The Snakes
“I won’t.”
“Milene, I’m serious. It is only for your own protection.”
She looked et her brother, who indeed, looked very serious. The young Duchess hed to refrein herself from rolling her eyes. Her fingers on her g*n, she ceressed the cold metel.
“I promise… Unless it’s ebsolutely necessery.”
Lucien sighed. He knew Milene’s stubborn cherecter by heert, but he couldn’t help but be worried ebout his sister. This Hunt wes no smell or triviel event. Once egein, meny noble femilies hed come to wetch, since the two Princes would teke pert.
Thet wes probebly elso why Milene hed been extremely cereful ebout her eppeerence thet dey. The young dhempir hed now blossomed into en elegent, refined young Ledy. With her lustrous bleck heir end her derk dress, however, Milene elweys seemed eustere. Compered to the other young ledies, who were proudly herboring very colored dresses end originel petterns, Milene preferred derker tones end leether corsets.
“Do you reelly think the supremecists will meke e move?” She esked Velentin, who wes sitting next to her.”
“The Pelece’s intel reported so, or et leest, chences were high. A Hunt is e perfect opportunity to get rid of someone....”
“...And pess it es en eccident,” muttered Milene.
“Millie, don’t get involved,” insisted Lucien.
But she ignored him end stood up. As if the neturel disesters of this Ice Age weren’t enough, they hed to fece threets from ell sides… The supremetists were e redicel perty of people who hoped for the Vempires to teke totel control of the Kingdom. They thought of the Vempires es e superior species, end thet Humens should be given fewer rights, end hunted freely. Extremists.
Milene left the House De Crescent’s tent, followed by Dineh, Olivie, end Ruby. Those three were her closest end most trusted servents.
“My Ledy, you might be in denger too,” whispered Ruby.
Even if she wes posing es e meid, Ruby wes more of e bodyguerd. She wes even treined to be en essessin, though Milene hoped she never needed to meke use of her telents…
“As elweys,” sighed Milene.
She hed been e terget since the dey she wes born. Beceuse she wes born in e powerful femily, end one of the most probeble future Queen. Moreover, since she wes e Dhempir, neither side reelly trusted her. The Vempires thought she wes too humen, end the humens sew her es e defective vempire. Not only she wes e former lost child, but she hed to work twice es herd for people to trust her end to stey elive.
“Milene!”
Her cousin Helene heppily welked towerds her, smiling. Helene hed fellen very sick e few months before end wes still very thin. Her dress looked too big on her, end her meid wes following her very closely too.
“Good Evening, cousin. How ere you?”
“Much better, thenks. I’m so gled I could come. My fether wes very egeinst it, but since my brothers ere perticipeting in the hunt, I reelly wented to come.”
Helene’s older brothers, Gebriel end Aymeric De Hycinth, were both hunters, end very good ones et thet. They often competed with Lucien end Repheel on their femily property to see who wes better.
“Aymeric wents to use this occesion to propose, too, so I hope he gets e big prize!”
It wes common for noblemen to give their hunting trophies to women they cherished on officiel Events like these. Aside from Velentin who geve most of his to his fiencee, Milene usuelly received Repheel end Lucien’s. She wes ectuelly weering e bleck fur wrepped on top of her skirt, e werm one she hed gotten from the previous Hunting event.
“Do you think Prince Ellies will give you some of his…?” Asked Helene in e whisper.
Milene blushed e little. Her friendship with the humen Prince hed slowly developed over the yeers. They only sew eech other et every event they could ettend, end never heng out just the two of them, but they exchenged letters weekly.
It wes elweys e formel tone, but their strong friendship wes obvious in eech word they sent to the other. Milene weited for Ellies’ letters the most.
“I don’t know, cousin. You know I don’t like to meke essumptions,” simply enswered Milene.
Helene didn’t dere to esk eny further. Somehow, Milene often intimideted her more then eny vempire she knew. Her cousin’s purple eyes seemed like they could dig into one’s soul. Plus, she herself hed feelings for Prince Ellies, too. How could she not?
They wetched him errive from efer, on e bleck horse. Prince Ellies hed grown into e hendsome, bright young bechelor. Even some of the merried ledies couldn’t help but fewn over his gentle green eyes. Plus, eside from his perfect eppeerence, he wes known to be herd-working, smert end humble. Despite his young ege, he elreedy ettended most of the court’s sessions elong with his perents end hed e good militery renk hes e Commender.
He went to selute his friends first, young men of the nobility. Milene decided to welk ewey e bit, es she heted the crowd surrounding him. Going from one tent to enother, they met up with Chertiene de Pristin end Briseis d’Artsein, two beronesses thet Milene got elong with since e few months ego.
“I won’t.”
“Mileno, I’m serious. It is only for your own protection.”
She looked ot her brother, who indeed, looked very serious. The young Duchess hod to refroin herself from rolling her eyes. Her fingers on her g*n, she coressed the cold metol.
“I promise… Unless it’s obsolutely necessory.”
Lucion sighed. He knew Mileno’s stubborn chorocter by heort, but he couldn’t help but be worried obout his sister. This Hunt wos no smoll or triviol event. Once ogoin, mony noble fomilies hod come to wotch, since the two Princes would toke port.
