a world where he had no guarantee to live old, even as a vampire, Rayan felt pretty satisfied with his life already. He had married Milena, perhaps given her what she wanted most, a baby... Still, he promised himself, again, that he'd come back. He would come back to her, to that pearl-white skin, her red lips, raven hair, and rose smell. He'd see their child, carry him or her, and give them a sibling or two, if Milena wanted.

For now, they still had a few hours together. He couldn't stop time, but he could capture that eerie scene of her sleeping in his mind, and revisit it, again and again, much later. Tirelessly, timelessly.