Lady Dhampir
Chapter 270

And how do you intend to stop them?" Asked her father, following her inside the Manor. "With Henry out of power, the Duke De Nova will take control of the remaining Vampire factions."

"I won't let that happen. If I can't stop them, I'll make sure they follow me, not that stubborn old crone of a Supremacist," retorted Milena, climbing up the stairs. "The Vampire Society might still be neutral for a while, but Ellias will do whatever he can to take it down completely. The vampires are only waiting for a sign it's time for war, most of them are already worn out by that stupid isolation they were f****d into. They know they won't be proven innocent until the real culprits are found, and Ellias was just stupid enough to kill those who could have done that!"

"What about Euphoria?" Asked her Father.

Milena sighed, and nervously brushed her curls back with her fingers, still walking quickly.

"...She's probably in hiding for now. Digory would have told us if she had come here. I don't see where else she could have gone... There's nowhere that I can think of. If I were her, I would hide until I'm absolutely sure it's safe to move. All the more if I'm carrying the most important piece of information to save this Kingdom... Either she's going to come here soon, or she has another destination in mind. We have to keep knights around the Sevira House and search for her again, just in case. At least, to keep Ellias and the Church's people at bay. We can pretend they are there to help with the fire."

"I will do that. But, Milena."

Her father suddenly grabbed her hand, stopping her in her quick pace. Milena frowned and turned around, to face his dark red eyes.

"...You know there's still a possibility she did not survive," he muttered.

Milena felt her throat tighten, but she slowly nodded.

She would have been lying to say she didn't think that too. In fact, she was holding on to the hope that she was right, because if she wasn't, the situation was a lot worse than she thought. With all the Sevira sisters' research destroyed, and their deaths, all the past few months would have been for nothing, or almost, in the fight against the Wendigos. They were so close to getting the remedy that could potentially end this war before it even started. Yet, the Church was truly pushing for their agenda... Milena suddenly stopped. Could it be they actually hoped for this war? Why?

The only reason she could see was to get rid of their enemies, the Vampires, mainly the Supremacists. They could also get rid of her, and confirm Ellias' power over the throne, but while her children were gone and, she hoped, safe, Rayan would still be considered a legitimate heir for the throne. Ellias only had one daughter, and so far, he couldn't push his brother out of the heirs, until he had more children to consolidate his power.... Was that the reason? They knew Rayan was close to coming home. There were only so many Wendigos they could create secretly, and Milena was sure her husband wouldn't let his men be decimated by those creatures either. She hoped he was making progress, at least. Sadly, the last piece of the puzzle he needed to vanquish that nightmarish army was on her side of the Forest, and currently hiding with a missing girl.

"...I know. Regardless of if she survived or not, we have to prepare for what's coming, Father. If I can't stop this war, I will fight for what we believe is right."

Anton hesitated.

His daughter, however, didn't show the slightest doubt. It didn't look like she had gone through everything she had gone through tonight and instead, she faced him, with no sadness in her eyes, only anger and resolve. No matter how conflicted she surely was inside, Milena's bright purple eyes shone brightly, fearlessly, as if she was ready to take on the world itself, if needed. She wouldn't back down and she wouldn't run either. Unlike many, the Lady De Crescent wasn't hoping for war, but she was ready for it nonetheless. She truly was a fighter at heart.

He slowly released her hand. This time, his daughter was truly ready. Perhaps had he missed it before, but never had Milena radiated so much the aura of a Queen like she did now. Despite the stressful atmosphere, the Duke's heart was suddenly filled with calm, and pride towards his only daughter. He nodded.

"... What do you want me to do?"

"Get ready, Father, just like you said. Ready for a war. I don't care what they say, we will not hide our intentions. If this war happens, I want us to be at the frontline to protect our people, Father. It's time to wake up the wolves. Let every ally of the House De Crescent know that we're gearing up for battle, and so shall they."

"I will. Anytime you need us, your family, our people will be ready."

Milena nodded. Even if the ground fell under her feet, she would know she could rely on this household. On her Father and on their people.

She and her father suddenly parted, taking opposite directions without even saying a word to the other. Milena went straight for the armory, giving quick orders to the servants following her, who ran ahead or in other directions. In minutes, she was changed into a brand new outfit, her hair held in a high ponytail. She was wearing what couldn't exactly be called a dress; the skirt was cut off in front to reveal her legs covered by skinny pants and dark metallic greaves like combat boots. Her top was also made of metal, with padded shoulders that made the outfit look like armor, more than a dress, while retaining the feminism and sexiness of one. Moreover, she had a long sword by her side, and on her opposite flank, her signature whip visible. She completed her outfit with leather gloves, and a large but light fur cape to cover it all. Once ready, Milena left the room without a word, going back downstairs, Blanche the wolf running ahead of her. They were both ready, and Black Bella was waiting for them outside, clapping her hooves as if she was impatient, too. Milena climbed back on her horse, imitated by six of their family knights, ready to follow her.

