Lady Dhampir
Chapter 229

Despite how tired she was, Milena felt like she couldn't bear to sleep a wink. She just couldn't take her eyes off the two adorable little wonders in her arms. "They are beautiful."

She smiled, and raised her eyes at her father. The doctor and all the servants had left the room now, except for Sofia, leaving some space for her family to greet the two newborns. Her father was standing next to the bed, his tired eyes riveted on the babies. The Duke had been looking like he was about to cry since he had entered the room, but didn't dare approach closer than one foot.

"A vampire girl and a human boy," said Eugenie. "It's a perfect balance!"

"Am I the only one who was curious to see another dhampir baby girl?" Whispered Raphael.

"You knew the chances were very low," chuckled Milena.

"Says the once-every-three-centuries miracle..." Chuckled Raphael.

Next to him on the bed, even Blanche was a bit restless. She was in her cat form next to Milena, and had her front paws on her mistress' shoulder, her tail slowly wagging left and right as she kept staring at the babies, her golden eyes wide open. She had been the most protective of the twins, but now, it seemed as if she was too shy to approach.

"So? What did you call them?" Asked Eugenie, a bit impatient. "You only told Raphael!"

"I wanted to keep it a surprise. Plus, I had a hard time thinking about enough names for all the possibilities of twins..."

"Lucky you, you only needed one boy and one girl in the end. So?"

Milena smiled, and turned to her father. She gently extended her arm to hand him the baby boy. Her father hesitated, but eventually took the baby, looking almost scared of the newborn. The little boy was smaller than his sister, and had calmed down a little now, sleeping quietly. His eyes were only half-open for a short while earlier, but just long enough for everyone to see they were of a gorgeous, mesmerizing night blue.

"This is Elizio," said Milena.

Her father's eyes opened wide in surprise. Milena had known he would be the most affected by the name she had chosen for her baby, a clear homage to her mother. Plus, her mother had blue eyes, too, and her grandson had inherited that trait from her. Anton visibly choked up, and his red eyes went to the little boy, nodding faintly.

"It's a beautiful name," he said, his voice even deeper than usual.

Raphael and Milena exchanged an accomplice look. Then, they turned to Eugenie, who was smiling as well, but got a bit surprised by the siblings now looking at her.

"What is it?" She asked with a nervous smile.

Milena gently handed her daughter to her sister-in-law, who took the red-eyed baby without any hesitation. She was fascinated by both babies, and gently caressed the baby girl's forehead.

"This is Maria."

Eugenie's smile dropped a bit. She looked up at Milena, totally surprised.

"...Maria?" She repeated, shocked.

Milena nodded slowly.

Tears appeared almost right away in Eugenie's eyes.

"T-That's..."

"The name you and my brother had decided on if... Antonin had been a girl. I know. I... I know how much Valentin wanted a baby girl, and how much that name meant to our family, so I thought... It would be fine if I gave it to your niece instead."

Milena was suddenly worried. Had that been insensitive? She had grown so fond of the name, she and Raphael had thought that would be a great idea, to honor both Valentin, and her great-grandmother, whose name he had originally intended to take this one after.

It took a full minute until Eugenie let out a tear, and nodded.

"Milena, it's... It's wonderful," she said.

Her eyes went back on the baby girl, and she leaned to leave a kiss on Maria's forehead.

"It's perfect. I'm sure Val would have absolutely loved it... He would have loved that name for his niece....Thank you, Millie."

Milena chuckled, the nervousness dropping all at once. This was the first time Eugenie was calling her by her private nickname, Millie. She could see the genuine gratitude in her sister-in-law's eyes, confirming she had made the right choice. She let out a long sigh. Maria and Elizio. She was so glad both of her babies were born, and safe. It had been a long, tiring and painful night, but now, she was just glad, and thankful. As expected, Maria was wide awake while Elizio slept, although he'd wake up from time to time. "... Did everything go well?" She asked, turning to Raphael.

Her brother rolled his eyes after a second.

"Milena, you shouldn't worry about this now..."

"I should," she retorted. "This is about my babies' safety."

"Everything went well," gently said Eugenie. "Half of the manor's servants have no idea the babies are born, and the other half would never say a word of this. They even have orders not to discuss it between themselves, and they know they'd better keep to it." Milena nodded. The De Crescent staff was chosen for their discretion and professionalism. Those who had served the longest were proof the De Crescent family paid their most loyal servants well, while the newer staff members were kept away from any secret the family could hide, and given trivial tasks in the inhabited parts of the Manor. They all knew their lips had to be sealed tight if they didn't want to lose their lives. The butler and older servants were particularly strict on the discipline, and it wasn't uncommon for a chatty maid to disappear overnight...

