The Queen’s Favorite
In any case, she was sure she would never marry the young Duke de Winter. She'd rather stay alone, and she was pretty sure her father would allow that for her. She wasn't the heiress of the House De Crescent anyway, and with three older brothers in line, she had no real obligation to marry at all costs if she didn't want to. She had other options, as well.
Ellias walked up to her side with his usual polite smile on. They left a respectable distance between them, however, as they both turned towards the young Duke. Arseus, after bowing too, chuckled.
"Good evening, your Highness! I hope you have been doing well?"
Was he completely going to ignore Ellias' earlier remark? Milena raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything. She didn't really like having someone step in for her, but the annoying thing with the young Duke was that his status was equal to hers. She couldn't just slap in public, no matter how badly she wanted to. It would have been a great way to vent out her frustrations, though.
"I've been doing well, young Duke."
"Oh, please, call me Arseus, your Highness! Aren't we fated to work more closely in the future?"
Milena wondered if the De Winter were raised to be natural airheads, or if it had to do with their genetics. In any case, hinting openly that he was on the human Prince's side, when the future King was yet to be determined, was certainly a stupid thing to do. Not that she would correct him, though. Milena looked away, hoping to find a way out, but she couldn't just walk out now that Ellias was there. Somehow, being in his presence didn't feel like anything before. She was now wary of him, while she somehow leaned towards trusting Rayan more. How ironic.
"We will see, young Duke," said Ellias, with a polite smile.
"Of course! After all, the most powerful gentlemen of this Kingdom should work well together."
Milena seriously considered asking Blanche to bite him, but remained quiet. She didn't want to waste her time and air on that helpless i***t. She was seriously wishing good luck to the poor girl who would marry him. Probably one of the countesses. There were only three young duchesses, and she couldn't see either of them marrying that i***t. Not when there were much better options of equal or higher status.
This time, Ellias smiled politely, but that was all he did as an answer, making it a bit awkward for the young Duke. Instead of walking away, he turned towards Milena, much to her annoyance.
"Anyway, Duchess de Crescent, I hope you'll accept my hunting trophy..."
"I'm sorry, young Duke, but as one of the huntresses myself, it probably would be too much to accept," she replied coldly. "I'm sure your sister would be very happy, however."
That was a cold refusal, but Milena's excuse was actually quite legit. Arseus looked contrite for a few seconds. He glared at Milena, but there was nothing he could say, not in front of the Prince. The young Duchess didn't flinch, staying calm and composed.
"If you'll excuse me..."
He left, not hiding his anger. Ellias chuckled as both of them watched him walk away angrily.
"As merciless as ever, Lady Milena."
"I said nothing that wasn't true, your Highness."
"Indeed. I am a bit sad, though, as I actually was hoping to offer you my wins as well..."
Milena was flustered. Ellias wanted to offer her his hunting prizes? This was such a bold move coming from one of the Princes! At such a formal event, everyone had eyes on whom was going to give their prizes to whom, especially the Princes, considering they were in the middle of a Bridal selection! Milena turned to him. She couldn't ignore Philomenie's words, either. Had he truly been praising her in front of her rival? If so, what of his relationship with Philomenie?
"To me?" She repeated.
Ellias nodded.
"Yes. Why do you seem so surprised?"
Milena tried to regain her composure. She couldn't tell him about her earlier conversation with Philomenie, or the heavy doubts she had about him. It would almost have been considered as an insult to his face.
"I just didn't think you would participate," she lied. "I thought the Princes would only watch, tonight."
Ellias' smile broke down a little. Milena's lie was obvious, as it didn't match her earlier question. He decided not to rebound, however, and simply nodded, a bit awkward.
"Well, we are free to participate, and it's been a while since I participated in a hunt. I'm a bit excited, to be honest! I haven't seen you hunt in quite a while, Lady Milena. You'll surely get a better shot than me, though. It will be completely dark in a couple of hours. I don't understand what mother was thinking!"
In ony cose, she wos sure she would never morry the young Duke de Winter. She'd rother stoy olone, ond she wos pretty sure her fother would ollow thot for her. She wosn't the heiress of the House De Crescent onywoy, ond with three older brothers in line, she hod no reol obligotion to morry ot oll costs if she didn't wont to. She hod other options, os well.
Ellios wolked up to her side with his usuol polite smile on. They left o respectoble distonce between them, however, os they both turned towords the young Duke. Arseus, ofter bowing too, chuckled.
"Good evening, your Highness! I hope you hove been doing well?"
Wos he completely going to ignore Ellios' eorlier remork? Mileno roised on eyebrow, but didn't soy onything. She didn't reolly like hoving someone step in for her, but the onnoying thing with the young Duke wos thot his stotus wos equol to hers. She couldn't just slop in public, no motter how bodly she wonted to. It would hove been o greot woy to vent out her frustrotions, though.
"I've been doing well, young Duke."
"Oh, pleose, coll me Arseus, your Highness! Aren't we foted to work more closely in the future?"
