Military Council

The next morning, late, Milena completely ignored the pile of paperwork on her desk for the first time. 

She was sad, and bitter, and no one could talk her into working now. Like every citizen in this country, she was entitled to her own time of grieving. Raphael had left a little before dawn, shouldering by himself the burden to relay the sad truth to Eugenie and their Father. Milena was worried for them. Eugenie had lost her husband, and their already weakened Father was losing a son. No woman deserved to be a widow weeks after her wedding. And Antonin... Milena was so sorry her nephew wouldn't ever get to know his dad. Valentin would have been an amazing father. 

Standing alone on her balcony, Milena let a couple more tears fall down her cheeks. She wasn't scared to cry, and she had promised Raphael she wouldn't keep her grief bottled up inside. Instead, she let those tears bite her skin like ice, and took a deep, icy breath in. The Grand Princess stared at the Capital she could see from there, a window on the world she was trying so hard to protect. Her brother's death didn't mean anything yet to those people. The news would leak perhaps in a day or two, and they would feel sorry for the House De Crescent, but Valentin wasn't going to be more than a name in a long list of people that wouldn't come back from the War...

"Dinah," she called. "Prepare me a black dress for today."

"...Are you sure, my Lady?" Asked Dinah, visibly a bit worried.

At Milena's feet, Blanche rubbed her back against her leg, her white paws engulfed into an inch of snow. Milena couldn't even bend over to get her, so she opened up her arms instead, the cat swiftly jumping in. Then, Milena slowly nodded.

"The news will be out sooner or later. Let's show them we're not behind..."

Her servant nodded, and walked back inside. Meanwhile, Milena let out a short sigh, petting Blanche's head. The white cat was purring, her eyes closed. Her companion actually hadn't slept a wink, as Blanche had watched over Milena the whole night. She knew because she had woken up several times, crying, and each time, Blanche had come right away to gently lick her tears on her face, and curl up against her chest. Milena felt a bit stronger simply by feeling Blanche with her... It was as if her best friend was holding a bit of her heart, and a few of her feelings, protecting them with her claws and fangs each time Milena needed her. 

This morning was a bit less cold than the previous ones, but the Grand Princess had never felt so frozen... She wished she could simply sit there, in the snow, and watch time pass until her sorrow melted away. However, she didn't have that luxury. After a few more seconds, watching the sunrise in her amethyst eyes, Milena brushed her raven hair back, and walked back inside.

This time, it wasn't about showing her weaknesses or not. No, actually, it was even better if they saw it. She would put on that dark dress, as dark as her grief, and let them see the raven still standing, still answering the call of the people who needed her. Like a dark swan, beautiful in her colors, she was ready to show them. Milena let Dinah and the Royal maid dress her up as if it was any other day, carrying her sad expression and heavy heart like she did her jewels. She practiced holding her head high while Dinah brushed her long hair once more, and refused any unnecessary accessories. There would be now grand demonstration, not today, not yet. For now, she was going to show them.

Milena had no doubt the news would travel very soon. Everyone would soon know, nobles first, that the heir of the House De Crescent had fallen in battle. She had to be ready. Ready to receive their empty words, their sneers, and their disdainful glares. Ready to shoulder the House De Crescent with one less pair of shoulders to help her...

Once ready, she stood tall, Blanche jumping down from her arms to take on her wolf appearance, the one she liked better to escort Milena to battle. And a battle the duo was preparing to face.

Milena stepped out of her apartments, surprising the servants working the first shift of the daylight. She was strikingly beautiful in her mourning. Her cheeks were still pink, her eyes a bit red, and her lips slightly pouting from all of her earlier crying. Yet, nothing was ever as beautiful as a woman preparing for battle. She walked without fail, despite her heavy belly and low shoulders, looking straight ahead with her determination painted all over her face. Every single one of them got out of her way quickly, impressed and intimidated by the Princess that morning. It was early, and behind the windows, the sun was sending purple waves into the sky, as if to accompany the Dhampir Lady.

Milena walked alone to the large Room. It was an octagonal room, with a large table ready to see several guests. Usually, the table would be full of open maps, strategic plannings, and surrounded by people arguing over their next move. 

It was too early for that, however. At the moment, the room was completely empty, except for a servant sweeping up the floor. The young man bowed a few seconds too late to the Grand Princess, as a bit surprised to see her and her wolf and maid come here. Milena ignored him completely, thus he quickly resumed his sweeping without a word. Instead, the Grand Princess sat in the chair opposite the door, so she could see everyone coming in, and was already in a dominating position towards the table.

"...Dinah, how about some tea while I wait for everyone?" She finally said after a while.

"Of course, my Lady."

Dinah left to prepare tea, and once the door was closed, Milena glanced towards the window. The sun was climbing very slowly but surely. She had deliberately come early, but she couldn't wait for this to begin. She needed something to do, somewhere to unleash her impatience, and the military council it would be. Blanche put her head on her lap, and Milena petted her without thinking.

