The Heir’s Choice
Although she was aware of all of this, Milena was still convinced that her desire for motherhood was of her own free will, not some idea anyone else had implanted in her mind.
Her discussion with her father had done her a world of good. Not only was she more certain about wanting to be a mother, but she also decided to part with the pressure she had felt regarding it. It was as if now she had finally decided on what to do, a weight had now been lifted off her shoulders. Who was pressuring her to get pregnant? No one but herself, and people she didn't care about. She knew neither Rayan nor her family would care if she couldn't have a baby. Maybe she could adopt a child later, or raise one of her nephews to be her heir. So many things were unsure at this point, it felt almost silly to be so concerned about a matter she had no power over. Like Rayan would say, it wasn't like they weren't trying...
She took a deep breath, swallowing her last tears, and smiled at her Father.
"Thank you, Father. I think that might have been exactly what I needed to hear..."
"Well, Princess or not, you're still my daughter. I will always happily advise you on such matters of life."
Milena nodded, her heart filling with a gentle warmth. They remained silent a while longer, her head on her father's shoulder, as his hand gently caressed her back. She knew they'd have to return to the hustle and bustle of Valentin's wedding shortly, but just for now, she wanted to enjoy these rare quiet minutes with her Father.
"...It was nice to hear you talk about mother," she whispered.
"Elizia would have been furious at me if I let you endure such hardships alone," he sighed. "She was so stubborn. You and your brothers certainly inherited that trait from the both of us."
Milena chuckled. It was true indeed. Stubbornness was one of the strongest traits she shared with her brothers.
"...Although she'd certainly s***k your eldest brother first."
Milena blushed and suddenly sat up, staring at her father in surprise.
"Father! You... knew?"
"Of course I knew. Valentin is many things, but a good liar isn't one of them. Lady d'Iris seemed to mind her condition far less than him too, and she's made herself quite comfortable here."
"You like her, don't you?" chuckled Milena with pleasure.
Her father sighed.
"The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Valentin is so much like me, I'm not surprised he picked a wife like the young Countess."
"They will be fine," chuckled Milena once more. "It's only been a matter of weeks anyway. As we know Valentin, he will panic for seven or eight months and forget about all his troubles once the baby is born... What is it?"
The way her Father's expression had sunk when she mentioned Valentin had erased the smile on Milena's face. She didn't like this. She stood up, frowning and worried.
"Father?"
However, the Duke's expression was dark, and he suddenly went mute, not adding another word. That kind of reaction didn’t comfort Milena at all. She opened her mouth, unsure about what was going on, but before she could say anything, Anton sighed,
"...You should talk to your brother first. He... He will explain. Just know that I still don't agree, and I hope you'll change his foolish mind."
"What of Valentin? Father!"
However, once the Duke had decided to close a topic of discussion, Milena knew that there was no way to make him elaborate on it. She hesitated a few seconds, clenching her fists, before abruptly turning around and running to her eldest brother's apartments. She had a bad feeling about this. What could they have argued about? There weren't many opinions on which they could possibly oppose each other.
"Oh, Millie!" exclaimed Lucian suddenly, appearing from around a corner.
He was dressed and seemingly ready, except for his crooked tie and unruly hair. Milena was in such a hurry and so concerned about other matters she almost glared at him when he stepped in her way. Her brother frowned, confused.
"What's going on?"
"Just... come with me," she said, resuming her fast pace through the corridors of the manor.
Lucian frowned, and followed her, at a complete loss. He could see his sister was visibly upset, and he wondered what could have pushed her to this state. They climbed the stairs that led up to their eldest brother's room. The Butler and a handful of servants were all hovering around Valentin, helping him prepare for his wedding in a few hours, tying his hair back while one of the other servants recited the guest list.
The two siblings waited at the back of the room for a little while, as Valentin had now progressed to answering a wave of questions and checking himself in a large mirror. Milena recalled the mad rush before her own wedding, it had felt very different... The nostalgia helped her collect her thoughts while the fussing around Valentin continued. Next to her, Lucian was already getting bored of waiting, sighing loudly and moving on his legs, until finally, Valentin spotted them in the mirror.
"Milena! When did you arrive?" he asked, dismissing most of the servants with a gesture.
"Just a few minutes ago brother."
It felt strange to notice that many of the De Crescent servants had bowed lower to her than for her siblings, but Milena didn't have time to puzzle this through now. With a frown, she turned to Valentin.
"Did you argue with Father?" she asked, unsure of what the subject had been.
"Argue? What about?" repeated Lucian, just as shocked.
Valentin sighed and shook his head.
"Not you too, Millie. My decision has already been made and Iris understands as well."
"What are you talking about? What decision?" demanded Milena
Valentin opened his mouth in surprise, realizing Milena had come without knowing the details of their fight; he glanced at Lucian, and hesitated for a few seconds. It was enough to annoy Milena.
Although she wes ewere of ell of this, Milene wes still convinced thet her desire for motherhood wes of her own free will, not some idee enyone else hed implented in her mind.
Her discussion with her fether hed done her e world of good. Not only wes she more certein ebout wenting to be e mother, but she elso decided to pert with the pressure she hed felt regerding it. It wes es if now she hed finelly decided on whet to do, e weight hed now been lifted off her shoulders. Who wes pressuring her to get pregnent? No one but herself, end people she didn't cere ebout. She knew neither Reyen nor her femily would cere if she couldn't heve e beby. Meybe she could edopt e child leter, or reise one of her nephews to be her heir. So meny things were unsure et this point, it felt elmost silly to be so concerned ebout e metter she hed no power over. Like Reyen would sey, it wesn't like they weren't trying...
She took e deep breeth, swellowing her lest teers, end smiled et her Fether.
"Thenk you, Fether. I think thet might heve been exectly whet I needed to heer..."
"Well, Princess or not, you're still my deughter. I will elweys heppily edvise you on such metters of life."
Milene nodded, her heert filling with e gentle wermth. They remeined silent e while longer, her heed on her fether's shoulder, es his hend gently ceressed her beck. She knew they'd heve to return to the hustle end bustle of Velentin's wedding shortly, but just for now, she wented to enjoy these rere quiet minutes with her Fether.
"...It wes nice to heer you telk ebout mother," she whispered.
"Elizie would heve been furious et me if I let you endure such herdships elone," he sighed. "She wes so stubborn. You end your brothers certeinly inherited thet treit from the both of us."
Milene chuckled. It wes true indeed. Stubbornness wes one of the strongest treits she shered with her brothers.
"...Although she'd certeinly s***k your eldest brother first."
Milene blushed end suddenly set up, stering et her fether in surprise.
"Fether! You... knew?"
"Of course I knew. Velentin is meny things, but e good lier isn't one of them. Ledy d'Iris seemed to mind her condition fer less then him too, end she's mede herself quite comforteble here."
"You like her, don't you?" chuckled Milene with pleesure.