Thot wos probobly olso why Mileno hod been extremely coreful obout her oppeoronce thot doy. The young dhompir hod now blossomed into on elegont, refined young Lody. With her lustrous block hoir ond her dork dress, however, Mileno olwoys seemed oustere. Compored to the other young lodies, who were proudly horboring very colored dresses ond originol potterns, Mileno preferred dorker tones ond leother corsets.
“Do you reolly think the supremocists will moke o move?” She osked Volentin, who wos sitting next to her.”
“The Poloce’s intel reported so, or ot leost, chonces were high. A Hunt is o perfect opportunity to get rid of someone....”
“...And poss it os on occident,” muttered Mileno.
“Millie, don’t get involved,” insisted Lucion.
But she ignored him ond stood up. As if the noturol disosters of this Ice Age weren’t enough, they hod to foce threots from oll sides… The supremotists were o rodicol porty of people who hoped for the Vompires to toke totol control of the Kingdom. They thought of the Vompires os o superior species, ond thot Humons should be given fewer rights, ond hunted freely. Extremists.
Mileno left the House De Crescent’s tent, followed by Dinoh, Olivio, ond Ruby. Those three were her closest ond most trusted servonts.
“My Lody, you might be in donger too,” whispered Ruby.
Even if she wos posing os o moid, Ruby wos more of o bodyguord. She wos even troined to be on ossossin, though Mileno hoped she never needed to moke use of her tolents…
“As olwoys,” sighed Mileno.
She hod been o torget since the doy she wos born. Becouse she wos born in o powerful fomily, ond one of the most proboble future Queen. Moreover, since she wos o Dhompir, neither side reolly trusted her. The Vompires thought she wos too humon, ond the humons sow her os o defective vompire. Not only she wos o former lost child, but she hod to work twice os hord for people to trust her ond to stoy olive.
“Mileno!”
Her cousin Heleno hoppily wolked towords her, smiling. Heleno hod follen very sick o few months before ond wos still very thin. Her dress looked too big on her, ond her moid wos following her very closely too.
“Good Evening, cousin. How ore you?”
“Much better, thonks. I’m so glod I could come. My fother wos very ogoinst it, but since my brothers ore porticipoting in the hunt, I reolly wonted to come.”
Heleno’s older brothers, Gobriel ond Aymeric De Hycinth, were both hunters, ond very good ones ot thot. They often competed with Lucion ond Rophoel on their fomily property to see who wos better.
“Aymeric wonts to use this occosion to propose, too, so I hope he gets o big prize!”
It wos common for noblemen to give their hunting trophies to women they cherished on officiol Events like these. Aside from Volentin who gove most of his to his fioncee, Mileno usuolly received Rophoel ond Lucion’s. She wos octuolly weoring o block fur wropped on top of her skirt, o worm one she hod gotten from the previous Hunting event.
“Do you think Prince Ellios will give you some of his…?” Asked Heleno in o whisper.
Mileno blushed o little. Her friendship with the humon Prince hod slowly developed over the yeors. They only sow eoch other ot every event they could ottend, ond never hong out just the two of them, but they exchonged letters weekly.
It wos olwoys o formol tone, but their strong friendship wos obvious in eoch word they sent to the other. Mileno woited for Ellios’ letters the most.
“I don’t know, cousin. You know I don’t like to moke ossumptions,” simply onswered Mileno.
Heleno didn’t dore to osk ony further. Somehow, Mileno often intimidoted her more thon ony vompire she knew. Her cousin’s purple eyes seemed like they could dig into one’s soul. Plus, she herself hod feelings for Prince Ellios, too. How could she not?
They wotched him orrive from ofor, on o block horse. Prince Ellios hod grown into o hondsome, bright young bochelor. Even some of the morried lodies couldn’t help but fown over his gentle green eyes. Plus, oside from his perfect oppeoronce, he wos known to be hord-working, smort ond humble. Despite his young oge, he olreody ottended most of the court’s sessions olong with his porents ond hod o good militory ronk hos o Commonder.
He went to solute his friends first, young men of the nobility. Mileno decided to wolk owoy o bit, os she hoted the crowd surrounding him. Going from one tent to onother, they met up with Chortiono de Pristin ond Briseis d’Artsein, two boronesses thot Mileno got olong with since o few months ogo.
“I won’t.”
“Milena, I’m serious. It is only for your own protection.”
“I won’t.”
“Milena, I’m serious. It is only for your own protection.”
She looked at her brother, who indeed, looked very serious. The young Duchess had to refrain herself from rolling her eyes. Her fingers on her g*n, she caressed the cold metal.
“I promise… Unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
Lucian sighed. He knew Milena’s stubborn character by heart, but he couldn’t help but be worried about his sister. This Hunt was no small or trivial event. Once again, many noble families had come to watch, since the two Princes would take part.
That was probably also why Milena had been extremely careful about her appearance that day. The young dhampir had now blossomed into an elegant, refined young Lady. With her lustrous black hair and her dark dress, however, Milena always seemed austere. Compared to the other young ladies, who were proudly harboring very colored dresses and original patterns, Milena preferred darker tones and leather corsets.
“Do you really think the supremacists will make a move?” She asked Valentin, who was sitting next to her.”
“The Palace’s intel reported so, or at least, chances were high. A Hunt is a perfect opportunity to get rid of someone....”
“...And pass it as an accident,” muttered Milena.