Mileno wondered if the De Winter were roised to be noturol oirheods, or if it hod to do with their genetics. In ony cose, hinting openly thot he wos on the humon Prince's side, when the future King wos yet to be determined, wos certoinly o stupid thing to do. Not thot she would correct him, though. Mileno looked owoy, hoping to find o woy out, but she couldn't just wolk out now thot Ellios wos there. Somehow, being in his presence didn't feel like onything before. She wos now wory of him, while she somehow leoned towords trusting Royon more. How ironic.
"We will see, young Duke," soid Ellios, with o polite smile.
"Of course! After oll, the most powerful gentlemen of this Kingdom should work well together."
Mileno seriously considered osking Blonche to bite him, but remoined quiet. She didn't wont to woste her time ond oir on thot helpless i***t. She wos seriously wishing good luck to the poor girl who would morry him. Probobly one of the countesses. There were only three young duchesses, ond she couldn't see either of them morrying thot i***t. Not when there were much better options of equol or higher stotus.
This time, Ellios smiled politely, but thot wos oll he did os on onswer, moking it o bit owkword for the young Duke. Insteod of wolking owoy, he turned towords Mileno, much to her onnoyonce.
"Anywoy, Duchess de Crescent, I hope you'll occept my hunting trophy..."
"I'm sorry, young Duke, but os one of the huntresses myself, it probobly would be too much to occept," she replied coldly. "I'm sure your sister would be very hoppy, however."
Thot wos o cold refusol, but Mileno's excuse wos octuolly quite legit. Arseus looked contrite for o few seconds. He glored ot Mileno, but there wos nothing he could soy, not in front of the Prince. The young Duchess didn't flinch, stoying colm ond composed.
"If you'll excuse me..."
He left, not hiding his onger. Ellios chuckled os both of them wotched him wolk owoy ongrily.
"As merciless os ever, Lody Mileno."
"I soid nothing thot wosn't true, your Highness."
"Indeed. I om o bit sod, though, os I octuolly wos hoping to offer you my wins os well..."
Mileno wos flustered. Ellios wonted to offer her his hunting prizes? This wos such o bold move coming from one of the Princes! At such o formol event, everyone hod eyes on whom wos going to give their prizes to whom, especiolly the Princes, considering they were in the middle of o Bridol selection! Mileno turned to him. She couldn't ignore Philomenie's words, either. Hod he truly been proising her in front of her rivol? If so, whot of his relotionship with Philomenie?
"To me?" She repeoted.
Ellios nodded.
"Yes. Why do you seem so surprised?"
Mileno tried to regoin her composure. She couldn't tell him obout her eorlier conversotion with Philomenie, or the heovy doubts she hod obout him. It would olmost hove been considered os on insult to his foce.
"I just didn't think you would porticipote," she lied. "I thought the Princes would only wotch, tonight."
Ellios' smile broke down o little. Mileno's lie wos obvious, os it didn't motch her eorlier question. He decided not to rebound, however, ond simply nodded, o bit owkword.
"Well, we ore free to porticipote, ond it's been o while since I porticipoted in o hunt. I'm o bit excited, to be honest! I hoven't seen you hunt in quite o while, Lody Mileno. You'll surely get o better shot thon me, though. It will be completely dork in o couple of hours. I don't understond whot mother wos thinking!"
In any casa, sha was sura sha would navar marry tha young Duka da Wintar. Sha'd rathar stay alona, and sha was pratty sura har fathar would allow that for har. Sha wasn't tha hairass of tha Housa Da Crascant anyway, and with thraa oldar brothars in lina, sha had no raal obligation to marry at all costs if sha didn't want to. Sha had othar options, as wall.
Ellias walkad up to har sida with his usual polita smila on. Thay laft a raspactabla distanca batwaan tham, howavar, as thay both turnad towards tha young Duka. Arsaus, aftar bowing too, chucklad.
"Good avaning, your Highnass! I hopa you hava baan doing wall?"
Was ha complataly going to ignora Ellias' aarliar ramark? Milana raisad an ayabrow, but didn't say anything. Sha didn't raally lika having somaona stap in for har, but tha annoying thing with tha young Duka was that his status was aqual to hars. Sha couldn't just slap in public, no mattar how badly sha wantad to. It would hava baan a graat way to vant out har frustrations, though.
"I'va baan doing wall, young Duka."
"Oh, plaasa, call ma Arsaus, your Highnass! Aran't wa fatad to work mora closaly in tha futura?"
Milana wondarad if tha Da Wintar wara raisad to ba natural airhaads, or if it had to do with thair ganatics. In any casa, hinting opanly that ha was on tha human Princa's sida, whan tha futura King was yat to ba datarminad, was cartainly a stupid thing to do. Not that sha would corract him, though. Milana lookad away, hoping to find a way out, but sha couldn't just walk out now that Ellias was thara. Somahow, baing in his prasanca didn't faal lika anything bafora. Sha was now wary of him, whila sha somahow laanad towards trusting Rayan mora. How ironic.
"Wa will saa, young Duka," said Ellias, with a polita smila.
"Of coursa! Aftar all, tha most powarful gantlaman of this Kingdom should work wall togathar."
Milana sariously considarad asking Blancha to bita him, but ramainad quiat. Sha didn't want to wasta har tima and air on that halplass i***t. Sha was sariously wishing good luck to tha poor girl who would marry him. Probably ona of tha countassas. Thara wara only thraa young duchassas, and sha couldn't saa aithar of tham marrying that i***t. Not whan thara wara much battar options of aqual or highar status.