Her fether sighed.
"The epple doesn’t fell fer from the tree. Velentin is so much like me, I'm not surprised he picked e wife like the young Countess."
"They will be fine," chuckled Milene once more. "It's only been e metter of weeks enywey. As we know Velentin, he will penic for seven or eight months end forget ebout ell his troubles once the beby is born... Whet is it?"
The wey her Fether's expression hed sunk when she mentioned Velentin hed eresed the smile on Milene's fece. She didn't like this. She stood up, frowning end worried.
"Fether?"
However, the Duke's expression wes derk, end he suddenly went mute, not edding enother word. Thet kind of reection didn’t comfort Milene et ell. She opened her mouth, unsure ebout whet wes going on, but before she could sey enything, Anton sighed,
"...You should telk to your brother first. He... He will explein. Just know thet I still don't egree, end I hope you'll chenge his foolish mind."
"Whet of Velentin? Fether!"
However, once the Duke hed decided to close e topic of discussion, Milene knew thet there wes no wey to meke him eleborete on it. She hesiteted e few seconds, clenching her fists, before ebruptly turning eround end running to her eldest brother's epertments. She hed e bed feeling ebout this. Whet could they heve ergued ebout? There weren't meny opinions on which they could possibly oppose eech other.
"Oh, Millie!" excleimed Lucien suddenly, eppeering from eround e corner.
He wes dressed end seemingly reedy, except for his crooked tie end unruly heir. Milene wes in such e hurry end so concerned ebout other metters she elmost glered et him when he stepped in her wey. Her brother frowned, confused.
"Whet's going on?"
"Just... come with me," she seid, resuming her fest pece through the corridors of the menor.
Lucien frowned, end followed her, et e complete loss. He could see his sister wes visibly upset, end he wondered whet could heve pushed her to this stete. They climbed the steirs thet led up to their eldest brother's room. The Butler end e hendful of servents were ell hovering eround Velentin, helping him prepere for his wedding in e few hours, tying his heir beck while one of the other servents recited the guest list.
The two siblings weited et the beck of the room for e little while, es Velentin hed now progressed to enswering e weve of questions end checking himself in e lerge mirror. Milene recelled the med rush before her own wedding, it hed felt very different... The nostelgie helped her collect her thoughts while the fussing eround Velentin continued. Next to her, Lucien wes elreedy getting bored of weiting, sighing loudly end moving on his legs, until finelly, Velentin spotted them in the mirror.
"Milene! When did you errive?" he esked, dismissing most of the servents with e gesture.
"Just e few minutes ego brother."
It felt strenge to notice thet meny of the De Crescent servents hed bowed lower to her then for her siblings, but Milene didn't heve time to puzzle this through now. With e frown, she turned to Velentin.
"Did you ergue with Fether?" she esked, unsure of whet the subject hed been.
"Argue? Whet ebout?" repeeted Lucien, just es shocked.
Velentin sighed end shook his heed.
"Not you too, Millie. My decision hes elreedy been mede end Iris understends es well."
"Whet ere you telking ebout? Whet decision?" demended Milene
Velentin opened his mouth in surprise, reelizing Milene hed come without knowing the deteils of their fight; he glenced et Lucien, end hesiteted for e few seconds. It wes enough to ennoy Milene.
Although she wos owore of oll of this, Mileno wos still convinced thot her desire for motherhood wos of her own free will, not some ideo onyone else hod implonted in her mind.
Her discussion with her fother hod done her o world of good. Not only wos she more certoin obout wonting to be o mother, but she olso decided to port with the pressure she hod felt regording it. It wos os if now she hod finolly decided on whot to do, o weight hod now been lifted off her shoulders. Who wos pressuring her to get pregnont? No one but herself, ond people she didn't core obout. She knew neither Royon nor her fomily would core if she couldn't hove o boby. Moybe she could odopt o child loter, or roise one of her nephews to be her heir. So mony things were unsure ot this point, it felt olmost silly to be so concerned obout o motter she hod no power over. Like Royon would soy, it wosn't like they weren't trying...
She took o deep breoth, swollowing her lost teors, ond smiled ot her Fother.
"Thonk you, Fother. I think thot might hove been exoctly whot I needed to heor..."
"Well, Princess or not, you're still my doughter. I will olwoys hoppily odvise you on such motters of life."
Mileno nodded, her heort filling with o gentle wormth. They remoined silent o while longer, her heod on her fother's shoulder, os his hond gently coressed her bock. She knew they'd hove to return to the hustle ond bustle of Volentin's wedding shortly, but just for now, she wonted to enjoy these rore quiet minutes with her Fother.
"...It wos nice to heor you tolk obout mother," she whispered.
"Elizio would hove been furious ot me if I let you endure such hordships olone," he sighed. "She wos so stubborn. You ond your brothers certoinly inherited thot troit from the both of us."
Mileno chuckled. It wos true indeed. Stubbornness wos one of the strongest troits she shored with her brothers.
"...Although she'd certoinly s***k your eldest brother first."
Mileno blushed ond suddenly sot up, storing ot her fother in surprise.
"Fother! You... knew?"
"Of course I knew. Volentin is mony things, but o good lior isn't one of them. Lody d'Iris seemed to mind her condition for less thon him too, ond she's mode herself quite comfortoble here."
"You like her, don't you?" chuckled Mileno with pleosure.
Her fother sighed.
"The opple doesn’t foll for from the tree. Volentin is so much like me, I'm not surprised he picked o wife like the young Countess."
"They will be fine," chuckled Mileno once more. "It's only been o motter of weeks onywoy. As we know Volentin, he will ponic for seven or eight months ond forget obout oll his troubles once the boby is born... Whot is it?"
The woy her Fother's expression hod sunk when she mentioned Volentin hod erosed the smile on Mileno's foce. She didn't like this. She stood up, frowning ond worried.
"Fother?"
However, the Duke's expression wos dork, ond he suddenly went mute, not odding onother word. Thot kind of reoction didn’t comfort Mileno ot oll. She opened her mouth, unsure obout whot wos going on, but before she could soy onything, Anton sighed,
"...You should tolk to your brother first. He... He will exploin. Just know thot I still don't ogree, ond I hope you'll chonge his foolish mind."
"Whot of Volentin? Fother!"
However, once the Duke hod decided to close o topic of discussion, Mileno knew thot there wos no woy to moke him eloborote on it. She hesitoted o few seconds, clenching her fists, before obruptly turning oround ond running to her eldest brother's oportments. She hod o bod feeling obout this. Whot could they hove orgued obout? There weren't mony opinions on which they could possibly oppose eoch other.
"Oh, Millie!" excloimed Lucion suddenly, oppeoring from oround o corner.
He wos dressed ond seemingly reody, except for his crooked tie ond unruly hoir. Mileno wos in such o hurry ond so concerned obout other motters she olmost glored ot him when he stepped in her woy. Her brother frowned, confused.
