Raphael's Concerns

Raphael's expression fell. Milena was right. It was one of the most basic rules of economy they had learned; once a new product everyone wanted entered the market, the prices would spike up, leaving only the wealthiest to afford it. Not all the nobles had their means, especially nowadays. There were some common citizens born as vampires, too, who would definitely suffer from this. Even worse, they would really have no choice but to force humans to feed them if they couldn't find supplies anywhere else...

"So that's why you want to keep the method a secret," he muttered. "To control the prices of blood directly."

"Exactly," nodded Milena. "If only one House has the ownership of the method, and only a handful of suppliers are able to handle it, we can regulate the price of blood, the stocks, and make sure all vampires have access to it. Also, we can prevent anyone from controlling it in our stead. Earlier was an optimistic scenario, Raphael, but what if someone decides to artificially inflate the prices, to drive the vampires into a corner? The anti-Vampires might get what they want much, much sooner than we can face."

"...You're going to create a new economy for the vampires," he muttered, still in a bit of a shock.

"That's right. We have to face that most vampires are rich, or very rich. We need more of an economy running right now, and we need to have every noble spend more, unlocking those funds we have locked up in our safes. If we put a new market for blood out, it will slowly take over our current way of... doing things. Not only that, but we can even reinstate a new truce between humans and vampires, make sure no one is in fear of being attacked again. Humans can also donate their blood and be paid for it, which will help the poorer people. Everyone has blood, and the research has already proven long ago it is safe for them to donate from time to time. Just think of everything we could do, in so many domains. It would help us keep track of the adult humans in the Kingdom, and even access free samples of blood for all the scientific research we want to do!"

Raphael slowly nodded. He was astonished, not only by the idea, but by how far ahead his sister was able to plan. This was no small plan she had in mind, this would literally shape the future of their Kingdom and the relationships between vampires and humans, perhaps for decades to come. Not only would it help solve a current issue, prevent further ones from coming by keeping the blood production and sale under control, but they would even have several years ahead of what should have been their future, now. This was an earthquake about to happen, and all of it was controlled by his little sister.

Raphael kept trying to find any issue with her plan, but although there were some, they were obvious. It was always the same. The King wouldn't like Milena having so much power over the vampire factions. The nobles wouldn't like not being able to have their own production, either, and the Society of Vampires was probably going to try and negotiate, too...

"This... This is so dangerous, Millie. We've never been able to transport blood long-distance before, or keep it fresh for... several weeks. I know our most expensive methods can hold up to a month, but I hear this is a truly new... method. If it can keep blood from losing its taste, or going bad or causing sickness... Milena, if you put this out, it will still take over the market incredibly fast. Everyone will want to know that secret."

"We are confident about keeping it," Immediately said Genia. "This isn't the first time our family has been at the edge of scientific advancement, and we know how to keep things to ourselves."

"Even so," retorted Raphael, glaring back. "This is my sister's name being put forward, isn't it? You will only be labelled as the inventors, while Milena will be the official owner of that method. ...Milena, are you sure about this?"

"This is a new Era coming up," nodded Milena. "In fact, our method of extracting and keeping blood has been the same for decades now, with no improvement except perhaps for being able to keep it fresh a bit longer like we keep wine. The Sevira sisters' technique will allow us to transport any quantity of blood we want without risks, in different formats and, more importantly, without compromising any of the taste or freshness. Do you remember the affair of the poisoned blood decades ago? Or how the noble family's vault had been robbed of all their blood out of spite by a rival? Our people know the value of blood, both humans and vampires. In fact, we are just changing the product a little while introducing a brand new set of rules. This isn't as much about the new blood conservation than about making it a product to be sold and purchased, now. I will apply it like any other trade I could be in charge of."

"But this isn't any other trade, Millie. We aren't talking about glass or salt this time..."

"I know, but look at it. Have I ever made a mistake, Raphael? I know how businesses work. I have the resources, the connections, and the influence. I can revolutionize the Blood Industry and, at the same time, completely turn over our internal politics."

Raphael let a few seconds pass. 