"... Be careful, my Lady," said her maid, bowing down.

This time, Dinah knew she wouldn't be accompanying Milena, and her worry was painted all over her face. Milena nodded coldly, and turned her horse around, leaving the manor in a hurry.

Their group headed straight for the one place Milena suspected to be the new reunion space of the Vampire Society; the Duke's Mansion. The gathering had been too sudden for them to prepare a secret location, and the places big enough to welcome this many vampires, outside the Royal Castle, could be counted on one hand. Most of them would make no sense, or had poor locations for someone who intended to hide. Moreover, if he was preparing for war, no doubt the Duke would have prepared everything a long time ago. Milena had a gut feeling he was truly preparing to arm the vampires...

They rode quickly through the night, not hiding their destination. Circled by her knights, Milena pushed Black Bella to run as fast as possible, headed for the House De Nova with her anger rising with the speed of her horse. Too many things had happened in one night, and it could not be good. Had the Duke heard about the fate of the House De Sevira already? Milena replayed their exchange from earlier in her head. The man wasn't mad, or even really ill-intended. His opinion was almost legitimate, and the build-up of years of frustration. His only child had gone off to war with no sign of when she'd return. The man he thought deserved to be his King all the same. Now, the King was about to begin a war against their kind, no less, and was playing around in the hands of the Church. Although she didn't agree, Milena could understand where the vampires' pleas came from, easily. She only hoped they would be able to at least hear her out. If a war was to happen, she didn't want any human lives sacrificed. A war was an ugly business, and even if she would agree to openly oppose Ellias, the House De Winter and the Church once and for all, at least her taking the lead would reduce the casualties.

To her surprise, the portail of the House De Nova was wide open when she arrived. Not only that, but there were obviously a lot of people inside already, judging from the carriages and riderless horses lined up outside. She frowned, but with no one to stop her, she had Black Bella take her to the entrance, and got down, glaring at the vampire servant at the entrance.

"Greetings, Grand Princess."

Once again, she was shocked to see the man bow and simply step aside to let her in. Did the Duke really give instructions for anyone to come in? Even for the Dhampir Grand Princess, and her guards? Careful, Milena got down, and fearlessly walked inside the dark Manor.

The House De Nova was known for its secrecy, and just like the House De Crescent, only the direct family lived in the familial residence, with as few servants as needed. In fact, upon walking down the dark halls, Milena suspected many aisles of their large residence were completely unused and only managed by their staff.

There were some places that were very much lively though, and it led her right to their main reception hall, where she could hear dozens of voices loudly arguing. She walked up to the doors, and just when the Butler posted in front was about to greet her and, most likely turn around to walk in first and introduce her, Milena pushed him out of the way with the back of her hand. The poor man blinked, suddenly removed, and didn't dare ask anything as soon as the white wolf began growling at him. "...Blanche."

The wolf turned her head, and prepared herself to walk in along with Milena.

The Grand Princess banged the doors wide open, provoking an instant silence in the room. Dozens of pairs of blood-red eyes turned to her, all shocked. A few seconds of silence passed, while even the ones at the back of the room turned heads to find, shocked, Milena De Crescent standing at the entrance in her large cape. Many bowed immediately, by reflex, but a lot were too stunned for that.

She found the Duke De Nova immediately. There was a long, long table in the center of the room, with the old vampire presiding at the end of it. Lined up on the other seats were other vampires from powerful families, including senior members of the Zinnia and Narcissus Counties, which Milena glared at right away. They all looked down like children caught doing something very wrong, impressed by her piercing, glowing purple eyes.

"...Grand Princess," grinned the Duke, grabbing his glass. "We were not expecting you, but what a nice surprise!"

"I must have missed the invite," she hissed.

"Oh, there wasn't any. I simply let my vampire brother and sisters know that, if the Society of Vampires were to disappear, so would we, and can you believe it? So many of them gathered here!"

Milena glared back at the old man, furious. She didn't have time for his schemes and manipulative words. She stepped forward, the metal of her outfit echoing metallic sounds that clearly showed she wasn't only wearing common fabrics. Her mere arrival had been enough to stir a lot of the vampires, as some approached, and others retreated to the back, visibly very uneasy. Yet, her eyes were on only one man. Milena reached the last seat, putting a hand on the back of the chair, glaring down at the man seated on it. This one hesitated and, after a second, stood up while bowing repeatedly, stepping aside thinking she was going to sit there.

She didn't, though. In fact, as soon as his butt was off the chair, Milena threw it out of the way, and slammed her hands on the table.

"I was clear, I believe, when I said no action should be taken against the humans!"

"Oh, but we haven't done anything, Grand Princess....Not yet."

"I forbid you to do anything without my approval, Duke De Nova."

