Claimed by the Prince of Darkness novel Chapter 153

Chapter 153: The Illusion of Control

The cold lingered beyond the walls of the castle, but the burning fireplace kept the dining room warm. The food was rich yet Ruelle found herself eating only a little as the king’s gaze returned to her more than once. It was probably because Hermes had not stayed silent about her parchment.

To think she had folded another parchment on a whim and she closed her eyes for a second. She then heard King Septimus question,

"Are you a quick learner, Ruelle?" without looking up from his plate and her eyes opened.

"That would depend on what is required of me, Your Majesty..." Ruelle replied politely, even though the grip on her spoon tightened. "I do my best to follow what I am taught."

"I heard you hunt well. That you even won at the fair today. A doll was it?" King Septimus stated before meeting her gaze.

Given Edward’s nature, it seemed hardly surprising that the king kept watch over where his son went and what he did, thought Ruelle to herself. So the king would know about others around the prince.

"It was effort and a little luck," Ruelle replied, feeling the heavy feeling returning once more, while his gaze carried curiosity.

A soft hum escaped from King Septimus. He responded, "It would seem fortune has favoured you and the others as well today. You there. Tell me, what do you make of it?"

Ruelle kicked Hailey’s foot under the table, who looked up startled. "Me?" she asked before answering quickly, "I am a quick learner, Your Majesty."

"That is good to hear," King Septimus laughed lightly as he cut into the meat. He continued, "There should be at least one capable person present. It would be unfortunate if the others were made to answer for a lapse, right?"

Hailey swallowed before giving a small nod as her voice failed her.

"Father, the final examinations will be conducted soon. I shall be finished with Sexton soon and I intend to take first place," Edward said, glancing toward his father.

"We shall see," King Septimus replied, his movements remaining smooth and unhurried as if he had everything and everyone under control.

Ruelle had never met anyone like King Septimus. She wondered if it was the weight and the glitter of the crown that formed such a powerful presence. A word from him, and people obeyed. A movement of his hand, and death seemed never far behind.

When a servant came to serve Ruelle the meat, Edward shooed the person with a frown, "Don’t serve her that. Her stomach was in pain. Where’s the porridge?"

"Forgive me, Your Highness," the servant apologised. "I will bring it right away."

"That is quite alright. I feel better now," Ruelle said. Was Edward always so attentive, or had the king’s presence made every small action feel magnified?

When the dinner came to an end, she slipped away with Hailey, making her way to the room assigned to them.

"Oh God, I was terrified back there. He was warn—mmph!" Ruelle covered Hailey’s mouth before she could finish. She pressed a finger to her own lips, then pointed toward her ear.

"We are going hunting tomorrow. We should rest," Ruelle said and Hailey nodded. Pulling her hand away, she moved toward the bed and dropped onto it with a soft sigh and murmured, "I am tired..."

"So am I," Hailey said, moving to lie beside Ruelle. "Can you believe it has only been a week since the Winter Ball?"

"Has it?" Ruelle asked, staring at the ceiling.

"Mm," Hailey nodded, a yawn escaping her. She turned onto her side to look at Ruelle and praised, "You are a strong person."

A small chuckle escaped from Ruelle, and she turned to look at Hailey before asking, "What brought that on?"

"I am serious. If it had been me, I would have tried to escape through the window and likely be lying beneath the snow by now," Hailey whispered with her brows furrowing.

"Then Kevin and I would have come looking for you. Hopefully dig you out," Ruelle replied at the thought of it.

Hailey’s voice then fell even lower as she asked, "Do you think we should...tell Kevin?" the last words being mouthed.

Ruelle shook her head. "He’s been ecstatic since the king told him he would be hired."

As the night continued, Ruelle pulled the blanket closer, her eyes tracing the empty ceiling as each moment of the day replayed in her mind. The castle felt suffocating and she could not wait to leave it. If she were back at Sexton, she would be lying in her bed, and Lucian would be there either asleep or working as he always did.

Her hand moved unconsciously to her lips as though recalling the moment from the morning.

She pressed her fingers there, mirroring the touch she had not forgotten, and a quiet warmth climbed to her cheeks. But the moment did not last. Her eyes flashed through the memory of blood spilled across the floor and bodies severed.

Pulling her hand away, she turned toward the window, where the snow continued to fall, burying everything beneath it.

The following morning, the weather had settled but the ground had hardened beneath the snow. Right now, Ruelle sat on one of the horses, and though she had planned for Hailey to ride with the prince, Hermes intervened,

"Miss Elliot, you shall ride with me."

"But Edward had intended to guide her," Ruelle said, her tone light as she glanced toward the prince. "He is quite skilled."

Hermes’ lips pressed together before he replied, "His Highness was taught under my guidance. It would be better that I guide her instead, while you and he continue with the hunt."

Edward adjusted his hair unbothered. He called, "Let us begin," pressing his heels to the horse. The horse leapt forward at once and soon the castle fell behind as they disappeared into the forest.

Ruelle held the reins tightly as her horse moved ahead and the trees rushed past on either side. They rode deeper into the forest, where the silence thickened and she hoped the distance would swallow any word that might carry back to the king.

"There is the hare!" came Edward’s excited voice. He brought his crossbow up and released the arrow in one swift motion.

And as expected from the prince, the shot landed cleanly, dropping the animal dead. When a guard moved to collect the animal, the prince glanced back at Ruelle with a pleased expression. He said, "This is only the beginning. We shall have something larger soon."

"Let us continue then," Ruelle responded, urging her horse forward as they looked for their next target.

"Hermes...can’t we ride a little faster?" Hailey called, holding the crossbow close to her side. "At this rate, the prince will leave nothing for us to practise on."

Hermes rode just behind Ruelle, while the prince had already moved ahead, leaving the guards and Kevin trailing behind him. The attendant spoke,

"One does not compete with the prince, Miss. Just as one would not compete with the king in a bid. It is considered nothing less than treason."

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