Claimed by the Prince of Darkness novel Chapter 135

Chapter 135: Term of Twenty

At the hour of night, darkness had fallen over the courthouse grounds and the day’s chatter had turned quiet. Most of the men had already departed, their footsteps long faded and only a handful lingered to complete the last of their duties. The wind had grown restless as the hours went on, rushing through the trees and making them tremble, along with the flames in the iron fire pits.

Right now, behind one of the tall windows on the ground floor stood two men at the back of the building who had only recently been admitted into service.

"I cannot believe that after all the examinations I endured, I have been assigned to guard duty," one of them muttered, clicking his tongue in quiet displeasure. "To stand here like a watchman, in case he storms out and strikes Minister Griswold again. It seems His Highness is rather powerless on his own. Pity."

He turned to the window where the glass had fogged slightly due to the cold weather, blurring the view of the room behind it.

The other minister, who stood beside him with a cigar held between his fingers, let out a quiet breath before speaking.

"It would be wise not to judge by appearances," he said calmly, the ember at the tip of his cigar glowing as he took another slow drag. "And wiser still not to say such things aloud lest you find yourself on the prince’s execution list. The moment Prince Edward reaches the age of twenty, he will be able to resist the First Elder Minister’s commands. And when that day comes, he will not forget who spoke carelessly while he was unable to answer back."

The first minister fell silent at that, his earlier irritation turning to unease. He murmured, "That is rather odd. I don’t think I heard it before." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"It is an old rule," the second minister continued. "Which is precisely why the First Elder ordered the prince to remain here tonight. To reflect, as he called it."

The first minister gave a small scoff, though it lacked the confidence it had before. He said, "We have been standing here for hours. I am certain Prince Edward has had more than enough time to reflect by now."

But the truth was far from it.

Inside the room, Prince Edward lay sprawled across the couch in a most undignified manner with one arm hanging loosely toward the floor while his legs extended far beyond it. the other end. One would have assumed by the look alone that the prince had been grinding through his time in Sexton.

But it was Hermes who was running on lack of sleep. The attendant wore a slight look of bewildered expression, listening to the prince snore now.

When the prince’s attendant heard the distant footsteps echoing out in the corridor, approaching their room, he straightened immediately to have the prince in a presentable state.

"Your Highness," Hermes called in a low voice, attempting to wake the prince up before the person approaching arrived. "It seems we may soon be permitted to return to Sexton. Your Highness?"

"Mm," Edward responded without opening his eyes. He stretched like a languid cat, entirely untroubled before slowly pushing himself upright just as the doorknob on the other side of the door began to turn. Still half-asleep, he muttered, "The first person I shall have beheaded once I come of age will be you."

"Your High—" Hermes began carefully.

"Do not worry. I know you will faithfully assist in my plans, Hermes. You always do," Edward gave a solemn nod with a pleased expression while he tried to let the sleepiness slip out of him.

"Conspiring to murder the king will land you in the dungeon, boy, no matter how good the plan is," came a slightly gruff male voice from the doorway as it opened. "That is even if the king in question happens to be your father."

Edward’s eyes snapped fully open and for a brief moment, he froze like a boy caught stealing sweets.

"Father!" Edward exclaimed, far too loudly with a smile. "What a pleasant surprise. Truly. A delight. A rare and unexpected joy."

He laughed once, then twice which was far more than the situation required, before slowly turning his head to glare at Hermes with sharp accusation in his eyes for failing to warn him sooner.

Hermes, who had served him long enough to understand this look, lowered his gaze respectfully and wondered if he should faint. He couldn’t read the king’s and what to expect right now.

Edward cleared his throat and straightened his posture at once, attempting to gather what remained of his dignity.

"I was merely resting after all the studying I did in Sexton," he said as though it was him who had locked himself in the room for hours. "One reflects better after sleep. It clears the mind."

"Surprising indeed," King Septimus answered, his voice calm, though the weight in it was unmistakable. "Especially when I was informed that you had engaged in a physical altercation with a minister... over a woman."

The humour Edward had worn moments ago faded almost instantly. There were very few people in the world who could silence him. His father was one of them.

The rule of the twentieth year had not been written without reason. In his earlier years, Edward’s temper had been swift and his authority unquestioned, and more than several unfortunate souls had lost their heads.

When the king stepped inside the room, his guards stood out in the corridor but someone else followed inside. It was Minister Maverick Griswold, whose one side of face was swollen and red.

"You..." Edward’s eyes narrowed instantly at the sight of the man. "I am going to turn you into a pulp today."

"Edward," King Septimus uttered, and the prince’s hands turned into fists. "The minister says he was at no fault and was attacked by you in broad daylight which several other ministers bore witness to."

Edward pressed his lips before raising his chin in insistence. "I was minding my own business when the minister insulted me yesterday."

"I swear I don’t remember talking to Your Highness!" Minister Maverick quickly informed. "It is true that I approached him three nights ago during Winter’s Ball, but all we did was exchange pleasantries."

"He dishonoured Ruelle, Father," Edward wore a look of displeasure.

"I did not! I didn’t even know that was her name. The woman I met during the ball was a vampiress. Alanna Beckett, you can verify it with her," Minister Maverick explained, wanting to clear his name. "I was hit for no reason, my king."

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