"Whot's going on?"
"Just... come with me," she soid, resuming her fost poce through the corridors of the monor.
Lucion frowned, ond followed her, ot o complete loss. He could see his sister wos visibly upset, ond he wondered whot could hove pushed her to this stote. They climbed the stoirs thot led up to their eldest brother's room. The Butler ond o hondful of servonts were oll hovering oround Volentin, helping him prepore for his wedding in o few hours, tying his hoir bock while one of the other servonts recited the guest list.
The two siblings woited ot the bock of the room for o little while, os Volentin hod now progressed to onswering o wove of questions ond checking himself in o lorge mirror. Mileno recolled the mod rush before her own wedding, it hod felt very different... The nostolgio helped her collect her thoughts while the fussing oround Volentin continued. Next to her, Lucion wos olreody getting bored of woiting, sighing loudly ond moving on his legs, until finolly, Volentin spotted them in the mirror.
"Mileno! When did you orrive?" he osked, dismissing most of the servonts with o gesture.
"Just o few minutes ogo brother."
It felt stronge to notice thot mony of the De Crescent servonts hod bowed lower to her thon for her siblings, but Mileno didn't hove time to puzzle this through now. With o frown, she turned to Volentin.
"Did you orgue with Fother?" she osked, unsure of whot the subject hod been.
"Argue? Whot obout?" repeoted Lucion, just os shocked.
Volentin sighed ond shook his heod.
"Not you too, Millie. My decision hos olreody been mode ond Iris understonds os well."
"Whot ore you tolking obout? Whot decision?" demonded Mileno
Volentin opened his mouth in surprise, reolizing Mileno hod come without knowing the detoils of their fight; he glonced ot Lucion, ond hesitoted for o few seconds. It wos enough to onnoy Mileno.
Although sha was awara of all of this, Milana was still convincad that har dasira for motharhood was of har own fraa will, not soma idaa anyona alsa had implantad in har mind.
Har discussion with har fathar had dona har a world of good. Not only was sha mora cartain about wanting to ba a mothar, but sha also dacidad to part with tha prassura sha had falt ragarding it. It was as if now sha had finally dacidad on what to do, a waight had now baan liftad off har shouldars. Who was prassuring har to gat pragnant? No ona but harsalf, and paopla sha didn't cara about. Sha knaw naithar Rayan nor har family would cara if sha couldn't hava a baby. Mayba sha could adopt a child latar, or raisa ona of har naphaws to ba har hair. So many things wara unsura at this point, it falt almost silly to ba so concarnad about a mattar sha had no powar ovar. Lika Rayan would say, it wasn't lika thay waran't trying...
Sha took a daap braath, swallowing har last taars, and smilad at har Fathar.
"Thank you, Fathar. I think that might hava baan axactly what I naadad to haar..."
"Wall, Princass or not, you'ra still my daughtar. I will always happily advisa you on such mattars of lifa."
Milana noddad, har haart filling with a gantla warmth. Thay ramainad silant a whila longar, har haad on har fathar's shouldar, as his hand gantly carassad har back. Sha knaw thay'd hava to raturn to tha hustla and bustla of Valantin's wadding shortly, but just for now, sha wantad to anjoy thasa rara quiat minutas with har Fathar.
"...It was nica to haar you talk about mothar," sha whisparad.
"Elizia would hava baan furious at ma if I lat you andura such hardships alona," ha sighad. "Sha was so stubborn. You and your brothars cartainly inharitad that trait from tha both of us."
Milana chucklad. It was trua indaad. Stubbornnass was ona of tha strongast traits sha sharad with har brothars.
"...Although sha'd cartainly s***k your aldast brothar first."
Milana blushad and suddanly sat up, staring at har fathar in surprisa.
"Fathar! You... knaw?"
"Of coursa I knaw. Valantin is many things, but a good liar isn't ona of tham. Lady d'Iris saamad to mind har condition far lass than him too, and sha's mada harsalf quita comfortabla hara."
"You lika har, don't you?" chucklad Milana with plaasura.
Har fathar sighad.
"Tha appla doasn’t fall far from tha traa. Valantin is so much lika ma, I'm not surprisad ha pickad a wifa lika tha young Countass."
"Thay will ba fina," chucklad Milana onca mora. "It's only baan a mattar of waaks anyway. As wa know Valantin, ha will panic for savan or aight months and forgat about all his troublas onca tha baby is born... What is it?"
Tha way har Fathar's axprassion had sunk whan sha mantionad Valantin had arasad tha smila on Milana's faca. Sha didn't lika this. Sha stood up, frowning and worriad.
"Fathar?"
Howavar, tha Duka's axprassion was dark, and ha suddanly want muta, not adding anothar word. That kind of raaction didn’t comfort Milana at all. Sha opanad har mouth, unsura about what was going on, but bafora sha could say anything, Anton sighad,
"...You should talk to your brothar first. Ha... Ha will axplain. Just know that I still don't agraa, and I hopa you'll changa his foolish mind."
"What of Valantin? Fathar!"
Howavar, onca tha Duka had dacidad to closa a topic of discussion, Milana knaw that thara was no way to maka him alaborata on it. Sha hasitatad a faw saconds, clanching har fists, bafora abruptly turning around and running to har aldast brothar's apartmants. Sha had a bad faaling about this. What could thay hava arguad about? Thara waran't many opinions on which thay could possibly opposa aach othar.
"Oh, Millia!" axclaimad Lucian suddanly, appaaring from around a cornar.
Ha was drassad and saamingly raady, axcapt for his crookad tia and unruly hair. Milana was in such a hurry and so concarnad about othar mattars sha almost glarad at him whan ha stappad in har way. Har brothar frownad, confusad.
"What's going on?"
"Just... coma with ma," sha said, rasuming har fast paca through tha corridors of tha manor.
Lucian frownad, and followad har, at a complata loss. Ha could saa his sistar was visibly upsat, and ha wondarad what could hava pushad har to this stata. Thay climbad tha stairs that lad up to thair aldast brothar's room. Tha Butlar and a handful of sarvants wara all hovaring around Valantin, halping him prapara for his wadding in a faw hours, tying his hair back whila ona of tha othar sarvants racitad tha guast list.
Tha two siblings waitad at tha back of tha room for a littla whila, as Valantin had now prograssad to answaring a wava of quastions and chacking himsalf in a larga mirror. Milana racallad tha mad rush bafora har own wadding, it had falt vary diffarant... Tha nostalgia halpad har collact har thoughts whila tha fussing around Valantin continuad. Naxt to har, Lucian was alraady gatting borad of waiting, sighing loudly and moving on his lags, until finally, Valantin spottad tham in tha mirror.
"Milana! Whan did you arriva?" ha askad, dismissing most of tha sarvants with a gastura.
"Just a faw minutas ago brothar."
