Lady Dhampir
Chapter 221

A heavy silence followed Raphael's words, cutting his enthusiasm short. He frowned and lowered the hand that was agitating the letter just a second before.

"Not everyone at once," he scoffed. "What is it? Now that our brother finally writes back, you won't even listen anymore?"

Milena and Tiphania exchanged a glance, her friend biting her lower lip.

"Sorry Raphael, but... Lucian said the war is almost over?"

"Yes, that's what I said.... What is it now? Seriously, I'm the vampire running around in broad daylight here and I'm more awake than you. What's going on? Did I miss something very depressing? Because that is supposed to be a joyful piece of news right there, and I thought you'd appreciate it!"

Milena sighed again, slowly massaging her temples.

"Sorry, Raphael, it's just... Are you sure Lucian sent that letter?"

Her brother scoffed, but after a second, came to sit beside her, feeling something was really wrong. He took her hand gently, and glanced towards Tiphania to look for a clue about what was going on, but the young Baroness simply shrugged, just as helpless. He turned back to Milena, who shook her head.

"I'm not doubting you, it just feels strange to hear that now....I haven't heard from Rayan in days. Did Lucian mention anything about my husband?"

Raphael nodded, handing her the letter, although he was now looking more serious. Milena opened it, indeed recognizing their brother's handwriting. Of course, it could have been forged, but the shortness of the letter and their brother's seal were not hinting at any fakeness here.

"Lucian says they believe they have eliminated enough giants that the others are slowly going back up in the mountains. According to him, your husband is busy because they are making sure the last pockets of giants they can find are also driven away. They seem to have found more efficient ways to scare them, of course Lucian won't bother to detail it."

"As always," chuckled Milena.

"However, he does confirm the first battalions are on their way back. Alexis De Carseus and Declan D'Allendor were tasked to bring back the first men to be sent home, mostly those who need it the most or can't fight anymore and need to come here to recuperate." "... But he knows what happened to the first troops to be sent back, right?"

Tiphania and Milena exchanged a glance. It was clear they were thinking about their discussion just before, including the disappearance of Tiphania's cousin. Raphael nodded.

"He heard of it, which is why this time, they are sending two full battalions home, and under Alexis and Declan's escort. I think it's precisely because they heard of it that your husband wants to bring the battalions home one by one. Not only that, but Lucian mentioned the murder in the Capital, too, and the men at the front are just as shocked."

In fact, Raphael didn't even need to say it. Lucian's letter was short enough that Milena needed less than a minute to read it all, and see her brother's words for herself.

His fierce, bold handwriting on the paper felt strange. Lucian only ever wrote to convey the most important information, mostly about his own well-being. Yet, having him talk about her husband felt strange. Suffocating, even. A strange nausea took Milena by surprise, and for a few seconds, she felt sick.

"I bet Lucian will stay behind as well," continued Raphael, unaware of her state. "He's been thriving since he took the lead of the Second Battalion, and the Prince will want to keep him near. If he can earn some more merits to his name and increase his military fame before coming home, Lucian will most definitely... Millie? Millie, are you alright?"

She wasn't. From her normal paleness, Milena's skin had turned brutally white, almost grey, and she felt horribly dizzy.

"Call the doctor!" Tiphania shouted at the maids. "Call someone!"

Mint ran out of the room despite her heels, and Blanche popped out from under Milena's skirt, in her cat appearance, meowing loudly in worry for her mistress.

"I'm fine..." Milena barely muttered.

"Fine my butt, you're about to pass out. Tiphania, help me please, let's have her lie down..."

With their strength combined, they managed to move Milena to have her lie on the couch instead of her seat, and Tiphania grabbed her little fan to air the Princess as much as she could before the doctor rushed in. Despite being on the verge of collapsing, Milena kept repeating she was fine, holding Raphael's hand while the doctor examined her.

"The Grand Princess is fine, young master," finally said the doctor after a while. "She will recuperate in no time. I think she just experienced a big shock and her lack of appetite had her pass out. I suggest a bit of blood and a lot of rest."

"Thank you, Doctor," nodded Raphael. "Dinah, ask Digory to bring some blood here for Milena, and make sure what happened doesn't spread in the Manor."

"Yes, Master Raphael. I will be right back."