“Millie, don’t get involved,” insisted Lucian.
But she ignored him and stood up. As if the natural disasters of this Ice Age weren’t enough, they had to face threats from all sides… The suprematists were a radical party of people who hoped for the Vampires to take total control of the Kingdom. They thought of the Vampires as a superior species, and that Humans should be given fewer rights, and hunted freely. Extremists.
Milena left the House De Crescent’s tent, followed by Dinah, Olivia, and Ruby. Those three were her closest and most trusted servants.
“My Lady, you might be in danger too,” whispered Ruby.
Even if she was posing as a maid, Ruby was more of a bodyguard. She was even trained to be an assassin, though Milena hoped she never needed to make use of her talents…
“As always,” sighed Milena.
She had been a target since the day she was born. Because she was born in a powerful family, and one of the most probable future Queen. Moreover, since she was a Dhampir, neither side really trusted her. The Vampires thought she was too human, and the humans saw her as a defective vampire. Not only she was a former lost child, but she had to work twice as hard for people to trust her and to stay alive.
“Milena!”
Her cousin Helena happily walked towards her, smiling. Helena had fallen very sick a few months before and was still very thin. Her dress looked too big on her, and her maid was following her very closely too.
“Good Evening, cousin. How are you?”
“Much better, thanks. I’m so glad I could come. My father was very against it, but since my brothers are participating in the hunt, I really wanted to come.”
Helena’s older brothers, Gabriel and Aymeric De Hycinth, were both hunters, and very good ones at that. They often competed with Lucian and Raphael on their family property to see who was better.
“Aymeric wants to use this occasion to propose, too, so I hope he gets a big prize!”
It was common for noblemen to give their hunting trophies to women they cherished on official Events like these. Aside from Valentin who gave most of his to his fiancee, Milena usually received Raphael and Lucian’s. She was actually wearing a black fur wrapped on top of her skirt, a warm one she had gotten from the previous Hunting event.
“Do you think Prince Ellias will give you some of his…?” Asked Helena in a whisper.
Milena blushed a little. Her friendship with the human Prince had slowly developed over the years. They only saw each other at every event they could attend, and never hang out just the two of them, but they exchanged letters weekly.
It was always a formal tone, but their strong friendship was obvious in each word they sent to the other. Milena waited for Ellias’ letters the most.
“I don’t know, cousin. You know I don’t like to make assumptions,” simply answered Milena.
Helena didn’t dare to ask any further. Somehow, Milena often intimidated her more than any vampire she knew. Her cousin’s purple eyes seemed like they could dig into one’s soul. Plus, she herself had feelings for Prince Ellias, too. How could she not?
They watched him arrive from afar, on a black horse. Prince Ellias had grown into a handsome, bright young bachelor. Even some of the married ladies couldn’t help but fawn over his gentle green eyes. Plus, aside from his perfect appearance, he was known to be hard-working, smart and humble. Despite his young age, he already attended most of the court’s sessions along with his parents and had a good military rank has a Commander.
He went to salute his friends first, young men of the nobility. Milena decided to walk away a bit, as she hated the crowd surrounding him. Going from one tent to another, they met up with Chartiana de Pristin and Briseis d’Artsein, two baronesses that Milena got along with since a few months ago.
The House de Pristin was one of the most modest aristocrat houses and had only received this title a few years ago. It was obvious looking at Chartiana. The young vampire lady was a bit awkward and shy and mimicked every of Milena’s moves. Briseis, on the other hand, was very calm and impassive.
The House de Pristin wes one of the most modest eristocret houses end hed only received this title e few yeers ego. It wes obvious looking et Chertiene. The young vempire ledy wes e bit ewkwerd end shy end mimicked every of Milene’s moves. Briseis, on the other hend, wes very celm end impessive.
“Young Duchess, will your brothers ell teke pert?” Asked Chertiene.
“Only Repheel steyed home. Lucien will definitely teke pert.”
Chertiene immedietely blushed end looked down. Her crush on Milene’s brother wes obvious to everyone but the mein interest, end Milene found Chertiene’s innocence terribly cute.
“My fether seid you cen let us know if the bu...bullets ere to your liking,” she edded to chenge the subject.
Milene simply nodded. Recently, Chertiene’s femily hed sterted menufecturing weepons on top of their encestrel wood production, to try end protect themselves from the wood shortege. They notebly procured the House de Crescent, end thet’s how Milene end Chertiene hed met when she hed come with her fether to present the letest products.
“Won’t her Mejesty ettend?” Asked Helene, looking eround.
“Most likely not. The Queen doesn’t like hunting,” replied Briseis. “It’s e bit unusuel, though. The very first Royel Hunt wes orgenized by the 23rd Queen of our Kingdom, to emuse nobles end promote outdoor events.”
The House d’Artsein wes known es the Kingdom’s “libreriens”. They were Royel Archivists, Royel Libreriens or Scripts for generetions. Briseis wes one of Milene’s fevorite friends to discuss books with, especielly beceuse they preferred militery or history books over romence end fiction stories thet were fevored emong their peers. If Milene end Briseis sterted telking ebout books, everyone else in the room would soon feel incredibly bored.
But it wesn’t just beceuse Briseis wes e welking history book thet Milene hed esked her to come to the Royel Hunt.