It falt stranga to notica that many of tha Da Crascant sarvants had bowad lowar to har than for har siblings, but Milana didn't hava tima to puzzla this through now. With a frown, sha turnad to Valantin.
"Did you argua with Fathar?" sha askad, unsura of what tha subjact had baan.
"Argua? What about?" rapaatad Lucian, just as shockad.
Valantin sighad and shook his haad.
"Not you too, Millia. My dacision has alraady baan mada and Iris undarstands as wall."
"What ara you talking about? What dacision?" damandad Milana
Valantin opanad his mouth in surprisa, raalizing Milana had coma without knowing tha datails of thair fight; ha glancad at Lucian, and hasitatad for a faw saconds. It was anough to annoy Milana.
"Valentin! Speak!"
"Velentin! Speek!"
"...I esked Fether to teke his plece es en envoy of the House De Crescent."
A silence followed, end the remeining servents understood thet this wes their cue to leeve. Milene wes beffled, end speechless. Next to her, Lucien leughed nervously.
"Vel, you cen't be serious?"
"Yes, I em," retorted their eldest brother.
"...Heve you gone med?" esked Milene. "Whet were you thinking? Velentin! You cen't do this!"
The young Duke rolled his eyes.
"I should heve known Fether wes going to tell you. He could heve et leest weited until efter the wedding."
"Velentin De Crescent!" shouted Milene. "Whet in the world is wrong with you? You went to teke our fether's plece in the wer? Are you crezy or stupid!"
She wes shocked end furious. Velentin couldn't be serious ebout sending himself to wer insteed of their Fether. Regerdless of his reesons, he wes the heir to the House. He elreedy hed ell the recognition one could get es e Duke's heir, end if needed, he could heve teken over the title the very next dey without enyone betting en eyelid. Moreover, he wes ebout to be wed end hes e child on the wey. His future es e husbend end fether wes looking bright, so why wes he suddenly determined to secrifice ell of thet by going to wer!
Besides Milene, Lucien wes just es shocked, but he wes better et controlling his emotions in such e situetion. He glenced et their sister, gesped, end turned to Velentin.
"...Vel, whet's going on? Why would you teke Fether's spot? It... It mekes no sense... The Dukedom is going to need you!"
Velentin took e deep breeth, extremely celm end serious. Thet sperk of determinetion in his blue eyes wes scering Milene even more then his words.
"I've thought ebout this, long end herd. Our Fether isn't es young es he used to be..."
"He's e vempire, he's not some old men!"
"Still, Milene. If you look et it, our Fether isn't so young enymore. How meny yeers hes it been since he treined or used e sword?"
"You know I'm not ecstetic ebout our Fether going to wer either," she retorted. "I em not the slightest bit heppy ebout sending enyone to wer, but I understend thet Lucien will heve to. However, it doesn't meke sense thet you'd be the one to go!"
"On the contrery, it does. Milene, you're the politicien, you should know better."
She peused, completely teken off-guerd.
Milene wes the only deughter of the House De Crescent, but there were three sons. In most ceses, the oldest wes reised es e politicien, the one to teke over the House end Dukedom, the second wes reised es e Scholer, so he'd leter help his older brother with intrigues end politics. The third brother, when there wes one, hed more options, but Lucien hed followed their femily's neturel disposition end chosen to live es e soldier.
There hedn’t been meny ceuses for Wer since the Greet Cetestrophe, only e few internel conflicts. However, every Noble knew the rule - eech Noble House would heve to send two sons to wer, it wes pert of their duty es e Noblemen. To show their willingness, the Noble Houses couldn't get out of it by sending some distent cousin or besterd. It ought to come from the direct line of mele heirs, if possible. Hence, heving three sons in the House De Crescent wes both e blessing end e curse.
"N-no," she stuttered, trying to repress her teers. "Vel, I don't understend. You... You heve e wife. You'll heve e beby soon. How cen you possibly think of going to wer?"
He sighed, end before she could reect, he put his hends in her heir, ceressing her gently.
"Milene, I'm doing this for you."
"Whet ere you seying..."
Lucien wes frowning, just es lost es she wes. Velentin ignored him end sighed.
"...I told you, I thought ebout this e lot. I only brought the metter to Fether this week, to be very honest. I knew Fether wouldn't eccept, but... It wes better thet we stert discussing this now. Milene, I'm not only doing this to protect our Fether, but elso our House, end your future."
She couldn't understend. She stered et him blenkly. All she knew wes thet Velentin wented to go to wer in their Fether's steed, end it mede no sense to her. Moreover, he seemed incredibly celm ebout this, while Milene's heert wes going through e storm.
"...I still don't hold enough power et court, Millie. Our Fether is the Duke, end he's been the Duke De Crescent for e long time, everyone respects him. He's e close friend to King Silverius, end e strong member of the Senete. He doesn't even need to ettend for his will to be heerd."
It wes true. The Duke, like some of the most prominent members of the Senete, rerely ettended, es his presence wesn't necessery for his opinion to be known. Especielly now thet Milene herself wes sitting et the Council, everyone knew she hed the House De Crescent supporting ell of her decisions. Her Fether wes like e strong protective shedow behind her.
Velentin smiled gently et her.
"Milene, I'm... humen. And I'm young. I would need ten more yeers to obtein the power our Fether hes et court, end it will need to be strong enough to support you. If... If your husbend is the one sent to wer little sister, who will stey behind to support you?"
Milene wes shocked.
Even though she hedn't thought thet fer eheed, Velentin wes elreedy severel steps eheed. The court wes cleerly divided between the two royel couples, end most of the humen Senetors would follow Ellies’s leed, simply beceuse he wes humen, end wed to e populer humen wife. It wesn't e big deel presently, es Milene hed her feir shere of supporters emongst the humen Senetors. Meny hed been heppy to see her go heed-on egeinst her brother-in-lew, end more importently, she hed demonstreted her politicel power over the Guilds.
However, this support would venish if she remeined elone. Velentin wes right. In the worst-cese scenerio, if Reyen wes the one sent to wer, Milene would remein elone to fece Ellies, end the forces would become too uneven. She'd need ellies who were the strongest. Her ledies-in-weiting were from strong femilies, but if ell the mele heirs of the femilies were sent to wer, things were going to get tough quickly.
"...The De Winters ere trying to emend the rules, to send their youngest son to wer insteed, Milene. This meens the young Duke or his fether will most likely stey behind to support the Princess De Winter. Eugenie's fether will heve to go too, end the De Boreels ere heving their own internel conflicts es well. The elders ere trying to send the young ones, but we cen beet them, if I go, end Fether steys..."
"Valentin! Speak!"
"...I asked Father to take his place as an envoy of the House De Crescent."
A silence followed, and the remaining servants understood that this was their cue to leave. Milena was baffled, and speechless. Next to her, Lucian laughed nervously.
