Lady Dhampir
Chapter 102

Never had four people sitting in a room had brought up such a cold atmosphere before. Milena didn't dare say a word, as her father the Duke De Crescent stood very straight in his dark suit, arms crossed and sending daggers in the vampire Prince's way. She had rarely seen him be this imposing. She had to admire, Prince Rayan was doing an amazing job of staying composed. Many noble young men would have needed a second pair of pants by now... Milena could tell by the slight movement at the corner of his eye than he even was having a bit of fun.

With everything that had happened just the night before, it felt strange to hold a meeting over a nuptial agreement now, but here they were, sitting to face the King and one of his sons. King Silverius took a glass of wine, dismissing the tea despite the early hour. Milena watched him spill a red drop on his beard before he put the cup down with a long face. "Ah... Well, let's talk about the future now, and ignore the gloom things that await us later, shall we?"

Surely, he was talking about the senate and all the nobles that were waiting to hear more about Queen Lyriana's death. How were they going to deal with that? It didn't seem like a concern of the King for now, as the old man was trying to keep on a fake smile, turning to the Duke De Crescent.

"Shall we, Anton?" He called again.

It was as if a dark storm was occurring right where the Duke was seated.

"I'm listening," he hissed.

Only a few people in this Kingdom could have the status to speak like that to the King, but the usual rules didn't apply to the Duke De Crescent. Actually, King Silverus didn't seem surprised or offended in the slightest that the Duke was waiting to hear from him and not the other way around, as if he had expected as much. He nodded, gesturing for the young secretary to start writing.

"Alright, alright. First, I doubt we will have any financial issues, right?"

"Do not insult me," sighed the Duke.

Milena barely kept herself from scoffing. Thinking about it, four of the richest people were seated there. Saying money wasn't an issue was an understatement. Especially since by moving into the Royal Castle, most of Milena's expenses would be added to the overall budget of the Royal Family.

"Right. Milena, dear, let me know if there's anything you'd wish for. We don't have that many properties that would interest young people like you, but..."

"The White Palace," suddenly said Prince Rayan.

They all turned to him, surprised.

"T-the White Palace?" Repeated the King, surprised.

"I'd like to gift it to my fiancé, father," said Rayan.

King Silverius turned to Milena, a bit baffled. The young Duchess was at a loss, too. She couldn't remember what the White Palace was, in all the Royal properties she knew, Milena couldn't figure a building that would have been called so. "Rayan, this place is..."

Seeing how the King looked embarrassed by that demand, Milena turned to her father. The Duke was frowning as well, looking surprised and unsure. It made her even more curious. She turned to the King.

"Pardon my ignorance, your Highness, but what sort of location is the White Palace...?"

"It's not an actual Palace," answered her father. "It is not something a young Lady your age should know about either. The White Palace is another name for the Manor De Blanc, a residence in the countryside. It's about an hour away using a carriage." Milena couldn't understand what would be wrong about that. She had never heard of such a manor, and couldn't understand why, but while the King still looked flustered, the vampire Prince turned to him, very seriously.

"This place is not in use anyway, Father, isn't it?"

"No, but still... To gift such a... to a Princess, Rayan, that is..."

"You don't need to make it public, Father, and I won't either. Mother hated that place, I'd like to honor her by gifting that place to my fiancé."

Milena was completely lost now. Why would gifting her a residence the Queen hated actually honor her memory...? Seeing she was still in confusion, Rayan turned to her with a wry smile.

"The White Palace has a reputation to host the Kings' favorite mistresses. Hence, it is usually gifted to a noblewoman, and the Lady can gloat about it."

Milena raised an eyebrow; Gifting her a manor meant for a King's mistress? The symbolism sure was heavy on that gift... If Milena accepted the Manor, it was no more any less than a pledge of faithfulness from her future husband. She was surprised. Rayan was thinking far ahead with this!

The King sighed.

"Fine, fine... You're right, it may be time for this thing to change purpose anyway. Lady Milena, if you'll accept it, that residence is yours. Feel free to rename it, also, I am done with that place..."

Milena as genuinely surprised once more. Though no one dared to say it out loud, it was very likely that the King had a few mistresses himself. For him to give up on that place right after his queen's death was deep.

"Alright, let's move on," said the Monarch, still looking annoyed. "As for the financial details, Anton, I hope you'll be fine with having our accountants solve it. I am not in the mood for bargaining today, just require whatever it is you want." "My daughter is not for sale, Silverius. Whatever Milena brings in from our territory will be hers to use and spend as she wishes."

