Lady Dhampir
Chapter 228

In a matter of minutes, the De Crescent Manor was thrown into unprecedented turmoil. The De Crescent Knights who had come home with Milena were ordered to close the gates and guard them with their lives. The Butler and Lady of the House were called in a hurry, despite Milena begging her brother to quiet down. The fact is, her brother had panicked quite a bit when it had been clear she wouldn't be able to walk the few steps to the manor. Raphael had carried her inside, shouting to call everyone up who could help. Luckily, every last servant of the Manor had been prepared for this. Digory and Sofia took control of absolutely everything. First, Milena was carried to her childhood bedroom, where the maids rushed to get everything ready for the birth. The other servants were told to guard the corridors and all the way to the entrance, making sure not even a mouse could intrude. Not only that, but it was important they carried on their evening duties as if nothing was amiss, only with a sharper eye and ear than usual. In fact, from the outside, it would have been hard to tell anything unexpected was going on. Despite the ruckus, everything was done quietly and swiftly, like a symphony that had been practiced many times. The lights were turned off at the same time as usual, and the vampire staff took over without batting an eye. Only on the floor of Milena's room were the De Crescent servants busy like bees in a hive. Curtains drawn and candles lit, they were all rushing to tend to the young lady, bringing everything needed for the babies' birth. No one was speaking, no one was running. Digory, Sofia and Eugenie were the only ones ordering the others around, keeping an eye on everyone going in and out and making sure nothing was out of place or going to cause issues.

Milena didn't even need to worry about anything other than relaxing. It was clear the birth of twins would take a while, and everyone was ready for it. Her childhood bedroom was transformed under her eyes into a perfectly acceptable delivery room. The only ones with nothing to do by her side were Raphael and Blanche, both probably the most nervous people present after her. The golden-eyed cat kept pacing back and forth on her bed, making figure eights and watching everyone who approached her mistress like a hawk. Raphael was seated in a chair by her side, but was even more fidgety.

"Can you relax?" Chuckled Milena in a grimace. "You look like you're the one going to give birth..."

"Of course I'm nervous!" He muttered. "You're having twins, you know giving birth to two babies doubles the danger for you... I just hope everything will go smoothly, I want to meet my nephews or nieces...I'll stay with you, alright? I won't leave your side." Milena smiled back. Even if she was rather uncomfortable due to the pain, this was going almost as she had dreamed. She felt safer at home, in this familiar environment and with those familiar faces she'd known most of her life. This was her childhood bedroom, probably the place she felt the most comfortable. Plus, everyone was being incredibly considerate. While she was still in the stages of labor pain, they were keeping the number of people coming in and out to a minimum, and a panel had been drawn around her so not everyone could see her, either. She could hear quick pacing from the other side, but around her bed, only the most important people to her were allowed.

She was trying not to worry too much herself, but the constant contractions were acting like painful reminders. They were growing more and more frequent, and more painful, too. Their doctor was getting ready next door, and for now, Milena had only been told to relax and do what felt best for her. She wasn't sure what that was, so she was just trying to do one thing after the other, whatever she felt like. At some point, she began pacing around the room, moving around, stretching. She asked for water, too, then felt like drinking hot water with honey. Right after, she felt like throwing up, and rejected everything. She regretted a bit that she hadn't eaten more at the party. Sofia helped her change into a simpler and more comfortable outfit when she felt ready to, something like a nightgown.

"It's alright, my dear," gently said Sofia, rubbing her back. "You'll see it gets better when you're ready, too. Don't worry about anything, my Lady, just take deep breaths and move however you want to."

Milena kept nodding, taking deep breaths as if it could release that burning circle she felt around her stomach. She couldn't even tell if she was just nervous or if those sensations were real. She was just trying to get to the next part, and silently praying her babies would be fine. This was her biggest fear. They were fine and kicking until recently, but what if something happened during the birth? She shivered just thinking about it.

"Are you cold?" Asked Sofia. "Shall I ask to put on more wood? It's better if you're a little bit hot, my dear, it will help you relax."

"Thank you, Sofia. I'm anything but relaxed, but at least I'm hot, that's not why I'm shivering. I'm just... worried my babies won't be fine."

"Why wouldn't they be fine? We have the best care for you, my Lady, one of the best doctors and everyone in this Manor ready to do anything to help you."

"I know, I just... I'm so nervous right now. I always feel something might go wrong, and if something happens to my babies, even just one of them..."

Sofia smiled gently, and stood to face her, caressing her hair.