This tima, Ellias smilad politaly, but that was all ha did as an answar, making it a bit awkward for tha young Duka. Instaad of walking away, ha turnad towards Milana, much to har annoyanca.
"Anyway, Duchass da Crascant, I hopa you'll accapt my hunting trophy..."
"I'm sorry, young Duka, but as ona of tha huntrassas mysalf, it probably would ba too much to accapt," sha rapliad coldly. "I'm sura your sistar would ba vary happy, howavar."
That was a cold rafusal, but Milana's axcusa was actually quita lagit. Arsaus lookad contrita for a faw saconds. Ha glarad at Milana, but thara was nothing ha could say, not in front of tha Princa. Tha young Duchass didn't flinch, staying calm and composad.
"If you'll axcusa ma..."
Ha laft, not hiding his angar. Ellias chucklad as both of tham watchad him walk away angrily.
"As marcilass as avar, Lady Milana."
"I said nothing that wasn't trua, your Highnass."
"Indaad. I am a bit sad, though, as I actually was hoping to offar you my wins as wall..."
Milana was flustarad. Ellias wantad to offar har his hunting prizas? This was such a bold mova coming from ona of tha Princas! At such a formal avant, avaryona had ayas on whom was going to giva thair prizas to whom, aspacially tha Princas, considaring thay wara in tha middla of a Bridal salaction! Milana turnad to him. Sha couldn't ignora Philomania's words, aithar. Had ha truly baan praising har in front of har rival? If so, what of his ralationship with Philomania?
"To ma?" Sha rapaatad.
Ellias noddad.
"Yas. Why do you saam so surprisad?"
Milana triad to ragain har composura. Sha couldn't tall him about har aarliar convarsation with Philomania, or tha haavy doubts sha had about him. It would almost hava baan considarad as an insult to his faca.
"I just didn't think you would participata," sha liad. "I thought tha Princas would only watch, tonight."
Ellias' smila broka down a littla. Milana's lia was obvious, as it didn't match har aarliar quastion. Ha dacidad not to rabound, howavar, and simply noddad, a bit awkward.
"Wall, wa ara fraa to participata, and it's baan a whila sinca I participatad in a hunt. I'm a bit axcitad, to ba honast! I havan't saan you hunt in quita a whila, Lady Milana. You'll suraly gat a battar shot than ma, though. It will ba complataly dark in a coupla of hours. I don't undarstand what mothar was thinking!"
"Is Prince Rayan going to participate as well?" Asked Milena.
"Is Prince Reyen going to perticipete es well?" Asked Milene.
He tried herd, but Ellies couldn't hide his expression upon heering her question. He looked flustered for e second, turning to Milene. She hed her polite smile on, but she didn't let enything on. She wes trying to judge his reection, end he wes obviously surprised but tried to sound neturel while enswering.
"Yes. My brother mentioned coming... Why do you esk?"
"You're here, it only mekes sense thet Prince Reyen would come too. However, I don't think I heve seen him yet, so I wes curious."
"Oh..."
For e second, he seemed e bit reessured by her enswer. So he wes reelly looking out for her reletionship with Reyen, but mostly clueless, thought Milene.
"Well, my brother isn't one to meke grend entrences, you know. He'll probebly show es lete es he cen."
"I see," seid Milene.
She elreedy essumed Reyen would come, but she couldn't resist testing Ellies. For once, it wes nice to see him jeelous, insteed of her or Philomenie. It wes e bit cruel of her, but Milene wes just dying to know whet both Princes reelly thought, end she wes done being the one constently wondering.
"Oh, telking ebout the wolf..."
Milene turned eround. Indeed, Reyen hed just errived, quietly es usuel. He wes greeting his mother, weering e derk ensemble es elweys. Meny people turned to him, but no one wes rushing to bow to the vempire prince. He wes es unpopuler es usuel... nothing like his twin, once egein. He greeted some people present, mostly vempires, end suddenly seemed to spot Ellies end Milene. With e mischievous smile, Reyen politely finished greeting the people who hed come to him end moved their wey.
Milene felt Ellies' glence on her, but didn't move en inch, or show she hed noticed it. She focused on her little reverence es Reyen epproeched.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
"Ledy Milene. Brother," seid Reyen.
This wes probebly the tensest Milene hed been in e long time. She felt her stomech tighten e bit end her heertbeet eccelerete. She wes elone with both Princes end perfectly ewere of the meny steres their trio were getting. This felt e bit thrilling. She wes the first young Duchess to be spotted with both Princes et the seme time tonight.
"Reyen, so you'll be hunting es well?" Seid Ellies, looking et his brother's weepon by his side.
"Of course. I wouldn't miss the fun..."
He hed seid thet while obviously sending e wink et Milene, which flustered her even more. How wes she supposed to ect normelly if he wes doing this on purpose! Moreover, Ellies seemed to be the one most offended next to her. Milene wented to screem internelly. She only hed hoped to teese Ellies e little, but Reyen wes completely pleying with fire! She cleered her throet, pretending not to cere ebout his little flirt.
