Another Agreemen

The tension in the room was at its peak. Everyone was waiting to see who would flinch first between Princess Milena and Prince Ellias, staring at each other for a long while now. The situation was getting extremely uncomfortable for everyone present. Even the Countess was bitterly regretting calling out for help. Who knew how Prince Ellias would make the De Rosella family pay after being humiliated like so?

Between them, the only person who was seemingly having fun was Prince Rayan. Sill holding his wife's hand, he glanced towards his brother as if nothing was wrong, just a discussion between them. He sighed and turned his eyes towards Milena. As if she had been waiting for this, the Princess suddenly ignored Ellias to look back at her husband.

"Well then, it looks like there will soon be an empty seat at the Guild. Shouldn't we make it easy for the Guild? Let's give them a hint, Milena, has to whom you'd be happy to negotiate with?"

Milena smiled, easing a little bit of the tension in the room. Some people were still concerned with Prince Ellias' furious expression, but at the moment, the Lady Dhampir had the power to name a person in one of the Guild's leaderboard seats. It was a huge deal, most families dreamt of getting such an opportunity. Being a noble was rather easy, it only had to do with a good birth situation. However, making the family's businesses flourish was no easy task, and a seat at the Guild of Merchants allowed one to have all the privileges that came along with it. Any family with a business wanted such an opportunity, and all the Senators present had one.

At this very moment, a lot were hopeful, but many more regretted not having sided with the Dhampir Princess earlier. It had felt like a safe bet to take Prince Ellias' side instead of the mysterious Prince Rayan's. The vampire Prince had never been too open about how he conducted his businesses, and as the question of his future wife was left pending for a while, that was all everyone could see. However, things had changed in a short period of time. Whereas the Duchess De Crescent was famous for being one of the youngest and brightest entrepreneurs of her generation, Lady De Winter reportedly had none she managed directly. In terms of business skills, those two couldn't have been more different. Hence, only those who had been smart enough to reach out their hands to do business with the Dhampir Princess early could be hopeful right now.

Milena smiled.

"I'll trust the guild on their wise decision, my Prince. I wouldn't want to be said to be abusing my power again, that's enough for today."

That was another blow aimed at Prince Ellias. Now, because of what he had said, Milena was keeping her candidates to herself and letting the Guild struggle a little bit longer. A new wave of glares came at the human prince, who was literally boiling on his seat. Not only Rayan had been true to his word, but now, even Milena wasn't sparing him any blow. The gap between the two royal couples could almost be seen with a bare eye, and it caused a lot of whispers among the ranks.

"Enough!" Yelled Ellias, slamming his chair. "This topic is over. Let's move on to the next."

Although everyone seemed surprised by his sudden fit of anger, people quietly obeyed, and the Salt matter was closed. Milena remained very dignified, but internally, she was smiling from ear to ear. Ellias losing his temper in public was a first, but she felt like he truly deserved it. The conversation between him and Rayan had been a big awakening for the Princess.

They let the Council continue for a little while, Rayan and Milena having some mild comments about some matters, but overall, they let it flow without trying to pick on Ellias again. Soon, it came to an end, and although everyone wanted to greet the Princess once more and congratulate her for being healed, Rayan dismissed everyone firmly.

"The Princess being able to stand and look as beautiful as ever doesn't mean my wife is completely healthy again. If you'll excuse us, everyone, I'd like to enjoy her company privately."

Just like that, he took Milena's hand and took her away from the flow of Senators coming to them, and guided her to one of the adjoining rooms. There, he closed the door behind them and wrapped Milena in his arms, frowning a bit.

"Are you alright? Why did you come? Are you sure you were in a condition to..."

"I'm fine," chuckled Milena. "I appreciate my dear husband's concern, but this Princess had enough of keeping the bed and couldn't wait to stand up again."

Rayan sighed, caressing her cheek with a solemn reaction.

"You can't do this to me again. Do you know how worried I was?"

"...I know. I didn't want you to get so mad at your brother for my sake."

"I'm not as nice as to forgive Ellias, Milena. My brother thinks as long as he pretends not to know, he'll remain the good guy no matter how despicable his followers are. What if you had been with a child? You would have been devastated from the loss, and I don't want to have to face that. If he doesn't want to play fair, we won't have to, either."

Milena nodded. She knew Rayan was trying to protect her, no matter the cost. The four of them were no longer children, and they couldn't play nice anymore. They were running out of time, and this clock hanging above their heads was going to push both twins towards worse and worse actions. However, Milena was still shocked that Ellias could oversee such a thing. She would have at least thought he tried to remain a gentleman, as he always took pride in how different he was from Rayan, yet it seemed even that wasn't true anymore...