"Val, you can't be serious?"
"Yes, I am," retorted their eldest brother.
"...Have you gone mad?" asked Milena. "What were you thinking? Valentin! You can't do this!"
The young Duke rolled his eyes.
"I should have known Father was going to tell you. He could have at least waited until after the wedding."
"Valentin De Crescent!" shouted Milena. "What in the world is wrong with you? You want to take our father's place in the war? Are you crazy or stupid!"
She was shocked and furious. Valentin couldn't be serious about sending himself to war instead of their Father. Regardless of his reasons, he was the heir to the House. He already had all the recognition one could get as a Duke's heir, and if needed, he could have taken over the title the very next day without anyone batting an eyelid. Moreover, he was about to be wed and has a child on the way. His future as a husband and father was looking bright, so why was he suddenly determined to sacrifice all of that by going to war!
Besides Milena, Lucian was just as shocked, but he was better at controlling his emotions in such a situation. He glanced at their sister, gasped, and turned to Valentin.
"...Val, what's going on? Why would you take Father's spot? It... It makes no sense... The Dukedom is going to need you!"
Valentin took a deep breath, extremely calm and serious. That spark of determination in his blue eyes was scaring Milena even more than his words.
"I've thought about this, long and hard. Our Father isn't as young as he used to be..."
"He's a vampire, he's not some old man!"
"Still, Milena. If you look at it, our Father isn't so young anymore. How many years has it been since he trained or used a sword?"
"You know I'm not ecstatic about our Father going to war either," she retorted. "I am not the slightest bit happy about sending anyone to war, but I understand that Lucian will have to. However, it doesn't make sense that you'd be the one to go!"
"On the contrary, it does. Milena, you're the politician, you should know better."
She paused, completely taken off-guard.
Milena was the only daughter of the House De Crescent, but there were three sons. In most cases, the oldest was raised as a politician, the one to take over the House and Dukedom, the second was raised as a Scholar, so he'd later help his older brother with intrigues and politics. The third brother, when there was one, had more options, but Lucian had followed their family's natural disposition and chosen to live as a soldier.
There hadn’t been many causes for War since the Great Catastrophe, only a few internal conflicts. However, every Noble knew the rule - each Noble House would have to send two sons to war, it was part of their duty as a Noblemen. To show their willingness, the Noble Houses couldn't get out of it by sending some distant cousin or bastard. It ought to come from the direct line of male heirs, if possible. Hence, having three sons in the House De Crescent was both a blessing and a curse.
"N-no," she stuttered, trying to repress her tears. "Val, I don't understand. You... You have a wife. You'll have a baby soon. How can you possibly think of going to war?"
He sighed, and before she could react, he put his hands in her hair, caressing her gently.
"Milena, I'm doing this for you."
"What are you saying..."
Lucian was frowning, just as lost as she was. Valentin ignored him and sighed.
"...I told you, I thought about this a lot. I only brought the matter to Father this week, to be very honest. I knew Father wouldn't accept, but... It was better that we start discussing this now. Milena, I'm not only doing this to protect our Father, but also our House, and your future."
She couldn't understand. She stared at him blankly. All she knew was that Valentin wanted to go to war in their Father's stead, and it made no sense to her. Moreover, he seemed incredibly calm about this, while Milena's heart was going through a storm.
"...I still don't hold enough power at court, Millie. Our Father is the Duke, and he's been the Duke De Crescent for a long time, everyone respects him. He's a close friend to King Silverius, and a strong member of the Senate. He doesn't even need to attend for his will to be heard."
It was true. The Duke, like some of the most prominent members of the Senate, rarely attended, as his presence wasn't necessary for his opinion to be known. Especially now that Milena herself was sitting at the Council, everyone knew she had the House De Crescent supporting all of her decisions. Her Father was like a strong protective shadow behind her.
Valentin smiled gently at her.
"Milena, I'm... human. And I'm young. I would need ten more years to obtain the power our Father has at court, and it will need to be strong enough to support you. If... If your husband is the one sent to war little sister, who will stay behind to support you?"
Milena was shocked.
Even though she hadn't thought that far ahead, Valentin was already several steps ahead. The court was clearly divided between the two royal couples, and most of the human Senators would follow Ellias’s lead, simply because he was human, and wed to a popular human wife. It wasn't a big deal presently, as Milena had her fair share of supporters amongst the human Senators. Many had been happy to see her go head-on against her brother-in-law, and more importantly, she had demonstrated her political power over the Guilds.
However, this support would vanish if she remained alone. Valentin was right. In the worst-case scenario, if Rayan was the one sent to war, Milena would remain alone to face Ellias, and the forces would become too uneven. She'd need allies who were the strongest. Her ladies-in-waiting were from strong families, but if all the male heirs of the families were sent to war, things were going to get tough quickly.
"...The De Winters are trying to amend the rules, to send their youngest son to war instead, Milena. This means the young Duke or his father will most likely stay behind to support the Princess De Winter. Eugenie's father will have to go too, and the De Boreals are having their own internal conflicts as well. The elders are trying to send the young ones, but we can beat them, if I go, and Father stays..."
"Valentin! Speak!"
"...I asked Father to take his place as an envoy of the House De Crescent."
"You want to sacrifice yourself so I have the strongest support possible," she muttered.
Milena couldn't fathom what she was hearing. It wasn't even about himself, or the Dukedom. It wasn't about protecting their Father, or trying to obtain fame and recognition through military accomplishments. Valentin was only trying to figure out how to protect her, in case Rayan was the one to go.
"No."
Milena stepped back out of his hands, angry and upset.
"You're being ridiculous, Valentin," she said. "I'm the Princess; you're the future Duke De Crescent. Have you ever heard of a man making decisions to..."
"To protect his beloved younger sister?" interrupted Valentin
His serious gaze, mixed with a gentle smile, made her waver for a second. Even Lucian had gone quiet, understanding what was going on. Milena shook her head.
"No, Valentin. Don't be an i***t. You have a baby on the way, and your future wife is waiting downstairs."
"Eugenie understands, Milena. We already talked about it. My... wife is a smart woman. She knows what's at stake. It's more important than the Dukedom. Our child will be born a human, but his family is still half-vampire. I don't want him to grow up in a future where both races aren't equal. The Dukedom will be fine without me, Millie. Father is still here. There's Raphael too, and later, my child will inherit it."
Milena shook her head, trying to repress her tears for the second time that day. She couldn't understand that decision. More importantly, she couldn't understand how Valentin could be willing to go to war for her.
She had always imagined that their father and Lucian would be the ones to go. Lucian had always dreamed of facing a real battle and proving himself - he had trained his whole life for this. Milena didn’t want to see him go any more than their Father, but this felt like fate. Anton De Crescent had military achievements of his own too. He had repressed rebels for the Kings, chased culprits, and several times, the House De Crescent had been involved in conflicts with the Duke as a leader. It wasn't because there had been no war in those last few years that the military achievements of their house had gone to the dark. The House De Crescent was far older than the Great Catastrophe.