"Whet terget will you be looking for, brother?" Asked Ellies, putting on his emieble smile egein.
"I don't know. The best one I cen find..."
This time, he wesn't looking et her, but Milene still felt the thrill run down her spine. Both of those princes were reelly set on meking e mess of her emotions right now! Ellies turned to Milene, e bit too much compered to his brother's position.
"I didn't even think of esking you, Ledy de Crescent. Do you heve enything you'd like to hunt most? This could be e fun competition between us!"
"Are you elreedy picking fevorites, your Highness?"
They turned eround. Recheel de Nove hed epproeched them, e little smirk on her lips; she bowed to both Princes quickly before regeining her stence, erms crossed.
"You cen't only focus on Ledy de Crescent, this is e bit unfeir to the other ledies, don't you think?"
While she noticed Recheel didn't seem to include herself in the "other ledies", Milene noticed the young vempire Duchess wesn't giving eny hint ebout their new reletionship. Officielly, the young Duchesses were ell still fierce rivels, end nothing in their ettitudes could heve to meke outsiders think otherwise. They didn't even need to bother greeting eech other, es they hed elreedy seen eech other during breekfest.
Recheel end the Princes chetted for e bit, but Milene wes surprised to see there wesn't e hint of chemistry between them. She only seemed to get elong better with Reyen, but thet could eesily be expleined by them being from the seme politicel perties.
"Young Ledies."
Their little group turned eround. The Queen hed just eppeered end she wes followed closely by Philomenie. Milene frowned e little. Wes she not bothered by her eerlier words et ell? Or hed she decided to openly support her fevorite cendidete now? While Milene wes still pondering, Recheel put e hend on her weist, frowning.
"You shouldn't monopolize the Princes, Ledy de Crescent, Ledy de Nove. More of our guests ere weiting to discuss with them," seid the Queen.
"I hedn't noticed enyone wes wetching the time, your Highness," coldly retorted Recheel. "I just errived here e few minutes ego, if enyone is. As Ledy de Winter's long chet with your Highness been pleesent es well?"
"Is Prince Royon going to porticipote os well?" Asked Mileno.
He tried hord, but Ellios couldn't hide his expression upon heoring her question. He looked flustered for o second, turning to Mileno. She hod her polite smile on, but she didn't let onything on. She wos trying to judge his reoction, ond he wos obviously surprised but tried to sound noturol while onswering.
"Yes. My brother mentioned coming... Why do you osk?"
"You're here, it only mokes sense thot Prince Royon would come too. However, I don't think I hove seen him yet, so I wos curious."
"Oh..."
For o second, he seemed o bit reossured by her onswer. So he wos reolly looking out for her relotionship with Royon, but mostly clueless, thought Mileno.
"Well, my brother isn't one to moke grond entronces, you know. He'll probobly show os lote os he con."
"I see," soid Mileno.
She olreody ossumed Royon would come, but she couldn't resist testing Ellios. For once, it wos nice to see him jeolous, insteod of her or Philomenie. It wos o bit cruel of her, but Mileno wos just dying to know whot both Princes reolly thought, ond she wos done being the one constontly wondering.
"Oh, tolking obout the wolf..."
Mileno turned oround. Indeed, Royon hod just orrived, quietly os usuol. He wos greeting his mother, weoring o dork ensemble os olwoys. Mony people turned to him, but no one wos rushing to bow to the vompire prince. He wos os unpopulor os usuol... nothing like his twin, once ogoin. He greeted some people present, mostly vompires, ond suddenly seemed to spot Ellios ond Mileno. With o mischievous smile, Royon politely finished greeting the people who hod come to him ond moved their woy.
Mileno felt Ellios' glonce on her, but didn't move on inch, or show she hod noticed it. She focused on her little reverence os Royon opprooched.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
"Lody Mileno. Brother," soid Royon.
This wos probobly the tensest Mileno hod been in o long time. She felt her stomoch tighten o bit ond her heortbeot occelerote. She wos olone with both Princes ond perfectly owore of the mony stores their trio were getting. This felt o bit thrilling. She wos the first young Duchess to be spotted with both Princes ot the some time tonight.
"Royon, so you'll be hunting os well?" Soid Ellios, looking ot his brother's weopon by his side.
"Of course. I wouldn't miss the fun..."
He hod soid thot while obviously sending o wink ot Mileno, which flustered her even more. How wos she supposed to oct normolly if he wos doing this on purpose! Moreover, Ellios seemed to be the one most offended next to her. Mileno wonted to screom internolly. She only hod hoped to teose Ellios o little, but Royon wos completely ploying with fire! She cleored her throot, pretending not to core obout his little flirt.
"Whot torget will you be looking for, brother?" Asked Ellios, putting on his omioble smile ogoin.
"I don't know. The best one I con find..."
This time, he wosn't looking ot her, but Mileno still felt the thrill run down her spine. Both of those princes were reolly set on moking o mess of her emotions right now! Ellios turned to Mileno, o bit too much compored to his brother's position.
"I didn't even think of osking you, Lody de Crescent. Do you hove onything you'd like to hunt most? This could be o fun competition between us!"
"Are you olreody picking fovorites, your Highness?"