"This is going to be one long, long day, Blanche. And tonight I'll go back to the Manor to see how is my Father, and Eugenie..."

Blanche let out a faint whimper. One couldn't see how an animal hurt, but Milena could tell her friend was grieving also. Just like her, Blanche had grown up at the De Crescent Manor, and all three of her brothers had become familiar with the white-haired shape-shifter. Although she was stuck to Milena, Blanche had spent time with Valentin too, at times. She had grown to like the brothers a lot, but right now, she wasn't showing too much of her sadness, only letting out faint sounds when Milena mentioned it. Truthfully, Blanche knew she could endure the pain a lot better than Milena. The Dhampir probably had a lot of feelings going on, while Blanche could think like a wolf, second by second, without letting herself drown in the sorrows of that loss.

"G-Grand Princess De Crescent...?"

The Grand Princess lifted her eyes to meet the Royal Assistant's eyes. The young man was visibly stunned to see her there, and he had already taken a couple of steps in before he had even realized the Grand Princess was sitting across the table. He was carrying a pile of papers, and almost let them down while he was so surprised.

"...What is it?" Said Milena coldly.

"I j-just didn't expect to see your Highness here," mumbled the man. "A-Are you alright?"

"I am perfectly fine, thank you."

From Milena's cold tone, and her voice slightly deeper than usual, the man didn't dare ask anything. He put down his papers, bowed, and left the room as quickly as he could. Milena heard him run from the other side of the door, probably to warn everyone of the imminent catastrophe...

"This should be interesting," she said with a bitter smile.

Her nails gently scratched between Blanche's ears while she growled. 

A few minutes later, the Duke De Nova walked in. Just like the servant, he couldn't hide his surprise to see her here, but as Milena politely greeted him, the man quickly bowed politely. He had dark circles under his eyes, and looked a bit older each time Milena saw him. The poor man had sent his daughter and only heir to war, and was struggling to keep the Duchy together ever since... She felt a bit sorry for the old vampire.

"Good Morning, Your Highness," he said with a tired voice. "I am happy to see you here, Your Highness."

"Thank you, Duke."

Those were the only words exchanged, and the man took a seat, visibly resolved to act as if Milena's presence was completely normal. Dinah came back with Milena's tea, and quietly hid in the background, a silence befalling shortly after. 

Then, the attendants of the began to arrive, one by one. Each time, there was a similar surprise to Milena's presence, but the reactions after that spoke volumes. While some bowed and happily greeted the Princess, some kept a sour expression on, barely gathering polite greetings together before seating down, yet still sending curious glances her way. It was obvious who was happy to see her there, and who wasn't. Yet, Milena was slowly sipping her tea, waiting for the main antagonist...

The King's arrival was announced, and everyone in the room stood like one, except for Milena.

There were just about twenty people present, and she was the only woman. Curiously, all of the feminine gent of the Kingdom was either busy in another part of the Capital, handling their own business, or at the front. Milena didn't seem to care at all, though. Actually, when the King stepped in, she was still slowly sipping her tea, and put down her teacup just as Ellias' jaw fell.

"Mi-... Lady Milena?" He gasped. "What are you doing here?"

"Good Morning, Your Highness," she retorted coldly. "Could you explain your question? I don't see why I couldn't be here."

Everyone around exchanged glances, and, as if they had been able to agree silently, everyone else sat down to watch the match that was about to start in front of them. At one end of the table, the King stood, his fists closed, glaring at the Grand Princess, while Lady Milena was sitting very calmly. Not only that, but everyone had noticed both the very visible pregnancy bump, as well as her completely black dress; the Lady Dhampir was known to like dark colors, but not to this point. A few people in the room dared to wonder if she was in mourning, or preparing to bury someone alive...

"You've never attended the previous military Councils!" Retorted the King, visibly annoyed. "How come you come here without warning!"

"I did not know I needed to announce my attendance, your Highness. Actually, given that I do live in the Castle, I believe there is no reason I wouldn't be allowed to attend."

"You did miss the previous ones!"

"Some of the previous ones," she retorted. "Are you going to blame a pregnant woman from resting while your Majesty and his military advisors handle the military matters? Or does it sound like you actually needed me here?"

That was a low blow, and everyone in the room silently gasped. This was the first time the Grand Princess openly admitted to her pregnancy in public. Not only that, but she was even taunting the King, making this sound as if he would have needed her at the previous councils. No one in the room dared to utter a single sound; that was too much tension in one room, so early in the morning. The King looked just about to explode, in an odd contrast with his sister-in-law's apparent calm. 

Somehow, he managed to hold it in together, quickly circling the room with his eyes. No one dared to look at either side, not even to show any support. In such a narrow room, no one wanted to be caught in the crossfire. There was a religious silence going on, everyone waiting for the storm to pass... Ellias took a deep breath first. Truthfully, he was the one at a loss if he kept shouting at a very calm woman, and a pregnant one at that. Milena hadn't raised her voice at all, and was keeping her composure with unparalleled elegance.

