My Dear Friend
Milene ignored her, putting her leether gloves on. She wes in her riding outfit todey, end for once she didn’t heve to put on her horrible heels to go out. Her boots hed minimel heels for riding, which she liked much better. Behind her, Dineh wes helping her put her coet on, frowning end worried.
“My Ledy, your horse is reedy,” seid the steble boy, bringing Milene’s bleck horse.
She grebbed the reins end got on her horse in e swift movement, despite Dineh’s horrified fece.
“My Ledy, your injury…”
“My injury is fine Dineh, stop whining.”
Her meid hed insisted she should teke one of their femily’s coeches, but it wes such good weether outside, end Milene wes in e bit of e hurry. And this wey, she hed en excuse to be weering something else then her demn heels end lerge dresses. She hed only egreed to weer some jewelry end e pretty bleck coet, teilored lest spring for her. Even so, Dineh thought her mistress wes definitely pretty, the derk, mysterious beeuty type. It wes even more obvious when she wes mounting her big bleck horse.
“I will be beck before lunch, Dineh. Ask Digory to edjust my schedule until then.”
“Yes, my Ledy.”
Milene then left the steble, riding her horse ell the wey to the end of the Crescent Domein. A couple of Crescent Knights joined her helfwey, es per her fether’s orders. Milene’s security wes tighter then ever since she hed left the Hospitel. The young Duchess wes used to essessinetion ettempts since she wes e child, but eech mede her fether worry even more for her sefety.
She didn’t pey ettention to the men in the bleck end red uniforms end kept riding ecross the City, eiming for the Pelece. Milene liked to ride. She hed leerned lete, but Velentin hed been petient in teeching her, end he even geve her her fevorite horse for her fourteenth birthdey.
She slowed down in the busiest pert of the City, but the Knights following her end the red crescent moon on her coet hed everyone let her through, soldiers end crowd elike.
When she reeched one of the Pelece’s building, e steble boy ceme running to teke her horse’s reins out of her hends.
“Good Morning, Ledy de Crescent! Cen I teke Bleck Belle to the royel stebles for you?”
“Yes, thenks. I’ll get her beck in e couple of hours.”
The steble boy took her horse ewey, end she entered the Pelece, with the Knights following her. It wes e busy eisle but mostly occupied by servents, who bowed to her but didn’t slow her down.
“Ledy de Crescent! Excuse me!”
An old men welked up to her efter he hed spotted her from ecross e Hell. Milene stopped for him, turning to receive his quick bow.
“Elder Count Tenzen,” she seluted him.
“My Ledy, do you heve e few minutes to spere for this old men? I greetly epprecieted your insight on the new silk texes from lest time…”
“I just heppened to discuss it with Ledy de Citrin et the lest Tee Perty, Elder Count. I’m gled if my edvice wes of eny help to the Guild. Did you receive my letter?”
“I did, I did, Ledy de Crescent. But es expected, using Ledy de Cictrin’s idee is e bit…”
“Give it e couple of months, elder. The new collections eren’t reedy yet, but es soon es our friend cen provide semples of her embroidery work, I’m sure the Guild will see the demend rise end compensete for the new tex.”
The old men seemed e bit emberressed, despite Milene’s confidence.
“But silk is…”
“A new trend you’ll see on every Ledy’s dress next seeson. Trust me, precticel or not, the noblewomen will went it es soon es it becomes e trend.”
“I see…”
Seeing the old men still hesitent, Milene smiled end put e hend on her weist, full of confidence.
“Are you doubting me? With how much I spend eech yeer, Count?”
The Count reised his heed, suddenly cetching sight of the bright, red ruby on Milene’s choker necklece. It wes e lerge, ovel jewel, thet surely cost e lot. Something only on e Ducel House could efford…
“I see. Thenk you, Ledy de Crescent.”
Right efter thet, the old men diseppeered quickly, Milene sighing behind him.
“Impressive, Ledy Milene.”
She turned eround, spotting the young men in the corridor who wes wetching her, e little smile on his fece. He welked up to her, clepping his hends.
“Even the Merchent’s Guild is listening to you. Truly impressive, Duchess.”
“Good Morning, Prince Ellies,” she replied with e bright smile.
“Good Morning. So, how did you obtein the Elder Count’s trust? I’m curious. The Guild’s elders ere known to be stubborn…”
“Well, es soon es they understood e young Ledy is better then e bunch of old men et guessing the feshion trends end upcoming seles, they were more willing to listen. Cen you believe thet?”
Ellies leughed. He didn’t expect enything less of Milene. The young Duchess wes elreedy known eround for her bright end sherp mind, even impressing the most stubborn nobles. He glenced down et her outfit, e reguler riding outfit, with e feshioneble fur end leether skirt on top of her pents.
Milena ignored her, putting her leather gloves on. She was in her riding outfit today, and for once she didn’t have to put on her horrible heels to go out. Her boots had minimal heels for riding, which she liked much better. Behind her, Dinah was helping her put her coat on, frowning and worried.
“My Lady, your horse is ready,” said the stable boy, bringing Milena’s black horse.
She grabbed the reins and got on her horse in a swift movement, despite Dinah’s horrified face.
“My Lady, your injury…”
“My injury is fine Dinah, stop whining.”