Milena's maid left, and next to her, Blanche hopped on the couch to curl up between Milena's belly and the couch's back. Raphael, who was on one knee next to her, and hadn't let go of her hand all this time, let out a sigh. He gently caressed his sister's forehead, pulling one of her raven locks out of the way. He obviously didn't care that Tiphania was still there and watching from the opposite couch.

"...I don't think I'll ever stop worrying about you," he sighed. "Can you please try and take better care of yourself, my dear little sister? I don't think vampires are prone to heart attacks, but we might set a precedent if you keep frightening me like that. Even our dear great-grandmother was never as white as you were seconds ago."

"I'm sorry..."

"And stop apologizing. You're sexier when you're fierce and unapologetic, remember that?"

This time, he managed to have her chuckle, and Milena rolled to the side with a grimace. It was actually more comfortable for her big belly. With a gentle expression, Tiphania came over to pull a blanket over her friend's lower half, and Milena smiled at her. "Thank you, Tiphania."

"If I'm not here for my friend now, when?" She answered with a smile. "I will leave you to rest now, and I hope you do rest, my Lady. Young Duke Raphael, it seems your sister insists on going to that ridiculous celebration tomorrow, so I will see you there." "Ask Digory to have knights escort you back, Lady Tiphania, please. Thank you for coming over."

"Anytime."

After the polite parting greetings, Tiphania made her exit, and Milena sighed. Turning back to her, Raphael grimaced.

"So you're still going."

"I am."

"...I guess I'll have to give up on trying to dissuade you, I feel like I've already lost that battle. More than that, what happened just now? I know you're not the type to faint over nothing, so spill it, Millie. What was it?"

His younger sister rolled her eyes, but if there was anyone she was confident sharing with, it was Raphael. Eventually, Milena sighed, her eyes going down on their joined hands.

"It's just... about Lucian's letter."

"You still don't believe it's real."

"Worse than that, I think I'm scared to believe it is."

"...I've heard women happier to hear about their husband and brother coming back than that, but please do go on."

"No, I mean... I'm scared to believe it, Raphael, because if it's not true, I'll just have my heart broken. I... I desperately want my brother and husband back. There isn't a single day I haven't dreamed, prayed and hoped that this news would come. It has been months now. I was even mentally prepared for this war to go on for years, but now... It feels too good to be true, you understand? I want to believe it with all my heart, Raphael, but I don't know if I can handle it if it doesn't go the way I hope." Raphael sighed, and leaned over to gently kiss her forehead. His cold lips were very refreshing to Milena, so much she wondered if she didn't have the beginning of a fever or something. Then, he chuckled.

"Sometimes I forget you're just nineteen now, little sis. Most of the time, I even forget you're much younger than I am."

"Seven years younger."

"....Thanks, but you don't need to be mean now."

Milena chuckled.

"More seriously," Raphael resumed. "I get it. To be honest with you, I read that letter three times before it really sunk in. I get you'd be worried, and it has become a daily thing now, for us to be worried over everything going on. I understand you being scared, too. Especially with all that we've heard about the Emerald Forest. Honestly, I'm a bit worried about them too. However, your husband is being smart by sending home the other battalions first. Alexis and Declan are smart; they will notice if anything is wrong, and do what needs to be done for their men's safety. I bet Rachael will write to her father so the De Nova knights meet them half-way, too."

"It would be safer indeed..."

"Milena, for now, I get that you are worried about your husband and our brother, but this isn't in your hands, alright?"

That sentence resonated in her. She tried to sit up, and although he tried to protest at first, Raphael helped her once he realized she wouldn't give up. Finally seated, Milena took a few seconds to make sure her dizziness wouldn't come back, and next to her, Blanche shape-shifted into a wolf, a larger form so Milena could lean against her and wrap her arm around her thick fur for more warmth. The silver wolf put its head on Milena's lap, its eyes directed at the fire.

Luckily, it coincided with Digory's appearance with a cup of blood for Milena. Raphael took the spot next to his sister on the couch, and both him and the butler made sure she finished her cup and ate some cake before the butler left again, confirming no one else was aware of her near-fainting, including their Father the Duke. Raphael thanked the butler and dismissed him, only allowing Dinah back inside the room. While Milena's maid went to take care of the fire, he sighed, and grabbed his sister's free hand on her lap. "I know I can't do anything," Milena sighed before he could say anything. "I'm just so worried, and... I'm so hopeful that Rayan will be back soon. I didn't think I could miss my husband so much, but now... I'm even mad at him for not writing for so long. I will probably scold him and tell him how much I miss him altogether in my next letter. Does that make any sense?"

