Lady Dhampir
Chapter 223

Despite the crowd in the Hall, everything went quiet as soon as the King's arrival was announced. Milena saw it happen in a split second. Many eyes that were admiring her seconds before turned to the other entrance, not as happy to see their Monarch as they were to see the Grand Princess' dashing dress... Likewise, the King's expression while entering seemed somewhat darker than usual. Ellias almost raced to his throne, only greeting a handful of people quickly. He was wearing his crown on his blonde hair again, and he was cleanly shaved and wearing brand new attire, in a dazzling bright red. Milena found this outfit looked a bit too large on him. She knew her brother-in-law had lost weight; his cheeks were somewhat emaciated, making him look a bit older than his actual age. At least, he looked better than the last few times she had seen him, or he was doing fine at playing the part... She shrugged, and wrapped her shawl a bit tighter around her shoulders, her brother and friends like a personal guard around her.

"Your Highness," said one of the young Barons to Ellias. "Is the Queen not attending tonight?"

"No," said Ellias, a bit solemn. "Unfortunately, the Queen will not be able to make an appearance tonight, a... a health problem is preventing her from it. She asked me to greet all of our guests with her best sentiments, though, and I will dedicate tonight's celebrations to my wife."

Milena barely held herself from scoffing. Ellias was really dedicated to playing the part of a loving husband all around... Around them, many nobles had begun whispering already. It was rather impolite to enquire about someone's health after it had been so obviously left without further explanation, but it was clear everyone had the same question in mind. Milena briefly glanced towards her friend, who smiled.

"A health issue?" Yasina said loud enough for all to hear, trying to sound innocent. "Could it be that we will be blessed with the birth of a little Prince or Princess tonight? Oh no, it sounds a bit early, doesn't it?"

If some people were a bit shocked for the Baroness to put the question out so shamelessly, many more were looking forward to the King's answer. There was no getting out of this now that Yasina had asked directly, and mentioned Philomenie's pregnancy. A bit upset, he glared at Milena and her friend, and cleared his throat. If he had left the topic deliberately floating in the air, people would have been quick to suck up to a man who seemed to finally have an heir to succeed him. Moreover, he had probably been announced as the first of his name with an agenda in mind... Ellias was probably hoping to get some sympathy by letting people think Philomenie's delivery was near, but now, Yasina was forcing him to lie or tell the truth. Milena already could guess her sister-in-law wasn't going to have her child that night; otherwise, there would have been no words of a dispute from a maid, but about the upcoming birth, for sure.

He cleared his throat, forcing on a faint smile.

"The Queen is doing well, but she just felt a bit tired tonight. She will be resting, I hope everyone can forgive her absence tonight and have fun." "Of course, your Highness! The Queen's health is important!"

Many more people voiced their support out loud, but some couldn't help but steal glances towards the Grand Princess, standing there with her huge belly without the hint of a "health issue" in sight. In fact, she was terribly desirable. Many hearts had been broken upon Milena's wedding, but now, proof was made that the Princess could still r****h some hearts in the audience. No doubt the De Crescent Manor and Royal Castle would both drown under love letters from the very next day on.

Ellias, too, had spotted his sister-in-law, and sighed dramatically, smiling at her.

"Milena."

She once again very barely held herself from grimacing. She just couldn't stand him calling her so familiarly like this in public anymore, and putting on such a show at that.

"I don't believe I heard you being announced, my dear. It has been a while, you could have entered the room by my side, since my Queen is unwell."

A few seconds of silence followed his words. Some people were completely buying into his kind words, but some looked a bit taken aback. For those working in the Castle, it was no secret that the King and the Grand Princess were at odds. Many had even speculated that her main reason for resting at her father's Manor was her tense relationship with the King.

Behind Milena, Raphael pretended to cough a bit.

"If you need to puke, you can try and time it well..."

That was all she needed to put a smile back on, although it was more of a smirk. Milena tilted her head faintly, and the way her raven curls glittered down her collarbone made a few hearts skip a bit.

"Your Majesty, I wouldn't dare to. You know I love my sister-in-law too much to dare think of replacing her spot by your side. I simply meant to make a quiet arrival. After all, I am not the center of tonight's celebration, I merely wanted to make a quick appearance, see some friends and have a bit of fun."

The more Milena spoke, the more her smile turned genuine, and the more Ellias' expression fell. He could tell she was not going to forgive his boldness.

"I understand," he tried to interrupt her. "I..."

"After all," Milena continued, as if he hadn't spoken. "I already felt a bit guilty coming here, knowing my husband can't attend this celebration at all. Not only that, but he, his men, and all our brave soldiers are probably not having too much fun at the moment, either, are they? I wouldn't be so shameless to go out of my way, these days. Thanks for the invitation, but I'm fine making myself rather... discreet."

Next to her, Yasina chuckled. Milena was never discreet anywhere she went; her saying such a thing while wearing a dashing red velvet dress was rather funny indeed, but they all knew it wasn't her point.