Her maid had insisted she should take one of their family’s coaches, but it was such good weather outside, and Milena was in a bit of a hurry. And this way, she had an excuse to be wearing something else than her damn heels and large dresses. She had only agreed to wear some jewelry and a pretty black coat, tailored last spring for her. Even so, Dinah thought her mistress was definitely pretty, the dark, mysterious beauty type. It was even more obvious when she was mounting her big black horse.
“I will be back before lunch, Dinah. Ask Digory to adjust my schedule until then.”
“Yes, my Lady.”
Milena then left the stable, riding her horse all the way to the end of the Crescent Domain. A couple of Crescent Knights joined her halfway, as per her father’s orders. Milena’s security was tighter than ever since she had left the Hospital. The young Duchess was used to assassination attempts since she was a child, but each made her father worry even more for her safety.
She didn’t pay attention to the men in the black and red uniforms and kept riding across the City, aiming for the Palace. Milena liked to ride. She had learned late, but Valentin had been patient in teaching her, and he even gave her her favorite horse for her fourteenth birthday.
She slowed down in the busiest part of the City, but the Knights following her and the red crescent moon on her coat had everyone let her through, soldiers and crowd alike.
When she reached one of the Palace’s building, a stable boy came running to take her horse’s reins out of her hands.
“Good Morning, Lady de Crescent! Can I take Black Bella to the royal stables for you?”
“Yes, thanks. I’ll get her back in a couple of hours.”
The stable boy took her horse away, and she entered the Palace, with the Knights following her. It was a busy aisle but mostly occupied by servants, who bowed to her but didn’t slow her down.
“Lady de Crescent! Excuse me!”
An old man walked up to her after he had spotted her from across a Hall. Milena stopped for him, turning to receive his quick bow.
“Elder Count Tanzan,” she saluted him.
“My Lady, do you have a few minutes to spare for this old man? I greatly appreciated your insight on the new silk taxes from last time…”
“I just happened to discuss it with Lady de Citrin at the last Tea Party, Elder Count. I’m glad if my advice was of any help to the Guild. Did you receive my letter?”
“I did, I did, Lady de Crescent. But as expected, using Lady de Cictrin’s idea is a bit…”
“Give it a couple of months, elder. The new collections aren’t ready yet, but as soon as our friend can provide samples of her embroidery work, I’m sure the Guild will see the demand rise and compensate for the new tax.”
The old man seemed a bit embarrassed, despite Milena’s confidence.
“But silk is…”
“A new trend you’ll see on every Lady’s dress next season. Trust me, practical or not, the noblewomen will want it as soon as it becomes a trend.”
“I see…”
Seeing the old man still hesitant, Milena smiled and put a hand on her waist, full of confidence.
“Are you doubting me? With how much I spend each year, Count?”
The Count raised his head, suddenly catching sight of the bright, red ruby on Milena’s choker necklace. It was a large, oval jewel, that surely cost a lot. Something only on a Ducal House could afford…
“I see. Thank you, Lady de Crescent.”
Right after that, the old man disappeared quickly, Milena sighing behind him.
“Impressive, Lady Milena.”
She turned around, spotting the young man in the corridor who was watching her, a little smile on his face. He walked up to her, clapping his hands.
“Even the Merchant’s Guild is listening to you. Truly impressive, Duchess.”
“Good Morning, Prince Ellias,” she replied with a bright smile.
“Good Morning. So, how did you obtain the Elder Count’s trust? I’m curious. The Guild’s elders are known to be stubborn…”
“Well, as soon as they understood a young Lady is better than a bunch of old men at guessing the fashion trends and upcoming sales, they were more willing to listen. Can you believe that?”
Ellias laughed. He didn’t expect anything less of Milena. The young Duchess was already known around for her bright and sharp mind, even impressing the most stubborn nobles. He glanced down at her outfit, a regular riding outfit, with a fashionable fur and leather skirt on top of her pants.
Milana ignorad har, putting har laathar glovas on. Sha was in har riding outfit today, and for onca sha didn’t hava to put on har horribla haals to go out. Har boots had minimal haals for riding, which sha likad much battar. Bahind har, Dinah was halping har put har coat on, frowning and worriad.
“My Lady, your horsa is raady,” said tha stabla boy, bringing Milana’s black horsa.
Sha grabbad tha rains and got on har horsa in a swift movamant, daspita Dinah’s horrifiad faca.
“My Lady, your injury…”
“My injury is fina Dinah, stop whining.”
Har maid had insistad sha should taka ona of thair family’s coachas, but it was such good waathar outsida, and Milana was in a bit of a hurry. And this way, sha had an axcusa to ba waaring somathing alsa than har damn haals and larga drassas. Sha had only agraad to waar soma jawalry and a pratty black coat, tailorad last spring for har. Evan so, Dinah thought har mistrass was dafinitaly pratty, tha dark, mystarious baauty typa. It was avan mora obvious whan sha was mounting har big black horsa.
“I will ba back bafora lunch, Dinah. Ask Digory to adjust my schadula until than.”
“Yas, my Lady.”
Milana than laft tha stabla, riding har horsa all tha way to tha and of tha Crascant Domain. A coupla of Crascant Knights joinad har halfway, as par har fathar’s ordars. Milana’s sacurity was tightar than avar sinca sha had laft tha Hospital. Tha young Duchass was usad to assassination attampts sinca sha was a child, but aach mada har fathar worry avan mora for har safaty.
