Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 15

Chapter 15: Manipulative intentions

Ruelle soon found herself in the maze with a flickering lantern in her hand. The night air was thick with the scent of damp earth, mingled with something older, more primal, the kind of scent that clung to ancient forests.

Each step was accompanied by the soft crunch of leaves beneath her worn out shoes. Every rustle of nearby bushes, every distant hoot of an owl, sent her heart skittering in her chest. The maze felt different at night—alive, as though it watched her every move. The lantern's glow bounced off the hedge walls, the flickering light warping the shadows, making everything feel closer, more suffocating.

"The chain should be somewhere here," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her mind replayed the memory of her earlier collision with June, the moment where she might have lost the locket. But nothing.

Disappointment gripped Ruelle as her fingers brushed the neckline of her dress. She longed for the familiar weight of her mother's chain and locket—the familiar presence that should have rested there, close to her heart.

She crouched once more, her hands sifting through leaves. But what she received was a low growl in the dark, which had her almost dead in her tracks as she froze. W—What was that?!

A rustle softly moved from the other side of the foliage wall, and Ruelle didn't dare to move in fear. Her breath was caught in her throat, eyes darting as the rustle moved closer to her. On the second growl, it had her running through the maze, trying to leave. But the moment she was about to reach the exit, a growl was heard from the front in darkness, having her turn around.

Fear flooded her senses, and before she could think, her legs propelled her forward. She began running, the lantern swaying wildly in her hand, throwing chaotic shadows onto the walls of the maze. The sound of something large moving behind her quickened, its growls sending chills down her spine. The creature was hunting her!

Ruelle continued to run, which felt like an endless maze to the point she was getting familiar with a few foliage in there. Her breath came in ragged gasps, feet stumbling over uneven ground. She turned sharply until she paused and found a corner when the rustling sounds stopped. The world plunged into eerie silence, broken only by her labored breathing.

She glanced around, wide-eyed, searching for any sign of the creature. Her eyes remained fixed on the path, waiting, listening for any sign of movement. Minutes passed—maybe hours. She wasn't sure. The weight of her fear and exhaustion were quick to press down on her.

She tried to stay awake, to remain alert for the creature lurking somewhere in the darkness. But as the silence of the maze deepened, the weight of her exhaustion became too much to fight. Her eyes fluttered closed, and she sank deeper into the foliage.

And before she knew it, she fell asleep.

The first rays of dawn slanted through the twisted branches of the maze, dappling the ground with soft golden light. Ruelle stirred, at the rustle of the ground, the faint sound of footsteps—loud and deliberate.

"Ruelle! I found you!"

Blinking blearily, Ruelle squinted up at the figure looming over her. Hailey's voice broke through the fog of sleep, and Ruelle slowly gathered her bearings, the cold morning air biting at her skin far more sharply than the night before.

"Hailey?" she asked groggily, pulling herself into a sitting position.

"I waited for you, but you never came back and then I fell asleep." Hailey's voice was a mixture of relief and exasperation. "I was worried you'd gotten caught by some vampiress. I had no idea you'd fallen asleep in the maze!"

Ruelle accepted Hailey's outstretched hand, brushing off the leaves from her dress as she stood. "I didn't mean to worry you... I didn't find the locket."

Hailey's expression softened. She placed a hand on Ruelle's shoulder. "Sorry to hear that, Ruelle. Maybe we can look for it after classes?"

Ruelle nodded. Remembering the night before, she couldn't help but look around as they made their way out of the maze in silence.

Miles away, two men sat comfortably in a lavish study, the scent of blood tea filling the air. Across from Ezekiel Henley sat Mr. Lorenzo Helsing, an influential figure in the high court. The room radiated elegance, with its dark polished wood and grand bookshelves lining the walls.

"Weekend, is it?" Lorenzo said, taking a satisfied sip from the delicate porcelain cup. "I'll certainly not miss it. It's fortuitous timing—Count Westerling is passing through, and he may very well be intrigued enough to attend the wedding. If you make the right impression, he might offer you a seat in the court even faster."

Ezekiel leaned back in his chair, his lips curling into a pleased smile. "The Belmonts and I would be more than happy to host him and you in our celebration."

