Lady Dhampir
Chapter 220

again.

Milena violently slammed the newspaper on her desk, furious. Next to her, Tiphania glared at the crippled thing on the floor as if she could burn it with one stare. Instead, Mint quickly walked ahead to gather the thing, trying to straighten it up before folding it "b****y hell," grumbled the Princess. "I can't take anymore of this."

"You're not the only one," scoffed Tiphania, who was already pacing back and forth, her arms crossed.

"...How many is it now?"

"Twelve adults, seven children. At least that was the official count in the latest newspapers... I can't believe this is happening; they find a new body almost every day now." Milena shook her head, exasperated.

The newspapers' offices must be working hard to cover it all, and every day, the front page announced a new body found, and perhaps, the identity of the one found the day before. It had become a sad ritual to see the big letters screaming murder printed each day. There was just no stopping it, and that was the hardest part to swallow. The King himself was sending more knights each day to patrol down the streets, but so far, they had only been able to find the bodies. Some were hidden and found almost by mistake, as if a b****y treasure hunt had begun two weeks prior, and no one could predict where the next body would be found.

"Things are getting insane in the Capital," sighed Tiphania. "Everyone is on edge, the Merchants Guild is freaking out too, almost no one dares to go out and buy their groceries. No one dares to go out alone anymore, and there isn't a soul to be seen in the street as soon as dusk falls."

Milena massaged her temples. This was truly a nightmare scenario. Not only had the population in the Capital been reduced by almost half, but now, people were reluctant to go to work, or buy anything, which put a heavy strain on each business, and even the food supplies were starting to be alarmingly low since many didn't want to spend as much time in the fields... She couldn't blame the population at all. Day after day, more bodies were found, and no one wanted to be next. Things had taken a dramatic turn after two more witnesses had come forward, claiming to have seen a vampire feeding on one of the victims.

"...Still nothing on the witnesses?"

"Not from what our spies in the Royal Castle said, but after investigating some more, it was as you said; all of them were loyal to the Church."

Milena nodded. Although it confirmed her suspicions, it wasn't enough to prove anything; three-quarters of the human population could be said to be loyal to the Church, and most attended Mass at least once a week. It was a bit foreign for Milena as she had grown up in a mainly vampire family, but she knew most of her human friends and her sister-in-law regularly went to church as well. Milena herself had gone to more churches and ceremonies this past two weeks, and seen for herself how popular they were to the people. According to Eugenie and without surprise, it was even more obvious since the beginning of the war...

"We are lucky most noble families reacted soon enough," sighed Tiphania. "Otherwise, I fear we would have had a riot on our hands already. No vampire noble dares to go out alone anymore, from what I've seen."

Milena glanced at one of the enveloppes on her desk. She could easily believe that. The Duke De Nova had mentioned in his last letter that three servants had resigned and left his property the past week, and Digory had also mentioned four non-personal servants of the De Crescent Manor had left or chosen to retire early. This was to be expected, but the most worrying part was the blood supplies. While most nobles were usually supplied by their personal servants, there was a limit as to how much blood one's servant could provide. Not only for their health, but the law prevented vampires from overfeeding on people, even their closest and most loyal servants. Milena's favorite blood source was probably Jeremiah, her bodyguard, but she would never have requested his blood more than once every two months, as all the research proved it was unhealthy. Hence, it was essential they also got supplies from external sources or other servants on a regular basis. It was a tacit agreement that most donors would get some sort of financial compensation, but now, even that wasn't enough to lure the humans into donating blood. Silently but surely, the fear of vampires was quietly rising, enough to dissuade people to stop donating...

"What is the Guild's opinion on this?"

"They are tired of it, like everyone else, but most of them are human too. They are scared for their friends and family... Frankly, everyone is."

"It's not just the humans," Milena sighed. "I hate to admit it, but I am getting really nervous about the vampires as well. If the lack of blood gets worse, they might really start attacking humans. I wish I could say most will starve themselves, but the Separatists might be clapping their hands with that news!"

"...Don't you think it might be them? I know your theory, Milena, but... Scaring the humans is also part of the Separatists' ideology, isn't it? They believe they should be free to feed on any human, any time it pleases them."

Milena sighed, and shook her head slowly. Next to her, Dinah quietly refilled their tea cups, while Mint brought in another little tray of sweets. It was time for the afternoon snack, but Milena's frustration kept her from taking any. She could never eat when her stomach was upset...