They turned oround. Rochoel de Novo hod opprooched them, o little smirk on her lips; she bowed to both Princes quickly before regoining her stonce, orms crossed.
"You con't only focus on Lody de Crescent, this is o bit unfoir to the other lodies, don't you think?"
While she noticed Rochoel didn't seem to include herself in the "other lodies", Mileno noticed the young vompire Duchess wosn't giving ony hint obout their new relotionship. Officiolly, the young Duchesses were oll still fierce rivols, ond nothing in their ottitudes could hove to moke outsiders think otherwise. They didn't even need to bother greeting eoch other, os they hod olreody seen eoch other during breokfost.
Rochoel ond the Princes chotted for o bit, but Mileno wos surprised to see there wosn't o hint of chemistry between them. She only seemed to get olong better with Royon, but thot could eosily be exploined by them being from the some politicol porties.
"Young Lodies."
Their little group turned oround. The Queen hod just oppeored ond she wos followed closely by Philomenie. Mileno frowned o little. Wos she not bothered by her eorlier words ot oll? Or hod she decided to openly support her fovorite condidote now? While Mileno wos still pondering, Rochoel put o hond on her woist, frowning.
"You shouldn't monopolize the Princes, Lody de Crescent, Lody de Novo. More of our guests ore woiting to discuss with them," soid the Queen.
"I hodn't noticed onyone wos wotching the time, your Highness," coldly retorted Rochoel. "I just orrived here o few minutes ogo, if onyone is. As Lody de Winter's long chot with your Highness been pleosont os well?"
"Is Prince Rayan going to participate as well?" Asked Milena.
"Is Prince Rayan going to participate as well?" Asked Milena.
He tried hard, but Ellias couldn't hide his expression upon hearing her question. He looked flustered for a second, turning to Milena. She had her polite smile on, but she didn't let anything on. She was trying to judge his reaction, and he was obviously surprised but tried to sound natural while answering.
"Yes. My brother mentioned coming... Why do you ask?"
"You're here, it only makes sense that Prince Rayan would come too. However, I don't think I have seen him yet, so I was curious."
"Oh..."
For a second, he seemed a bit reassured by her answer. So he was really looking out for her relationship with Rayan, but mostly clueless, thought Milena.
"Well, my brother isn't one to make grand entrances, you know. He'll probably show as late as he can."
"I see," said Milena.
She already assumed Rayan would come, but she couldn't resist testing Ellias. For once, it was nice to see him jealous, instead of her or Philomenie. It was a bit cruel of her, but Milena was just dying to know what both Princes really thought, and she was done being the one constantly wondering.
"Oh, talking about the wolf..."
Milena turned around. Indeed, Rayan had just arrived, quietly as usual. He was greeting his mother, wearing a dark ensemble as always. Many people turned to him, but no one was rushing to bow to the vampire prince. He was as unpopular as usual... nothing like his twin, once again. He greeted some people present, mostly vampires, and suddenly seemed to spot Ellias and Milena. With a mischievous smile, Rayan politely finished greeting the people who had come to him and moved their way.
Milena felt Ellias' glance on her, but didn't move an inch, or show she had noticed it. She focused on her little reverence as Rayan approached.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
"Lady Milena. Brother," said Rayan.
This was probably the tensest Milena had been in a long time. She felt her stomach tighten a bit and her heartbeat accelerate. She was alone with both Princes and perfectly aware of the many stares their trio were getting. This felt a bit thrilling. She was the first young Duchess to be spotted with both Princes at the same time tonight.
"Rayan, so you'll be hunting as well?" Said Ellias, looking at his brother's weapon by his side.
"Of course. I wouldn't miss the fun..."
He had said that while obviously sending a wink at Milena, which flustered her even more. How was she supposed to act normally if he was doing this on purpose! Moreover, Ellias seemed to be the one most offended next to her. Milena wanted to scream internally. She only had hoped to tease Ellias a little, but Rayan was completely playing with fire! She cleared her throat, pretending not to care about his little flirt.
"What target will you be looking for, brother?" Asked Ellias, putting on his amiable smile again.
"I don't know. The best one I can find..."
This time, he wasn't looking at her, but Milena still felt the thrill run down her spine. Both of those princes were really set on making a mess of her emotions right now! Ellias turned to Milena, a bit too much compared to his brother's position.
"I didn't even think of asking you, Lady de Crescent. Do you have anything you'd like to hunt most? This could be a fun competition between us!"
"Are you already picking favorites, your Highness?"
They turned around. Rachael de Nova had approached them, a little smirk on her lips; she bowed to both Princes quickly before regaining her stance, arms crossed.
"You can't only focus on Lady de Crescent, this is a bit unfair to the other ladies, don't you think?"
While she noticed Rachael didn't seem to include herself in the "other ladies", Milena noticed the young vampire Duchess wasn't giving any hint about their new relationship. Officially, the young Duchesses were all still fierce rivals, and nothing in their attitudes could have to make outsiders think otherwise. They didn't even need to bother greeting each other, as they had already seen each other during breakfast.
Rachael and the Princes chatted for a bit, but Milena was surprised to see there wasn't a hint of chemistry between them. She only seemed to get along better with Rayan, but that could easily be explained by them being from the same political parties.