"Fine, fine! Don't be so broody, it's not as if I was going to ransack your safes! Lady Milena, do not worry, I am no stingy old man either, you'll be given a good allowance. We already both know you're quite the smart investor anyway, aren't you, young Lady?" Milena smiled and thanked the King for the praise. Indeed, in the higher circles, she was known as the one who hadn't just become a Patron of a few stores, but she had also invested in quite a few markets, and even started the glass market by herself. She had a few relationships at the Merchants' Guild and was no running short on good advice either. No one could dispute Milena's talents for handling money. Her own father often found her daughter wasn't spending as much as most young noble ladies, at least not for herself. The King nodded, satisfied.

"I have faith you won't be as reckless as some as your predecessors when it comes to the budget. Second is... divorce issues. I suppose we shall follow the Royal law for this one?"

"That is not a subject we need to worry about, Father," said Prince Rayan with his confident smile, staring right at Milena.

However, the young Duchess didn't feel like working his way. She stood a bit straighter, matching her father's stance.

"On the contrary, Your Highness," retorted Milena. "I'd very much like to settle this issue properly in case anything happens." Rayan scoffed, amused by Milena's seriousness.

"I have no intention to divorce you or give you any reason to, my Lady," he chuckled.

"Well, who knows what the future holds? Perhaps one of us will get fed up with the other."

Milena spoke very seriously, but no one could ignore this was a battle of wits between the two. Rayan's smirk extended, amused by her spite. He sighed and crossed his arms. "That would be very sad," he said.

"Really? I always thought divorces were the most joyful events."

"That's because we haven't married yet."

"Marriage life isn't all fun."

"Unless you're married to me."

"Aren't you being a bit too arrogant now?"

"My Lady, I'll prove you wrong."

The King's head was going from one to another, witnessing their battle of wits until he could finally say a word in-between, clapping his hands and getting annoyed at them.

"Will you end this, you two young people? Aren't you in a hurry to bicker? You can keep all your flirty fighting for later! Rayan, if you are so confident in your marriage, I wish you all the best, son. However, if you're this arrogant now, you better concede to each of Milena's demands for the divorce arrangement!"

"I will happily concede anything the Lady requires, father," he said, not leaving Milena's eyes one second.

"...Fine," she said.

"Look at this. Those two might deplete the royal budget just for the sake of their fights..." muttered the King in his beard.

Needless to say, the fire was intense between the two. Nothing sparked Milena more than a battle of wits between them, and she was even more excited when it was about their upcoming wedding. Rayan acting cocky was nothing new, but she actually quite enjoyed his confidence over this. There was no way they wouldn't bicker and fight sometimes, but she was thrilled at the thought of that. She enjoyed those word fights a bit too much...

As they were still sending glances at each other, not leaving their eyes, the King cleared his throat loudly again, trying to get some attention before he remembered what came next. He sighed.

"Finally, we arrive at the... Bedroom sharing topic," said the King, glancing at the Duke.

Anton was as immobile and cold as stone, and even Milena felt that shiver. This was definitely not going to be the Duke's favorite part... Especially not when Rayan was grinning like so. She glared at him, hoping he would stop that. Was he trying to get them both killed by her father! The vampire Prince was acting as if the Duke didn't carry a sword.

"Oh, that matter will be short to settle, Father," said the Prince. "Lady De Crescent and I already agreed on the matter."

Milena went red as a beet in a split second. Was he crazy to say such a thing so boldly! She wanted to hide at the other side of the Castle right now, anywhere but under her Father's suspicious stare! She wasn't just embarrassed, she felt like the red eyes were trying to melt her away.

"Is that so...." Said the Duke. "What was the agreement then?"

"The young Duchess and I shall share a bed every night."

The king spat and coughed in his drink. For the few seconds of silence that followed, nothing was heard but his coughing and the awkwardness of the previous statement. Milena was astonished. She witnessed the vein beating at her father's temple, and that hand he put on his sword. For a second there, Milena thought the House De Crescent was going to be ruined. If they attacked the vampire prince, it would be the end of them. The end of the Kingdom, even. Killing a Prince was not something to be forgiven, and Anton had Rayan's throat within range. The King would repudiate the House De Crescent, a Civil war would explode... Milena went from red to white, wondering if her father was really going to kill her fiancé. She turned to Rayan, sending glances and trying to ask silently if he had gone crazy.

However, the vampire Prince didn't flinch, smiling politely to the Duke who was not hiding his murderous intents.

"Do not misunderstand me, Duke De Crescent. Lady Milena and I took a long time to think about this and agreed it would be much safer to sleep together. How many people are killed in their sleep? If I shared a bedroom with Lady Milena, I would be able to protect her much better, and the other way around as well."

Milena was astonished.

