Claimed by the Prince of Darkness novel Chapter 98

Chapter 98: Half the Way to Sexton

Ruelle dragged her trunk to the carriage stop and waited for the local carriage to arrive. And while she sat on the wooden bench, she came to the conclusion that Sexton was the only place left to go. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

The road was quiet at this hour, save for the occasional passerby who glanced at her sitting alone with her belongings. No one asked her questions as if the villagers had already decided she was not their concern. It was only when her stomach grumbled that she remembered that she hadn’t eaten anything since last night.

So easily her family had cast her aside, the thought ran again and again, refusing to leave her in peace. All those years beneath one roof, every small hope she had foolishly nurtured had been swept away in a single moment.

After some more minutes, the local carriage appeared, its wheels rattling on the ground. Ruelle rose to her feet, brushing dust from her skirt.

"Is this carriage bound for Sexton?" she asked, forcing a polite smile.

"It is. The ride will cost four crowns," the coachman replied, climbing down from his seat.

"Four?" Ruelle frowned. "But it is usually two."

"It’s Saturday, miss," he answered with a shrug. "And not many coaches run to Sexton on the weekend."

Ruelle hesitated, her fingers tightening around the handle of her trunk. She had only two crowns and five shillings... hardly enough for the journey. She glanced back toward the direction of her house. She doubted the door would open for her again.

"So—are you getting on?" the coachman asked.

"Then... I would like to go half the way from here. For two crowns," Ruelle let him know.

The coachman considered it for a moment and then nodded. He replied, "Alright."

He took her trunk and secured it behind the carriage. Ruelle climbed inside and sat in between the two women as on the opposite side sat two men. The moment the carriage began to move, she could feel the fellow passengers curious eyes on her.

Ruelle pulled her scarf higher around her neck, covering the lower half of her face as though the fabric could shield her from their curiosity.

She wondered how she would complete the rest of the journey to Sexton.

Drag the trunk to Sexton on foot? She still had today and all of tomorrow to reach, she thought.

"Did Sexton do that to your face?" the woman on her right asked suddenly.

Ruelle did not turn to look at her.

"This is why we humans shouldn’t attend that dreadful place. Nothing good comes of it. I don’t know why families agree to it," the woman let out a disapproving sigh.

Ruelle kept her eyes lowered and avoided commenting on it. She didn’t see a point in responding, not when her own family had not cared to understand.

The coachman took a small pity on her. Instead of dropping her halfway, the coachman had stopped after another stop and she was grateful for his kindness.

The town she was at now was busy with carriages passing every so often and most of them belonged to families.

"Maybe I can find some work to cover the rest of the fare to Sexton," Ruelle murmured to herself, A small inn caught her eye, the smell of warm bread and broth drifting through its open door. It seemed as good a place as any to ask.

But the moment she reached for her trunk, a sharp pain shot through her fingers.

Ruelle bit her lip as her bruised hands protested. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to pick up the trunk, using her feet to push it forward as she made her way.

When she finally reached the inn, the innkeeper stepped forward and pulled out a chair, mistaking her for a customer.

"What would you like to eat, miss? We have broth made from—"

"I wish to work here," Ruelle interrupted gently. "Only for the day, if you would allow it. I can wash dishes or serve tables." She added, "Please."

The man blinked in surprise before shaking his head.

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