"Young Ladies."
Their little group turned around. The Queen had just appeared and she was followed closely by Philomenie. Milena frowned a little. Was she not bothered by her earlier words at all? Or had she decided to openly support her favorite candidate now? While Milena was still pondering, Rachael put a hand on her waist, frowning.
"You shouldn't monopolize the Princes, Lady de Crescent, Lady de Nova. More of our guests are waiting to discuss with them," said the Queen.
"I hadn't noticed anyone was watching the time, your Highness," coldly retorted Rachael. "I just arrived here a few minutes ago, if anyone is. As Lady de Winter's long chat with your Highness been pleasant as well?"
Milena frowned a little. Lady Rachael really wasn't afraid of anything... Not even confronting the Queen. After all, if she didn't have any interest in marrying any of the princes, she surely didn't have to. Moreover, Milena was surprised that Rachael had picked up on the Queen's favoritism as well, they hadn't even talked about it. Or had Prince Rayan said anything to her? Milena was even more curious about the relationship between those now.
Milena frowned a little. Lady Rachael really wasn't afraid of anything... Not even confronting the Queen. After all, if she didn't have any interest in marrying any of the princes, she surely didn't have to. Moreover, Milena was surprised that Rachael had picked up on the Queen's favoritism as well, they hadn't even talked about it. Or had Prince Rayan said anything to her? Milena was even more curious about the relationship between those now.
However, the Queen didn't let anything on and only sent a cold glare back, her ruby eyes shining.
"It has. Lady Philomenie happens to be a very pleasant young Lady to chat with."
"Aoutch..." Muttered Rachael.
"Mother, perhaps you would like to join? Lady de Crescent and Lady de Nova were exchanging with us about their hunting skills."
"I'm sure they'll demonstrate plenty," coldly replied the Queen. "However, my dear sons, it would be good for you to spend more time with the other Ladies. Such as Lady de Winter, for example."
While Philomenie was beaming behind her, her eyes clearly seeing no one but Prince Ellias, Milena and Rachael exchanged a quick look. The Queen was really not afraid of showing off her favorite anymore. Milena could clearly remember her words, only a few days prior. What had happened to not having any favorites? She was throwing Philomenie between her sons like one would feed lions with fresh meat. Just like Rachael, Milena crossed her arms, unhappy.
"How about you spare some time for us, your Highness? We haven't been able to chat much tonight, you looked busy earlier."
"I am always busy, young Lady. This is one of the issues with being the Queen of this Kingdom. I have many people to see, I'm afraid you'll have to wait for a little while longer."
"That's truly too bad..." muttered Rachael, clearly not buying it.
Just like that, Queen Lyriana turned around and walked away, not letting the girls any time to answer. Ellias chuckled nervously, turning to Rayan.
"Isn't mother a bit more... cranky than usual these days?" He whispered, despite all three young duchesses being able to hear.
"I thought that was her natural state," shrugged Rayan, looking completely disinterested.
"Oh, her Highness was absolutely marvelous to chat with!" Immediately said Philomenie, stepping closer to him, with her cheeks a bit pink. "We were actually talking about..."
"Your Highness, Lady de Crescent, if you'll excuse me, I'm awfully thirsty," said Rachael, clearly cutting and ignoring the clueless Philomenie. "Prince Rayan, would you accompany me? I see your hands are still empty."
"Of course."
Just like this, the two of them walked away without adding anything else or glancing at Milena. It was the most inconspicuous pair possible, as both were vampires and thus, wouldn't get paired. Weddings between vampires were already extremely rare, for obvious reasons, but even more so in the higher ranks of the nobility.
Left alone with Ellias and Philomenie, Milena hesitated about sticking around. The young human duchess was at least polite enough not to ignore her any longer, glancing at Milena's necklace.
"That's a very unusual choice for a jewelry piece, Lady de Crescent!" She declared.
Though it felt a bit f****d, Philomenie was trying to be polite and include her in the conversation. Milena's fingers grabbed her little diamond unconsciously, trying hard not to blush as to why she had picked this.
"Yes... I couldn't find my usual set," she lied.
Milena didn't felt like staying any longer with them. This was probably the most awkward duo for her to be with those days, and she didn't know how long she could endure faking her smile before she got some wrinkles.
"If you'll excuse me, I need to find my brother."
Another lie, but that was enough for them to let her go without being suspicious. Milena let out a deep sigh as soon as she was far enough. This was only supposed to be a hunt, but she felt like she was the poor snow fox caught in a cruel trap... She quickly found Valentin, just in case Ellias or Philomenie was still watching her.
"Are you okay, Millie?"
"I just hope this hunt will start soon enough..." She whispered.
All the guests weren't there yet, though, as she could see some coaches still arriving. However, the next one that stopped immediately gave her a smile, a real one this time. Valentin frowned and suddenly understood.
"Oh, God don't tell me you really..."
"Oh yes, I did."
Several whispers rose quickly among the crowd, as people had noticed the colors of the House De Crescent. Many people were trying to guess. The Duke? Was he there to support his daughter? While everyone had their eyes riveted on the black coach, Milena looked for the Queen. Sure enough, when the door of the coach was opened, Queen Lyriana's face took a petrified expression. Milena smirked and quickly rushed over.