"My dear, I saw your mother give birth to all four of you, and she was an absolute warrior of a woman. I'm sure her only daughter is just as brave and will be just as perfect a mother. Even if something does happen, and I pray to God it won't, we will be there for you. It will be in no way be your fault, you understand? I'm sure you will do your very best as a mother, which is all those precious little babies should be asking for in life."

Milena nodded, feeling a bit better. The thought that her mother had gone through the same thing was probably the most comforting thing she could have been given right now, and Sofia had hit the nail on the head. The nanny gently kept stroking her hair. "How did my mom... endure this?" She asked.

"Oh, like the amazing, strong and stubborn lady she was," chuckled Sofia. "Even pregnant she wanted to be the one in charge. Your poor father, my Lord, had to stay out and watch, which, we both know, is quite amazing in itself."

Milena laughed nervously. She remembered the King and her father describing her mother as a head-strong woman... She had never wished so much she'd be there right now. How would this have been different with Elizia by her side? "She was the most nervous when she gave birth to your oldest brother, our dear Lord Valentin. She was about your age, too! I remember how she simply couldn't sit still. She kept crying and getting angry, and she was so worried, just like you, my dear. All women in this world are worried they won't be good mothers, but there is something... There is something so strong inside of us that gets us prepared. If you really want those babies, you'll be ready anytime. Your mother turned into a wolf as soon as she was with her sons!" Milena smiled again. That, she could easily imagine. She was already so defensive of her own babies, even as they were safe and warm in her belly. Sofia kept rubbing her back. She was now standing, her hands holding onto her bedsheets, doing her very best to manage her breathing and the pain.

"You will do amazing, my dear. I am so grateful I got to live to see this day... I remember the night you were born!"

"I remember it too," said Raphael. "It was very early in the morning, but Lucian and Val were both awake."

"That was such a cute sight!" Chuckled Sofia. "All three of your brothers were lined up outside against the door! Master Lucian was even crying."

"Well, he was two. He didn't understand what was happening to Mom... Plus, Father was making a scary face, and everyone was in a complete panic."

"Oh, I know," sighed Sofia. "The young lady was born breathless."

"Breathless?" Repeated Milena, surprised.

"Yes. You had so much trouble breathing, the doctor spent a long time making sure you were fine. And your mother still had the strength to shout at him, believe me! Thank God, you started breathing and crying soon after. Moreover, everyone was so confused because of your adorable little eyes! The doctor had to call in the Duke and talk to him before the information got out."

Milena was trying to imagine the scene, and the fright she had given her mom... She was her fourth-born, after all, and the first baby girl. Not only that, but the baby her mother had been waiting for turned out to be neither human or vampire, but a dhampir... "That was a hectic day," nodded Raphael. "Father rode to the Royal Castle to personally tell the King the news, since your birth could change everything in the succession. Mom even talked to us to explain what a Dhampir was, and said we weren't allowed to talk about it to anyone. They closed the Manor to visitors for a while, only close family friends were allowed..."

This got Milena thinking. She had thought about it before, but her babies' kind would be less important than their existence itself, this time. Technically, they would be fourth and fifth in the succession order until their cousin, Philomenie's baby, was born. Since she had changed the succession order, Philomenie technically came in second as her husband's successor, but it was more commonly known that Rayan, the Crown Prince, was the real successor, for now. The Queen would most likely step down if anything happened to her husband. As the Grand Princess, Milena came right after Rayan in the line, and now, her babies would be right after her, in their order of birth.

She took another deep breath, and put a hand on her belly, getting back on the bed.

"Raphael."

"Yes?" He asked, leaning over to take her hand.

"You remember what we discussed, alright?"

He nodded solemnly.

"I know. Don't worry. I promise, if anything happens to you, I will take care of everything."

"...You remember their names?"

"Of course I do," he smiled. "Millie, don't worry. It's going to be all fine....Are you sure you want me here?"

"Yeah."

She had asked for Raphael to be by her side, rather than Eugenie. The norm would have been that a woman of her family would assist her, but Milena had decided otherwise, and her sister-in-law understood her choice perfectly. It was completely her decision, and she knew she wanted her older brother, at least. In fact, she had wished her mother would be by her side, and her husband on the other side of the door, with her father. She had hoped all three of her brothers would be there. Milena felt her throat tighten a bit at the memory of her eldest brother, who would never get to meet his nephews... She took a deep breath, trying to hold it in, and calm down. She couldn't get upset, not now. The pain was already hard enough to endure without that. "Is Dad here?" She asked. "He's right outside, my Lady," said Olivia. "But the Duke won't come in. He said his place is outside."

