Claimed by the Prince of Darkness novel Chapter 180

Chapter 180: An Unwelcome Return

When Ruelle woke up, she felt her head pound. For several seconds she stared at the ceiling, and when she attempted to sit upright, the room spun enough that she dropped back onto the mattress.

"Don’t tell me I caught a cold," she groaned.

Last night she had spent a little too long outside without a coat or scarf. But it hadn’t mattered then, as she had loved every second of it with Lucian. With Peyton’s delayed return, they had been left alone longer than expected.

The potion Dane had made her sniff hadn’t brought back only pleasant memories. Some she would have gladly left buried. Yet she had let them pass, choosing instead to linger on the ones tied to this mansion.

To someone who didn’t know Lucian, he appeared cold and untouchable, a man who seemed impossible to move. Yet knowing who he truly was, Ruelle found herself feeling fortunate. And the portrait hanging on the wall didn’t do justice to the memories she had seen.

"...so cute," she murmured at the memory of a young Lucian.

"What are you calling cute?"

Before Ruelle could properly open her eyes, she felt a cold hand settle against the side of her neck and a soft sigh escaped her lips. As her vision cleared, she found Lucian watching her, and she smiled.

"Would you like me to summon a physician?" Maude inquired with an almost blank expression.

Lucian’s fingers remained against Ruelle’s pulse. He responded, "It should subside with rest," his gaze didn’t leave her. "Bring the pill box. And something warm for her to eat."

"Would you like me to bring your meal here too?"

"Yes."

Maude bowed before stepping out of the room, leaving them alone.

Ruelle’s gaze drifted behind him and she noticed the minister’s assistant was missing. Peyton still hadn’t returned. She hoped the vampiress wasn’t currently buried beneath an avalanche of snow somewhere.

"How are you feeling?" Lucian asked.

"Not that bad. I’ve felt worse." A laugh escaped Ruelle’s lips while the answer only deepened the slight frown between his brows. Embarrassed, she looked away and asked, "What time is it?"

"Nine minutes past nine."

"Ah..."

It was the hour the family usually gathered in the dining room in the morning for breakfast. He must have noticed her absence and had come to check on her.

When she attempted to sit up once more, Lucian steadied her. One hand settled behind her neck while the other supported her back.

"Thank you," she murmured. Strangely, the pounding in her head felt less severe than before and she blinked. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

She was sipping water when hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor outside and she paused. A second later, the door opened and Peyton stepped inside. Snow still clung to parts of the vampiress’s coat. Unlike usual, she hadn’t taken the time to compose herself after travelling. Her expression was tense and her eyes immediately sought out Lucian before they fell on Ruelle.

"We didn’t do anything," Ruelle uttered as if wanting to ease the vampiress’s worry. The woman stared at her before turning to Lucian.

"There was a breach last night at the courthouse’s dungeon," Peyton informed.

It took Ruelle a couple of seconds before she understood what Peyton’s words meant.

Peyton continued to speak, "None of the prisoners stayed behind, including Ms. Belmont’s sister, everyone was let out and the guards were found dead. None of them survived."

"No intruders?" Lucian asked, the look in his eyes turning serious.

"No forced entry. It looks like someone caught the guard with the key before letting everyone out. The blood in the dungeon mostly belongs to the guards. Halflings," Peyton added with a grim expression.

Ruelle wanted to believe Caroline had been swept up in the chaos. Yet knowing her sister, she couldn’t completely dismiss the possibility that Caroline had fled alongside the others.

"The nearby towns and villages have been informed to keep a look out for the men and women who were held in the dungeon," Peyton continued speak, her lips setting in a thin line.

Lucian didn’t look pleased. When his eyes moved to Ruelle, he noticed the worry in her expression. It stood out more than usual against the slight fever colouring her cheeks. His gaze returned to Peyton.

"Is the Elder Minister still at the courthouse?"

Peyton gave a nod. "He intends to keep the matter contained for now. Some of the council members believe the announcement of the treaty may have provoked retaliation."

Silence settled briefly, before Lucian spoke, "Helsing is dead. Now an entire dungeon has been emptied overnight." His gaze sharpened. "Whether the two incidents are connected is irrelevant. People will connect them regardless."

He then turned to Ruelle and said, "I will try to get back soon."

"Wait," Ruelle caught Lucian’s hand before he could leave. She asked, "Can I come along with you?"

Lucian’s gaze lingered on her face for a moment. He took in her flushed cheeks, the slight exhaustion in her eyes and the fact that she was still wrapped beneath the blankets and the warm hand that held his.

"You have a fever, Ruelle."

"I know, but—"

"You can barely sit upright," his voice remained calm and patient.

Ruelle turned redder and she replied, "That was different."

"How?"

Ruelle opened her mouth before realising she had no answer. A faint look of amusement appeared in his eyes. She then said, "It is only a cold."

She saw him bend, placing his palms to rest on the edge of the bed. The softness in his eyes had returned and he questioned, "How wise do you think it is to travel in this state and strain your body?"

"I know but..." she admitted quietly, before adding, "I will sleep in the carriage."

