Claimed by the Prince of Darkness novel Chapter 85

Chapter 85: A hand extended

"Returning to lessons after the weekend feels tiresome." An Elite vampiress sighed dramatically before deciding, "I am going to skip the rest of the day," she said to another vampiress.

Ruelle watched the vampiress walk away in the other direction.

"Must be pleasant having the world bend for you," Kevin muttered under his breath. His voice sounded tired. "Meanwhile, people like us keep trying only to have no rewards."

Ruelle turned her head toward him. His shoulders looked slumped, his steps steady but his expression looked worn out. She offered softly,

"If you’re tired, you should rest."

Hailey, who walked ahead of them, chimed in light-heartedly, "She’s right. Missing this won’t ruin your grades. No one will hunt you down for missing a ballroom lesson."

But Kevin shook his head almost immediately. He replied, "No. It’s only one class before lunch. I can rest later," managing a small smile.

In the last class of the ballroom lessons, he had partnered with Ruelle and he had enjoyed it, despite his awkwardness. He looked forward to the shared time again.

"I have already stuffed cotton into my shoes today," Hailey smiled wide, "No more damage to my poor toes."

Ruelle felt awful about it, and she said, "You and Kevin should partner this time. We don’t want you spraining your toes again."

Hailey waved her hand and replied, "Don’t worry about it. And just because I am hurt, you shouldn’t be too! Today will be wonderful!"

But as they approached the ballroom, Ruelle picked up on the voices coming from inside. They reached the grand double doors and Ruelle’s footsteps faltered. The room was occupied by other students.

"Has our class been cancelled?" Ruelle asked with a frown, but they hadn’t been informed about it. Maybe it was an end moment change, she thought to herself. Realising, she murmured, "These are the final-year students..."

Her eyes continued searching and finally stopped when she found Lucian standing across the hall. He was talking to one of the Elites. As if sensing her gaze, his head turned and their eyes met. And for a moment, Ruelle felt the room turn quieter with the chatter turning dull.

Confusion flickered in his eyes first as though seeing her there did not make sense. Then, almost immediately, something settled behind his eyes.

"Why are they here...?" Hailey’s hands went cold as she whispered, unease creeping through her voice. It was because the final years were filled with Elites and a handful of Halflings, who took pleasure in humiliating humans. "I don’t think I stuffed enough cotton..."

"What are you all doing blocking the doorway?" The ballroom instructor arrived with a grim expression as she stepped inside the room.

"There’s another—" a Groundling began hesitantly.

"I did not ask for commentary," the vampiress cut in sharply. "Inside. Now. We have a lot to do."

Reluctantly, like cattle guided toward something unseen, the first-years walked inside. The instructor clapped her hands for attention.

"Listen carefully. With the Winter Celebration only three weeks away, first-years and final-years will now train together. Everyone"—her gaze swept across the students—"will participate."

A murmur rippled through the hall.

"And if we don’t want to?" A young man asked in doubt.

"Then you refuse opportunities for employment," the instructor’s eyes slid pointedly toward the humans.

Ruelle’s lines of sight followed and she quickly caught the Crown Prince sitting on a plush chair while he was drinking something. He then stood up, clapping his hands together and stating,

"It is wonderful, isn’t it? At a time when the kingdom must strengthen its bonds, what better way than dance? How can conflict exist when we are holding one another?"

"See?" the instructor said tightly. "Even His Highness agrees. Consider this a gift and do not embarrass me," her eyes were directed at the humans, who had fumbled in the last class. She added, "The Elites are skilled, and it would do you good to learn from them."

"Of course, I understand some of you may feel overwhelmed," Edward’s gaze drifted to the humans, "but fear not. You are in capable hands. A rare chance to learn elegance from those born with it."

Edward continued speaking with the confidence of someone who truly believed the world spun a little brighter simply because he was present. Most of the young women leaned in his direction, hanging on to every word of his.

And while every word left the prince’s mouth, Ruelle silently took a step back and then another. All she had to do was stay out of sight!

The ballroom instructor clapped her hands and instructed, "We will now be dividing into two groups. Choose your partners quickly."

Like moths to a flame, several young women immediately gravitated towards the Crown Prince. As the pairing began, Kevin turned instinctively to his side, as if expecting Ruelle to be there, only to find the space to be empty.

Ruelle had moved to the back. She almost exhaled—

"Ruelle!" Her entire soul left her body when Edward called her. He waved his hand as if summoning a pet he was particularly fond of. "Come here. You and I shall pair. Unless you already happen to have a partner. In that case," he continued with airy delight, "we shall simply behead him and resolve the issue. Simple problems have simple solutions, do you not agree?" he laughed.

Ruelle briefly wondered if she had woken on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Her gaze flicked to where Kevin stood.

Kevin, who had sought her a few seconds ago, now stood with his shoulders rigid from fear after what the Crown Prince had said. He didn’t dare to move as his hands tightened into fists.

She noticed the dread in her friend’s eyes. And for one fragile second, she felt alone beneath the weight of the Crown Prince’s attention.

"No, Your Highness... I don’t," Ruelle replied with a small, strained smile.

"How kind of me to pick someone with no partner," Edward declared proudly as though Sexton would set up his statue in gratitude.

As Ruelle stepped toward Edward, her gaze drifted past his shoulder. Her eyes found Lucian, who stood there composed and unreadable. Whatever warmth had once existed between them showed no trace in his eyes and her stomach sank.

A moment later, he turned toward the instructor, giving the impression that none of this concerned him in the slightest.

Ruelle lowered her lashes.

Lucian had already done more for her than he ever should have. She had no right to expect anything from him—no right to imagine he owed her concern or involvement simply because trouble kept finding her.

What had she ever given in return except inconvenience? His lack of reaction only felt reasonable.

Edward snapped his fingers and music swept through the ballroom, which was dark and intricately layered. The prince lifted his chin confidently, holding Ruelle’s hand, and then took the first step forward as if he couldn’t wait to show his skills. But then he paused, his brows drawing together.

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