Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 13: Veils of Deceit

Ruelle stood at the doorstep, taking in the familiar sight of her father's stern expression.

"Back so soon?" he grunted, his voice a low, dismissive rumble that barely acknowledged her presence. His gaze, tinged with an unsaid air of disapproval, flickered towards her for only a moment before he turned and walked inside.

Her heart pinched slightly, but she stuffed the feeling down. Managing a smile, she replied, "Sexton allows us to visit our families during the weekend, Papa."

"Close the door," he said, before returning his attention to the bills clutched in his hand.

Ruelle shut the door softly. There was a familiar ache inside her, one she had learned to tuck away beneath layers of determination and resilience. On her way here, she had hoped for some sign of warmth, some gesture that she was missed. She then suddenly heard her mother and sister's raised voices greeting her ears.

"Why can't we buy the pearls? They go better with my gown!" Caroline's voice was sharp, her arms crossed defiantly as she confronted their mother.

"Because pearls are expensive, and we can't afford them right now," Mrs. Belmont's voice bore patient firmness, though a hint of exasperation slipped through. "You chose an expensive gown, and although the food and drinks are covered, we still have to host celebrations here before the big day. Not to mention, there's the maids and coachmen that we require."

Ruelle stood there in the living room like a ghost, feeling like an outsider in her own house—until Caroline's eyes lit up with recognition.

"Ruelle!" Caroline exclaimed, a bright smile illuminating her face as she rushed to embrace her sister. "When did you arrive? I missed you!"

Relief flooded through Ruelle at her sister's words, and she returned the embrace warmly. "Me too," she admitted, the tension easing from her shoulders. "I was worried you were still mad at me," she confessed.

Caroline laughed, pulling back. "Well, I was, but it seems fate had other plans for me. I would have loved my time at Sexton, and I'm a bit envious of you attending, but I'm getting married next weekend!"

"Married?" Ruelle's voice choked her surprise as her smile momentarily faltered.

"Yes, to Ezekiel Henley. He asked for my hand," Caroline stated proudly, her voice light with condescension. "Feeling jealous?"

Pausing to absorb the news, Ruelle shook her head with a genuine smile. "Of course not! I'm very happy for you. You said he seemed like an agreeable man."

"He is, isn't he?" Caroline's laughter was filled with delight. "When Mama told me, I was over the moon."

Ruelle mused silently about how swiftly things had progressed with Ezekiel Henley. They had only met him a few weeks prior, and yet, during her brief absence, he had proposed marriage to Caroline. It felt sudden, but given the circumstances—their family's precarious financial state and the mutual fondness between Caroline and Ezekiel—it seemed there was little reason to delay.

broke through her

inside and out," though a fleeting look of concern shadowed her

seamlessly back into her present. She scrubbed floors, dusted surfaces, and returned the house to its modest order. In these familiar

night descended, Ruelle found herself folding the laundry she'd washed earlier, the scent of soap still clinging to the fabric. Across the room, Caroline sat before the

how is Sexton?" Caroline asked, her curiosity piqued.

Elites—the vampires. We humans are addressed as Groundlings," she added, her

you meet anyone there you fancy? Or someone who fancies you?" she looked at her older sister's reflection in the mirror. Ruelle shook her head. "Liar," Caroline laughed

countered with a small smile, "I met June Clifford. She's

spinning around on

place.

and I have barely spoken since the wedding announcement. Mama says it would tarnish my reputation if we spoke too much before marriage. I've never

only a week, and

face brightening. "I can't wait to marry him. It's like the more I

out of her clothes and reached for her nightgown, her eyes caught her reflection in the mirror. Scars marred her skin, a stark reminder of past sufferings etched across her body. The children's voices from her memory echoed cruelly in her mind,

things on

were very old, faded into a part of her skin, while others were fresher, only two or three years past. One in particular stood out, an

heart racing against the cold grasp of the night. The chilling air nipped at her cheeks, and shadows danced mockingly across her dimly lit

room. Her knock was soft, tentative. When the door opened, Mrs. Belmont

her voice

whispered, her voice trembling like

her mother replied, barely hiding

I sleep with you and Father?' Ruelle gazed up with wide, frightened eyes,

no monsters, Ruelle. Caroline is

hanging in the air like a delicate glass on the

Find somewhere else to sleep. Goodnight,' Mrs.

little girl racing back to her room. But she couldn't withstand the silence. She wandered through the dim halls until she entered the servants' quarters. There, on the floor, the tired faces of the staff were scattered like fallen

and settled beside the comforting presence of the sleeping maid. The maid stirred slightly but didn't wake, allowing

when morning arrived, Mr. Belmont had been

down her cheeks, her

through her as she watched him, trembling, raise the belt again. She huddled