The man scoffed, raising an amused eyebrow at her, but Milena didn't flinch. Her glare on him was continuous and speaking volume about the anger that was rising in her. She was in no mood for jokes.

Right now, the atmosphere in the room was colder than ice, and all the red eyes were on the Grand Princess who had suddenly barged in with half a dozen knights from the De Crescent Duchy, and a furious wolf. Moreover, Milena's outfit, slightly revealed under her coat, was intriguing to the audience as well. Not everyone here was possibly in favor of the Duke De Nova's extremism but, by default, they had chosen to see what the old Duke had to offer. The Grand Princess' brutal arrival was unforeseen, but an interesting development, and Milena was the first aware of that.

"...Are you threatening me, Grand Princess?"

"Threats are for enemies, Duke. I'm warning you."

The Duke sighed, and leaned back in his chair, crossing his fingers.

"I see you came without your Father to support you."

"Unlike what you believe, I never hid behind the Duke De Crescent. My Father isn't the highest authority in the house. I am. And he will follow my orders, and my decisions, as his only daughter and the Grand Princess of this Kingdom."

De Nova glanced around, as if to gauge the audience. This was the face-off a lot had been waiting for.

"You saw the Duke De Boreal fail miserably to rally the vampires to him, as expected," he scoffed. "What makes you think the vampires should follow a woman that isn't even a vampire? You're a half-breed, Princess De Crescent. Dhampirs aren't vampires, and you might have been told your whole life that you are special, you're nothing but..."

"I am special indeed," retorted Milena. "I am the first Dhampir of the Royal Family since Princess Sevira. Wasn't she just as good to the vampire cause as were her vampire brothers? Moreover, I chose the vampire Prince as my husband, De Nova. He didn't make that choice, remember? I picked between the two Princes, and that's why Lady Rachael is not the Grand Princess right now."

"How dare you!" He shouted, jumping on his feet.

Blanche suddenly jumped on the table too, furiously growling at him, her fangs all out as a warning. The Duke glared at the wolf, but his eyes went back to Milena. The Grand Princess put on a cold smile, and suddenly stepped on the chair to climb up on the table, standing on the oak wood and dominating the room.

"I am the third most powerful person in this Kingdom, De Nova," she proclaimed loudly. "Not you, not my Father, not anybody else. Only me. I did not get there merely by chance, or because of my Father. His Highness Rayan De Solaris picked me among many to be his wife, and I was no second choice. I am the daughter of the House De Crescent, the House of the Crescent Moon and the Kingdom's Guardian Wolf. I am the Grand Princess De Crescent, second only to the King and Queen of this Kingdom. My husband Rayan is alive, and when he comes back, I will be the only one by his side. But for now, I am the highest vampire authority in this Kingdom. It's true, I may not be fully vampire, nor human. Yet, I am still your Grand Princess, and my husband's most trusted ally. Don't you dare undermine my authority, De Nova, because you can't."

While the old Duke was left speechless, shaking with rage, Milena turned to the others, glaring at each one of the vampires present.

"If you're so spineless as to pick an old crone to follow, then vampires really have lost their precious pride over the years!" She shouted, furious. "Even the real Head of the House De Nova, the Duchess Rachael De Nova, professed her alliance to me. You all know Lady De Nova does not even answer to her Father herself, she answers to me, and to my husband. The Duke De Boreal has also pledged allegiance to this Grand Princess, and so did most of the families you are representing here! So now, I ask you all, where has your pride gone! Your loyalty! When did you run from your allegiance to run into the shadow of a bunch of old crones! ...Do you think I am not enough of a vampire for you, perhaps? This Dhampir woman isn't vampire enough, now?"

Milena scoffed, glaring at the audience.

".... risked my pride as a woman, and remaining childless for the rest of my life, all to marry a Vampire Prince! Your Vampire Prince! I fought against wendigos twice by his side! I sent my husband, my family and my best friends to war! Not because I wanted to, but because each one of them trusted me to stay behind, and take care of our people! ...I invested thousands into the Institute, all for the vampires' future! To end your dependence on humans! For months, I supported my husband throughout this war, and I risked my life countless times to oppose the King's decisions, as well as those of the Church! I risk my life every day to remain strong, and not a useless doll that would watch you all be crushed by the greediness of the King! Of the Church! I stood alone against the Royal Council, while none of you here came forth to support me even once! And you're accusing me of not being vehement enough? ...I can count on the fingers of one hand how many vampires actually came forth to protect me and my Prince's offspring!...And now, look at you. Look at you all, gathered here. Now, you're making me witness while thousands of you dare to crawl to the Duchy De Nova as soon as he summons you? You're right, perhaps I am done supporting vampires! Perhaps I should leave all of you to run head first into this blood-thirsty, useless and pathetic war, and fight to your own deaths! How dare you all expect me to support you, when none of you have shown the backbone to ever support the second most powerful woman in the Kingdom against that King you now all claim to hate so much!"