In a way, he was glad, and grateful for that fire in his sister's eyes. Milena was never falling short of impressing him, and today was perhaps the best she had ever done. She had red eyes, dark circles under her eyes barely covered by her makeup, and she was so heavily pregnant, at that, yet she was confidently exposing her plan to completely crash into a new Industry. She was truly one to bloom in adversity. In fact, Milena was so much like the wolf that proudly represented their family armories. She was even more dangerous once cornered. There was a saying, in their lands, that an injured wolf bites back twice. Milena looked like someone ready to rip her enemies to shred. It was the same fire that seemed to flow down every De Crescent woman's veins... Their great-grandmother, their mom, and even Valentin's wife, there was no exception. In fact, even Rowena was sometimes impressively stubborn. Yet, none of them could be as determined as Milena De Crescent. 

He let out a long sigh, and after fidgeting for a few seconds, turned to the Sevira sisters.

"I need a few minutes privately with my sister, please."

"Of course," nodded Kalliope, standing up with her sister. "In fact, I believe we have said most of what needed to be said. Lady Milena, if you don't have any more questions for us, please allow us to return. We can always settle all the paperwork at a later time."

"Thank you, Lady Kalliope, Lady Genia. Today is not... the best time indeed."

They followed up with a few more polite words to part, Kalliope hinting that she still needed a formal answer soon, then Dinah escorted them out.

As soon as it was just the two of them left in the room, Milena sighed, and rested her back, slouching a bit more on the couch than she'd allow herself in the presence of their guests. Raphael, too, frowned.

"...Are you going to try to dissuade me?" She finally asked after a little while.

"Well... Sometimes, I've wished my little sister was a normal, middle-class lady who could only worry about buying pretty dresses, having tea parties with her friends and be wed to some regular nobleman, but... unfortunately, that's not something our family really led you for."

"My dresses are the prettiest, still," faintly smiled Milena.

"They sure are," he raised an eyebrow. "My point is... I just wish all those dangerous and life-threatening situations didn't always happen to you, Millie. I'm amazed a bit more every day about what your mind can do, and all of us are still baffled by how far you've come from... the homeless little girl dad brought home way back then."

"That was a very long time ago..."

"And I miss that time. I just don't... see how I can still help you anymore, and I wish I knew how to. I've done... everything I could, and each time I realize how I'm simply not up to the task. I.... I already miss Val a lot, and I'm terrified by everything that will befall me now that he's gone. With what I just heard, I realize I might not even keep up that promise to protect you, either, and I'm scared."

Milena remained silent, not in the mood for any more comments this time. She gently took her brother's cold hand, smiling faintly to the familiar touch. Val and Raphael had always had a similar way to hold her hand, when she was young. All she could see was their difference in size, her older brothers being significantly bigger. Now though, they were all adults, and Raphael's hand didn't seem so big anymore. Still, she wanted to keep holding it, and for him to hold hers too.

"...I'll always need you," she finally said. "I think I'm doing all of this for us, Raphael. For our family... When I first came to know about your... issue, I realized I had to work twice as hard to protect you. Not because of your... appeal for men, but because you're a vampire, and I'm not. Val and Lucian are humans, and I am not. There is... something hard about being the kind that I am. Everyone keeps pulling me in all directions, but, eventually, the one place I want to protect is our home. My home is made up of vampires, and humans. I don't think humans will ever understand what it's like to be a vampire, and the other way is also true. ...And I'm someone who can understand them a bit better, yet a bit less too. I'm reminded every day I am neither, and both kinds all at once. Today, Henry actually scolded me about being too... pro-vampires to oppose Ellias and his pro-human politics."

"He did that?"

"In a kind way, I promise. But, it did make me realize that, in my constant quest for answers, relevance and belonging, I forgot to look inside, for what I, as a person, wanted to be. As it turns out, I'm still... a Dhampir. I want to create a world where I belong, and where my existence is respected. Yet, to do that, I need to stand up for values that will make both kinds accept me. So, I can't just stand for one. I finally understand why I've... always admired Princess Silvra so much. It's not just because she was like me, it's also because she managed to live by her own rules, and how she wanted, until she died. At least, that's what I believe."

"So... That new... Blood Commerce is a way to have you be accepted by vampires, then?"