This man was an evil genius, but still a genius, and a remarkable smooth-talker. Mentioning his daughter's safety was probably the only way to get Anton De Crescent to agree to such a thing. He was glaring at Rayan the whole time, but she could tell something in his eyes had sparked. He was definitely getting the point, despite still reluctant to let his daughter spend all nights with the Prince. It was absolutely amazing to Milena that her father would even consider such a thing. "Moreover, I do have every intention to be a gentleman, Duke. It will all be up to Lady Milena's will, she may even have me sleep on the floor if she decides so."

Milena was watching him lie through his teeth, and she was half amazed, half annoyed. As if he was the type to keep his hands to himself! They had already gone being the decent skinship allowed by morals in that day and age, yet he was saying such a thing shamelessly! She somewhat had hoped for her father to give Rayan some difficulties, but the Vampire Prince wasn't breaking a pearl of sweat. Milena glanced at her father, but the Duke still had that very dark expression on.

"You know, the Manor De Crescent is only a few minutes away with a fast horse," he calmly said.

This time, Rayan looked a bit surprised and nodded without the confidence.

"O-of course, she'll be able to go home anytime she wants..."

"...That also means I or any of my sons can get there that quick if needed."

A long silence followed his words. Milena tried hard to retain her smile, as Rayan finally lost his. The Duke was more or less threatening to kill him if he didn't respect his daughter's wishes... From the look on Rayan's face, he had very clearly gotten the message. He'd better not upset the young Lady so that she'd call her siblings or father.

Next to them, the King tried to laugh it off, but that was a very awkward and unconvincing laugh.

"Haha, Anton, do not scare the kid, you're too serious!"

"I'm always very serious", retorted the Duke, still glaring at the Prince.

After that, the King sighed, a bit at a loss on what to do. Finally, Rayan regained his smile, though it certainly didn't go all the way to his eyes, and he nodded.

"It's duly noted, Duke."

"Stop it, Anton," sighed the King. "Milena is your daughter, isn't she? She can kick him out of the bedroom herself if she wants!"

Rayan raised an eyebrow, turning to Milena as if to ask if she'd dare with a smirk. The young Duchess offered him a polite but cold-served smile that expressed everything he needed to know. He shook his head slightly, amused, before realizing the Duke had caught that. The Prince quickly turned his gaze elsewhere.

"Anyway, they probably won't even... sleep... that much together anyway. Milena, there is no actual rule in this Palace that as to when the vampire or human Royals get up or not. Feel free to adjust the schedule as you see fit, but I'm afraid to say you'll have a lot of work in any case, my dear."

"It's alright, Your Highness, I'll be happy to help relieve your charge in whatever way I can. I quite like keeping myself busy."

She had said that last line while looking at Rayan. Meaning she'd have all the excuses she needed to avoid him if he was getting annoying. The Prince sighed and nodded.

"Alright, Father, you heard the Lady, she has agreed."

"You're lucky she did," said the King. "Even I couldn't save you from the House De Crescent's wrath son, so you'd better work that out!"

"Really? What use is it being a Prince then?"

"Be content with being a Prince, for now, the hard work comes after. Now, Milena, ignoring my son's boldness, I'd appreciate it if you'd move in soon, as I said. I hate to say it, but Ly..."

The King paused. It certainly felt awkward to hear or pronounce the Queen's name in such circumstances. She had just died the previous night, but here they were making marriage plans and thinking on how to put the Royalty back on track. The King took a deep breath.

"Our regretted Queen will leave a big seat behind her, and a full desk. I doubt anyone in the Senate will refute your abilities to handle some of the tasks, but I do not want to rush you."

"As I said, Your Highness, do not feel burdened to share anything with me. I am fully aware of the duties that will come my way as a future Princess. Please do not try to spare me any." The King nodded, looking a bit relieved.

"You've raised a good daughter, Anton. It's my honor to welcome you in the Royal Castle, Princess Milena. Now, if you two young people could excuse us. I'd like to exchange with Anton on some private matters."

Milena wondered what matters would the two men discuss that would necessitate for her and Rayan to leave, but as the Prince stood up, she had no choice but to do the same.

"We'll be next door, Father, Duke. I would like a word with my fiancé as well..."

Milena sent him a glance, wondering what he meant, but Rayan showed nothing and escorted her outside politely. As soon as the door was closed behind them, he grabbed her hand and pulled her into another receiving room. Milena followed, but she could feel her heartbeat going a bit crazier already. What was he thinking now...

Rayan let her inside, closed the door behind them, and without warning, pushed her against the door. Then, he suddenly grabbed her neck between his hands, his fingers in her raven locks, and kissed her. It was one of those savage kisses she was not prepared for. Milena felt the fire spread to her extremities, and even kept herself from moaning, feeling horribly entranced by his savage lips. However, that kiss was short-lived. The Prince finally retreated, though he was still dangerously close, a breath away from her burning lips.

"You... You crazy woman," he whispered. "Do you have any idea how many times I died last night?"