"Why are you here today, Lady Milena? Although you do have... the permission to attend those meetings, I don't believe there is any reason you should. You have enough to do on your own, and we are able to supervise those. Are is your presence actually an act of defiance? You've remained quiet and isolated all this time, yet you suddenly appear to show us how it's done? Are you pretending to know better than our military advisors?"

This time, Milena suddenly raised her purple eyes at him, very visibly glaring at the King and not hiding herself from it.

"Your Majesty, I believe you are mistaken here. Me not attending the meetings doesn't mean I approve or condemn whatever is decided each day. It means that like most citizens of our Kingdom, I entrust your Majesty and the military advisors to do their best in making decisions that will result in the life or death of our people. Whether I decide to come here or not is my decision only, I do not understand why your majesty feels like this is an affront to your capabilities!"

"Then you do not need to come here today more than you have the other days," sighed Ellias, rolling her eyes. "Every gentleman in this room is more than capable, Lady Milena. I suggest you sit out of this Council, and let us do, as you kindly mentioned, the best for this Kingdom. Your presence isn't needed."

With those words, the King got a few unhappy stares from the people present. He was very clearly telling the Grand Princess to leave, and this was an affront to a woman of her position. Although he was the King, all the men present who had been educated to respect the core principles of courtesy were feeling awkward and for those who supported Lady Milena more than the others, upset at his words.

"Not needed?" Suddenly scoffed Milena.

Her tone shocked everyone more than the King's sharp words. The Grand Princess was visibly in the mood to eat raw meat this morning... She slowly stood up, glaring at the King without hiding herself. Worse than that, she wasn't hiding her pissed expression, staring at him as if he had been an annoying insect.

"You believe you're in a position to have me leave this Council, Your Highness? In which stance? Because I didn't attend the previous ones? Surely, you wouldn't keep someone who missed a Council from coming back, right? Otherwise, how many people should be standing in this room right now?"

She was telling the truth, but a lot of people were uncomfortable with it, silently counting how many times they had skipped those meetings themselves. The truth was, with the War and so many people gone, each noble had been very busy with their own affairs on top of the Kingdom's and their official duties. Needless to say, no one had a perfect attendance record, not even the King himself, who regularly let the generals and ministers decide when he couldn't attend. All the Military meetings were held so often, sometimes up to twice a day, and were sometimes organized at the last meaning, depending on the news coming from the front. There was no way someone could attend each Council without fail. In Milena's case, it was even more understandable. As a Grand Princess, a Duchess, a business owner, and a mother to be, just to mention the most obvious, Milena ought to be busy enough to justify her absence from the previous meetings. There was no way she could be held accountable and told to leave for those reasons. Otherwise, no one else should be allowed to stand there either! 

This was very easy to understand, yet Milena wasn't done. The King had dared to try and kick her out of the , and now, the response was bound to be adequately painful...

"Could it be you think I have no opinion to say in military matters? On which belief? Because I am a woman, a princess? Or perhaps, because I am pregnant? Your Highness, aren't you a bit too narrow-minded now? Or do you conveniently forget who I am? I am the Duchess De Crescent, the daughter to the Kingdom's wolf and our army's Commander-in-chief's wife. I was born, raised, and educated in a military family. I am a patron of at least ten weaponry-related businesses, an investor in half of the weapons our soldiers yield, and a trusted advisor of the Duchy De Nova."

"T-That's not what I meant, Princess Milena," retorted Ellias. "I just meant... With your current state, it would be understandable if you wish to... not attend and rest instead..."

"Unfortunately, I don't have the luxury to rest, Your Highness," hissed Milena. "This Princess would happily stay in her tower and mind her own matters first if I could be sure our people's safety was guaranteed with this 's Decision. Yet, it appears that not only half the members of this Council do not care about coming late or not attending at all, but now, those who do come actually dare to decide who can attend or not in a distasteful argument, Your Highness. Meanwhile, our people die while you argue with me of a woman's right to concern herself with military matters!"

"You're taking this out of proportions, Lady Milena!" Protested Ellias, distressed. "I was merely expressing concern, no need to get so dramatic and..."

"Dramatic?" Repeated Milena.

Her ice-cold tone, as well as her black dress, alarmed a few people in the room. It was clear the Princess wasn't playing nice today, and something wrong was going on. She would usually not pursue this kind of argument with the King in public, yet this morning, she was visibly decided to shred him to pieces... The Duke De Nova frowned and dared to glare at His Majesty.

"Dramatic is a word used when one needs a woman to be called so to invalidate her opinion, Your Highness," she retorted. "I dare you to ever call me like that again. Then, you can go explain to my father the Duke, that his son's death is nothing more than a dramatic incident he and his children don't need to concern themselves with."

Ellias' expression fell as he slowly understood her words. Milena took a deep breath, and sat back in her seat.

"Now, if your Highness is done with playing petty with me, I shall ask everyone to sit the hell down and actually discuss this War's matters before we lose anyone else."