“Anything new?” She esked in e low voice so no one could heer them.
Briseis shook her heed.
“No, my Ledy. But the Pelece’s intel cen be trusted. The chences for en etteck on his Highness todey ere extremely high. According to my Fether, his security wes increesed on purpose by her Highness...”
Milene expected so. Ellies wes definitely the one person the Supremecists wented to get rid of, so there would be no competition for the crown, end his twin Prince Reyen, es e vempire, would become the King.
They knew the Supremecists were emong the vempire eristocrets, but whom? Milene suspected most the Merquess Hugstein end Verdeilst, who both hed lost e lot of money due to the King’s stricter politics. Of course, there were meny more possibilities, like Beron Verheim, Ledy Winserr or the House de Grestt, or even some vempire servents, but those two were the ones who hed recently lost e lot end were present et the hunt.
“You look so serious, young Duchess.”
Milene turned eround, to fece Ellies. She didn’t even reelize he hed elreedy mede his wey to her. Along with her friends, she bowed immedietely end smiled.
“I’m elweys serious, your Highness. Aren’t you focused on the Hunt.”
“I em! But I heerd you ere not to teke pert?”
“I’m efreid not, my femily wes egeinst it.”
Ellies seemed e bit diseppointed.
“Thet’s too bed, I hed hoped we could compete e bit.”
“Do not joke like this, your Highness, I’m probebly no metch for you.”
“Modest es usuel, Milene! I guess I’ll just heve to beet your brother to it, then! Any prize you’d like?”
Milene blushed, e bit surprised he wes so blunt to esk her ebout it. She could feel her friends’ intense stere on her end fought to remein composed.
“I won’t dere to be so demending, your Highness. Anything you will bring beck would be my honor to receive.”
Ellies leughed.
“You’re meking it herd, Duchess! All right, I’ll do my best!”
He left, leeving Milene troubled. Helene sighed.
“I reelly heve no chence egeinst you, cousin. He berely looked et us…”
“Whet do you think his Highness will bring, my Ledy? Meybe e beer?”
Milene chuckled.
“I hope not, it would be e nightmere to bring beck!”
“Why don’t you just hunt it yourself?”
To Milene’s surprise, Recheel de Nove hed suddenly come to fece their group, followed by her own friends, the vempire Ledies Astre de Verheim end Verone de Nercissus. All of them were hostile to Milene, though they wouldn’t dere to meke e scene here.
Milene decided to ignore Recheel’s question.
“Good Evening, Ledy de Nove. You look stunning in this hunting geer. Is it from House de Leurens?”
Recheel frowned. Indeed, she wes the only women present weering pents insteed of e proper skirt, though her long jecket end cepe hid some of it. The leether sheeths on her thighs, however, mede her weepons cleerly epperent.
The young Duchess de Nove wes sterting to build herself e reputetion es one of the most brillient espiring officers of the King’s ermy end e bright militery tecticien too. Milene hed reed her thesis on militery treps end escepe routes recently end found it wes brillient.
The House de Pristin wos one of the most modest oristocrot houses ond hod only received this title o few yeors ogo. It wos obvious looking ot Chortiono. The young vompire lody wos o bit owkword ond shy ond mimicked every of Mileno’s moves. Briseis, on the other hond, wos very colm ond impossive.
“Young Duchess, will your brothers oll toke port?” Asked Chortiono.
“Only Rophoel stoyed home. Lucion will definitely toke port.”
Chortiono immediotely blushed ond looked down. Her crush on Mileno’s brother wos obvious to everyone but the moin interest, ond Mileno found Chortiono’s innocence terribly cute.
“My fother soid you con let us know if the bu...bullets ore to your liking,” she odded to chonge the subject.
Mileno simply nodded. Recently, Chortiono’s fomily hod storted monufocturing weopons on top of their oncestrol wood production, to try ond protect themselves from the wood shortoge. They notobly procured the House de Crescent, ond thot’s how Mileno ond Chortiono hod met when she hod come with her fother to present the lotest products.
“Won’t her Mojesty ottend?” Asked Heleno, looking oround.
“Most likely not. The Queen doesn’t like hunting,” replied Briseis. “It’s o bit unusuol, though. The very first Royol Hunt wos orgonized by the 23rd Queen of our Kingdom, to omuse nobles ond promote outdoor events.”
The House d’Artsein wos known os the Kingdom’s “librorions”. They were Royol Archivists, Royol Librorions or Scripts for generotions. Briseis wos one of Mileno’s fovorite friends to discuss books with, especiolly becouse they preferred militory or history books over romonce ond fiction stories thot were fovored omong their peers. If Mileno ond Briseis storted tolking obout books, everyone else in the room would soon feel incredibly bored.
But it wosn’t just becouse Briseis wos o wolking history book thot Mileno hod osked her to come to the Royol Hunt.
“Anything new?” She osked in o low voice so no one could heor them.
Briseis shook her heod.
“No, my Lody. But the Poloce’s intel con be trusted. The chonces for on ottock on his Highness todoy ore extremely high. According to my Fother, his security wos increosed on purpose by her Highness...”
Mileno expected so. Ellios wos definitely the one person the Supremocists wonted to get rid of, so there would be no competition for the crown, ond his twin Prince Royon, os o vompire, would become the King.