"We still need to hide the babies' birth for a while longer," muttered Milena.

"Luckily, you went out last night," said Raphael. "They all saw you still very much pregnant and you didn't look like you were going to give birth overnight. No one would guess you gave birth right after the party, and most nobles were busy in the Castle, I doubt anyone sent spies."

"... We should increase the security right after sending the babies," Milena muttered. "They will think I am about to give birth, or reaching the end of my term."

"...Are you sure about sending them away, Milena?" Sighed Eugenie.

Milena hesitated for a second, a knot in her throat. However, she had thought about this, many times, and her decision was made. In fact, she was even more resolute now that her children were born.

"It's the safest for them," she nodded. "Trust me, I wish I could keep them in the manor, but... With everything that happened recently, their safety is my priority, and I'm worried we will be attacked again if they suspect I keep my babies here."

"...I know," Eugenie muttered. "To be honest, I've been thinking of sending Antonin to my parents, as well. They have wanted to see him for a while, and I'm always worried something will happen here. Things have been so tense in the Capital lately. Now that the twins are born..."

Milena felt sorry for her sister-in-law and nephew, but that was the truth. She didn't even want to imagine how Ellias would react once he got news of the babies' birth... In this very moment, she wished, once again, that her husband would have been there with her. Somehow, she felt Rayan would have known what to do, or at least, what to tell her. Her babies had just been born, and yet she already had to make hard decisions for their future. Did her mother feel the same when she had given birth to a baby dhampir girl, a possible future princess?

Her heart felt heavier, seeing Elizio in her father's arms. Compared to the Duke, the baby looked incredibly small in his grandfather's embrace... Blanche suddenly rubbed her head against Milena's cheek, purring a bit.

"Let's just do it all according to plan," Milena muttered, comforted by her best friend. "In the best scenario, Rayan and Lucian will be back in just a few days, and we can bring the children home right away. If not, at least they will be safe until then..." "Forget the King," groaned Raphael. "If anyone touches a hair on one of my adorable nephews' or niece's heads, I'm going to rip their head off..."

Milena chuckled, but next to him, their father nodded, frowning a bit too.

"Milena, you should get some sleep," muttered Eugenie. "You haven't been able to sleep at all and it's been a long night for you. We can keep the babies if you want."

"No... I want to sleep next to them," she whispered.

Eugenie and Raphael exchanged a glance. It was completely normal. In fact, they even felt a bit sad for Milena. She wouldn't have much time with her babies before she had to hide them away, for their own security. It couldn't be helped that she would treat the short time she could have with them so precious...

"Let me stay with you, then," whispered Raphael, putting a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I'll take care of the little wonders if they wake up, so their mom can sleep."

Milena felt grateful, and agreed to that. They lay the little babies next to her, so Milena could simply roll on her side and see them both. Her bed was large enough that it was very unlikely the babies would fall, and in any case, Raphael pulled an armchair to sit on the other side. Eugenie quickly bid her good night and closed the curtains herself, leaving with Sofia to go to bed, as she was likely tired too. Only her father seemed a bit reluctant to leave. He was standing at the edge of the bed, his red eyes glowing in the dark and riveted on his grandchildren.

"...Dad?" Milena called gently.

Her voice seemed to take him out of his thoughts. Her dad smiled faintly, and walked around the bed to come and sit next to her. To Milena's surprise, he leaned and hugged her, a firm embrace that let him kiss her head.

"I'm so proud of you, Milena," he whispered to her. "I'm sure your mother is even prouder."

Milena sighed, and leaned against his shoulder. It felt like she hadn't been able to hug her father in a long time. She loved how his strong arms could still make her feel like a little girl in her daddy's embrace. Anton had gone through a lot, recently, and this was the first time she felt like her father could be back to himself again. When he pulled back a little, the Duke had a smile on his face, something she hadn't seen in a while either. He caressed her cheek, and his eyes went to the two babies sleeping on the side. "...I hope their father will be back soon," he said. "There's nothing better than meeting your child for the first time.... your children. Prince Rayan should know how lucky of a man he is."

"I'm sure he'll run here the minute he can," chuckled Raphael.