"The Separatists are ambitious and cruel, but they aren't so stupid as to start leaving bodies in the middle of the roads. Not only that, but they need a higher power to guide them, and I don't see who could fill that role at the moment. Raphael mentioned most of the older vampires are inactive in political circles."

"Maybe in the official ones, but you and I know most of the old geezers like to operate in the shadows," said Tiphania. "I have heard some vampires are still keeping up with their bizarre hobbies, and trust me, I don't want to mention more than this, but it can be quite repulsive as well."

"....I know. However, while they are toying in the shadows, they still won't be as daring as to leave bodies in plain sight. Moreover, it wouldn't mean much to win and force the humans into s*****y now. They are still outnumbered by far, and most of their heirs are at war. They hoped to rally behind my husband as the new vampire king too, but... He's not coming home anytime soon."

Milena's voice broke a little on those last words. She hated to even be reminded of it, but it was the truth. In fact, Rayan's last letter was already ten days old, and it was an awful lot for her. Each morning without a letter bearing his seal on the silver tray was like a thorn in her heart. Each minute she didn't get any news from her husband, she was bound to fear the worst. She only hoped he was simply too busy to write, which seemed to be the case from Lucian's previous letter, also written under short notice and received at the Manor three days prior.

"....I sincerely hope you're right, Milena, but I can't help but be worried. Call it paranoia if you will, but between what's happening here in the Capital's streets, and all those rumors coming from the battlefront, we can't help but feel genuinely worried about what's coming next."

"...You're talking about the wendigo? They already mentioned it wasn't true...

The rumors had only grown, and now, Milena was also starting to be genuinely worried, from the latest news she got. There were fewer and fewer Giants met by the army, which was a good sign, but recently, more and more scouts supposed to be the liaison between the Capital and the front had been found dead half-way. The Emerald Forest was now subject to many suspicions, and even birds sent to carry out the mails were found dead, visibly killed by some wild animal. Milena didn't dare think there really was something attacking the people, but a real spy wouldn't have bothered to leave bodies behind...

"It's not about the rumors about the Wendigo," insisted Tiphania, sitting on the couch next to her. "There are people dying without any giants to kill them, Milena....What if there is a wendigo, or worse, if vampires are really attacking those men on their way back?" "You too..." Sighed Milena.

"My Lady, you know I'm not one to give in to baseless rumors. I've created and manipulated too many of them not to be doubtful and cautious. But there are people found dead in the woods, just like they are here. This isn't a spy game anymore, is it? ...One of my cousins was supposed to come home a week ago, and never made the trip back."

Tiphania's solemn expression spoke volumes about how worried she was.

She wasn't the only one. In just the span of two weeks, everything had turned incredibly dark and gloomy in the Capital, and the bright sun outside couldn't change anything about that. The news of murders, vampires running wild and low blood supplies put many people on edge. The War had put the whole Kingdom into a strange half-asleep state, but now, it felt like the beginning of a storm. Milena's vampire friends barely dared to visit her anymore, or even go out. Chartiana had arrived almost in tears at the Manor the previous week, mentioning all the glares she had gotten from the passersby, and people avoiding her carriage as if it carried some disease. Raphael, too, had decided to never go anywhere alone, always bringing some of the De Crescent Knights along, which would have felt very superficial just a few days before.

"Let's make sure everyone stays very careful for now," sighed Milena. "I got news from this morning's Council; the King spoke about creating a curfew."

"For humans?"

"For everyone," sighed Milena. "Which is incredibly stupid. It would be the same as preventing the vampires from going outside during daylight. We are all trying to show each and every movement not to be suspected of murder, and Ellias wants to keep us all out of the public eye... It will increase suspicions more than anything."

“|

I agree. The fact that no noble vampire has made a single move alone is already helping a lot with people's trust. We know most are making efforts to appear during the daylight, too. With everything going on, even I would be worried to see a vampire alone at night... Perhaps even not alone."

"No," retorted Milena. "Raphael is already preventing any idiot from getting caught at the wrong place and the wrong moment. We can't control all vampires, but we can try and spread the word. What I am worried about is someone going out of their way and being dumb enough to be framed."

"Those witnesses have remained strangely vague so far," nodded Tiphania. "I'm worried as to when someone will show up and give a name... This would be the perfect way to attack any vampire they want to get rid of."