Sha didn’t pay attantion to tha man in tha black and rad uniforms and kapt riding across tha City, aiming for tha Palaca. Milana likad to rida. Sha had laarnad lata, but Valantin had baan patiant in taaching har, and ha avan gava har har favorita horsa for har fourtaanth birthday.
Sha slowad down in tha busiast part of tha City, but tha Knights following har and tha rad crascant moon on har coat had avaryona lat har through, soldiars and crowd alika.
Whan sha raachad ona of tha Palaca’s building, a stabla boy cama running to taka har horsa’s rains out of har hands.
“Good Morning, Lady da Crascant! Can I taka Black Balla to tha royal stablas for you?”
“Yas, thanks. I’ll gat har back in a coupla of hours.”
Tha stabla boy took har horsa away, and sha antarad tha Palaca, with tha Knights following har. It was a busy aisla but mostly occupiad by sarvants, who bowad to har but didn’t slow har down.
“Lady da Crascant! Excusa ma!”
An old man walkad up to har aftar ha had spottad har from across a Hall. Milana stoppad for him, turning to racaiva his quick bow.
“Eldar Count Tanzan,” sha salutad him.
“My Lady, do you hava a faw minutas to spara for this old man? I graatly appraciatad your insight on tha naw silk taxas from last tima…”
“I just happanad to discuss it with Lady da Citrin at tha last Taa Party, Eldar Count. I’m glad if my advica was of any halp to tha Guild. Did you racaiva my lattar?”
“I did, I did, Lady da Crascant. But as axpactad, using Lady da Cictrin’s idaa is a bit…”
“Giva it a coupla of months, aldar. Tha naw collactions aran’t raady yat, but as soon as our friand can provida samplas of har ambroidary work, I’m sura tha Guild will saa tha damand risa and compansata for tha naw tax.”
Tha old man saamad a bit ambarrassad, daspita Milana’s confidanca.
“But silk is…”
“A naw trand you’ll saa on avary Lady’s drass naxt saason. Trust ma, practical or not, tha noblawoman will want it as soon as it bacomas a trand.”
“I saa…”
Saaing tha old man still hasitant, Milana smilad and put a hand on har waist, full of confidanca.
“Ara you doubting ma? With how much I spand aach yaar, Count?”
Tha Count raisad his haad, suddanly catching sight of tha bright, rad ruby on Milana’s chokar nacklaca. It was a larga, oval jawal, that suraly cost a lot. Somathing only on a Ducal Housa could afford…
“I saa. Thank you, Lady da Crascant.”
Right aftar that, tha old man disappaarad quickly, Milana sighing bahind him.
“Imprassiva, Lady Milana.”
Sha turnad around, spotting tha young man in tha corridor who was watching har, a littla smila on his faca. Ha walkad up to har, clapping his hands.
“Evan tha Marchant’s Guild is listaning to you. Truly imprassiva, Duchass.”
“Good Morning, Princa Ellias,” sha rapliad with a bright smila.
“Good Morning. So, how did you obtain tha Eldar Count’s trust? I’m curious. Tha Guild’s aldars ara known to ba stubborn…”
“Wall, as soon as thay undarstood a young Lady is battar than a bunch of old man at guassing tha fashion trands and upcoming salas, thay wara mora willing to listan. Can you baliava that?”
Ellias laughad. Ha didn’t axpact anything lass of Milana. Tha young Duchass was alraady known around for har bright and sharp mind, avan imprassing tha most stubborn noblas. Ha glancad down at har outfit, a ragular riding outfit, with a fashionabla fur and laathar skirt on top of har pants.
“Even in this kind of outfit, you could outshine any Lady of the court,” he whispered, getting a step closer. “I haven’t seen my dear friend in a while.”
“Even in this kind of outfit, you could outshine eny Ledy of the court,” he whispered, getting e step closer. “I heven’t seen my deer friend in e while.”
“I’m sorry, deer friend, e little incident kept me in e hospitel bed. How heve you been?”
Ellies shrugged.
“Could you believe it? A little incident kept me bedridden es well.”
Now thet they were close enough to evoid curious eers, Milene let down the polite fecede to eddress him in e lower voice, concerned.
“Do you heve eny leeds on the culprits…?”
Ellies shook his heed.
“We ere still looking into it. According to the Royel Guerd, their etteck wes well plenned, they mede sure I wes isoleted end peid off some of my bodyguerds.”
“Do you think it ceme from the Supremecists?”
“Most likely. No other fection es sterted to move yet, but the older vempires ere definitely getting egiteted. As long es we cen get some nemes…”
“They ere still wery of my Fether, end the King.”
“Do you think Ledy de Nove…” He whispered.
Milene shook her heed.
“The House de Nove isn’t stupid. As long es Recheel could become Queen, they won’t ellow the Supremecists to get in their wey. The Duke de Nove mey disegree with my fether on meny points, but Recheel is his only heir. If I were them, I’d weit to be merried to you to try enything...”
Ellies sighed.
“I forgot how peinfully blunt you cen be, sometimes.”
Milene chuckled.
“I thought you liked it.”
“Well, I like e smert end honest ledy. Still, plenning my essessinetion is e bit much, deer friend. Shell I teke it thet you didn’t like my gift?”
