Goodbye, Farewell.

When Milena woke up, later in the day, Rayan was gone. In his stead, a single white rose was left on his side of the bed, just to let her know he had been there. They had spent so much time together these days, yet Milena already felt lonely without him. She regretted she hadn't been able to see her husband when he was lying there next to her... 

Still, he wasn't the only one she could focus on. With her maids' help, Milena slowly rose, got herself freshened up, and prepared to leave for the De Crescent Manor. For their last evening all together, she had insisted their family should have dinner all together at the Manor. No matter what, this large house would always be the one she had been born and raised in. She couldn't go as much as she liked, but for that night, Milena had decided to ignore all conventions and spend time with her father and brother there. She picked a simple dark dress, a thick jacket over, and some jewelry, and let Olivia take care of her hair while she sat with her eyes closed, trying to catch a little bit more rest.

The House De Crescent wouldn't be the same once her brothers had left... Milena had barely seen her father since the Council too. He had stayed around for the Military Councils that had ensued since, but, hating to stand in the spotlight as always, the Duke had quickly returned to his property as soon as he had been able to. His workload would only increase with Valentin's absence too... Milena felt sorry for her Father. She felt like she hadn't been a very good daughter lately, and promised herself she'd visit him more in the future. He ought to be lonely with two of his sons gone... and she'd miss them all as well. 

The Knights De Crescent that weren't busy preparing for the war came to get the Princess, happy to reunite with her bodyguards, their peers wearing the same crescent moon as theirs. Milena felt a bit annoyed as she had to use the carriage, but she had been strongly advised against riding Black Bella by Olivia. Just in case she was really pregnant, she ought to be very careful... Once alone in the carriage, Milena put a hand on her belly, wondering if she'd feel anything. She was still slowly realizing she was possibly pregnant. That reality just seemed to be hovering over her head all the time, without truly landing yet. In her heart, Milena knew her excitement was barely contained by the fear of being wrong. She had wanted a baby so much, now she didn't even trust her own feelings to not mislead her. When she sat down and genuinely tried to think about it, she did feel clues that she could indeed be pregnant, but... for now, she just wanted to wait a little. Since she couldn't have it medically confirmed, she just had to be patient. 

Staring outside the window at the landscape passing by, Milena tried to imagine the lives of the common folks in their houses. How many had a brother, a father or a son going to war? How many women were being left behind, alone or with young children? Or one on the way... For a little while, Milena felt a strange feeling of communion with all those women. It was like Philomenie always said... they were one Kingdom, one group of people.

When the carriage arrived in the De Crescent lands, she was still full of complex thoughts about all of this, but she tried to push them to the back of her mind, and focus on her family. The Manor was still the same, as if the burnt aisle had been nothing but a detail one had to overlook. The repairs were still ongoing, but they were slowed down by the preparations for the war. 

This would be the last dinner they'd enjoy as a family... Milena couldn't stop herself from thinking about it, even as her brothers arrived behind her. Still, she was glad to be hugged by her father. There were few places she found herself safer than in the Duke's strong embrace... They proceeded to go inside, where a grand dinner had been prepared. Despite Milena's concerns, the staff welcomed her like a daughter of the House, not a Grand Princess visiting. Digory seemed very happy to see her, and so did all the servants who had previously attended to her. Eugenie was also there, and it felt strange for Milena to have a feminine presence in the House. Even her great-grandmother usually stayed in her apartments, but Eugenie was visibly very comfortable in her new main residence. She was polite to her father-in-law and brothers-in-law, but certainly not shy or intimidated. Although she was a bit surprised, Milena found this was a good thing for her home. Many other ladies would have been crushed by the Duke's presence, but Eugenie already showed many abilities as the Lady of the House, and it was obvious she had been the one behind the organization of the family dinner too. Her departure to the Vermillion Lands was delayed by Valentin's decision to go to War, as she had insisted on staying in the Capital until her husband left.

"I might as well be hiding here," Eugenie shrugged as they were all seated around the dinner table. "None of my friends are visiting as they are all busy with their families getting ready for the war!"

"...Or Father is scaring them away," chuckled Lucian, biting into his piece of steak.

"That's fine by me," nodded the young woman. "As long as Father-in-Law doesn't get bored with me, I'll leave for the Vermillion Lands only when the Army is gone."

"That's tomorrow," sighed Raphael.

"I mean long gone, then."