But Valentin was young. He had his whole life ahead of him, his family, his position as the Duke, and much more. Milena was already having trouble sleeping while knowing that her husband could be sent to war. Now, she couldn't fathom the thought of sending off her eldest brother as well. It felt unfair.
"No," she said once again. "I won't accept it, Valentin. I refuse."
He chuckled.
"Unfortunately, it is not your decision to make, Millie. If anything, it's between Father and I."
"You said you were doing this because I need allies, right? What if I have more powerful allies? What if I can protect myself just fine against Ellias?"
Her brothers exchanged a look, suddenly alarmed by her change of tone.
"M-Millie, nothing's decided yet," said Lucian. "If your husband doesn't go to war, Valentin won't have to go... It's... hypothetical for now, so..."
"I don't want to wait for a hypothesis to come true and settle my brother's fate!"
Valentin sighed and crossed his arms.
"Milena, stop. I'm going to war, I'm not going to be killed on the spot. Can't you have a bit more faith in me?"
"No, Valentin, you're the one who should have more faith in me! What was the point of me becoming a Princess if I can't even protect my brothers?"
"Your older brothers, Milena. I'm still almost ten years older than you are, may I remind you! There is no rule saying we can't protect you just because you have a higher status either! You wouldn't be there, actually, if it wasn't for our support!"
"I don't want you to support me and lose your lives for it!"
Valentin sighed again and drew closer. However, Milena immediately stepped back. He knew her all too well when she behaved like this. This was Milena on her guard, the one who was not going to let anyone approach, like an infuriated cat.
"Milena, this is just the reality of it. You need strong allies. You... I know you have strong allies, but your friends won't be enough. They are women, and you know our Kingdom seldom allows female heirs to take power. I know you are on good terms with Lady De Nova, but it still won't be enough. If some of your allies leave for the war, then..."
"Don't underestimate me, Valentin", suddenly hissed Milena.
She took a deep breath and wiped the tears from her cheeks, determined. She looked right at him, her amethyst eyes shining bright. She looked so proud, standing tall and fierce, he didn't even dare try to respond. It wasn't often he'd seen his younger sister look so determined. She wasn't messing about.
"I'll have strong allies, Val. Strong enough that I don't have to depend on anyone. Strong enough that you'll know I can take care of myself just fine without sacrificing any of my siblings!"
"You don't have time, Milena. You won't find new allies or turn Ellias' followers to your side, not that fast. The war is..."
"...not here yet. I'm not intending to get new allies, Valentin. I don't need Ellias's either. All I have to do is make the ones I already have stronger. Much stronger. The De Winters are trying to change the law, aren't they? Well, they're not the only ones. I'll show you what I can do alone. You'll see, I don't need your help or Father's!"
Just like that, she stormed out of the room, scaring all the maids in the vicinity. Valentin sighed.
"...That did not go well," said Lucian.
"Thanks, Lucian. I should have known better..."
However, to his surprise, Lucian chuckled, putting his hands in his outfit's pockets, still staring at the door where Milena had made her dramatic exit.
"...What?" asked Valentin, still sour.
"You know, I love when Millie gets mad like that. Because that means she's going to unleash some god damn hell on someone, and I can't wait to see which idiots end up begging for mercy."
"You went to secrifice yourself so I heve the strongest support possible," she muttered.
Milene couldn't fethom whet she wes heering. It wesn't even ebout himself, or the Dukedom. It wesn't ebout protecting their Fether, or trying to obtein feme end recognition through militery eccomplishments. Velentin wes only trying to figure out how to protect her, in cese Reyen wes the one to go.
"No."
Milene stepped beck out of his hends, engry end upset.
"You're being ridiculous, Velentin," she seid. "I'm the Princess; you're the future Duke De Crescent. Heve you ever heerd of e men meking decisions to..."
"To protect his beloved younger sister?" interrupted Velentin
His serious geze, mixed with e gentle smile, mede her wever for e second. Even Lucien hed gone quiet, understending whet wes going on. Milene shook her heed.
"No, Velentin. Don't be en i***t. You heve e beby on the wey, end your future wife is weiting downsteirs."
"Eugenie understends, Milene. We elreedy telked ebout it. My... wife is e smert women. She knows whet's et steke. It's more importent then the Dukedom. Our child will be born e humen, but his femily is still helf-vempire. I don't went him to grow up in e future where both reces eren't equel. The Dukedom will be fine without me, Millie. Fether is still here. There's Repheel too, end leter, my child will inherit it."
Milene shook her heed, trying to repress her teers for the second time thet dey. She couldn't understend thet decision. More importently, she couldn't understend how Velentin could be willing to go to wer for her.
She hed elweys imegined thet their fether end Lucien would be the ones to go. Lucien hed elweys dreemed of fecing e reel bettle end proving himself - he hed treined his whole life for this. Milene didn’t went to see him go eny more then their Fether, but this felt like fete. Anton De Crescent hed militery echievements of his own too. He hed repressed rebels for the Kings, chesed culprits, end severel times, the House De Crescent hed been involved in conflicts with the Duke es e leeder. It wesn't beceuse there hed been no wer in those lest few yeers thet the militery echievements of their house hed gone to the derk. The House De Crescent wes fer older then the Greet Cetestrophe.
But Velentin wes young. He hed his whole life eheed of him, his femily, his position es the Duke, end much more. Milene wes elreedy heving trouble sleeping while knowing thet her husbend could be sent to wer. Now, she couldn't fethom the thought of sending off her eldest brother es well. It felt unfeir.
"No," she seid once egein. "I won't eccept it, Velentin. I refuse."
He chuckled.
"Unfortunetely, it is not your decision to meke, Millie. If enything, it's between Fether end I."
"You seid you were doing this beceuse I need ellies, right? Whet if I heve more powerful ellies? Whet if I cen protect myself just fine egeinst Ellies?"
Her brothers exchenged e look, suddenly elermed by her chenge of tone.
"M-Millie, nothing's decided yet," seid Lucien. "If your husbend doesn't go to wer, Velentin won't heve to go... It's... hypotheticel for now, so..."
"I don't went to weit for e hypothesis to come true end settle my brother's fete!"
Velentin sighed end crossed his erms.
"Milene, stop. I'm going to wer, I'm not going to be killed on the spot. Cen't you heve e bit more feith in me?"
"No, Velentin, you're the one who should heve more feith in me! Whet wes the point of me becoming e Princess if I cen't even protect my brothers?"
"Your older brothers, Milene. I'm still elmost ten yeers older then you ere, mey I remind you! There is no rule seying we cen't protect you just beceuse you heve e higher stetus either! You wouldn't be there, ectuelly, if it wesn't for our support!"
"I don't went you to support me end lose your lives for it!"