"No, Raphael. By the humans. This whole idea is to protect them. Look at what's going on now, they are all terrified. Even the humans who do donate their blood do it by loyalty, or fear of their masters. If we keep allowing the vampires to feed through fear, sex, or duty, this is bound to cause issues sooner or later. You know this is the right thing to do, to bring humans and vampires back to a more regulated, equal relationship that has been causing so many issues for years. You've heard it, too. Our family is lucky, but for a lot of others, humans and vampires are not seen as equals, for many reasons. With this, we can acknowledge their differences while also balancing the humans' weaknesses into their strength, and..."

"The vampires' strength into a weakness," finished Raphael. "I see your point, but... Milena, there are a lot of unknown parameters here. Let alone the King, many nobles won't stand for that. They will give you hell for being in charge of such a grand thing! Out of greed or thirst for power, they will all target you, Millie."

"I... might have taken a head start on that," she confessed, a little smile on her lips.

Raphael frowned. He wasn't too fond of those moments when his little sister looked a bit too much like her husband, cold and calculating... Milena brushed her hair back, and Blanche unexpectedly popped her little weasel head out of one of her pockets, looking around with a curious expression.

"I've offered to create a coalition, at the Military Council this morning," she said. "This way, I won't be alone."

"...You're offering them a piece before they even know what the cake's going to taste like," muttered Raphael. "They have no idea what's going to hit them."

"Some do. The Duke De Nova is already following Rachael's directions and supporting me, and more will. I think I can even convince Henry, now."

"This is looking... both reassuring and scary, if that's even possible. Millie, do you even really know when to stop? I can't believe you can do this much in just one day."

"I've stayed inactive for too long," she retorted. "Perhaps I would have even continued too, if it wasn't for all those raptors trying to take us down from all sides. No, I can't sit back anymore, Raphael, not when we have an opportunity like this. And... I need more power. To protect our House, Father and Rayan. Antonin is not going to take over until a few years, and Father's health is not... at the best, as you said. I need to show the De Crescent Family is still strong and under my protection, for as long as I'll remain the Grand Princess."

"...Alright, alright. I'll support you whatever you decide, of course; Just... tell me how to."

"Talk to the Society of Vampires, Raphael. I don't know who the current leaders are, but I need them to agree to this project, to the new blood trade. I know it won't be easy, so I need you to negotiate ahead. If they think they can have profits by agreeing further, it will help me a lot to submit this to the Council when it is ready. Just pretend this is us trying to reach out to them before they can't afford it."

"Alright, I get it... But Milena, please, I beg you, try to take it easy. You can take care of the politics from a chair, and you can let others handle the errands and whatever else requires you to move around. You are pregnant, so please, at least do it for your babies. Or do I need to write to your husband to have him tell you to slow down? He's the only one you ever seem to take advice from."

Milena smiled a bit, but before she could answer, someone gently knocked on the door. To their surprise, it wasn't a servant or Digory the Butler, but Eugenie herself, who smiled weakly.

"I saw the Sevira sisters leave," she said with a hoarse voice. "Would someone care to update me on whatever is going on?"

"Oh, Eugenie..."

Milena stood up and walked right to her sister-in-law, the two women hugging each other without a word. Raphael was impressed that neither of them let a tear out, only hugging tight and caressing their hair very gently, like two real sisters would. He was once again struck by how strong and tough those two ladies could be. When they separated, Eugenie let out a long sigh.

"Sorry, I... grabbed a bit of your conversation while outside, and I agree with Raphael, as per usual. Slow down, Milena, I beg you. And if I dare, please stay home for a while. You will need us, and God knows I really need you right now."

Eugenie's red eyes and her broken voice were the final straw from Milena. She nodded, feeling deeply sorry she hadn't seen Val's wife sooner. She held her hand and nodded apologetically.

"...Alright, I will stay here for a few days. I don't think I'm near delivery yet, but... At least I could use a rest from all those politics. I... I will stay until after we can hold the funeral, unless my babies decide to show up before that."

"Thank God," whispered Eugenie. "Oh, and there's something else which I hope will help with your decision."

She gave an envelope to Milena, who recognized her husband's handwriting right away. Surprised, she looked up at Eugenie, who gathered a smile.

"He was kind to write to me and your father, too... But this one's for you."