Claimed by the Prince of Darkness novel Chapter 140

Chapter 140: We Meet Again

He should have taken an early retirement when he had the chance, thought Hermes to himself. At the age of forty-nine, all his hair had turned silver and most of that had happened within two years of serving Prince Edward.

And now, having witnessed what he had just witnessed a moment ago, the attendant looked up at the ceiling.

He was well informed about the high-profile men of their land and their families, especially those whose children would one day come to serve the royal family, just as their fathers did. Lord Slater was one such man, working closely with the ministers and rarely appearing without reason.

Hermes had heard many rumours about the Lord’s two sons over the years. One of them had a rumour that he had a line of people buried somewhere, though no bodies were ever found. The other had killed men openly to end up behind the bars of the dungeon for it.

Now that he thought about it, that incident was probably the only time he had ever seen Lord Slater personally visit King Septimus.

"Hermes, are you dying?" Edward asked, glancing at his attendant, who appeared to be muttering something under his breath.

Unfortunately, not yet, thought Hermes.

It seemed that the young Slater did not mind showing his affections, nor did he appear inclined to hide them. Hermes might have preferred to remain ignorant of the matter, but as the prince’s attendant, ignorance was a luxury he did not possess.

"No, Your Highness, not yet," answered the attendant.

At the same time, the bell rang loud enough to signal the end of the classes for the day.

"It looks like you bled quite a lot, Ruelle," Edward said as he returned to her side, his eyes catching the bloodstain at the back of her dress.

"I am fine, truly. Lucian gave me some medicine and it feels much better now," Ruelle assured the prince, though she could feel Hermes’ gaze on her. She asked, "Is the ministers’ courthouse far from here, Your Highness?"

Edward shook his head with a nonchalant expression. He replied,

"Not far. Two hours, perhaps. I would have returned sooner, but I stopped at the castle as my father wished to talk to me."

"It must have been nice to see your family again," Ruelle said softly. "I imagine they were glad for your visit," and in time she caught a bitter smile touch the prince’s lips.

"My father cares for his family in his own way. My brothers, however, do not share his generous view. They have always considered the rest of us... unnecessary complications where the throne is concerned," Edward replied with a dry tone as a yawn escaped from his lips.

"The King hasn’t chosen his heir?" Ruelle asked him as the heat in her face started to subside.

"Not yet. Though if you ask me, neither of my elder brothers is particularly suited for it. They have already thinned the family tree more than necessary." Edward lifted his arms and rested his hands behind his neck, fingers loosely interlocked. "Sometimes I think my father enjoys watching us compete for his approval, seeing which of us proves the most capable. So I make it a point to do the opposite."

"I think that requires a great deal of strength," Ruelle said softly.

"That is without a doubt! Do you know how exhausting it is to be a disappointment to so many unimportant people?" Edward let out a long sigh. "Some days I feel it is the only thing I truly excel at."

His words seemed to hit home as Ruelle lowered her eyes while her fingers absentmindedly adjusted the edge of her scarf. She studied the prince and she saw someone who was also trying, even though he was too proud to show it.

"I do not think you are as much of a disappointment as you believe," she said thoughtfully. "If someone tries their best, that should count for something. No?" and she offered him a smile.

Edward did not respond to her. He looked at her as if he hadn’t expected that response from her. The usual amusement in his expression faded slightly, replaced by something more thoughtful. He then cleared his throat.

"Of course I am not hard on myself. I am a remarkably impressive person. My brothers are simply too blind to recognise it and ugly. I am the most agreeable of my brothers, the most handsome and unquestionably the most pleasant to be around."

"I believe you," Ruelle said with a small smile.

Edward gave a nod before he said, "I brought you some things that you might like. They will be sent to your room in the new quarters."

Ruelle was brought back to the main issue in hand and she carefully pressed her hands against her cheeks as if to ground herself. She then said, "Edward... about the new quarters. I don’t think I will be moving into it."

"Why not?" Edward asked nonchalantly. "Are the quarters not built to your liking?" He then turned to Hermes and said, "I told you we should ask her what kind she likes. Now look what happened."

"No, no, it is not that—the quarters are wonderful, almost too fancy," Ruelle replied with a faint smile that wavered. And when her eyes met the attendant’s, the older vampire was watching her carefully as to how she was going to break it. "I just think I should stay where I am right now. After all, in a week the bidding will start and I will move."

"But Lucian shares your room," Edward pointed out with a frown.

"Actually, I share his room," Ruelle corrected him.

Edward was going to say something when footsteps were heard once again outside the infirmary and soon came Hailey and Kevin.

"Good evening, Your Highness," the two of them greeted him with a bow.

"Ah, Ruelle’s friends," Edward acknowledged with a soft harumph.

"Did he forget our name already?" Hailey muttered, only to be nudged by Kevin’s foot. "Your Highness, we missed your presence greatly last evening."

Edward clicked his tongue. He remarked, "Tsk, only if I knew I wouldn’t have left and rescued you all. Who were so dim that they dared try to harm you and Ruelle?" His voice then lowered and he asked, "Who stabbed her?"

"Your Highness," came Ruelle’s stern voice as if telling him to drop it, while her friends stared at the prince.

Hailey gave it much thought before she replied, "He died. Lucian," she made a slicing action against her neck and raised her hand up.

"Lucky bastard," Edward murmured, while Kevin stared at Hailey, who gave him a sheepish smile in return.

"I should go beat the minister one more time for dividing my attention uselessly between him and Sexton. Wasting my precious time. Anyways," the prince said, before his gaze returned to Ruelle, and he said, "Now getting back to the new quarters. Call the servants and have the trunks moved."

Ruelle offered a bow and replied, "I appreciate your thought and action but it would be troublesome to move now and then move again so soon. I would rather not cause unnecessary work for anyone."

"If that is what you are worried about, there are servants for it," Edward laughed as if the solution was simple.

But Hermes already was aware that nothing was simple here. He began, "Your Highness, I think—"

"Hush, Hermes," Edward raised his hand. "Don’t interrupt us. I have to catch Mortis for this. Why are people so useless?"

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