Milena chuckled behind her glass, glancing towards her father. Despite his expression being as cold as usual, she could tell her Father had taken a liking to his new and first daughter-in-law. Thanks to Eugenie, the dinner was light-hearted despite mentions of the War, as the subject just couldn't be avoided.

"You're welcome here for as long as you want, Lady Eugenie," said the Duke.

Valentin smiled at his wife, gently kissing the back of her hand.

"Wait until you get bored of living with vampires," said Lucian, glancing towards Raphael. "It gets boring during daylight here!"

"You mean when you're not making our servants mad over your latest nonsense?"

"Hey, I am a gentleman now, and a knight! That was a long time ago!"

For a while, they all laughed remembering Lucian's foolery inside the Manor, some Milena had participated in, when they were much younger. Their laughs echoing in the dining room, the Family De Crescent kept chatting light-heartedly, only interrupted once when Raphael had to go get his daughter, when Rowena had just woken up.

"Here comes the little lady of the House!" Exclaimed Lucian, already visibly attached to his niece.

The baby squealed, but Raphael sat back down with the baby girl on his lap. Milena watched the two of them fondly as the servants moved around to prepare her food. Each time she saw Rowena, she was more convinced she had made the right choice in concealing the truth behind her birth. Thinking about it, that little girl was both her niece and her sister-in-law... It was quite strange indeed. However, she deserved a childhood in the safety of the De Crescent Manor, far from the political intrigues of those who would have wanted to use her.

"What do you think, Milena?" Asked Lucian, excited. "A boy or a girl? Shall we bet over our future niece's gender?"

"Lucian," scolded their father.

"It's alright, Father," said Milena, a little smile on her lips. "I'll bet it's a boy."

"I'm saying a girl! I want another niece!"

"Fine. What are you betting, then?"

"Stop it, you two..." Sighed Valentin.

"I want your horse," said Lucian with a cheeky smile. "Black Bella, is it?"

"You're not having my horse," scoffed Milena. "Val gave it to me."

"You're so stingy!"

"Val, stop them or they'll end up pawning the whole Manor," sighed Raphael.

However, the older brother was just as helpless, and for a while, the conversation turned into a fierce waging of assets, with Eugenie arbitrating it. In the end, Milena had to promise to give Lucian shares of her ruby mine if Eugenie's baby was a girl, while he would have to give her his second favorite cape, which he had made after a hunt, if it turned out to be a boy. He liked it so much it was one of the rare trophies he hadn't gifted his sister, so Milena was happy with that bet. She had rarely participated in any fun around bet and money games, so she was a bit excited over this. Even better, it reminded her of their childhood days, when they'd banter at dinners, their brothers and father taking Milena's side almost each time. 

The family kept chatting as they moved on to the next part of their meal, and Milena couldn't believe how much she had missed this without knowing. She promised herself, once again, to visit the Manor more often in the future. Even if two of her brothers weren't there, her father, Eugenie, Raphael and her niece would be there... She had to watch over all of them, from the Castle.

When desserts finally came, Milena was surprised how much she was craving everything... She suddenly had an idea, or more like a thought, and decided to simply give in to her cravings. This was her house, the one place she'd be less likely to be poisoned... And she had more than one reason to simply take whatever she wanted. 

Her brothers and father watched her pick and eat desserts with great appetite. One by one, they were catching onto Milena's strange behavior, and exchanged silent looks. She was aware they had realized she was eating desserts like she never had before, but the young woman remained silent. She ate slowly, but without stopping, one little dessert after another, ignoring all the red and blue eyes on her.

"Millie, you..."

Valentin's hand rose in a flash to cover Lucian's mouth, and mute him. He glanced towards his father, but the Duke was intensely staring at his daughter, making his glass full of blood slowly turn between his fingers. He then looked at Raphael, and the two older brothers exchanged a silent nod. Even Eugenie, a bit confused by what had just happened, understood she ought to remain silent, and not ask. She was yet to understand everything about the House De Crescent... 

Thankfully, Lucian was at least smart enough to understand he had to keep his words to himself. A bit annoyed, he grabbed a dessert before Milena took it, and ate in silence, although still frowning. For the rest of the dinner, no one added a word. Her cheeks a bit red, Milena was simply relieved. She had managed to make her family understand, while protecting her secret... She felt a bit sorry to her husband that she hadn't respected his wish to keep this a complete secret, but this was something she wouldn't have been able to keep from them. Not when she had to bid goodbye, perhaps farewell, to Valentin and Lucian the next day...