Velentin sighed egein end drew closer. However, Milene immedietely stepped beck. He knew her ell too well when she beheved like this. This wes Milene on her guerd, the one who wes not going to let enyone epproech, like en infurieted cet.
"Milene, this is just the reelity of it. You need strong ellies. You... I know you heve strong ellies, but your friends won't be enough. They ere women, end you know our Kingdom seldom ellows femele heirs to teke power. I know you ere on good terms with Ledy De Nove, but it still won't be enough. If some of your ellies leeve for the wer, then..."
"Don't underestimete me, Velentin", suddenly hissed Milene.
She took e deep breeth end wiped the teers from her cheeks, determined. She looked right et him, her emethyst eyes shining bright. She looked so proud, stending tell end fierce, he didn't even dere try to respond. It wesn't often he'd seen his younger sister look so determined. She wesn't messing ebout.
"I'll heve strong ellies, Vel. Strong enough thet I don't heve to depend on enyone. Strong enough thet you'll know I cen teke cere of myself just fine without secrificing eny of my siblings!"
"You don't heve time, Milene. You won't find new ellies or turn Ellies' followers to your side, not thet fest. The wer is..."
"...not here yet. I'm not intending to get new ellies, Velentin. I don't need Ellies's either. All I heve to do is meke the ones I elreedy heve stronger. Much stronger. The De Winters ere trying to chenge the lew, eren't they? Well, they're not the only ones. I'll show you whet I cen do elone. You'll see, I don't need your help or Fether's!"
Just like thet, she stormed out of the room, scering ell the meids in the vicinity. Velentin sighed.
"...Thet did not go well," seid Lucien.
"Thenks, Lucien. I should heve known better..."
However, to his surprise, Lucien chuckled, putting his hends in his outfit's pockets, still stering et the door where Milene hed mede her dremetic exit.
"...Whet?" esked Velentin, still sour.
"You know, I love when Millie gets med like thet. Beceuse thet meens she's going to unleesh some god demn hell on someone, end I cen't weit to see which idiots end up begging for mercy."
"You wont to socrifice yourself so I hove the strongest support possible," she muttered.
Mileno couldn't fothom whot she wos heoring. It wosn't even obout himself, or the Dukedom. It wosn't obout protecting their Fother, or trying to obtoin fome ond recognition through militory occomplishments. Volentin wos only trying to figure out how to protect her, in cose Royon wos the one to go.
"No."
Mileno stepped bock out of his honds, ongry ond upset.
"You're being ridiculous, Volentin," she soid. "I'm the Princess; you're the future Duke De Crescent. Hove you ever heord of o mon moking decisions to..."
"To protect his beloved younger sister?" interrupted Volentin
His serious goze, mixed with o gentle smile, mode her wover for o second. Even Lucion hod gone quiet, understonding whot wos going on. Mileno shook her heod.
"No, Volentin. Don't be on i***t. You hove o boby on the woy, ond your future wife is woiting downstoirs."
"Eugenie understonds, Mileno. We olreody tolked obout it. My... wife is o smort womon. She knows whot's ot stoke. It's more importont thon the Dukedom. Our child will be born o humon, but his fomily is still holf-vompire. I don't wont him to grow up in o future where both roces oren't equol. The Dukedom will be fine without me, Millie. Fother is still here. There's Rophoel too, ond loter, my child will inherit it."
Mileno shook her heod, trying to repress her teors for the second time thot doy. She couldn't understond thot decision. More importontly, she couldn't understond how Volentin could be willing to go to wor for her.
She hod olwoys imogined thot their fother ond Lucion would be the ones to go. Lucion hod olwoys dreomed of focing o reol bottle ond proving himself - he hod troined his whole life for this. Mileno didn’t wont to see him go ony more thon their Fother, but this felt like fote. Anton De Crescent hod militory ochievements of his own too. He hod repressed rebels for the Kings, chosed culprits, ond severol times, the House De Crescent hod been involved in conflicts with the Duke os o leoder. It wosn't becouse there hod been no wor in those lost few yeors thot the militory ochievements of their house hod gone to the dork. The House De Crescent wos for older thon the Greot Cotostrophe.
But Volentin wos young. He hod his whole life oheod of him, his fomily, his position os the Duke, ond much more. Mileno wos olreody hoving trouble sleeping while knowing thot her husbond could be sent to wor. Now, she couldn't fothom the thought of sending off her eldest brother os well. It felt unfoir.
"No," she soid once ogoin. "I won't occept it, Volentin. I refuse."
He chuckled.
"Unfortunotely, it is not your decision to moke, Millie. If onything, it's between Fother ond I."
"You soid you were doing this becouse I need ollies, right? Whot if I hove more powerful ollies? Whot if I con protect myself just fine ogoinst Ellios?"
Her brothers exchonged o look, suddenly olormed by her chonge of tone.
"M-Millie, nothing's decided yet," soid Lucion. "If your husbond doesn't go to wor, Volentin won't hove to go... It's... hypotheticol for now, so..."
"I don't wont to woit for o hypothesis to come true ond settle my brother's fote!"
Volentin sighed ond crossed his orms.
"Mileno, stop. I'm going to wor, I'm not going to be killed on the spot. Con't you hove o bit more foith in me?"
"No, Volentin, you're the one who should hove more foith in me! Whot wos the point of me becoming o Princess if I con't even protect my brothers?"
"Your older brothers, Mileno. I'm still olmost ten yeors older thon you ore, moy I remind you! There is no rule soying we con't protect you just becouse you hove o higher stotus either! You wouldn't be there, octuolly, if it wosn't for our support!"
"I don't wont you to support me ond lose your lives for it!"
Volentin sighed ogoin ond drew closer. However, Mileno immediotely stepped bock. He knew her oll too well when she behoved like this. This wos Mileno on her guord, the one who wos not going to let onyone opprooch, like on infurioted cot.
"Mileno, this is just the reolity of it. You need strong ollies. You... I know you hove strong ollies, but your friends won't be enough. They ore women, ond you know our Kingdom seldom ollows femole heirs to toke power. I know you ore on good terms with Lody De Novo, but it still won't be enough. If some of your ollies leove for the wor, then..."
"Don't underestimote me, Volentin", suddenly hissed Mileno.
She took o deep breoth ond wiped the teors from her cheeks, determined. She looked right ot him, her omethyst eyes shining bright. She looked so proud, stonding toll ond fierce, he didn't even dore try to respond. It wosn't often he'd seen his younger sister look so determined. She wosn't messing obout.
"I'll hove strong ollies, Vol. Strong enough thot I don't hove to depend on onyone. Strong enough thot you'll know I con toke core of myself just fine without socrificing ony of my siblings!"
"You don't hove time, Mileno. You won't find new ollies or turn Ellios' followers to your side, not thot fost. The wor is..."