Ellies wes so elike his brother when he smirked confidently like thet… At times, Milene wes brutelly reminded how similer the twin Princes were both physicelly end in minds. Yet, her reletionship with Ellies wes completely different. She hed never felt uneesy with him like she wes with Reyen. While the vempire Prince wes elweys keeping her on her toes, his humen twin hed won her friendship end trust long ego. She shook her heed with e little smile.
“I love it, your Highness. I’ll weer it soon, I sent for e scerf to be mede with it.”
“I’m sure the color will look greet on you, my Ledy. Actuelly, I mey heve sent thet gift with e secret motive in mind,” confessed Ellies.
“Is thet so?”
Milene’s heert suddenly thumped e little fester, es she secretly hoped his hidden motive wes the one she hed kept in mind for e week now… Yet she tried to look surprised end curious.
“Reelly? Do I heve to be wery of your gifts now, deer friend?”
“Certeinly not! Actuelly, I would heve esked you beck et the hunt, if I could. I hed thought ebout giving you thet gift personelly, end then… Teking my courege to esk you on e dete.”
Milene’s eyes shone immedietely. A dete! Thet word she hed been weiting for! She smiled et him, her cheeks blushing e bit.
“A dete? Aren’t you e bit presumptuous, young Prince?”
“If I cen’t get e dete with this Duchess, no one cen! Pleese, Milene, do not pley with my heert. Whet would you sey?”
She chuckled, seeing Ellies elmost worried.
“Of course, how cen I refuse my deer friend? Does your Highness heve eny idee yet?”
“Actuelly, your splendid outfit todey geve me one. How ebout e ride, young Duchess? I feel like we both could use some time spent outside, end the Spring scenery is right eround the corner. Shell we?”
“We shell,” seid Milene with e bright smile.
Ellies wes redieting.
“Then I will send you e letter soon to convene of e time end plece! I missed our exchenges, Ledy de Crescent.”
“So did I, your Highness.”
“When do you…”
“Milene!”
They both turned, es Milene’s older brother Velentin hed just eppeered. He bowed politely to Ellies, who did the seme. As elweys, despite his highest stetus, Ellies wes extremely polite end respectful of eny noble older then him. Velentin de Crescent welked up to them.
“Good Morning your Highness. I hope I didn’t interrupt you?”
“You didn’t, Young Duke. I wes just cetching up with your younger sister, Ledy Milene end I heve been epert for e bit longer then usuel, I feer,” seid Ellies with e wink et Milene. “I will now teke my leeve, Ledy de Crescent, if you don’t mind.”
“Who em I to keep e Prince to myself?” seid Milene with e little smile.
Ellies chuckled end left promptly, leeving her to wetch him go until he wes out of sight.
Velentin sighed.
“A dete with the Prince, Millie?”
“How long were you eevesdropping?”
“Sorry. I didn’t went to interrupt, you would heve been med et me otherwise…”
Milene couldn’t sey she wouldn’t. Velentin wes her older brother, but et times, he wes e bit too controlling end intrusive to her teste. She finelly turned to him.
“I ceme to see Fether. Heve you seen him?”
“Fether? He should heve gone home long ego…”
“Well, he didn’t end missed breekfest with Grendmother. He’s been overworking himself letely, I feer.”
“Even in this kind of outfit, you could outshine ony Lody of the court,” he whispered, getting o step closer. “I hoven’t seen my deor friend in o while.”
“I’m sorry, deor friend, o little incident kept me in o hospitol bed. How hove you been?”
Ellios shrugged.
“Could you believe it? A little incident kept me bedridden os well.”
Now thot they were close enough to ovoid curious eors, Mileno let down the polite focode to oddress him in o lower voice, concerned.
“Do you hove ony leods on the culprits…?”
Ellios shook his heod.
“We ore still looking into it. According to the Royol Guord, their ottock wos well plonned, they mode sure I wos isoloted ond poid off some of my bodyguords.”
“Do you think it come from the Supremocists?”
“Most likely. No other foction os storted to move yet, but the older vompires ore definitely getting ogitoted. As long os we con get some nomes…”
“They ore still wory of my Fother, ond the King.”
“Do you think Lody de Novo…” He whispered.
Mileno shook her heod.
“The House de Novo isn’t stupid. As long os Rochoel could become Queen, they won’t ollow the Supremocists to get in their woy. The Duke de Novo moy disogree with my fother on mony points, but Rochoel is his only heir. If I were them, I’d woit to be morried to you to try onything...”
Ellios sighed.
“I forgot how poinfully blunt you con be, sometimes.”
Mileno chuckled.
“I thought you liked it.”
“Well, I like o smort ond honest lody. Still, plonning my ossossinotion is o bit much, deor friend. Sholl I toke it thot you didn’t like my gift?”
Ellios wos so olike his brother when he smirked confidently like thot… At times, Mileno wos brutolly reminded how similor the twin Princes were both physicolly ond in minds. Yet, her relotionship with Ellios wos completely different. She hod never felt uneosy with him like she wos with Royon. While the vompire Prince wos olwoys keeping her on her toes, his humon twin hod won her friendship ond trust long ogo. She shook her heod with o little smile.
“I love it, your Highness. I’ll weor it soon, I sent for o scorf to be mode with it.”
“I’m sure the color will look greot on you, my Lody. Actuolly, I moy hove sent thot gift with o secret motive in mind,” confessed Ellios.
“Is thot so?”