"Thank you, Dad. Your grandchildren are lucky to have you, too."

Milena's words seemed to go straight to the Duke's heart. His smile widened, and he leaned to kiss her forehead once more.

"Now get some sleep, my daughter. I'll stand guard outside."

He quickly walked out, closing the door behind him and leaving Raphael and Milena alone with the babies. Her brother chuckled, turning back to her.

"So... Do you think our father has gone to cry, or terrorize the servants outside all night?"

"Probably the latter," chuckled Milena. "Don't mock Dad... He doesn't like showing when he's happy."

"Oh, that's a family thing. We tend to be emotionally constipated."

Milena laughed, but covered her mouth right away.

"Raphael, don't make me laugh... It hurts and I don't want to wake them up."

In fact, as they both looked down, Maria was already very much awake. The little red-eyed baby was staring at her uncle, and kept opening and closing her fists. Raphael chuckled, and gave her his finger to hold on, putting his elbows on the side of the bed to watch them from up close.

"This little lady is a baby vampire for sure..." He whispered. "Damn, how can they be so tiny? I mean, It's already impressive to think you carried them in your belly, but now that I see them, they really are small... Especially Elizio. This little boy is so small compared to his sis. Maria, did you take all the space and leave your little brother in a corner? You cunning little lady. I'm sure you'll grow up to be just like your mommy..."

Milena chuckled, and slowly moved to a more comfortable position, her head on the pillow so she'd fall asleep soon, while watching over her newborns. Blanche, too, finally approached the babies. The shape-shifter took the appearance of a silver fox, and curled up around the babies, her large, fluffy tail wagging a little. Maria now seemed to stare at the fox with her curious ruby eyes.

"... Don't you think they look like their dad?" She whispered.

Raphael chuckled.

"They look like newborns... Hard to tell yet. I'm sure they'll grow up to be so handsome and pretty. Their parents aren't so bad themselves, huh? Maria, you better stay away from boys while you grow up. Your uncles are going to make sure of it... Damn, how did you make such pretty babies? I thought they were all born puff-eyed and wrinkly, but your babies are so perfect... Is it the family genes? They even have this much dark hair..."

Milena couldn't stop smiling. Her babies were perfect indeed, although she had no doubt her and her brother were probably very blinded by their love for those two little treasures. They both were a bit wrinkled and puffy-eyed, like any newborn, but they had been bathed and carefully wrapped in their little blankets. Elizio was in a black one, Maria in a red one... Sofia had made those for them, and embroidered their family crest on it. However, to Milena, those colors only reminded her more of her husband.

She sighed a bit while Raphael was chatting softly with his newborn niece. She wished Rayan had been here... She had no regrets as long as her babies were born safely and healthy, but she couldn't help but feel that little pinch in her heart. If only they had been like any other noble family, able to celebrate the birth of their newborns together. She was sure Rayan would have been by her side every step of the way, and the first one to hold his daughter and son. He would have slept with her through the night, and watched over them. She wouldn't have had to send her twins away in the morning... Everything would have been so different. She let out a little sigh without thinking, which caught her brother's attention. Raphael looked up, and gave her a faint smile, caressing her cheek. "What's that face, Millie? You're thinking too deeply again, aren't you, sis? ...Come on, just go to sleep. You're probably going to regret not being a vampire soon, with these two. Get some sleep while you can, and don't think too much, alright? Everyone is proud of you, and everyone in this Manor will help you protect those two."

"...Thank you for being here, Raphael."

"Don't," he chuckled. "It is my privilege... I'm sure there are one or two out there who will be jealous of me very soon... even the one up there."

Milena smiled weakly, a bittersweet smile remembering her older brother. She wished Val had been there... she wished all the men in her life had been by her side. She knew how blessed she was to have three older brothers, and a loving husband, but right now, she was also a bit sad because she missed them so much.

Raphael sighed, and took her hand gently.

"Sleep, Millie. I'll scold those idiots for you when they get back, but for now, you're more important. I'm not moving an inch from here. Just sleep."

Milena smiled, and nodded, glancing at her babies once more. Maria was starting to close her tiny eyelids, visibly a bit bored or tired. Elizio was sleeping soundly, Blanche's head lying right next to him. Indeed, those two were safe for now, that was all that mattered. She should focus on the present, and the blessings she had right in front of her eyes now. Milena took a deep breath, to calm her heart, and let herself doze off naturally, her eyes still on the two little newborns. Finally, they had come into this world...