Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 9

Chapter 9: A price to pay

Once Ruelle had secured the syllabus, her next destination was Sexton's grand library. She and Hailey made their way up the winding staircase at the far end of the corridor to the designated floor. The corridors were dimly lit with flickering lanterns, casting shadows on the stone walls.

Upon reaching the entrance, Ruelle caught the faint, musty scent of old books wafting through the air, mingling with the slightly damp chill of the library. The quiet ambiance was occasionally punctuated by the distant echo of footsteps on the stone floor.

Two classmates stood whispering to each other with anxious expressions, their voices hushed and tense as Ruelle and Hailey approached the towering double doors. Just as they were about to step inside, a figure emerged to block them. His greasy hair was slicked back, and his spectacles perched precariously on the bridge of his nose.

"And where do you think you're going?" His voice was smooth but laced with contempt, dripping with a superiority that made Ruelle clench her fists reflexively.

"To fetch books for the syllabus listed for our year..." Ruelle replied, holding up the scroll as if showing him evidence that she was a student here. Hailey nodded beside her.

"Did you bring the fee?" he asked, arching a thin eyebrow. The curve of his lips suggested he already knew the answer.

"The fee?" Ruelle echoed, her voice filled with confusion. At her naivety, the man chuckled—the sound was as condescending as it was dismissive.

"Everyone who wants to access the library needs to pay a fee of fifteen shillings," the caretaker explained with a scornful flick of his fingers. "If you don't have it, move aside and don't crowd the entrance."

Ruelle found the demand absurd. Wasn't an academy established for teaching supposed to provide books to read for free? Her heart sank at the thought of failing her classes because of such a barrier.

As an Elite vampiress swept through the doors unhindered, her lofty gaze not even acknowledging them, Hailey asked, "Is it because we're humans?"

"This applies to every student," the caretaker remarked, looking her up and down. "The difference is, the Elites' families have already paid their share, unlike you Groundlings."

"Maybe we can borrow the books from others," Ruelle suggested, a note of desperation creeping into her voice as she tried to grasp at solutions.

But the caretaker was quick to extinguish any hope. "Groundlings are not permitted to leave the library with books. If you wish to do so, it will cost you twenty gold coins," he declared, his words cold and definitive.

"...!" This left the two girls in shock.

The sum was more than their families could conjure up at once. Images flashed through Ruelle's mind—of chains, oppressive shadows, and an endless cycle of submission. Her fingers tightened around the scroll.

To witness the ease with which the privileged glided through life was to understand a devastating truth—the burden of suffering disproportionately weighed upon the shoulders of the less fortunate.

"We don't have the money now, but we could pay after the weekend," Ruelle proposed, her voice wavering yet defiant.

"No," he interjected bluntly, his refusal like a door slamming shut.

"How are we going to study then? Only rely on the classes?" Hailey's eyes brimmed with worry.

"If you want access here, you should start working," came the curt reply from the vampire. "And by work, I mean for the Elites, as they are the ones with the resources. You can ask anyone and they'll tell you the same."

With that, he turned to stop another human student, dismissing their plight as if it were of no consequence. Ruelle's thoughts whirled with uncertainty as she considered their limited options. Sensing a gaze upon her, she turned to glance into the library, her heart quickening as she spotted a silhouette slipping behind a tall rack of books.

"I could ask my roommate if she needs any help. She might have something for us," Hailey suggested.

"That would be helpful," Ruelle said, though doubt tinged her words. Could a vampiress have any work for two humans? "We can also see what others plan to do."

"That sounds like a good idea," Hailey agreed.

During dinner at the Groundlings' table, the air was thick with unease. Ruelle observed her fellow students, their faces painted with worry. Their gazes flickered toward the Elite and Halfbloods' tables, eyes assessing, as if weighing which vampire appeared least intimidating to approach.

To think one's life could get better upon arriving at this place was a folly. The vampires sat at the top pedestal, while the humans sat on the lowest ground.

a convenient place to offload the less favoured.

I knew I'd need money,

the Elites' table!" whispered a voice

a higher social standing, unlike us," a

the others, turned their eyes towards the spectacle unfolding at the Elites' table—a sea of masked vampires and vampiresses. Just in time, she caught one of the masks changing, allowing the vampiress to eat while the upper

striking grey hair asked, his tone laced with superiority as he regarded the human girl

very fortunate to

eager to be my servant, who am I to refuse?" said the Elite, a smirk playing on his lips. A glimmer of hope washed over the humans at the Groundling's table, mirrored by the

the one standing

bowl of soup and deliberately poured its contents onto the floor, causing the girl to

this. Lick it

pressed into a firm line as everyone around her gripped their seats, suspended in a mix of

to know you're worth my money. Remember, you came to me," he

her cheeks as she lowered herself to the ground, the murmurs of her peers rippling

Ruelle asked, a frown

She asked for this herself. Wanted the job and the money. It is better to bow your head now than later," she said dismissively. "You

heavily on Ruelle. It was nothing like her sister Caroline had envisioned. Each new revelation peeled back layers of her ignorance, revealing deeper layers of exploitation and cruelty. In the

her appetite lost to worry. As she placed the scroll on her desk, her

believe this! I'm here to be a partner of a duke, viscount, or earl—not a servant!" June fumed as she stormed into the room. She stopped, waving a

and replied, "I

here, so if you wrote it, that

think about than write whatever the girl had in her hand. When her eyes fell on her own bed, there lay a folded piece of paper. Frowning, she opened it: 'If you're looking for a job, there's one available. Meet at the edge of the maze at

dismissive. "Oh, you got it

from? Ruelle

with anticipation. They huddled together, voices low and tinged with curiosity, their breath forming tiny clouds in the cool dusk. The soft rustling

needed a servant, but she didn't." Her sigh seemed to dissipate

here," Ruelle observed, a knot of unease tightening in her stomach. She needed the money like everyone else, but part of

exchanged worried glances, the serene moonlight was suddenly overshadowed by the arrival of a vampiress draped in a flowing

strikingly beautiful with long, sleek brown hair cascading over her shoulders, addressed them in

girl, impatience spilling from her lips. The sincerity of her

mocking smile flickering at the corners of her mouth. A murmur of realisation rippled through the group, the harsh truth dawning on them. They had been lured into a trap. "Now, I expect everyone to start removing your clothes—one by one. Let us see what Sexton

the collective outcry, a symphony

humans as dread washed over Ruelle. Her face turned pale. The last thing she wanted was to strip in front of others, especially

the Halfblood snapped at them. "You will follow what Lady Alana says unless you want

smile that didn't reach her eyes. "This is nothing you won't be doing in your future. Pleasing the Elites will be what you will be learning here anyway. Taking off your clothes will be the easiest of tasks. I'll

room," Ruelle muttered under her breath, her heart pounding

quivered, mirroring the

human who poses a threat could take their place in the hierarchy. By doing this, they ensure

destroy the confidence of others? Ruelle pondered, a knot of despair tightening around her chest. A thought flickered through her mind—perhaps

you want me to help you?" barked

to strip down to your undergarments

girls reluctantly stripped down to her undergarments, exposing

the Elite taunted, her gaze sweeping the crowd as

dread settled in. She had no desire to participate in this

mouthed silently to Hailey. Hailey's

silent echo in Ruelle's mind. And no one knew how much harder it would be to survive here, let alone earn any

trembled with tears streaming down her cheeks, while her underlings circled like vultures. In that moment of distraction, Ruelle clasped

free from the clutches of the vultures, the tattletale parrot could not keep its beak shut. June, who was still deliberately fumbling with her

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