Lorenzo nodded approvingly. "True, and I must say, the way you've offered support to the Belmont family—it is admirable. The woman must have been beside herself with worry, to beg you to marry one of her daughters."

Ezekiel lifted his teacup, the warmth spreading through his fingers as much as the satisfaction of weaving this narrative. "I simply couldn't turn a blind eye to their plight," he said softly, playing the role of the benevolent benefactor. "It's only right we help where it's needed most."

Ezekiel didn't believe Lorenzo needed to know that the Belmonts had never begged. He had been the one to offer his hand in marriage to Ruelle—because he wanted her. To the world, he was a saviour. Not to mention, it was also a way to climb the ranks of the court.

As Lorenzo continued speaking, Ezekiel's thoughts drifted to Ruelle. He hadn't spent much time with her, but what he had seen was enough to captivate him. Her beauty was undeniable, her grace subtle yet striking. She was more than just a means to an end—she was the crown jewel of his future.

he had chosen not to. He had given just enough to keep them reliant on

of time before you secure your place in the court,"

imagined the future he was so close

her mind was elsewhere—constantly drifting back to the missing locket. When lunch finally arrived, she

conversation. The trio cut striking figures, commanding attention

was comical how Jinxy got mad about it. Did you return them to the shed?" he asked casually, his tone light and familiar. At that

said politely, though there was a hint of nervousness in it as she offered a small bow towards Blake and then the others.

the gesture to

his gaze snapped towards her, meeting her eyes with a cold, blank stare. His

interest, as if questioning why

and Hailey briskly walking on, eager to leave the daunting atmosphere behind them. After another fruitless search of the maze, they returned to class, each hour dragging by until the

were leaving the classroom, a voice called out, "Who's Belmont? Mr.

When she

wanted to see

glance up from

Ruelle nodded.

open a drawer and retrieved something, extending his hand towards her. The sight of the familiar chain made her

near the entrance of the maze," Mr. Jinxy said mildly, "Had Belmont engraved

voice thick with gratitude as she accepted the locket, holding it as if it were the

his hand dismissively. "You're free

the tension in her chest easing for the

Hailey exclaimed when she saw Ruelle at

it," Ruelle replied with a smile, slipping the chain around her neck. Relief washed over her like a warm wave,

replied, because they had looked at the entrance. "Well, all is well! You looked so sad,

am sorry about that," Ruelle replied softly. She hadn't meant to

for it. And for what it's worth, caring that deeply about something is never a bad thing." Hailey smiled. "Did your

said, her smile

known one thing: her mother had died

made their way towards the next building, their conversation shifted to the upcoming wedding. But their

figures were locked in a brutal fight, and one of them was none other than Lucian. Ruelle's

from the person's nose, splattering across the cold

up with terrifying ease before slamming him back against the wall. The Halfling groaned, his breath ragged, but Lucian's face

Lucian moved faster, effortlessly catching the vampire's fist mid-strike before slamming him against the wall

I'll make sure the only thing left of you is a

of it spraying onto Ruelle's dress. Her breath caught in her throat, and she froze, unable to look away from

teasing voice cut through the tension, and Ruelle turned to see Mr. S—Dane Slater—standing at the edge of the scene, his eyes crinkled in amusement. "Seems

his words, the gathered students began to disperse, some mumbling

Halfling. "Sawyer, be a dear and take

grabbed the Halfling by the collar, hauling

his voice light but enough to let Lucian know he wanted to share a word. As his gaze swept the hall, it landed on Ruelle. His

blinked, taken aback.

you might want to change your clothes. Bloodstains are a

As they made their

wanting to paint the

be squashed." If there was one thing he didn't tolerate, it was

wonderful," Dane hummed thoughtfully. "But careful. Your

the forest," Lucian remarked in a clipped tone, his gaze stayed fixed ahead, as though the conversation barely registered with

low, amused sound. "Oh, I doubt that. My students would miss me dearly, brother. But you're

mask of indifference, something unresolved flickered—but it was swiftly buried beneath his

night fell over Sexton, Ruelle chose the safety of her room over the uncertainty of the

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