"As far as my knowledge goes in couple's therapy, you're doing amazingly fine," chuckled Raphael. "Milena, you're a Grand Princess and working your heavy butt off to prevent a Civil War."

"Can you please stop being so rude about my bottom."

"Sorry....In any case, you're already handling a lot by yourself. So leave the war to your husband, alright? Focus on what is actually within your hands. Spare yourself the worry about things that are out of your control, Millie. Easier said than done, I know, but it's like when you leave me in charge of the Society, Tiphania in charge of the Commerce Guild or Kelyn in charge of the Glass Domain. Everyone is also worried about the civil war and the Royal Council, but that's your job, so they trust you with it. Trust your husband, and trust our idiot brother with the Giants, the War and whatever the heck is going on in the Emerald Forest, alright?"

Milena took a deep breath, and slowly nodded. She knew her brother was right, and she already knew all that, but it was important to be reminded of it, sometimes. In fact, she had never expected that voicing her worries would alleviate some of them, and make her feel like she could breathe again.

"Thank you, Raphael."

"You're welcome. I can always become a Royal Therapist if we run out of money here... I'm kidding. It's free for my favorite little sister. So I guess I can't dissuade you from that insane idea of going to that celebration, though? You're aware the King is just literally waiting to grill you?"

"I will be fine," chuckled Milena.

"Says the pregnant lady who almost collapsed minutes ago."

"I will be fine," she insisted. "You're coming, and according to Tiphania, most of my ladies-in-waiting will probably show up as well. Moreover, I'm also going for my babies' sake. If Ellias and all of our enemies see I am still pregnant, they will leave us alone for a few more weeks. I'm tired of getting all that ridiculous mail to ask how I am as if those dogs couldn't bother to go straight to the point."

"You're carrying an heir to the throne. Or two. No wonder everyone is on their feet to check on your pregnancy. Not only that, but they are all dying to see who between you and the Queen will give birth first, and the gender of the babies. I already heard some people want to take advantage of it to destabilize the King."

"...Wait, what?"

Raphael sighed.

"... The new law isn't to everyone's taste. It might be great for families with only one female heir, but when it comes to the King's heirs, not everyone is fond of the idea of having a girl on the throne. However, this is most likely an excuse. More and more people are displeased with the King, Milena. They will come up with all sorts of excuses to try and kick him out. Let alone your husband's return, the babies yet to be born will be at the heart of all those conspiracies, we can be sure..."

"Great," muttered Milena. "I will have to raise my children in the middle of a nest of snakes, and against their own cousins, to boot... I don't want to, Raphael. I won't inflict on my children what Lyriana did to her sons. I will educate my children to work together and trust each other, just as close as the four of us grew up to be."

"I sincerely hope that will be, Millie. But remember, if there are people rooting for us, there are people rooting for the Queen as well. The King might be on a downhill, but she is getting more popular every day, and it's definitely throwing shade on you and your children... I'm scared someone is going to try something at that celebration, Millie, I'm not going to lie. I told you a hundred times, it feels like a b****y trap. I really have a bad feeling."

Milena sighed.

"...I know. However, if I don't go, things might be worse. Moreover, I also have personal reasons to go. Philomenie can't visit me anymore, and although it annoys me to admit it, I'm worried for her. Briseis mentioned she's more and more reclusive, and I'm afraid Ellias might not be tender to his wife. Plus, the Foundation I am trying to build is still in dire need of support, and many people will attend. If I show them I am as strong as ever, more people will be willing to partake, and we can accelerate the process for the research and commercialization of the blood supplies. This is my priority right now."

"...I get it. That's why I'll accompany you. Moreover, I heard some representatives of the Church were invited, I know that's another one of your objectives."

Milena nodded, softly petting Blanche.

"Yes... It's time I solve this mystery too. Those invited by the King are bound to be high-ranked. They can't be completely ignorant, even if they are not involved. I hope we will finally get some answers." Raphael sighed.

"You're as ruthless as ever... You're ready to knock them all out, aren't you."

Milena chuckled, thinking about the dress she had ordered from Yasina. "Oh, brother, you have no idea..."