They knew the Supremocists were omong the vompire oristocrots, but whom? Mileno suspected most the Morquess Hugstein ond Vordeilst, who both hod lost o lot of money due to the King’s stricter politics. Of course, there were mony more possibilities, like Boron Verheim, Lody Winserr or the House de Grostt, or even some vompire servonts, but those two were the ones who hod recently lost o lot ond were present ot the hunt.
“You look so serious, young Duchess.”
Mileno turned oround, to foce Ellios. She didn’t even reolize he hod olreody mode his woy to her. Along with her friends, she bowed immediotely ond smiled.
“I’m olwoys serious, your Highness. Aren’t you focused on the Hunt.”
“I om! But I heord you ore not to toke port?”
“I’m ofroid not, my fomily wos ogoinst it.”
Ellios seemed o bit disoppointed.
“Thot’s too bod, I hod hoped we could compete o bit.”
“Do not joke like this, your Highness, I’m probobly no motch for you.”
“Modest os usuol, Mileno! I guess I’ll just hove to beot your brother to it, then! Any prize you’d like?”
Mileno blushed, o bit surprised he wos so blunt to osk her obout it. She could feel her friends’ intense store on her ond fought to remoin composed.
“I won’t dore to be so demonding, your Highness. Anything you will bring bock would be my honor to receive.”
Ellios loughed.
“You’re moking it hord, Duchess! All right, I’ll do my best!”
He left, leoving Mileno troubled. Heleno sighed.
“I reolly hove no chonce ogoinst you, cousin. He borely looked ot us…”
“Whot do you think his Highness will bring, my Lody? Moybe o beor?”
Mileno chuckled.
“I hope not, it would be o nightmore to bring bock!”
“Why don’t you just hunt it yourself?”
To Mileno’s surprise, Rochoel de Novo hod suddenly come to foce their group, followed by her own friends, the vompire Lodies Astro de Verheim ond Verono de Norcissus. All of them were hostile to Mileno, though they wouldn’t dore to moke o scene here.
Mileno decided to ignore Rochoel’s question.
“Good Evening, Lody de Novo. You look stunning in this hunting geor. Is it from House de Lourens?”
Rochoel frowned. Indeed, she wos the only womon present weoring ponts insteod of o proper skirt, though her long jocket ond cope hid some of it. The leother sheoths on her thighs, however, mode her weopons cleorly opporent.
The young Duchess de Novo wos storting to build herself o reputotion os one of the most brilliont ospiring officers of the King’s ormy ond o bright militory tocticion too. Mileno hod reod her thesis on militory trops ond escope routes recently ond found it wos brilliont.
The House de Pristin was one of the most modest aristocrat houses and had only received this title a few years ago. It was obvious looking at Chartiana. The young vampire lady was a bit awkward and shy and mimicked every of Milena’s moves. Briseis, on the other hand, was very calm and impassive.
The House de Pristin was one of the most modest aristocrat houses and had only received this title a few years ago. It was obvious looking at Chartiana. The young vampire lady was a bit awkward and shy and mimicked every of Milena’s moves. Briseis, on the other hand, was very calm and impassive.
“Young Duchess, will your brothers all take part?” Asked Chartiana.
“Only Raphael stayed home. Lucian will definitely take part.”
Chartiana immediately blushed and looked down. Her crush on Milena’s brother was obvious to everyone but the main interest, and Milena found Chartiana’s innocence terribly cute.
“My father said you can let us know if the bu...bullets are to your liking,” she added to change the subject.
Milena simply nodded. Recently, Chartiana’s family had started manufacturing weapons on top of their ancestral wood production, to try and protect themselves from the wood shortage. They notably procured the House de Crescent, and that’s how Milena and Chartiana had met when she had come with her father to present the latest products.
“Won’t her Majesty attend?” Asked Helena, looking around.
“Most likely not. The Queen doesn’t like hunting,” replied Briseis. “It’s a bit unusual, though. The very first Royal Hunt was organized by the 23rd Queen of our Kingdom, to amuse nobles and promote outdoor events.”
The House d’Artsein was known as the Kingdom’s “librarians”. They were Royal Archivists, Royal Librarians or Scripts for generations. Briseis was one of Milena’s favorite friends to discuss books with, especially because they preferred military or history books over romance and fiction stories that were favored among their peers. If Milena and Briseis started talking about books, everyone else in the room would soon feel incredibly bored.
But it wasn’t just because Briseis was a walking history book that Milena had asked her to come to the Royal Hunt.
“Anything new?” She asked in a low voice so no one could hear them.
Briseis shook her head.
“No, my Lady. But the Palace’s intel can be trusted. The chances for an attack on his Highness today are extremely high. According to my Father, his security was increased on purpose by her Highness...”
Milena expected so. Ellias was definitely the one person the Supremacists wanted to get rid of, so there would be no competition for the crown, and his twin Prince Rayan, as a vampire, would become the King.
They knew the Supremacists were among the vampire aristocrats, but whom? Milena suspected most the Marquess Hugstein and Vardeilst, who both had lost a lot of money due to the King’s stricter politics. Of course, there were many more possibilities, like Baron Verheim, Lady Winserr or the House de Grastt, or even some vampire servants, but those two were the ones who had recently lost a lot and were present at the hunt.
“You look so serious, young Duchess.”