"That's his way of saying he's too worried to come in," chuckled Raphael. "I think the only trial our father can't bear to go through is his daughter going through the hardship of labor and giving birth... I'm sure he'll barge in the second those babies are born." "It shouldn't be too long now..." Grimaced Milena.

She was right. The labor started barely half an hour later.

Everything went as if in a dream. To Milena's surprise, her own body got used to the pain, and something happened in her, something that made her relax, and pushed away the pain. The experience was completely new and unreal. She gave birth to her first baby half-seated, a mountain of cushions behind her.

"Congratulations, my Lady, it's a baby girl."

"Maria," smiled Raphael.

Milena smiled. Rayan had mentioned he wanted a girl... their little princess. The baby was quickly cleaned, and put in her arms, for Milena to discover by herself her ruby-like eyes. Maria looked so much like her dad, Milena couldn't hold back her tears of joy. The baby kept crying and wriggling in her little blanket, and soon, Milena had to give her to Raphael, feeling the second one coming.

The second one was harder. It took Milena several long minutes, and a lot more pain than with Maria. She kept trying to breathe to control her pain, and changed positions twice, Sofia encouraging her on the side. Their family doctor and the wet nurse were just as understanding, giving her all the time and telling her, several times, that she was doing well. However, her baby wasn't coming, and she got more and more worried, her panic taking over. She began crying for real. "Sofia, take the baby."

To Milena's surprise, Raphael appeared next to her, and gently hugged her shoulder, caressing her hair. His red eyes were glowing like a warm fire, and he did his best to smile, and look confident.

"Breathe, Millie. You're doing great, so there is no reason to panic, alright? Don't panic now. I know it's hard, but I promise, you're doing great. Just breathe. I'm here with you. Your baby is just waiting for you, so just calm down, and focus. I know you can do it. It's almost over, sis. I'm with you. We all are."

Valentin's face appeared in her mind, with Lucian's. They weren't there physically, but she could almost feel them near her. Her mom, too. Her mom had been through this, just like her. Just like her grandmother, and all their ancestors. Even Maribella. Even her dignified and stern great-grandmother had one day felt this pain. Milena nodded, and she grabbed her brother's hand on her shoulder, leaning against him, to give an extra push. She was worried she had taken too long, but she knew worrying more wouldn't help her unborn child come into the world. She tried to focus, remember and hold onto the thought of how much she wanted to see her second baby. She wanted to hold them both, soon.

"There we go!" Exclaimed the wet nurse. "You're doing well, my Lady! One more."

Milena felt her baby coming out, and let out a breath of relief. It was short, though. She realized she could only hear Maria's cries, not the second baby's. She grabbed Raphael's hand even tighter. "What's going on? How is my baby?"

"J-just a second, my Lady."

In front of Milena's eyes, the wet nurse rushed out to the side, with a little package in her arms. Was that her baby? Why was he or she so small? What was going on? She exchanged a look with Raphael, but her brother looked as terrified as her. "Raphael..."

"I'll go. You don't worry, stay here. I'll go."

He got off her bed, and disappeared behind the panel, leaving Milena with the doctor. Next to her, Sofia came forward, carrying baby Maria.

"It will be alright, my Lady," softly whispered the nurse. "It will be alright..."

"My baby," Milena gasped. "I want to see my baby!"

"Don't worry. He is with the doctor, your baby will be fine."

"It's a boy?"

"Yes, my Lady. Your baby will be with you any minute. Do you want to hold your baby girl?"

Milena's eyes fell on Maria. The baby had calmed down a little, and looked half-asleep now. Her little red eyes were shining, and met with her mother's. Milena nodded weakly. She felt tired all of a sudden, but she wanted to hold her baby. Sofia smiled, and took off one of the cushions to help Milena lay down more comfortably before giving her Maria to hold.

"She's so small..."

"You were smaller than her when you were born! Our little lady Maria is a strong girl. Look at her. Isn't she just like her mom already?"

Milena couldn't believe she had been smaller than this one day. Maria felt so small and fragile in her arms, wrapped in that little dark blanket. She was worried she wasn't holding her right, but the baby looked comfortable, moving her little arms a bit. For a second, Milena thought she looked like Rayan, with her eyes in an almond shape.

Suddenly, she heard another baby's cry, and she turned her head. "Millie?"

A large smile on his face, Raphael came forward, carrying another little baby. Milena's heart dropped.

"Oh, my god..."

"There he is," he chuckled.

Raphael climbed next to her on the bed, and handed her the loud baby boy. He was even smaller than his sister, and kept crying, his eyes closed but some big tears running from them.

"Elizio," Milena chuckled. "My little baby boy..."

Raphael gently kissed her temple.

"Congrats, little sis. You're a mom now," he whispered.