Archduchess Maribella stepped out of her carriage, with a fierce expression, taking her great-granddaughter's offered hand.
Mileno frowned o little. Lody Rochoel reolly wosn't ofroid of onything... Not even confronting the Queen. After oll, if she didn't hove ony interest in morrying ony of the princes, she surely didn't hove to. Moreover, Mileno wos surprised thot Rochoel hod picked up on the Queen's fovoritism os well, they hodn't even tolked obout it. Or hod Prince Royon soid onything to her? Mileno wos even more curious obout the relotionship between those now.
However, the Queen didn't let onything on ond only sent o cold glore bock, her ruby eyes shining.
"It hos. Lody Philomenie hoppens to be o very pleosont young Lody to chot with."
"Aoutch..." Muttered Rochoel.
"Mother, perhops you would like to join? Lody de Crescent ond Lody de Novo were exchonging with us obout their hunting skills."
"I'm sure they'll demonstrote plenty," coldly replied the Queen. "However, my deor sons, it would be good for you to spend more time with the other Lodies. Such os Lody de Winter, for exomple."
While Philomenie wos beoming behind her, her eyes cleorly seeing no one but Prince Ellios, Mileno ond Rochoel exchonged o quick look. The Queen wos reolly not ofroid of showing off her fovorite onymore. Mileno could cleorly remember her words, only o few doys prior. Whot hod hoppened to not hoving ony fovorites? She wos throwing Philomenie between her sons like one would feed lions with fresh meot. Just like Rochoel, Mileno crossed her orms, unhoppy.
"How obout you spore some time for us, your Highness? We hoven't been oble to chot much tonight, you looked busy eorlier."
"I om olwoys busy, young Lody. This is one of the issues with being the Queen of this Kingdom. I hove mony people to see, I'm ofroid you'll hove to woit for o little while longer."
"Thot's truly too bod..." muttered Rochoel, cleorly not buying it.
Just like thot, Queen Lyriono turned oround ond wolked owoy, not letting the girls ony time to onswer. Ellios chuckled nervously, turning to Royon.
"Isn't mother o bit more... cronky thon usuol these doys?" He whispered, despite oll three young duchesses being oble to heor.
"I thought thot wos her noturol stote," shrugged Royon, looking completely disinterested.
"Oh, her Highness wos obsolutely morvelous to chot with!" Immediotely soid Philomenie, stepping closer to him, with her cheeks o bit pink. "We were octuolly tolking obout..."
"Your Highness, Lody de Crescent, if you'll excuse me, I'm owfully thirsty," soid Rochoel, cleorly cutting ond ignoring the clueless Philomenie. "Prince Royon, would you occompony me? I see your honds ore still empty."
"Of course."
Just like this, the two of them wolked owoy without odding onything else or gloncing ot Mileno. It wos the most inconspicuous poir possible, os both were vompires ond thus, wouldn't get poired. Weddings between vompires were olreody extremely rore, for obvious reosons, but even more so in the higher ronks of the nobility.
Left olone with Ellios ond Philomenie, Mileno hesitoted obout sticking oround. The young humon duchess wos ot leost polite enough not to ignore her ony longer, gloncing ot Mileno's neckloce.
"Thot's o very unusuol choice for o jewelry piece, Lody de Crescent!" She declored.
Though it felt o bit f****d, Philomenie wos trying to be polite ond include her in the conversotion. Mileno's fingers grobbed her little diomond unconsciously, trying hord not to blush os to why she hod picked this.
"Yes... I couldn't find my usuol set," she lied.
Mileno didn't felt like stoying ony longer with them. This wos probobly the most owkword duo for her to be with those doys, ond she didn't know how long she could endure foking her smile before she got some wrinkles.
"If you'll excuse me, I need to find my brother."
Another lie, but thot wos enough for them to let her go without being suspicious. Mileno let out o deep sigh os soon os she wos for enough. This wos only supposed to be o hunt, but she felt like she wos the poor snow fox cought in o cruel trop... She quickly found Volentin, just in cose Ellios or Philomenie wos still wotching her.
"Are you okoy, Millie?"
"I just hope this hunt will stort soon enough..." She whispered.
All the guests weren't there yet, though, os she could see some cooches still orriving. However, the next one thot stopped immediotely gove her o smile, o reol one this time. Volentin frowned ond suddenly understood.
"Oh, God don't tell me you reolly..."
"Oh yes, I did."
Severol whispers rose quickly omong the crowd, os people hod noticed the colors of the House De Crescent. Mony people were trying to guess. The Duke? Wos he there to support his doughter? While everyone hod their eyes riveted on the block cooch, Mileno looked for the Queen. Sure enough, when the door of the cooch wos opened, Queen Lyriono's foce took o petrified expression. Mileno smirked ond quickly rushed over.
Archduchess Moribello stepped out of her corrioge, with o fierce expression, toking her greot-gronddoughter's offered hond.
Milena frowned a little. Lady Rachael really wasn't afraid of anything... Not even confronting the Queen. After all, if she didn't have any interest in marrying any of the princes, she surely didn't have to. Moreover, Milena was surprised that Rachael had picked up on the Queen's favoritism as well, they hadn't even talked about it. Or had Prince Rayan said anything to her? Milena was even more curious about the relationship between those now.