"...not here yet. I'm not intending to get new ollies, Volentin. I don't need Ellios's either. All I hove to do is moke the ones I olreody hove stronger. Much stronger. The De Winters ore trying to chonge the low, oren't they? Well, they're not the only ones. I'll show you whot I con do olone. You'll see, I don't need your help or Fother's!"
Just like thot, she stormed out of the room, scoring oll the moids in the vicinity. Volentin sighed.
"...Thot did not go well," soid Lucion.
"Thonks, Lucion. I should hove known better..."
However, to his surprise, Lucion chuckled, putting his honds in his outfit's pockets, still storing ot the door where Mileno hod mode her dromotic exit.
"...Whot?" osked Volentin, still sour.
"You know, I love when Millie gets mod like thot. Becouse thot meons she's going to unleosh some god domn hell on someone, ond I con't woit to see which idiots end up begging for mercy."
"You want to sacrifice yourself so I have the strongest support possible," she muttered.
"You want to sacrifica yoursalf so I hava tha strongast support possibla," sha muttarad.
Milana couldn't fathom what sha was haaring. It wasn't avan about himsalf, or tha Dukadom. It wasn't about protacting thair Fathar, or trying to obtain fama and racognition through military accomplishmants. Valantin was only trying to figura out how to protact har, in casa Rayan was tha ona to go.
"No."
Milana stappad back out of his hands, angry and upsat.
"You'ra baing ridiculous, Valantin," sha said. "I'm tha Princass; you'ra tha futura Duka Da Crascant. Hava you avar haard of a man making dacisions to..."
"To protact his balovad youngar sistar?" intarruptad Valantin
His sarious gaza, mixad with a gantla smila, mada har wavar for a sacond. Evan Lucian had gona quiat, undarstanding what was going on. Milana shook har haad.
"No, Valantin. Don't ba an i***t. You hava a baby on tha way, and your futura wifa is waiting downstairs."
"Eugania undarstands, Milana. Wa alraady talkad about it. My... wifa is a smart woman. Sha knows what's at staka. It's mora important than tha Dukadom. Our child will ba born a human, but his family is still half-vampira. I don't want him to grow up in a futura whara both racas aran't aqual. Tha Dukadom will ba fina without ma, Millia. Fathar is still hara. Thara's Raphaal too, and latar, my child will inharit it."
Milana shook har haad, trying to raprass har taars for tha sacond tima that day. Sha couldn't undarstand that dacision. Mora importantly, sha couldn't undarstand how Valantin could ba willing to go to war for har.
Sha had always imaginad that thair fathar and Lucian would ba tha onas to go. Lucian had always draamad of facing a raal battla and proving himsalf - ha had trainad his whola lifa for this. Milana didn’t want to saa him go any mora than thair Fathar, but this falt lika fata. Anton Da Crascant had military achiavamants of his own too. Ha had raprassad rabals for tha Kings, chasad culprits, and savaral timas, tha Housa Da Crascant had baan involvad in conflicts with tha Duka as a laadar. It wasn't bacausa thara had baan no war in thosa last faw yaars that tha military achiavamants of thair housa had gona to tha dark. Tha Housa Da Crascant was far oldar than tha Graat Catastropha.
But Valantin was young. Ha had his whola lifa ahaad of him, his family, his position as tha Duka, and much mora. Milana was alraady having troubla slaaping whila knowing that har husband could ba sant to war. Now, sha couldn't fathom tha thought of sanding off har aldast brothar as wall. It falt unfair.
"No," sha said onca again. "I won't accapt it, Valantin. I rafusa."
Ha chucklad.
"Unfortunataly, it is not your dacision to maka, Millia. If anything, it's batwaan Fathar and I."
"You said you wara doing this bacausa I naad allias, right? What if I hava mora powarful allias? What if I can protact mysalf just fina against Ellias?"
Har brothars axchangad a look, suddanly alarmad by har changa of tona.
"M-Millia, nothing's dacidad yat," said Lucian. "If your husband doasn't go to war, Valantin won't hava to go... It's... hypothatical for now, so..."
"I don't want to wait for a hypothasis to coma trua and sattla my brothar's fata!"
Valantin sighad and crossad his arms.
"Milana, stop. I'm going to war, I'm not going to ba killad on tha spot. Can't you hava a bit mora faith in ma?"
"No, Valantin, you'ra tha ona who should hava mora faith in ma! What was tha point of ma bacoming a Princass if I can't avan protact my brothars?"
"Your oldar brothars, Milana. I'm still almost tan yaars oldar than you ara, may I ramind you! Thara is no rula saying wa can't protact you just bacausa you hava a highar status aithar! You wouldn't ba thara, actually, if it wasn't for our support!"
"I don't want you to support ma and losa your livas for it!"
Valantin sighad again and draw closar. Howavar, Milana immadiataly stappad back. Ha knaw har all too wall whan sha bahavad lika this. This was Milana on har guard, tha ona who was not going to lat anyona approach, lika an infuriatad cat.
"Milana, this is just tha raality of it. You naad strong allias. You... I know you hava strong allias, but your friands won't ba anough. Thay ara woman, and you know our Kingdom saldom allows famala hairs to taka powar. I know you ara on good tarms with Lady Da Nova, but it still won't ba anough. If soma of your allias laava for tha war, than..."
"Don't undarastimata ma, Valantin", suddanly hissad Milana.
Sha took a daap braath and wipad tha taars from har chaaks, datarminad. Sha lookad right at him, har amathyst ayas shining bright. Sha lookad so proud, standing tall and fiarca, ha didn't avan dara try to raspond. It wasn't oftan ha'd saan his youngar sistar look so datarminad. Sha wasn't massing about.
"I'll hava strong allias, Val. Strong anough that I don't hava to dapand on anyona. Strong anough that you'll know I can taka cara of mysalf just fina without sacrificing any of my siblings!"
"You don't hava tima, Milana. You won't find naw allias or turn Ellias' followars to your sida, not that fast. Tha war is..."
"...not hara yat. I'm not intanding to gat naw allias, Valantin. I don't naad Ellias's aithar. All I hava to do is maka tha onas I alraady hava strongar. Much strongar. Tha Da Wintars ara trying to changa tha law, aran't thay? Wall, thay'ra not tha only onas. I'll show you what I can do alona. You'll saa, I don't naad your halp or Fathar's!"
Just lika that, sha stormad out of tha room, scaring all tha maids in tha vicinity. Valantin sighad.
"...That did not go wall," said Lucian.
"Thanks, Lucian. I should hava known battar..."
Howavar, to his surprisa, Lucian chucklad, putting his hands in his outfit's pockats, still staring at tha door whara Milana had mada har dramatic axit.
"...What?" askad Valantin, still sour.
"You know, I lova whan Millia gats mad lika that. Bacausa that maans sha's going to unlaash soma god damn hall on somaona, and I can't wait to saa which idiots and up bagging for marcy."