She took a deep breath, and suddenly curled herself in the Prince's arms with a sigh. Although he seemed surprised at first, Rayan was quick to surround her with his arms. Milena closed her eyes. She felt like this was her refuge, now. Before, she would have gone to one of her brothers or shared her worries with Blanche. Yet now, the first one she had wanted to go to was Rayan. Milena sighed internally. Wasn't she getting intoxicated a bit too fast?

"Rayan... Promise me something," she said.

"What is it?"

The slowly separated, to stare at each other seriously. Rayan wasn't one to agree to any request without thinking, but rarely had he seen such a serious look in his wife's eyes. Milena's purple eyes were shining brightly, and she seemed like she was cautiously gauging his reaction.

"Promise me that you'll never hurt children."

He frowned, a bit confused by her sudden request, but Milena continued.

"...including Philomenie's and Ellias'. Even if they are yet to be born."

He remained silent for a little while. Milena was extremely determined, and he could tell she was not going to back up on that. He let out a little sigh and put his hand on her waist.

"Are you sure? After what Ellias did..."

"I know. However, there are some things that are sacred. I can allow many things, and I know this isn't a happy, merry world we live in. Still, I never want to agree to that. I don't want you to, either. I grew up without my mother with me, and now, I... I wish I could become a mother myself. I do not want anyone to ever experience the loss of a child, certainly not for political reasons. Promise me we won't ever step that low."

Milena was waiting for his answer with her heart beating fast. She wasn't so blind to think Rayan's hands were completely stainless. She had seen and heard enough to know the twins would be willing to fight hard over their Father's throne. However, as she lay in bed thinking about what had happened and the worst that could have happened, Milena had taken a decision. Even if it was only some wishful thinking on her part, she couldn't stand to have such a horrible thing done to another woman. Ellias' words were actually the very thing that had made her come to this request. 

She didn't want to have to pretend not to know. She didn't want to be the blind, overprotected princess while her husband would dirty his hands for her sake. They were in this together, but it was also her responsibility to make sure things wouldn't go past a point she could accept without her consent. Otherwise, she would be no better than Ellias. Milena didn't want to be like those women who threw the blame at their partner and threw off their responsibilities because they didn't know. It was her job to know. It was her part to know how low her husband would get, how much he'd dirty his hands. If they didn't have this discussion now, she would regret it later. This wedding was a partnership, and Milena wanted to be sure they were on the same page on every matter included.

"...I understand," he finally said.

"Really?" Milena was surprised.

"Yes. I promise you I won't."

"...You're not lying to protect me, are you?" She insisted with a frown on, doubtful.

Rayan sighed and kissed that cute little wrinkle that had appeared between her eyebrows. Then, he glanced down at her with a little smile.

"So doubtful, my wife. You won't trust your husband's words? I never had any intention to harm my future nephews either. If anything, I'd like to spare Ellias' wife as much as I can."

Milena was surprised to hear that. She had felt like Rayan wouldn't have any regard for his sister-in-law. Although he didn't despise her, he did look like he enjoyed terrifying her...

"Is that why you spared the De Winter family?" Asked Milena. "I know you went a bit... easy on them, considering what happened to the De Bertrilly family."

Rayan chuckled and kissed her forehead again.

"Oh, my innocent wife, I think you're still a naive little sheep."

"What are you saying now?" She asked, uspet. "What are you making fun of me for?"

"Milena, although I do pride myself on treating my wife the best I can, I still can't win over the fatherly pressure."

"The fath... Wait, you mean my father?"

"Yes. I mean, I do think the De Winter are about to face some violent head-on from your family."

Milena sighed.

She should have expected that much. There was no way her father would simply sit still, the Duke De Crescent was probably furious... and only waiting for his time. Like Father, like daughter. He was just taking his time before wreaking havoc over their rival's head. Milena getting back to health was probably the only thing he waited for. She would have to visit him very soon, or meet with him next time he came to the Royal Castle. Actually, she was even worried since her brothers hadn't done anything yet either... Milena hesitated, then frowned.

"Don't tell me, my brothers..."

"If they did anything, I don't know about it yet," chuckled Rayan.

Milena sighed. Although she doubted Raphael and Valentin would do anything, as the first was still recuperating from his injury and the latter was busy with his personal matters... Which only left Lucian, who could get pretty reckless. Well, he probably wouldn't do anything, though, he was busy with his knighthood training lately, especially as the war was drawing closer...

"I'm glad you're better," he said, gently caressing her cheek.