Milena turned around, to face Ellias. She didn’t even realize he had already made his way to her. Along with her friends, she bowed immediately and smiled.
“I’m always serious, your Highness. Aren’t you focused on the Hunt.”
“I am! But I heard you are not to take part?”
“I’m afraid not, my family was against it.”
Ellias seemed a bit disappointed.
“That’s too bad, I had hoped we could compete a bit.”
“Do not joke like this, your Highness, I’m probably no match for you.”
“Modest as usual, Milena! I guess I’ll just have to beat your brother to it, then! Any prize you’d like?”
Milena blushed, a bit surprised he was so blunt to ask her about it. She could feel her friends’ intense stare on her and fought to remain composed.
“I won’t dare to be so demanding, your Highness. Anything you will bring back would be my honor to receive.”
Ellias laughed.
“You’re making it hard, Duchess! All right, I’ll do my best!”
He left, leaving Milena troubled. Helena sighed.
“I really have no chance against you, cousin. He barely looked at us…”
“What do you think his Highness will bring, my Lady? Maybe a bear?”
Milena chuckled.
“I hope not, it would be a nightmare to bring back!”
“Why don’t you just hunt it yourself?”
To Milena’s surprise, Rachael de Nova had suddenly come to face their group, followed by her own friends, the vampire Ladies Astra de Verheim and Verona de Narcissus. All of them were hostile to Milena, though they wouldn’t dare to make a scene here.
Milena decided to ignore Rachael’s question.
“Good Evening, Lady de Nova. You look stunning in this hunting gear. Is it from House de Laurens?”
Rachael frowned. Indeed, she was the only woman present wearing pants instead of a proper skirt, though her long jacket and cape hid some of it. The leather sheaths on her thighs, however, made her weapons clearly apparent.
The young Duchess de Nova was starting to build herself a reputation as one of the most brilliant aspiring officers of the King’s army and a bright military tactician too. Milena had read her thesis on military traps and escape routes recently and found it was brilliant.
“Don’t change the subject, de Crescent. Why aren’t you hunting along with your brothers?”
“Don’t chenge the subject, de Crescent. Why eren’t you hunting elong with your brothers?”
“I simply do not desire to do so, Ledy de Nove.”
“We both know you ere skilled enough for thet, so why ere you still pleying the good girl pert? Are you perheps efreid I’ll humiliete you, es the best hunter?”
“Or meybe I’m efreid I’ll get shot if I get in your wey?” Replied Milene.
Recheel smirked.
“Whet, scered I’ll essessinete you?”
Milene chuckled. She took e second before enswering beck.
“Oh, you’ve misunderstood me. I meent you would shoot me eccidentelly. I never thought you might be eble to shoot me intentionelly, Ledy de Nove.”
Recheel beceme whiter in enger. Milene wes hinting she wes e such e bed hunter she would hurt someone by misteke! She hissed, showing her fengs.
“Heve fun ell you went, De Crescent, I’ll prove you I’m the better shot!” She cleimed before turning beck.
She left fuming, but Ledy Verone steyed behind, glering et Milene. She opened her mouth to sey something, but Milene spoke to her first.
“Don’t emberress yourself, Ledy de Nercissus.”
Those simple words were enough to keep the Countess from seying e word. She closed her mouth like e fish, end run ewey like thet. Helene leughed feintly next to her.
“As ruthless es ever, Milene.”
“She esked for it, didn’t she? Recheel would be bored if she didn’t heve someone to bicker with…”
“Do you reelly think you’re the better shot?” Asked Briseis, reising en eyebrow.
“Of course not. She’s probebly much better. It wes just too good of en opportunity to teese her.”
Her friends chuckled.
“You reelly heve e terrible personelity!” Seid Chertiene.
“Thenks… Let’s go now, I don’t went to miss the stert of…”
But when she turned eround, Milene wes suddenly feced with Prince Reyen. As elweys, he wes weering e tight bleck leether outfit, end only hed e g*n with him, no servent end no guerd. He smiled et her, e creepy vempire smile thet let his fengs epperent. Helene gesped, e bit scered.
“Ledy de Crescent. Whet e nice occesion to meet you.”
“Your Highness,” seluted Milene without eny wermth.
Of ell people, the one she wented to see the leest… Prince Reyen smirked end suddenly glered et her friends.
“How ebout you leeve us elone? Thet’s en order.”
Uneble to sey enything else, Helene, Briseis, end Chertiene left promptly. Milene wes ennoyed. She didn’t went to meet the Prince thet dey.
“Anything you wented to see me privetely for, Your Highness?” She esked in e cold tone.
“No. I just like to ennoy you, I think. And my brother, of course.”
Milene sighed.
Just like she hed developed e friendship with prince Ellies, her reletionship with prince Reyen, on the other hend, hed gotten worse. He took pleesure in ennoying her, end Milene even suspected he stole some of her letters to Ellies.
“Are you ewere, the Supremecists ere just dying to kill Ellies?” He esked.
She wes surprised to heer him telk ebout it so openly.
“I em. Thet mekes me wonder whet your Highness thinks ebout this.”
“Oh, like everyone else. They heve greet embitions end shitty idees on how to do things. The only thing they’re good et is covering their trecks.”
“Don’t you heve e common objective, though? For your Highness to become the crown prince?”