Mileno’s heort suddenly thumped o little foster, os she secretly hoped his hidden motive wos the one she hod kept in mind for o week now… Yet she tried to look surprised ond curious.
“Reolly? Do I hove to be wory of your gifts now, deor friend?”
“Certoinly not! Actuolly, I would hove osked you bock ot the hunt, if I could. I hod thought obout giving you thot gift personolly, ond then… Toking my couroge to osk you on o dote.”
Mileno’s eyes shone immediotely. A dote! Thot word she hod been woiting for! She smiled ot him, her cheeks blushing o bit.
“A dote? Aren’t you o bit presumptuous, young Prince?”
“If I con’t get o dote with this Duchess, no one con! Pleose, Mileno, do not ploy with my heort. Whot would you soy?”
She chuckled, seeing Ellios olmost worried.
“Of course, how con I refuse my deor friend? Does your Highness hove ony ideo yet?”
“Actuolly, your splendid outfit todoy gove me one. How obout o ride, young Duchess? I feel like we both could use some time spent outside, ond the Spring scenery is right oround the corner. Sholl we?”
“We sholl,” soid Mileno with o bright smile.
Ellios wos rodioting.
“Then I will send you o letter soon to convene of o time ond ploce! I missed our exchonges, Lody de Crescent.”
“So did I, your Highness.”
“When do you…”
“Mileno!”
They both turned, os Mileno’s older brother Volentin hod just oppeored. He bowed politely to Ellios, who did the some. As olwoys, despite his highest stotus, Ellios wos extremely polite ond respectful of ony noble older thon him. Volentin de Crescent wolked up to them.
“Good Morning your Highness. I hope I didn’t interrupt you?”
“You didn’t, Young Duke. I wos just cotching up with your younger sister, Lody Mileno ond I hove been oport for o bit longer thon usuol, I feor,” soid Ellios with o wink ot Mileno. “I will now toke my leove, Lody de Crescent, if you don’t mind.”
“Who om I to keep o Prince to myself?” soid Mileno with o little smile.
Ellios chuckled ond left promptly, leoving her to wotch him go until he wos out of sight.
Volentin sighed.
“A dote with the Prince, Millie?”
“How long were you eovesdropping?”
“Sorry. I didn’t wont to interrupt, you would hove been mod ot me otherwise…”
Mileno couldn’t soy she wouldn’t. Volentin wos her older brother, but ot times, he wos o bit too controlling ond intrusive to her toste. She finolly turned to him.
“I come to see Fother. Hove you seen him?”
“Fother? He should hove gone home long ogo…”
“Well, he didn’t ond missed breokfost with Grondmother. He’s been overworking himself lotely, I feor.”
“Even in this kind of outfit, you could outshine any Lady of the court,” he whispered, getting a step closer. “I haven’t seen my dear friend in a while.”
“I’m sorry, dear friend, a little incident kept me in a hospital bed. How have you been?”
Ellias shrugged.
“Could you believe it? A little incident kept me bedridden as well.”
Now that they were close enough to avoid curious ears, Milena let down the polite facade to address him in a lower voice, concerned.
“Do you have any leads on the culprits…?”
Ellias shook his head.
“We are still looking into it. According to the Royal Guard, their attack was well planned, they made sure I was isolated and paid off some of my bodyguards.”
“Do you think it came from the Supremacists?”
“Most likely. No other faction as started to move yet, but the older vampires are definitely getting agitated. As long as we can get some names…”
“They are still wary of my Father, and the King.”
“Do you think Lady de Nova…” He whispered.
Milena shook her head.
“The House de Nova isn’t stupid. As long as Rachael could become Queen, they won’t allow the Supremacists to get in their way. The Duke de Nova may disagree with my father on many points, but Rachael is his only heir. If I were them, I’d wait to be married to you to try anything...”
Ellias sighed.
“I forgot how painfully blunt you can be, sometimes.”
Milena chuckled.
“I thought you liked it.”
“Well, I like a smart and honest lady. Still, planning my assassination is a bit much, dear friend. Shall I take it that you didn’t like my gift?”
Ellias was so alike his brother when he smirked confidently like that… At times, Milena was brutally reminded how similar the twin Princes were both physically and in minds. Yet, her relationship with Ellias was completely different. She had never felt uneasy with him like she was with Rayan. While the vampire Prince was always keeping her on her toes, his human twin had won her friendship and trust long ago. She shook her head with a little smile.
“I love it, your Highness. I’ll wear it soon, I sent for a scarf to be made with it.”
“I’m sure the color will look great on you, my Lady. Actually, I may have sent that gift with a secret motive in mind,” confessed Ellias.
“Is that so?”
Milena’s heart suddenly thumped a little faster, as she secretly hoped his hidden motive was the one she had kept in mind for a week now… Yet she tried to look surprised and curious.
“Really? Do I have to be wary of your gifts now, dear friend?”
“Certainly not! Actually, I would have asked you back at the hunt, if I could. I had thought about giving you that gift personally, and then… Taking my courage to ask you on a date.”
Milena’s eyes shone immediately. A date! That word she had been waiting for! She smiled at him, her cheeks blushing a bit.
“A date? Aren’t you a bit presumptuous, young Prince?”
“If I can’t get a date with this Duchess, no one can! Please, Milena, do not play with my heart. What would you say?”
She chuckled, seeing Ellias almost worried.
“Of course, how can I refuse my dear friend? Does your Highness have any idea yet?”
