Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 26: Hardwork lost

The light from the window was dim as the sun had begun to set. Ruelle stood by her drawers, her brows knitting in frustration. Hailey, standing behind her, suggested,

"Maybe you put it somewhere else?"

"No," Ruelle responded, shaking her head, her voice laced with quiet certainty.

She had tucked the scarf inside this very drawer before leaving for class. She was sure of it. Her eyes scanned the room once more. The scarf was gone. And with it, the sense of accomplishment and personal victory that had come from knitting it. It wasn’t just the scarf—it was her time, her effort, and her hope.

Her mind raced back to the only possibility that made sense. Her roommate. She was the one who had access to this room. Not to mention the trouble she had caused before, which was enough to make Ruelle suspect her.

"I should check with June," Ruelle whispered to herself, almost reluctantly. She didn’t want to accuse anyone without proof. Especially not someone she had to live with.

Hailey crossed her arms, her frown deepening as she replied, "It wouldn’t surprise me if she took it."

With only the two of them there, they began to search, pulling open drawers and rifling through cupboards. Ruelle’s movements became more frantic as the seconds passed, lifting the mattress, checking every hidden corner as though the scarf might be hiding, waiting to be found.

The door creaked open behind them, and both Ruelle and Hailey paused. June stood in the doorway, her arms crossed. "What do you think you are doing, touching my things?" she demanded, her eyes narrowing with suspicion

Ruelle straightened, and explained, "My scarf is missing. Have you seen it?"

"You thought I took it? Why on earth would I want your silly little scarf?" June rolled her eyes as she stepped into the room, and said, "So, naturally, I’m the thief because I’m your roommate? Please. If I wanted something from you, trust me, it wouldn’t be that cheap piece of fabric."

without proof. Instead, Ruelle tried to keep her calm and replied, "No one’s accusing you. I’m just

hair over her shoulder. "I haven’t. And honestly, it sounds like you’re just looking for someone to blame. I already had a

up something from her cupboard and left the room.

then sighed as if remembering something. "I will go inform Tess about you not being able to sell the scarf... Will you be

I will be fine." As Hailey left, she sat down on the edge of her bed, staring blankly at

to an empty classroom to start over. And though fuelled by determination, her hands trembled as she tried to focus on the intricate motions, flying faster than usual, the yarn slipping between her fingers in a blur of motion. The emotions that had been building inside her

quiet, except for the sharp click of the knitting

a fire," a voice teased softly, carrying an easy

startled by the

telling her to remain seated. His blond hair gleamed

little too quick, realising how noisy her knitting had been in

that was low and smooth. He replied, "No disturbance. Actually, it’s kind of refreshing to see someone

really hungry," Ruelle replied, the hesitation in her voice betraying her inner state. "And I

I know," Dane murmured, his voice so soft it almost seemed like he wasn’t speaking to her at all. He shifted, his expression returning to its usual lightness as he asked, "How’s Sexton treating you? I heard about your practice session. Getting the hang

blinked, thinking about the earlier chaos. She responded, "I suppose... though it was a bit like chickens playing with knives. Waiting for someone to

calmed down. He hummed, "I appreciate the honesty. Most people try to dress things up to

And some humans,"

to lose sight of the big picture when things feel... overwhelming. It’s like looking through

Ruelle, there was something strangely soothing about the way he spoke. He had a presence that seemed to fill the room without being overbearing. She offered a small smile, one that

part of her still felt tangled in the emotions of the day. "Thank you for talking to me,

felt like he wanted to say something else. But then he said, "I enjoy giving people advice, though I