Even the thickest person in the room had clearly understood what the Grand Princess meant to say; this celebration shouldn't have happened while the Kingdom was still at war, the Prince and the army away. Not only that, but she was, once again, drawing an obvious boundary between herself and the King, bringing both her husband and his wife into it to make her point very clear. However, when all eyes went back to him, the King was smiling, and sighed, a bit too dramatically.

"Ever so serious, Milena! However, I thought our people deserved to relax a bit tonight! You see, the war has been on everyone's mind a lot over the past few months, and I can't help but think that... We need to keep on living, you know! Not only that, but look at the youth around us. Is it worth making them suffer at home because their parents and siblings are suffering on the battlefield? Our men will be eager to go back to a normal life once they come back, won't they? What will happen if they find out that joy has died in their beloved nation? I won't have that! I want everyone to dance, party, and live again! We cannot live in fear of the next day, so let's celebrate today until the next crisis, my dear sister-in-law! And I promise to throw an even grander celebration when my dear brother comes back victorious!"

Milena was astonished. Who was this man speaking? What had happened to Ellias? She hadn't heard the King being so happy and enthusiastic in forever! She exchanged a glance with Prudence, visibly as lost as her. On his stage, Ellias stood up, smiling brightly as if he was five years younger again, and he lifted his cup, quickly filled by one of his servants just before.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I will spare my sister-in-law her ceremonial introduction since it's her wish. But tonight, I want you all to know this King values you, and prays for your happiness and well-being! You may call me selfish, entitled even, but I want to offer you all, tonight, some long-deserved fun! So please, let's raise our cups to the war, to our future victory, and to this Kingdom!"

The audience loudly cheered and raised their cups to the King's words, happily drinking and chatting, visibly enthused by the King's speech. Some were left in absolute shock, though, Milena among them. Ellias sounded way too optimistic for her ears, especially for him. Since when was he so eager to celebrate Rayan's upcoming victory, if he had even heard of it? Since when was he so happy, confident and fearless? She looked around, confused. Many people were happy to play the part, get all excited and drink and dance, but many were like her, a bit shocked. Those who probably still had family on the battlefield, or worse, who had lost loved ones to this war. She really felt like puking this time. She turned to her entourage, unable to stand it anymore, the words for that stuck in her throat. Raphael quietly moved forward to offer her his arm, while Milena's ladies-in-waiting were quick to voice their mind.

"Whatever His Majesty took, I hope I can sell it!" Exclaimed Tiphania. "Since when did he find confidence like that!"

"Tell me about it, since when did he grow a pair!" Muttered Yasina. "He was such a coward whenever my Lady's husband was mentioned just days ago, I heard he wouldn't even want to have him mentioned in Court!"

"Yasina," Prudence muttered, a bit worried to have her say such things aloud. "What if someone heard you..."

"Even if they did, who wouldn't think the same..." Sighed a voice behind them.

"Briseis! You came after all," said Milena, relieved to see her.

"I had to. Prudence wouldn't stop chattering about this.... I came just in time to hear the King. So it's true they heard the army is coming back. My grand-uncle said it was mentioned at the morning council and his Majesty certainly wasn't so happy about it when he heard..." They all glanced towards the King, who was now happily chatting with one of the young countesses, none other than Aurora De Camellia. She was being so obvious with her flirting and batting eyelashes, it made everyone uncomfortable just to watch. Yasina, the most, didn't wait to make an odd sound that expressed her feelings about this.

"...I feel sorry for the Queen," sighed Tiphania. "The second she's not here, the vixens in heat are coming out..."

"He wouldn't be the first King to have a mistress," muttered Tiphania. "It would be quite a scandal if it was publicised while the Queen is so heavily pregnant, too... Maybe an occasion?"

She was visibly asking Milena for an opportunity to get the rumor out, but the Grand Princess just shivered, a bit disgusted. Not only could she not stand husbands that weren't faithful to their wives, but she had already seen what tragedies could unfold from such royal affairs. She found herself lucky Rayan was so dedicated to her, but she couldn't even imagine what she'd do if he ever dared to have an affair. Murder wouldn't completely be out of the question....

"Millie?" Raphael called her out, taking her out of her thinking.

"No," she said, remembering Tiphania's question. "I don't want to do that to Philomenie, and calumny should only be the weapon for cowards. Just watch De Camellia for a while. I can't stand that vixen, and I doubt Philomenie would even suspect anything if we don't watch out... Ellias might be an idiot but a scandal would serve no one right now."

"He might be an idiot, but... I would say he has another problem for now," muttered Raphael.

"What are you talking about?" Frowned Milena.

"His cup was already refilled twice... I don't think our King suddenly grew a pair. If I didn't know better, I would think Lady D'Aventur placed the right bet. Maybe a bit off the mark, but... He is not in his normal state."

Milena frowned, and glanced towards her brother-in-law. Drunk? Ellias was drunk? He didn't seem like it at all. From where she stood, he only seemed a bit more confident and enthusiastic than usual, but she wouldn't have suspected anything more... Although his mannerism and over-the-top enthusiasm certainly were out of character. She was shocked.

"That idiot..." She hissed.

