Claimed by the Prince of Darkness novel Chapter 207

Chapter 207: A Residue of Fate

By the time Ruelle and Lucian left the Slater estate, the morning hunt had long since come to an end. Now in the carriage, she sat beside Lucian inside the carriage, while the strange vision still lingered at the back of her mind.

Ruelle could feel Lucian’s eyes that didn’t leave her and her eyes moved to meet his. He didn’t force her to speak, as if giving her time and space to sort her thoughts, and it was something she appreciated about him.

"The witch you lived with in the past... Did she ever try to do something bad?" Ruelle asked him.

"In general she did. Trying to butcher me. Why?" Lucian searched her eyes.

"What I saw earlier in the dream. You said you wanted to kill all the witches," Ruelle began, her fingers resting in her lap. "And I think you meant me too." A slight smile touched her lips, as though it would lighten the subject. "I was only wondering if a witch had ever done something to you before. Something terrible enough to make you lose control."

Lucian replied, "The witch I learnt from passed away a few years ago. I don’t think I’ve ever concerned myself enough with witches to feel that strongly about them."

Ruelle turned her eyes towards him.

"I’ve killed a few," he continued with the same unsettling calmness, "but only when they became a nuisance to the towns or villages they were in. Beyond that, I’ve had little reason to involve myself in their affairs. You’re the only witch I’ve ever involved myself with this deeply."

Then... what had she seen?

Ruelle’s eyebrows drew together as another possibility slowly crept into her thoughts. Could it have been something that hadn’t happened yet? A glimpse of a future still waiting for them?

But almost as quickly as the thought came, she rejected it. No, she knew Lucian. Whatever happened, he wouldn’t simply turn against her. He wasn’t that kind of person, and she trusted him enough to know that much. Which only made the vision all the more confusing. If it wasn’t a memory and it wasn’t the future, was she idly dreaming?

When they finally arrived at Elder Minister Carnifex’s estate, the tall iron gates opened almost immediately after the guards caught sight of whom the carriage belonged to. The vehicle travelled along the path before the carriage eventually slowed to a halt in front of the mansion.

Ruelle looked out of the window. The mansion stood wide and imposing, built from dark stone that appeared almost black against the pale sky. Several pointed spires rose from its roof.

Stepping out of the carriage, Ruelle followed Lucian into the mansion, her eyes wandering across the unfamiliar surroundings as they entered. She had barely begun to take them in when the sharp sound of approaching footsteps drew her attention away.

A woman appeared at the other end of the hall.

Ruelle’s eyes caught the midnight-blue dress that trailed elegantly behind the woman before moving to the person’s face. Her black hair was neatly tied back, revealing a pair of red eyes whose sharpness seemed to have softened with the many years she had lived.

"It has been a while since I last saw you, Mr. Slater," the vampiress greeted pleasantly as she approached them. Her gaze then moved to Ruelle. "I heard about your betrothal. Congratulations to you both."

Lucian offered a polite bow, and Ruelle followed his lead. "My apologies for arriving so suddenly, Lady Amelia. We needed to speak with the minister," he informed the lady.

"I’m guessing you already sent word to him at the courthouse?" Lady Amelia asked, receiving her answer from Lucian’s expression before she gestured farther into the mansion. "Come inside. It is colder today than it was yesterday."

Ruelle quietly followed, though her gaze lingered on Lady Amelia.

It would have been a lie to say she hadn’t felt a slight sense of dread at the thought of meeting this person on their way here. After all, the woman walking ahead of them was her biological father’s lawfully wedded wife, and Ruelle couldn’t help but wonder if Carnifex had told her about his connection to her mother or about her.

"Are the preparations for the wedding complete? If I’m not mistaken, there’s only a week left," Lady Amelia remarked as she led them into the drawing room which was warm. "No matter how early one begins preparing, something inevitably appears at the last moment."

"Most of it is complete," Lucian replied.

Once they were seated, a maid stepped into the drawing room and offered a polite bow.

"What would you like to have?" Lady Amelia asked, turning towards Ruelle. "The cook prepared a fresh batch of chocolate chip biscuits this morning, seeing as the cookie monster ate them all last night."

Ruelle blinked at the unexpected choice of words. She couldn’t quite imagine anyone living beneath this imposing roof deserving such a title, but a small smile nevertheless touched her lips and she replied,

"The biscuits would be lovely, thank you."

Lady Amelia turned back to the maid. "Bring those, along with warm milk and blood tea." The maid bowed once more before leaving the room.

By the time the refreshments were served, Elder Minister Carnifex had returned to the mansion. Ruelle heard the approaching footsteps before he appeared at the entrance of the drawing room, with Peyton following closely behind him. Lady Amelia looked towards her husband before rising gracefully from her seat. She remarked,

"I seem to remember something I need to attend to," she said, smoothing a hand over her dress. "Please excuse me."

With a slight nod towards Ruelle and Lucian, she quietly left the drawing room and the door closed behind her. Ruelle’s eyes met her father’s, who wore a grim expression. She wondered if he was wrapped up in work when he was suddenly called out of it.

"Peyton informed me about what happened. Are you alright?" Carnifex asked, his attention settling immediately on Ruelle.

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