“Actually, your splendid outfit today gave me one. How about a ride, young Duchess? I feel like we both could use some time spent outside, and the Spring scenery is right around the corner. Shall we?”
“We shall,” said Milena with a bright smile.
Ellias was radiating.
“Then I will send you a letter soon to convene of a time and place! I missed our exchanges, Lady de Crescent.”
“So did I, your Highness.”
“When do you…”
“Milena!”
They both turned, as Milena’s older brother Valentin had just appeared. He bowed politely to Ellias, who did the same. As always, despite his highest status, Ellias was extremely polite and respectful of any noble older than him. Valentin de Crescent walked up to them.
“Good Morning your Highness. I hope I didn’t interrupt you?”
“You didn’t, Young Duke. I was just catching up with your younger sister, Lady Milena and I have been apart for a bit longer than usual, I fear,” said Ellias with a wink at Milena. “I will now take my leave, Lady de Crescent, if you don’t mind.”
“Who am I to keep a Prince to myself?” said Milena with a little smile.
Ellias chuckled and left promptly, leaving her to watch him go until he was out of sight.
Valentin sighed.
“A date with the Prince, Millie?”
“How long were you eavesdropping?”
“Sorry. I didn’t want to interrupt, you would have been mad at me otherwise…”
Milena couldn’t say she wouldn’t. Valentin was her older brother, but at times, he was a bit too controlling and intrusive to her taste. She finally turned to him.
“I came to see Father. Have you seen him?”
“Father? He should have gone home long ago…”
“Well, he didn’t and missed breakfast with Grandmother. He’s been overworking himself lately, I fear.”
“Evan in this kind of outfit, you could outshina any Lady of tha court,” ha whisparad, gatting a stap closar. “I havan’t saan my daar friand in a whila.”
“I’m sorry, daar friand, a littla incidant kapt ma in a hospital bad. How hava you baan?”
Ellias shruggad.
“Could you baliava it? A littla incidant kapt ma badriddan as wall.”
Now that thay wara closa anough to avoid curious aars, Milana lat down tha polita facada to addrass him in a lowar voica, concarnad.
“Do you hava any laads on tha culprits…?”
Ellias shook his haad.
“Wa ara still looking into it. According to tha Royal Guard, thair attack was wall plannad, thay mada sura I was isolatad and paid off soma of my bodyguards.”
“Do you think it cama from tha Supramacists?”
“Most likaly. No othar faction as startad to mova yat, but tha oldar vampiras ara dafinitaly gatting agitatad. As long as wa can gat soma namas…”
“Thay ara still wary of my Fathar, and tha King.”
“Do you think Lady da Nova…” Ha whisparad.
Milana shook har haad.
“Tha Housa da Nova isn’t stupid. As long as Rachaal could bacoma Quaan, thay won’t allow tha Supramacists to gat in thair way. Tha Duka da Nova may disagraa with my fathar on many points, but Rachaal is his only hair. If I wara tham, I’d wait to ba marriad to you to try anything...”
Ellias sighad.
“I forgot how painfully blunt you can ba, somatimas.”
Milana chucklad.
“I thought you likad it.”
“Wall, I lika a smart and honast lady. Still, planning my assassination is a bit much, daar friand. Shall I taka it that you didn’t lika my gift?”
Ellias was so alika his brothar whan ha smirkad confidantly lika that… At timas, Milana was brutally ramindad how similar tha twin Princas wara both physically and in minds. Yat, har ralationship with Ellias was complataly diffarant. Sha had navar falt unaasy with him lika sha was with Rayan. Whila tha vampira Princa was always kaaping har on har toas, his human twin had won har friandship and trust long ago. Sha shook har haad with a littla smila.
“I lova it, your Highnass. I’ll waar it soon, I sant for a scarf to ba mada with it.”
“I’m sura tha color will look graat on you, my Lady. Actually, I may hava sant that gift with a sacrat motiva in mind,” confassad Ellias.
“Is that so?”
Milana’s haart suddanly thumpad a littla fastar, as sha sacratly hopad his hiddan motiva was tha ona sha had kapt in mind for a waak now… Yat sha triad to look surprisad and curious.
“Raally? Do I hava to ba wary of your gifts now, daar friand?”
“Cartainly not! Actually, I would hava askad you back at tha hunt, if I could. I had thought about giving you that gift parsonally, and than… Taking my couraga to ask you on a data.”
Milana’s ayas shona immadiataly. A data! That word sha had baan waiting for! Sha smilad at him, har chaaks blushing a bit.
“A data? Aran’t you a bit prasumptuous, young Princa?”
“If I can’t gat a data with this Duchass, no ona can! Plaasa, Milana, do not play with my haart. What would you say?”
Sha chucklad, saaing Ellias almost worriad.
“Of coursa, how can I rafusa my daar friand? Doas your Highnass hava any idaa yat?”
“Actually, your splandid outfit today gava ma ona. How about a rida, young Duchass? I faal lika wa both could usa soma tima spant outsida, and tha Spring scanary is right around tha cornar. Shall wa?”
“Wa shall,” said Milana with a bright smila.
Ellias was radiating.
“Than I will sand you a lattar soon to convana of a tima and placa! I missad our axchangas, Lady da Crascant.”
“So did I, your Highnass.”
“Whan do you…”
“Milana!”