That was Milena's concern too. As soon as those witnesses would start pointing fingers, even if there was a proper investigation, it would be hard to stop people's anger. Many were already very wary of vampires, and it only took a spark to start a wildfire... If the Church really was behind this, the most probable targets were either her father, or the Duke De Nova, Rachael's father. However, both men lived as recluses, and would be hard to convict. They both had many witnesses that would confirm they hadn't stepped out of their residences, including their human servants. Another target that made Milena worry was none other than Raphael. Her brother had to go out often in his quest to become one of the Society of Vampires' leaders, and that position itself would put him in more danger than ever...

"We can only hope the blood issue will be sorted out soon," she sighed. "Luckily, it's going well so far. The federation already has its foundations, and as soon as the Sevira sisters have finalized the product, we can start selling it, and ease everyone's mind about the blood supplies. Kelyn is working hard at providing all the materials too, and three of our best glass craftsmen are working to perfect the product. This will be a new era, and the beginning of an easier relationship between humans and vampires." "I'll pray it happens as soon as possible," nodded Tiphania. "I'm already amazed at how quick you've been able to work on everything, considering you have to work remotely from everyone, and with the King doing his best to slow you down, too..." Milena grimaced. Her Royal brother-in-law had indeed done his best to put an end to her project. Each Royal Council, he was coming up with new ideas of taxes on a product that didn't really fit in any categories, more ridiculous questions to slow her down, and more details he wanted to solve, threatening to make her business illegal before it had even taken off.

Luckily, his best efforts were met by Milena's allies. In fact, she didn't have to do much herself. All her future partners and investors were already deeply involved and fighting in her stead to make sure the Federation and her main product would be launched swiftly. Her friend Briseis d'Artsein herself was close to becoming one of the new Royal Council members just because of how much she had worked on revamping and improving old laws that hadn't been updated for two or three centuries, digging and filling any legal holes and clearing up any grey areas. The quiet bookworm was growing a blinding reputation as one of the best legal advisers of the Kingdom, which Milena could only rejoice about.

"He can try," scoffed Milena. "Ellias is very knowledgeable, but he lacks the real backing for his claims when he's blinded by his arrogance. This isn't the first time, and it won't be the last he tries to outsmart me in court. Let him try; at least our King is sharpening his skills..."

"How generous of you," scoffed Tiphania. "Yasina wouldn't stop talking about your new dress, by the way. Are you really going to the new Royal Party? I already can't believe they are daring to throw a celebration while we are at war... With all the young men gone, it will be awfully boring for sure."

"It won't be boring if the Grand Princess they are all dying to see goes," chuckled Milena. "I promised his Majesty I would attend any celebration, and I suspect he's throwing this silly one for that sole purpose. He wants to check up on me, see if I'm still pregnant and alive."

"I don't like this," groaned Tiphania. "He should learn to leave you alone once and for all... I wish I had Yasina's vocabulary for clingy men, she had a lot to say about His Majesty. I can't even believe the Council agreed to keep the Kingdom's anniversary celebrations this year. We are receiving bodies from the front each week, and we have more in our streets every day! Who wants to celebrate in those conditions!"

"A lot of voices said the same, but the Council thought throwing a party would lighten the mood, or so they said. There haven't been any for a while now, I guess this is their way of gathering the nobles and seeing who has something to hide..." "If you're going, I'll go too," grumbled Tiphania. "I don't want you going alone, and I'm sure none of us want to see you there either. It smells and looks like a trap, Lady Milena. Aren't you supposed to stay at home and rest!"

"I'm going there to buy myself some time," retorted Milena. "If they see I'm still pregnant, they will leave me alone a few more days, compared to if I refused to go. The more unseen I am, the more I bet they are dying to search this manor for a baby. No, I'm going to keep an eye on our enemies as much as they are keeping an eye on me. I don't even need to stay long, just an hour or two will suffice. There's no one interesting to see anyway... Raphael will be my companion, Eugenie is sitting this one out to watch my father." "It feels safer indeed," nodded Tiphania. "One of us should also accompany you, as a witness in case someone else wants to frame you. You can't trust anyone nowadays..." "Milena!"

To their surprise, Raphael barged in without knocking, a bright smile on his face, shaking a letter.

"It's Lucian! That idiot brother of ours finally wrote back, and guess what? He says the war's almost over! They are coming back soon!"