"I completely agree on that," said a male voice.

The Saint appeared, dazzling in a very flashy purple ensemble. In fact, his outfit was so full of sequins, and the legs so large and floating around, it could have easily passed for a woman's dress from afar. Not only that, but he was carrying a very upset Blanche, and the cat kept growling and hissing, her claws stabbing his arm through the fabric. Milena grimaced. The cat's fur was so ruffled and her face so grouchy, she wondered how in the world was the Saint able to smile when his arm was bleeding through each hole her claws had made... Milena sighed and opened her arms.

"Can I have my cat back before she actually murders you, please?"

"Oh, I doubt she'd go through the trouble while you still have a use for me, Grand Princess," the Saint smiled. "I do have to admit, she was not happy about me picking her up."

"I don't think I've ever seen anyone, masochistic enough to force Blanche to do anything..." Muttered Raphael.

"Oh, and you're certainly an expert on the subject, aren't you, darling?"

A very embarrassing two seconds of silence followed that sentence, and Milena had to take a deep breath.

"Saint, I called you to ask about Philomenie. How is she?"

"Oh, you called me here? I thought your cat was ready to drag me here. I'm honored. Have you considered using a human to get me, next time?"

"This was faster," Milena retorted with an ice-cold smile. "Now, talk."

"So bossy, as usual... Even pregnant, you can handle the whip, Lady De Crescent."

"Better than you think, probably. You're just lucky I left it at home today. So, are you going to talk or should I let Blanche ruin the dye of this horrendous outfit you're wearing?"

"Easy, Lady. We don't want you to start having contractions here... Philomenie is fine, just upset at this insufferable piece of s**t she married."

"You sound upset as well," Milena raised an eyebrow.

"I'm like Blanche. I'll be upset at anyone who makes my master upset."

As he said that, Blanche finally managed to free herself from his grasp, and jumped down to go and hide behind Milena's skirt, hissing at him.

"What happened?"

"His Royal Pain in the Arse is not as happy as he wants to make himself appear about your dear husband's triumph. Since word got around about his victory, he's been harassing his wife about giving birth as if she could just order it like some b****y tea. He thinks having a child will help secure his position, and at the moment, he's quite desperate for it..."

"Ellias really got word Rayan is coming back?"

"Well, we both know their brotherhood isn't to the point they would send each other long nauseating letters, but I guess they have to communicate at least as much as their duties require. Anyhow, his Majesty got word that his uglier half might come home wearing the flags high, and he was pretty upset about it. Phil got fed up with him, as she should have ages ago, and things are just getting worse since her usual hideout is empty, nowadays. Unluckily for her, she can't run home to Daddy when things get tough." "Watch it, Saint," hissed Raphael. "I won't let you insult my sister to her face."

"Let him talk, that's all he's worth," Milena sighed.

"You're so welcome. Your gratefulness is... blinding," retorted the Saint.

"I'm just glad she's fine. Ellias must really be annoying if he's even resorted to drinking... Anything else I missed?"

"Some pest flying around the Castle, for one..."

He was clearly glaring at the King's new fit of passion, and Milena sighed. If the Saint was mentioning it, this might not have been new from tonight.

"I can try and help you with that, but..."

"Oh no," chuckled the Saint. "Let me take care of that little rat alone, thanks. I'm bored enough, I might as well spit in the royal pot. What are you even back here for, anyway? I figured you wouldn't even be able to roll here by now."

"I swear my hand is so available to slap this impolite fiend right now if needed," exclaimed Yasina, shocked. "How is your tongue even still running with all that poison in your mouth!"

"My tongue is available for so much more, darling, so keep your hands where I can see them," retorted the Saint.

Milena rolled her eyes. She had forgotten how insufferable he could be, even more so when Philomenie wasn't here to pull on his leash... Still, she did her best to ignore his rudeness. "Believe it or not, I was quite worried about Philomenie."

"I swear I almost heard a heartbeat just now. Could it be that our Ice Queen finally melted a bit?"

"Don't push it. That, and I had a few people to piss off by being here. Including the King you so openly hate."

"Oh, be my guest then. You can even dance around the place if it can make him madder; I'd pay."

"I also wanted to talk to you about the Church. I heard the Head Priest will be here for the Blessing of the Kingdom. Can you introduce me to him?"

"... And there she goes, using people again. The price of ice cubes is never going up just because of you, isn't it? Your pinky alone could freeze the whole royal kitchen's meat stock."

"Will you, or will you not? You do realize I don't actually need you. I'm merely involving you out of courtesy, I can introduce myself just fine."

"Sure you can, you love your entrances. Fine, I'll lead the way for that... massive belly of yours. It's not like he completely hates me, either..."

The Saint turned away to walk ahead, already walking to guide her. Next to Milena, Raphael let out a long sigh.

"I swear, Millie, it would only take two drops and a second to have that... thing drop dead. Anytime you want."

"Save it for later. I'm not fond of him, but the Queen is, and I feel like she needs all the friends she can have at the moment... Stay close, just in case. I don't trust him at all..."