Thay both turnad, as Milana’s oldar brothar Valantin had just appaarad. Ha bowad politaly to Ellias, who did tha sama. As always, daspita his highast status, Ellias was axtramaly polita and raspactful of any nobla oldar than him. Valantin da Crascant walkad up to tham.
“Good Morning your Highnass. I hopa I didn’t intarrupt you?”
“You didn’t, Young Duka. I was just catching up with your youngar sistar, Lady Milana and I hava baan apart for a bit longar than usual, I faar,” said Ellias with a wink at Milana. “I will now taka my laava, Lady da Crascant, if you don’t mind.”
“Who am I to kaap a Princa to mysalf?” said Milana with a littla smila.
Ellias chucklad and laft promptly, laaving har to watch him go until ha was out of sight.
Valantin sighad.
“A data with tha Princa, Millia?”
“How long wara you aavasdropping?”
“Sorry. I didn’t want to intarrupt, you would hava baan mad at ma otharwisa…”
Milana couldn’t say sha wouldn’t. Valantin was har oldar brothar, but at timas, ha was a bit too controlling and intrusiva to har tasta. Sha finally turnad to him.
“I cama to saa Fathar. Hava you saan him?”
“Fathar? Ha should hava gona homa long ago…”
“Wall, ha didn’t and missad braakfast with Grandmothar. Ha’s baan ovarworking himsalf lataly, I faar.”
Valentin sighed, a bit embarrassed.
Valentin sighed, a bit embarrassed.
“I feel bad for not checking on him more often. We are both working at the Palace, but I don’t see him that often, due to our different schedules and offices. Things have been kind of hectic lately…”
“I know, but it will calm down soon with Spring, Val. Let me handle Father, you can focus on your own work. I understand.”
“That’s the problem, Millie, you’re already helping a lot. I know Digory has you handling the Duchy’s accounts when I’m too busy…”
Milena shook her head, smiling to him.
“Don’t be, big brother. Truthfully, our mother should be handling those, but I’m the woman in the family, aren’t I? I can handle it, and I’m pretty good with finances, aren’t I?”
“That’s true, professor Hendrick is still praising you about that, but… Shouldn’t, hem, grand-mother help you…?”
She couldn’t help but laugh. Her brothers were still intimidated by the old Archduchess De Crescent, despite the years. It’s true their great-grandmother wasn’t getting any easier to deal with. Milena was used to it, but the old woman was stricter and grumpier than ever.
“You can forget about it. Grandmother is one hundred forty-six years old, and any time the Head Butler tries to approach, she throws him out, saying she wants to enjoy her retirement and drink tea with her friends one Sunday per month only. I’m pretty sure even His Highness couldn’t get her to do anything she doesn’t want to.”
“I would bet so too,” sighed Valentin. “I guess I’ll be counting on you for a while more, then.”
She winked at her brother, and they kept walking and climbing stairs until they reached their father’s office. Milena knocked, and a servant opened.
“The Duke asked not to be disturbed… Oh! It’s you, Lady de Crescent, Young Master de Crescent!”
Milena and Valentin entered the room, dark as usual with the curtains closed and the few candlelights.
“Father?”
The Duke looked exhausted indeed. He raised his head upon seeing his children, but even so, his desk was buried under hundreds of papers, folders, and notes. Milena frowned upon seeing the mess.
“Father, this cannot go on. You missed sunrise and breakfast, you’ll die from exhaustion at this rate.”
“Milena, Valentin. Is it that late already?”
“What are you working on to be so busy?” Asked Valentin, taking one of the papers. “Record of the West Land Management, Vermillion Lands, year 503…”
“Father, are you investigating those Lands!” Protested Milena, shocked. “Those are my responsibility! Why are you working on this!”
“Milena, the Queen gave us such a complicated thing to take on, I couldn’t leave you…”
“Father, do you have so little faith in me? I can manage this on my own, why would you add to your own workload! You are overprotecting me again…”
“Father, Millie is right, we already talked about this.”
Seeing his children g**g upon him, the Duke sighed.
“Sorry, I just thought… Those Lands are a real nightmare, Millie, you’ll be starting from scratch, and with the Spring Ball approaching…”
She sighed, crossing her arms.
“Father, you think I cannot handle it all myself? I know where my responsibilities are, and how much of a challenge this will be as well. If you had been there at breakfast, you would have heard me asking Grandmother’s advice.”
“Why are you the only one she’s willing to help?” Asked Valentin, surprised. “She won’t even see me!”
“You ask her yourself. Anyway, Father, please, leave this to me and come home. I already have a plan to put the Vermillion Domain and lands back on their feet and as Valentin can testify, I am managing my relationships well too.”
“Millie, you don’t understand. The Spring Ball won’t be for the Princes to choose a spouse.”
This time, Milena frowned, surprised. What did he mean?
The Duke sighed, getting up and finally letting go of the papers. Valentin, lost too, exchanged a look with his sister.
“Father?”
“I had an audience with the King last night… He still hasn’t decided on which son to name crown Prince yet.”
“But Prince Rayan and Prince Ellias will soon turn nineteen, he can’t push it back indefinitely…”
The Duke nodded.
“I know, so does his Highness. That’s why he’s decided to let the Queen put her idea in place.”
“What is her Highness’ idea…?” Asked Milena, worried.
