Claimed by the Prince of Darkness novel Chapter 111

Chapter 111: Static Before Lightning

At the time of dusk on Monday, the sky looked ready to drop the season’s first snow as if waiting to veil the world in white. A thin mist clung to Sexton’s tall and narrow windows. Inside, dozens of long candles were lit, their glow staining the stone walls. From the direction of the main hall, the distant sounds of violins and cellos spilled into the passageways.

In the corridors, the students’ voices filled themselves with excitement. Some were already dressed and ready while some were hurrying up and down to borrow what they needed from their friends.

In one of the buildings, Prince Edward now walked through the corridors with Hermes right behind him. The prince was dressed in a grey suit and wore a confident expression as he finally arrived at the door.

"Today is the day Ruelle Belmont finally realises how lucky she is to have handsome me next to her," Edward declared before a pair of students who were walking by bowed at him. He turned to his attendant and whispered, "Hermes, stand guard. I don’t want any interruptions. Not even if the building is on fire. Ruelle should look only at me."

"Of course, Your Highness," Hermes obliged, standing at the side near the wall.

"Good. Because when she opens this door," Edward said, straightening his coat, "history may very well change direction."

He knocked once, then immediately stepped back into what he clearly believed was a charming pose while holding out a bouquet of roses in front of him.

"This is for you—" Edward’s rehearsed smile turned sour when the door opened. "You again..."

Lucian stood at the doorway, one hand resting against the wood. He was dressed in dark clothes, the black shirt’s collar slightly open. His eyes moved from the flowers to Edward’s face.

"You keep appearing at my door with flowers," Lucian remarked, his tone almost idle. "You might start rumours you can’t control."

Edward’s eyebrow twitched at those words. He said through his gritted teeth lowly, "These are for Ruelle. You know... you have been particularly irritating lately, Slater."

"And yet you keep coming closer, Your Highness," Lucian responded, before saying, "You’re blocking my way." Without another word, he took a step into the corridor and closed the door behind him with a light click.

This had the prince take three steps back and scowl at the sheer audacity.

"Careful, Slater," Edward’s jaw clenched, warning him quietly. "If you become a problem for the royal family you might disappear permanently. You hide behind an old name and think it makes you untouchable?"

Lucian stared at the prince, who was an inch shorter than him. "Mm."

"..." Edward scoffed, before nodding. "Very well. I suppose some lessons must be delivered personally. If your blood is as impressive against the royal family’. Let us see it today."

Hermes turned alarmed and he quickly pacified the prince, saying, "Your Highness, the guests will already be gathering. It would not do to keep them waiting."

"Did you hear that? Be grateful I have better things to attend to tonight," Edward scoffed, as though granting mercy. "Besides, Ruelle would be disappointed if I kept her waiting for our dance and the air in the gardens is particularly romantic this time of year." A faint smile touched his lips as he murmured, "It’s only a matter of time before we are properly together."

Lucian’s unreadable eyes stayed on Edward a moment longer than they should have, watching the prince unblinkingly. Then he stated calmly,

"Be careful in the gardens," his voice dipping low. "There are creatures that maul couples this time of year."

He then slipped his hands into his pockets and walked away, leaving the prince’s words hanging uselessly in the air.

Edward turned back to the door and knocked again. "Ruelle?" He leaned closer, listening and after a second his eyebrows drew together. He murmured, "I don’t think she’s here. If she was, she would have stepped out at my voice."

"That is true," Hermes agreed, before clearing his throat and adding, "Perhaps it would be wise to inform a lady in advance when you intend to escort her. A lady may require time to prepare, Your Highness. Maybe it is best we go to the main hall as the ministers must have arrived."

And while the prince and his attendant disappeared down the corridor, two floors below in Blake Stellaris’ room, Ruelle stood before the mirror, carefully combing her hair. Beside her, Hailey had sliced a strawberry in half and was rubbing the juicier side against her cheeks, leaving behind a faint blush.

"I just need to wear the gown and I am ready!" Hailey announced, her voice turning louder out of excitement.

Ruelle smiled faintly at the reflection before her. She had shaped the ends of her blonde hair with a warmed iron rod. She had then twisted pieces of her hair from the side before pinning half of the portion and letting the rest of her hair fall loose down her back in gentle waves.

Placing the comb aside, Ruelle carefully slipped into her gown.

The gown was a soft shade of beige with fine embroidery tracing the bodice in delicate patterns, almost like vines in thread, catching the light when she moved. The neckline dipped modestly, revealing her collarbones without drawing attention, while the gown from the waist gave way to layers of fabric flowing to her ankles in quiet waves.

The sleeves were sheer and weightless, falling all the way to her wrists.

Across the room sat Blake Stellaris, who had just finished strapping her heeled shoes, was about to leave the room when she noticed Ruelle struggle with the lace of her gown.

The vampiress said, "Allow me."

"Thank you," Ruelle replied with a small smile as Blake’s slender fingers worked the laces by tightening them.

On the other side of the room, Hailey’s voice chimed, "Oh! Blake, I forgot to tell you. I’ll be moving out of here soon."

"Moving? Have you been hired already?" the vampiress asked with slight amusement.

"No, no," Hailey laughed. "I’ll be moving into the new quarters with Ruelle. Mr. Mortis has already spoken to some of the humans about it."

Ruelle still hadn’t been able to tell Lucian about it.

She had meant to inform him when he returned the night before. She had tried to stay awake but by the time he came back, she had fallen asleep on the couch. And this morning, Hailey had come by and they had gone to search for strawberries while discussing about the ball.

’It is getting tiring.’ His words echoed from yesterday.

The words had not sounded cruel but honest. And that almost made them worse.

Her lips pursed, her fingers curling at the thought of it.

"I see. I doubt most of us have heard about it. Probably because it doesn’t concern us," Blake remarked, giving the laces a final tug before tying them into a neat bow and informing, "It’s done."

"Thank you for helping me," Ruelle said with a grateful smile.

"I will be heading out now," Blake informed them before stepping out and closing the door behind her.

The two young women adjusted each other’s gowns and sleeves, and before they were about to leave, Hailey caught Ruelle’s hand and said,

"You missed the blush," picking up the strawberry in her hand.

Ruelle felt the cool, sweet dampness of the fruit, which was smeared on her cheeks and her lips. And once it was done, they finally stepped out, making their way towards the grand hall.

On their way, someone collided sharply with Ruelle’s shoulder.

"Watch where you’re going, Belmont," Alanna snapped, her lip curling as she hid something in her hand. "Wearing fine fabric doesn’t make you an Elite."

Before the vampiress could walk away, Ruelle spoke to her, "How unfortunate. Prince Edward was just asking after me, as I am his partner. I would hate for him to think I arrived at the ball already in distress because of someone."

"You..." Alanna’s jaw tightened. For a moment, it looked as though she wanted to say more but she merely turned and walked away.

"I wish you could do that again," Hailey snickered, watching the vampiress walking quickly before disappearing around the corner of the corridor.

"Hailey," one of the Halflings appeared before her, "Would you like to dance with me?"

Hailey turned to Ruelle, who said, "Go. I will see if I find Kevin." Her friend nodded before leaving with the Halfling.

After five seconds, when Ruelle looked ahead of her, her footsteps slowed.

At the far end of the corridor, Lucian stood half-turned in quiet conversation with a minister she vaguely remembered seeing once at the Slaters’ mansion. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

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