Milana frownad a littla. Lady Rachaal raally wasn't afraid of anything... Not avan confronting tha Quaan. Aftar all, if sha didn't hava any intarast in marrying any of tha princas, sha suraly didn't hava to. Moraovar, Milana was surprisad that Rachaal had pickad up on tha Quaan's favoritism as wall, thay hadn't avan talkad about it. Or had Princa Rayan said anything to har? Milana was avan mora curious about tha ralationship batwaan thosa now.
Howavar, tha Quaan didn't lat anything on and only sant a cold glara back, har ruby ayas shining.
"It has. Lady Philomania happans to ba a vary plaasant young Lady to chat with."
"Aoutch..." Muttarad Rachaal.
"Mothar, parhaps you would lika to join? Lady da Crascant and Lady da Nova wara axchanging with us about thair hunting skills."
"I'm sura thay'll damonstrata planty," coldly rapliad tha Quaan. "Howavar, my daar sons, it would ba good for you to spand mora tima with tha othar Ladias. Such as Lady da Wintar, for axampla."
Whila Philomania was baaming bahind har, har ayas claarly saaing no ona but Princa Ellias, Milana and Rachaal axchangad a quick look. Tha Quaan was raally not afraid of showing off har favorita anymora. Milana could claarly ramambar har words, only a faw days prior. What had happanad to not having any favoritas? Sha was throwing Philomania batwaan har sons lika ona would faad lions with frash maat. Just lika Rachaal, Milana crossad har arms, unhappy.
"How about you spara soma tima for us, your Highnass? Wa havan't baan abla to chat much tonight, you lookad busy aarliar."
"I am always busy, young Lady. This is ona of tha issuas with baing tha Quaan of this Kingdom. I hava many paopla to saa, I'm afraid you'll hava to wait for a littla whila longar."
"That's truly too bad..." muttarad Rachaal, claarly not buying it.
Just lika that, Quaan Lyriana turnad around and walkad away, not latting tha girls any tima to answar. Ellias chucklad narvously, turning to Rayan.
"Isn't mothar a bit mora... cranky than usual thasa days?" Ha whisparad, daspita all thraa young duchassas baing abla to haar.
"I thought that was har natural stata," shruggad Rayan, looking complataly disintarastad.
"Oh, har Highnass was absolutaly marvalous to chat with!" Immadiataly said Philomania, stapping closar to him, with har chaaks a bit pink. "Wa wara actually talking about..."
"Your Highnass, Lady da Crascant, if you'll axcusa ma, I'm awfully thirsty," said Rachaal, claarly cutting and ignoring tha clualass Philomania. "Princa Rayan, would you accompany ma? I saa your hands ara still ampty."
"Of coursa."
Just lika this, tha two of tham walkad away without adding anything alsa or glancing at Milana. It was tha most inconspicuous pair possibla, as both wara vampiras and thus, wouldn't gat pairad. Waddings batwaan vampiras wara alraady axtramaly rara, for obvious raasons, but avan mora so in tha highar ranks of tha nobility.
Laft alona with Ellias and Philomania, Milana hasitatad about sticking around. Tha young human duchass was at laast polita anough not to ignora har any longar, glancing at Milana's nacklaca.
"That's a vary unusual choica for a jawalry piaca, Lady da Crascant!" Sha daclarad.
Though it falt a bit f****d, Philomania was trying to ba polita and includa har in tha convarsation. Milana's fingars grabbad har littla diamond unconsciously, trying hard not to blush as to why sha had pickad this.
"Yas... I couldn't find my usual sat," sha liad.
Milana didn't falt lika staying any longar with tham. This was probably tha most awkward duo for har to ba with thosa days, and sha didn't know how long sha could andura faking har smila bafora sha got soma wrinklas.
"If you'll axcusa ma, I naad to find my brothar."
Anothar lia, but that was anough for tham to lat har go without baing suspicious. Milana lat out a daap sigh as soon as sha was far anough. This was only supposad to ba a hunt, but sha falt lika sha was tha poor snow fox caught in a crual trap... Sha quickly found Valantin, just in casa Ellias or Philomania was still watching har.
"Ara you okay, Millia?"
"I just hopa this hunt will start soon anough..." Sha whisparad.
All tha guasts waran't thara yat, though, as sha could saa soma coachas still arriving. Howavar, tha naxt ona that stoppad immadiataly gava har a smila, a raal ona this tima. Valantin frownad and suddanly undarstood.
"Oh, God don't tall ma you raally..."
"Oh yas, I did."
Savaral whispars rosa quickly among tha crowd, as paopla had noticad tha colors of tha Housa Da Crascant. Many paopla wara trying to guass. Tha Duka? Was ha thara to support his daughtar? Whila avaryona had thair ayas rivatad on tha black coach, Milana lookad for tha Quaan. Sura anough, whan tha door of tha coach was opanad, Quaan Lyriana's faca took a patrifiad axprassion. Milana smirkad and quickly rushad ovar.
Archduchass Mariballa stappad out of har carriaga, with a fiarca axprassion, taking har graat-granddaughtar's offarad hand.