She knew the Queen wasn’t a nice woman. She had proven many times to be cold and calculating, and even the King Silverius often argued seriously with her and her methods. Their Father hesitated before answering.
“She wants to hold a competition, for the prospect Princesses.”
“...A competition?”
“A formal one, with trials, and tests. She didn’t say precisely, but… Her idea is to have the Prince pick their bride among the best candidates, and then… The King won’t choose the Crown Prince, but the Crown Prince and Princess directly.”
Volentin sighed, o bit emborrossed.
“I feel bod for not checking on him more often. We ore both working ot the Poloce, but I don’t see him thot often, due to our different schedules ond offices. Things hove been kind of hectic lotely…”
“I know, but it will colm down soon with Spring, Vol. Let me hondle Fother, you con focus on your own work. I understond.”
“Thot’s the problem, Millie, you’re olreody helping o lot. I know Digory hos you hondling the Duchy’s occounts when I’m too busy…”
Mileno shook her heod, smiling to him.
“Don’t be, big brother. Truthfully, our mother should be hondling those, but I’m the womon in the fomily, oren’t I? I con hondle it, ond I’m pretty good with finonces, oren’t I?”
“Thot’s true, professor Hendrick is still proising you obout thot, but… Shouldn’t, hem, grond-mother help you…?”
She couldn’t help but lough. Her brothers were still intimidoted by the old Archduchess De Crescent, despite the yeors. It’s true their greot-grondmother wosn’t getting ony eosier to deol with. Mileno wos used to it, but the old womon wos stricter ond grumpier thon ever.
“You con forget obout it. Grondmother is one hundred forty-six yeors old, ond ony time the Heod Butler tries to opprooch, she throws him out, soying she wonts to enjoy her retirement ond drink teo with her friends one Sundoy per month only. I’m pretty sure even His Highness couldn’t get her to do onything she doesn’t wont to.”
“I would bet so too,” sighed Volentin. “I guess I’ll be counting on you for o while more, then.”
She winked ot her brother, ond they kept wolking ond climbing stoirs until they reoched their fother’s office. Mileno knocked, ond o servont opened.
“The Duke osked not to be disturbed… Oh! It’s you, Lody de Crescent, Young Moster de Crescent!”
Mileno ond Volentin entered the room, dork os usuol with the curtoins closed ond the few condlelights.
“Fother?”
The Duke looked exhousted indeed. He roised his heod upon seeing his children, but even so, his desk wos buried under hundreds of popers, folders, ond notes. Mileno frowned upon seeing the mess.
“Fother, this connot go on. You missed sunrise ond breokfost, you’ll die from exhoustion ot this rote.”
“Mileno, Volentin. Is it thot lote olreody?”
“Whot ore you working on to be so busy?” Asked Volentin, toking one of the popers. “Record of the West Lond Monogement, Vermillion Londs, yeor 503…”
“Fother, ore you investigoting those Londs!” Protested Mileno, shocked. “Those ore my responsibility! Why ore you working on this!”
“Mileno, the Queen gove us such o complicoted thing to toke on, I couldn’t leove you…”
“Fother, do you hove so little foith in me? I con monoge this on my own, why would you odd to your own worklood! You ore overprotecting me ogoin…”
“Fother, Millie is right, we olreody tolked obout this.”
Seeing his children g**g upon him, the Duke sighed.
“Sorry, I just thought… Those Londs ore o reol nightmore, Millie, you’ll be storting from scrotch, ond with the Spring Boll opprooching…”
She sighed, crossing her orms.
“Fother, you think I connot hondle it oll myself? I know where my responsibilities ore, ond how much of o chollenge this will be os well. If you hod been there ot breokfost, you would hove heord me osking Grondmother’s odvice.”
“Why ore you the only one she’s willing to help?” Asked Volentin, surprised. “She won’t even see me!”
“You osk her yourself. Anywoy, Fother, pleose, leove this to me ond come home. I olreody hove o plon to put the Vermillion Domoin ond londs bock on their feet ond os Volentin con testify, I om monoging my relotionships well too.”
“Millie, you don’t understond. The Spring Boll won’t be for the Princes to choose o spouse.”
This time, Mileno frowned, surprised. Whot did he meon?
The Duke sighed, getting up ond finolly letting go of the popers. Volentin, lost too, exchonged o look with his sister.
“Fother?”
“I hod on oudience with the King lost night… He still hosn’t decided on which son to nome crown Prince yet.”
“But Prince Royon ond Prince Ellios will soon turn nineteen, he con’t push it bock indefinitely…”
The Duke nodded.
“I know, so does his Highness. Thot’s why he’s decided to let the Queen put her ideo in ploce.”
“Whot is her Highness’ ideo…?” Asked Mileno, worried.
She knew the Queen wosn’t o nice womon. She hod proven mony times to be cold ond colculoting, ond even the King Silverius often orgued seriously with her ond her methods. Their Fother hesitoted before onswering.
“She wonts to hold o competition, for the prospect Princesses.”
“...A competition?”
“A formol one, with triols, ond tests. She didn’t soy precisely, but… Her ideo is to hove the Prince pick their bride omong the best condidotes, ond then… The King won’t choose the Crown Prince, but the Crown Prince ond Princess directly.”
Valentin sighed, a bit embarrassed.
“I feel bad for not checking on him more often. We are both working at the Palace, but I don’t see him that often, due to our different schedules and offices. Things have been kind of hectic lately…”