"I had to. I heard my husband gets quite pissed when I'm not."

He chuckled.

"Oh, I just got rid of a few annoying flees. I thought it would make you happy once you got better."

Milena nodded with a shy smile and stood on her toes to come and kiss him. Rayan answered her kiss for a little while, gently caressing her hair, but the Princess could tell he was holding back. She chuckled and stepped back.

"Are you acting all shy now?"

"Not shy, concerned. You had a fever for three days. I heard cold-skinned husbands are not the best way to get healed from that."

Milena smiled.

She knew how Rayan had carefully stayed away from her, even though he did make sure to look over her every night she was ill. He brought his work to their bed and sat down next to her. As a vampire, he needed no candle to see what he was reading, and no one would dare enter the bedroom once he was watching over her sleep. Many times, Milena had felt his cold hand checking her temperature.

"It's alright. I quite liked your cold hand on my forehead while the fever was doing it's worse."

However, Rayan was still frowning.

"I didn't like it. I can control many things, but not your body. You have no idea how many times I almost hit those idiots who called themselves doctors because they were so clueless about you."

"It can't be helped, Rayan. Not many people... No, no one before has seen any patient with my peculiar condition. My father got white hair any time I was sick as a child, for the very same reason. I rejected some food and got ridiculously sick to others, just like I did to that stupid fennel flower..."

"Still. There should be more study over your health, and..."

"There's enough, Rayan," Milena retorted firmly. "The De Crescent family doctor has been taking care of me since I was a child. It is my oversight for not asking him to give his notes about my body to the Royal Doctors. I'll do it right away. However, I do not want to become a scientific subject once again. I'll learn about my own body step by step and make sure it's recorded properly, in case another Dhampir appears in a few generations. But I..."

"What if you get pregnant?"

Rayan's sudden question took her by surprise. Milena opened her mouth, but for once, she was really baffled. She closed it, unsure how to answer her husband's angry expression.

"What if you get pregnant, something goes wrong and no one knows how to help you? Although our Kingdom is very advanced, Milena, none of our medical books will be able to help you if you suffering another too great injury. You already almost died because you took a bullet a few years ago. You get poisoned almost once a month now. What if something happens while I'm not here? Who will save you this time?"

Milena took it all in, unable to answer. She could understand his anger and frustration. She had seen the same in her own father's eyes while she was ill. However, she had never taken it from the perspective of her possible pregnancy. Indeed, how would it go? And what if one of her children was a dhampir too? Could she live through the same worry? She tried to think about it for a few seconds, and eventually sighed.

"It's true we don't have all the answers, and I promise I'll do my best to work with our Royal Doctors to make sure my health is cared for properly in the future. However, the no-risk doesn't exist anyway, Rayan. There have been countless records of young women being perfectly fine and encountering issues during their pregnancies. Even if I wasn't a dhampir, you wouldn't be able to guarantee my safety anyway."

"It doesn't mean I can't do my best about it."

Milena smiled, and put her hands around his neck, gently caressing his cheek.

"I know, my Prince. I really appreciate how worried you are about my safety. However, I need you to trust me about it. I promise I won't be reckless, I'll be more careful. All you need to think is about the war, and I'll think about protecting our family... alright?"

He sighed, and slowly nodded, although his expression was still a bit sour. Milena couldn't tell if those crimson eyes would even really stop looking at her with that concerned expression, but at least, she wanted to be frank with him. There was no way to live peacefully if they constantly worried about what could happen, that was one thing she knew.

"Alright. Now, it looks like I've missed a lot of things," she said. "Anything I need to know?"

"...Nothing your Ladies-in-waiting have already told you, but I do have a surprise."

"A surprise?"

Seeing that he didn't smile while saying that, Milena wondered what it could be about. Rayan took her hand, and gently guided her throughout the Royal Castle. As he was usually already asleep at that time, the maids who had the day shift ran away, scared to cross paths with the vampire Prince. Meanwhile, Milena was getting more and more curious. He was bringing her into one of the guest rooms, and she couldn't help but be nervous. What was going on, what kind of surprise could he mean? 

Finally, they arrived in front of a room, surprisingly heavily guarded. There were only two men, but Milena knew they were part of her husband's personal militia, his most trusted soldier. She frowned as they bowed to her in silence. Rayan did a quick gesture, and they opened the doors to let them through.

Milena carefully stepped into the room, wondering what was going on. It was a normal guest room, with enough to host a couple in a comfortable position. The bedroom seemed empty at first, and she wondered if this was meant to be some playful joke.

Just then, someone stepped out of the bathroom, making Milena gasp. 

The Oracle.