Despite that little spark of joy and relief, that dinner ended way too fast. They tried to make it last as long as possible with an extra glass of blood or wine, but the hours passed, and there was no way for them to stay any longer. Milena quickly said goodbye to her father, Raphael and Eugenie, but she rushed to her carriage to not watch her brothers say goodbye to their family. Valentin and Lucian had to go back to the Castle with her, as they would have to be ready to leave at dawn with their men. 

Once the carriage departed, a heavy silence installed itself inside, contrasting with all the fun they'd had earlier... Even Lucian didn't dare make a joke anymore. For a while, neither of them said a word. After a little while, Milena couldn't help but spill a few cold tears. Very gently, Valentin put his hand on hers, and held it tight. His warmth spread to Milena, but it wasn't enough to warm her heart up... She took several slow, deep breaths, trying hard not to burst into tears. On her other side, as they had all sat on the same side, Lucian didn't move, his gaze resolutely staring outside. Milena let out a long sigh, and very slowly, she leaned her head on his shoulder. Her black curls melted with the black fur of his coat, her cheek pressed against him. He didn't react, but it wasn't necessary. Milena closed her eyes, feeling her brothers' warmth. That was all. For the rest of the trip, no one said a word. Their carriage, carrying the crescent dark moon, slowly made its way back in the cold, cold night and silent snowfall.

"Millie."

She opened her eyes, realizing the carriage had finally stopped. Milena let out a long sigh. She didn't want to leave this carriage... She didn't want to leave Val's hand, or Lucian's shoulder. She felt her older brother gently press his lips against her temple, and, as they couldn't allow her to stay in the cold carriage, her brothers gently escorted her out, and to the steps of the Castle.

"Alright... You should get back inside," said Lucian.

Milena nodded, but she was still holding Valentin's hand, and unable to let go. She felt like that little girl again, who couldn't let go of her older brother's hand... Milena felt the tears coming up again.

"Millie..."

Valentin stepped forward to hug her. They would see each other again the next morning, but Milena would be standing on a balcony with the Royal Family, and her brothers and her husband would be down there with the army. It was the last chance to really say goodbye in person. 

Lucian sighed next to them, and Valentin slowly released her, leaving one last kiss on her forehead. Milena turned to her blue-eyed brother with a pout to hide her trembling lips.

"...Aren't you going to say goodbye to your sister?" She said with a hoarse voice.

"I hate goodbyes," he said. "I feel like I'm going to cry if I hug you right now, and I don't want to cry."

He was even avoiding her purple gaze. Still, Milena chuckled, and stepped forward to hug him. She felt her brother's shoulders give up, and he held her back, with a long sigh.

"...I'll come back, Millie. I promise I'll come back, little sis..."

She nodded in his shoulder, but this time, her tears were really about to burst at any second if she didn't watch out. When they separated, just a few seconds later, Milena took a deep breath, and one last good look at those two.

They both bowed to her, in a strange moment, and turned back, walking to the barracks for the military officers. Milena watched for a long time, until their silhouettes had disappeared in the darkness of night. Only then did she return inside the castle, cold and freezing. She walked to her bedroom, although she knew her husband wouldn't be there. Rayan was probably busy in another aisle of the castle, with some last-minute Council or so... She didn't care anymore. In a daze, she slowly undid her outfit, her hairdo, her jewelry, and went to bed, feeling tired like never before.

"....My queen."

Milena half-opened her eyes, feeling the silhouette leaning over her. She couldn't see him well in the dark, only recognizing his glowing crimson eyes. His hand gently caressed her shoulder, pulling the blanket up on her. A gentle, soft and light kiss was slowly left on her lips.

"...It's time. I have to go."

As if the half-asleep state she was in could protect her from sorrow, Milena slowly nodded. She felt another long, deeper kiss pressed against her lips, and she naturally moved her hand to caress his cheek.

"...Stay strong, my Queen. For the two of us... for the two of you."

Another kiss.

"I'll be back as soon as I can... I promise."

Another kiss, a longer one. So gentle... but it felt like a last kiss. When their lips parted, she felt her heart sink.

"I love you."

The dark silhouette vanished, and Milena knew she was alone in the room. 

She turned around in her bed, and, after a few more seconds, she began crying, loudly, into her pillow.

End of Part 1.