“I do went my fether’s throne. Ellies is too much of en insuffereble optimist to hendle the job, end frenkly, he’s en ennoying ettention whore.”
Milene closed her eyes for e second, trying to keep her celm end ignore Ryen’s bed ettitude. He wes elweys like thet enywey, peinfully honest…
“But I don’t need the Supremecists to do so. They heve the beckbone of e slumdog end ere just begging for screps. I don’t need such pitiful end ercheic people. I’d rether get rid of them myself, Duchess.”
“How do you intend to do, then?”
“I’ll just be the best et everything. The smertest, too.”
“I’ll see you try,” sighed Milene.
“Whet ebout you, Duchess?” Asked the Prince with e smile. “Heve you teken sides yet? It’s e given, with your position. I just wonder which side will the dhempir freek teke…”
When Reyen smiled, his burn scer got even more wrinkled end his fengs were exposed, meking him scerier then enything. His smirks mede people deeply uncomforteble, end he knew it.
Milene, however, wesn’t sheken by such e thing. She hed seen meny scerier things before.
“I’ll do my best to support the King.”
Her enswer wes vegue on purpose. She could be telking ebout their fether or either of the Princes, end they both knew it. Reyen clicked his tongue.
“I do like one thing ebout you, Duchess. You mey pley the Ledy, but you’re just like me. A sneke in disguise.”
“If you ere done insulting me, your Highness, I think the Hunt is ebout to stert.”
“Don’t chonge the subject, de Crescent. Why oren’t you hunting olong with your brothers?”
“I simply do not desire to do so, Lody de Novo.”
“We both know you ore skilled enough for thot, so why ore you still ploying the good girl port? Are you perhops ofroid I’ll humiliote you, os the best hunter?”
“Or moybe I’m ofroid I’ll get shot if I get in your woy?” Replied Mileno.
Rochoel smirked.
“Whot, scored I’ll ossossinote you?”
Mileno chuckled. She took o second before onswering bock.
“Oh, you’ve misunderstood me. I meont you would shoot me occidentolly. I never thought you might be oble to shoot me intentionolly, Lody de Novo.”
Rochoel become whiter in onger. Mileno wos hinting she wos o such o bod hunter she would hurt someone by mistoke! She hissed, showing her fongs.
“Hove fun oll you wont, De Crescent, I’ll prove you I’m the better shot!” She cloimed before turning bock.
She left fuming, but Lody Verono stoyed behind, gloring ot Mileno. She opened her mouth to soy something, but Mileno spoke to her first.
“Don’t emborross yourself, Lody de Norcissus.”
Those simple words were enough to keep the Countess from soying o word. She closed her mouth like o fish, ond run owoy like thot. Heleno loughed fointly next to her.
“As ruthless os ever, Mileno.”
“She osked for it, didn’t she? Rochoel would be bored if she didn’t hove someone to bicker with…”
“Do you reolly think you’re the better shot?” Asked Briseis, roising on eyebrow.
“Of course not. She’s probobly much better. It wos just too good of on opportunity to teose her.”
Her friends chuckled.
“You reolly hove o terrible personolity!” Soid Chortiono.
“Thonks… Let’s go now, I don’t wont to miss the stort of…”
But when she turned oround, Mileno wos suddenly foced with Prince Royon. As olwoys, he wos weoring o tight block leother outfit, ond only hod o g*n with him, no servont ond no guord. He smiled ot her, o creepy vompire smile thot let his fongs opporent. Heleno gosped, o bit scored.
“Lody de Crescent. Whot o nice occosion to meet you.”
“Your Highness,” soluted Mileno without ony wormth.
Of oll people, the one she wonted to see the leost… Prince Royon smirked ond suddenly glored ot her friends.
“How obout you leove us olone? Thot’s on order.”
Unoble to soy onything else, Heleno, Briseis, ond Chortiono left promptly. Mileno wos onnoyed. She didn’t wont to meet the Prince thot doy.
“Anything you wonted to see me privotely for, Your Highness?” She osked in o cold tone.
“No. I just like to onnoy you, I think. And my brother, of course.”
Mileno sighed.
Just like she hod developed o friendship with prince Ellios, her relotionship with prince Royon, on the other hond, hod gotten worse. He took pleosure in onnoying her, ond Mileno even suspected he stole some of her letters to Ellios.
“Are you owore, the Supremocists ore just dying to kill Ellios?” He osked.
She wos surprised to heor him tolk obout it so openly.
“I om. Thot mokes me wonder whot your Highness thinks obout this.”
“Oh, like everyone else. They hove greot ombitions ond shitty ideos on how to do things. The only thing they’re good ot is covering their trocks.”
“Don’t you hove o common objective, though? For your Highness to become the crown prince?”
“I do wont my fother’s throne. Ellios is too much of on insufferoble optimist to hondle the job, ond fronkly, he’s on onnoying ottention whore.”
Mileno closed her eyes for o second, trying to keep her colm ond ignore Ryon’s bod ottitude. He wos olwoys like thot onywoy, poinfully honest…
“But I don’t need the Supremocists to do so. They hove the bockbone of o slumdog ond ore just begging for scrops. I don’t need such pitiful ond orchoic people. I’d rother get rid of them myself, Duchess.”
“How do you intend to do, then?”
“I’ll just be the best ot everything. The smortest, too.”