The suggestion earned her a look and it wasn’t an encouraging one. Her smile turned sheepish. "Please?" It was just that she doubted she would be able to rest, not knowing what was going on. She felt as if Caroline were digging her grave deeper than what their parents had dug for them.

For several moments, Lucian simply stared at her. He then said, "Your judgement is questionable right now, Ruelle. Do you know how cold it is outside?"

"It is winter," Ruelle replied, only to see his eyes narrow.

She noticed his finger lightly tap against the edge of the bed as though giving her an opportunity to reconsider her answer.

Then suddenly she felt it. The warmth in the room seemed to disappear and a chill crept across her skin, a shiver running through her. It felt as though every trace of heat had been quietly stolen away.

"Lucian..."

"Feeling cold?" His voice remained infuriatingly calm.

That wasn’t fair at all, Ruelle thought to herself, while he looked at her with softened eyes.

More footsteps were heard in the corridor and soon Ruelle caught sight of Dane and Sawyer.

"I have been summoned to the courthouse because of the breakout," Sawyer informed, with a look of seriousness. "Are you coming along?"

Dane, whose eyes fell on Ruelle, remarked, "One evening alone with each other and Ruelle has turned redder than a tomato." And as he entered the room, his eyes fell on Peyton as if he were already aware of her presence in the room. "Looks like Lucian can’t play the physician, as he has to go to work."

"That’s alright, I will be going with him," Ruelle declared and noticed the corner of Lucian’s mouth twitch once. She quickly added, "You said I could yesterday..."

The rest of them who didn’t know what Lucian said looked mildly curious.

"Ruelle looks like she doesn’t want to part from you. How about I accompany her when you go meet the ministers?" Dane offered and Ruelle nodded eagerly.

"You will not have to worry about me," Ruelle agreed.

Something flickered briefly across Lucian’s eyes before it disappeared. He then said, "You will remain in my chambers at the courthouse and rest."

Ruelle nodded her head right away before a sneeze escaped from her lips and her hair turned messier. Lucian’s lips pursed as if he wanted to say something. She then saw Lucian walk to the side and he pulled the calling rope. Once Maude arrived, he instructed,

"Ruelle will be travelling with us to the courthouse. Help her dress."

"Yes, Master Lucian," the head of the housekeeper bowed, and everyone stepped out of the room.

Once Ruelle was dressed and bundled into a coat, scarf and enough layers to keep her warm, the five people headed towards the courthouse. On their way, she found herself chatting with Dane and Sawyer, while Lucian kept a watch and listened to them.

One would think that she was recovering from the cold already, but Lucian noticed the way she breathed deeper than usual.

Before long, the familiar outline of the courthouse appeared through the carriage window. Guards moved quickly through the snow-covered grounds. Messengers hurried between buildings with stacks of documents in hand, and even from outside, she could sense the tension hanging over the courthouse.

Just as Ruelle stepped down from the carriage, she noticed the courthouse grounds holding more guards than the last time she had visited. Men stood stationed at intervals along the stone pathways, while others moved between entrances.

One of the officers hurried toward their carriage the moment Lucian appeared.

"Mr. Slater," the man bowed deeply.

"What is the update on the situation?" Lucian asked without wasting time on greetings.

As the officer straightened and began his report, another guard approached Peyton from the side. The vampiress listened to whatever was whispered into her ear, her expression revealing nothing.

The officer reported, "The cells weren’t forced open. However, blood was found splattered inside one of the cells. On the inside of the iron bars. The watchmen stationed above reported hearing nothing. They saw no one enter or leave. A few unburnt documents were also recovered from the fireplace."

"Where?" Lucian asked, his gaze shifted briefly toward Peyton, who gave a small nod before departing with the other guard without explanation.

"Minister Carnifex and Minister Sylvan’s belongings." The officer hesitated briefly, yet it was enough for Ruelle to notice. "One of the documents that was burned was the treaty recently released to the public."

Ruelle’s stomach tightened slightly. Perhaps it was coincidence that the treaty ended up with the other documents to be destroyed. Yet the longer she listened, the less it sounded accidental.

If Peyton was right... Then perhaps their wedding would not pass as smoothly as she hoped.

"It doesn’t make a difference." Ruelle blinked and turned to Lucian, his eyes already on hers. The words had clearly been meant for her. "It is a blood contract treaty. Burning parchment won’t change anything."

Only then did Ruelle realise she had been holding her breath and she quietly released it. Of course. A treaty like that was not merely ink on paper. Still, hearing him say it eased a tension she had not realised had settled in her chest.

"I’ll go check how they are doing with the perimeter," Sawyer gave a short nod before heading off without waiting for a response.

Ruelle found herself looking toward the distant courthouse wing that housed the lower levels, like the dungeon. With everything she had heard so far, it felt natural to assume they would be going there next.

Yet Lucian reached into his coat, withdrew a key, and handed it to Dane. He said, "Let her rest. There are blankets in the cupboard."

When Ruelle’s eyes met Lucian’s eyes, she couldn’t haggle more than what he had offered right now. The cold air had grown sharper while they stood outside. The fog escaping her lips appeared thicker now than before.

"Come, Ruelle. You heard him," Dane remarked, placing his hand on her back to guide her. "Let them handle the boring parts."

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