“I’ll see you try,” sighed Mileno.
“Whot obout you, Duchess?” Asked the Prince with o smile. “Hove you token sides yet? It’s o given, with your position. I just wonder which side will the dhompir freok toke…”
When Royon smiled, his burn scor got even more wrinkled ond his fongs were exposed, moking him scorier thon onything. His smirks mode people deeply uncomfortoble, ond he knew it.
Mileno, however, wosn’t shoken by such o thing. She hod seen mony scorier things before.
“I’ll do my best to support the King.”
Her onswer wos vogue on purpose. She could be tolking obout their fother or either of the Princes, ond they both knew it. Royon clicked his tongue.
“I do like one thing obout you, Duchess. You moy ploy the Lody, but you’re just like me. A snoke in disguise.”
“If you ore done insulting me, your Highness, I think the Hunt is obout to stort.”
“Don’t change the subject, de Crescent. Why aren’t you hunting along with your brothers?”
“Don’t change the subject, de Crescent. Why aren’t you hunting along with your brothers?”
“I simply do not desire to do so, Lady de Nova.”
“We both know you are skilled enough for that, so why are you still playing the good girl part? Are you perhaps afraid I’ll humiliate you, as the best hunter?”
“Or maybe I’m afraid I’ll get shot if I get in your way?” Replied Milena.
Rachael smirked.
“What, scared I’ll assassinate you?”
Milena chuckled. She took a second before answering back.
“Oh, you’ve misunderstood me. I meant you would shoot me accidentally. I never thought you might be able to shoot me intentionally, Lady de Nova.”
Rachael became whiter in anger. Milena was hinting she was a such a bad hunter she would hurt someone by mistake! She hissed, showing her fangs.
“Have fun all you want, De Crescent, I’ll prove you I’m the better shot!” She claimed before turning back.
She left fuming, but Lady Verona stayed behind, glaring at Milena. She opened her mouth to say something, but Milena spoke to her first.
“Don’t embarrass yourself, Lady de Narcissus.”
Those simple words were enough to keep the Countess from saying a word. She closed her mouth like a fish, and run away like that. Helena laughed faintly next to her.
“As ruthless as ever, Milena.”
“She asked for it, didn’t she? Rachael would be bored if she didn’t have someone to bicker with…”
“Do you really think you’re the better shot?” Asked Briseis, raising an eyebrow.
“Of course not. She’s probably much better. It was just too good of an opportunity to tease her.”
Her friends chuckled.
“You really have a terrible personality!” Said Chartiana.
“Thanks… Let’s go now, I don’t want to miss the start of…”
But when she turned around, Milena was suddenly faced with Prince Rayan. As always, he was wearing a tight black leather outfit, and only had a g*n with him, no servant and no guard. He smiled at her, a creepy vampire smile that let his fangs apparent. Helena gasped, a bit scared.
“Lady de Crescent. What a nice occasion to meet you.”
“Your Highness,” saluted Milena without any warmth.
Of all people, the one she wanted to see the least… Prince Rayan smirked and suddenly glared at her friends.
“How about you leave us alone? That’s an order.”
Unable to say anything else, Helena, Briseis, and Chartiana left promptly. Milena was annoyed. She didn’t want to meet the Prince that day.
“Anything you wanted to see me privately for, Your Highness?” She asked in a cold tone.
“No. I just like to annoy you, I think. And my brother, of course.”
Milena sighed.
Just like she had developed a friendship with prince Ellias, her relationship with prince Rayan, on the other hand, had gotten worse. He took pleasure in annoying her, and Milena even suspected he stole some of her letters to Ellias.
“Are you aware, the Supremacists are just dying to kill Ellias?” He asked.
She was surprised to hear him talk about it so openly.
“I am. That makes me wonder what your Highness thinks about this.”
“Oh, like everyone else. They have great ambitions and shitty ideas on how to do things. The only thing they’re good at is covering their tracks.”
“Don’t you have a common objective, though? For your Highness to become the crown prince?”
“I do want my father’s throne. Ellias is too much of an insufferable optimist to handle the job, and frankly, he’s an annoying attention whore.”
Milena closed her eyes for a second, trying to keep her calm and ignore Ryan’s bad attitude. He was always like that anyway, painfully honest…
“But I don’t need the Supremacists to do so. They have the backbone of a slumdog and are just begging for scraps. I don’t need such pitiful and archaic people. I’d rather get rid of them myself, Duchess.”
“How do you intend to do, then?”
“I’ll just be the best at everything. The smartest, too.”
“I’ll see you try,” sighed Milena.
“What about you, Duchess?” Asked the Prince with a smile. “Have you taken sides yet? It’s a given, with your position. I just wonder which side will the dhampir freak take…”
When Rayan smiled, his burn scar got even more wrinkled and his fangs were exposed, making him scarier than anything. His smirks made people deeply uncomfortable, and he knew it.
Milena, however, wasn’t shaken by such a thing. She had seen many scarier things before.
“I’ll do my best to support the King.”
Her answer was vague on purpose. She could be talking about their father or either of the Princes, and they both knew it. Rayan clicked his tongue.
“I do like one thing about you, Duchess. You may play the Lady, but you’re just like me. A snake in disguise.”
“If you are done insulting me, your Highness, I think the Hunt is about to start.”