Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 30: It is official

The hour was creeping closer to midnight, and the Sexton tower bell would soon chime softly to announce the late hour.

Inside the room where Ruelle had fled hours ago, June sat stiffly on the edge of her bed. Stupid Ruelle, she thought, as the memory of her roommate stabbing Alanna resurfaced. There was still a flicker of worry—Alanna had stormed off in fury, but neither she nor Ruelle had returned. Would she have to face the consequences for letting Ruelle escape?

Suddenly, the sound of heavy boots thudded down the corridor, growing louder with every step. June turned wary, nervously smiling as the door swung open, but it wasn’t Alanna.

A guard stood in the doorway—tall, stoic, his face unreadable. His eyes scanned the room before he questioned,

"Ruelle Belmont. Which are her belongings?"

June blinked in confusion, her mind catching up to the moment. "Her belongings?" she repeated, her tone bordering on doubt.

Her heart skipped with excitement. Could this be it? Was Ruelle being expelled from Sexton? She barely managed to keep her voice steady as she gestured to the opposite side of the room. "That side. Is she being kicked out?"

The guard crossed the room without responding and began methodically pulling open drawers, gathering Ruelle’s sparse belongings—clothes, a few worn books, and the knitting needles that had fallen to the floor earlier. Each item he collected felt like confirmation that her roommate was finally being removed from her life.

thought. Ruelle had been stupid enough to stab a vampiress, and now she was going to pay the price. She muttered to herself, "She was never cut out for this

remained quiet, finishing his task in silence. Without so much as a glance at June, he left the room, Ruelle’s belongings in hand. As the door clicked shut behind him, she smiled. No more sharing

minutes, the door creaked open, and Alanna stepped through. Her light red eyes burning with fury and her earlier stabbed hand wrapped in bandage. June couldn’t help but wonder why the

find her outside! She must be hiding in Stelaris’

the opportunity to share the news that had brightened her own mood. She said eagerly, "Her things were just taken by the guard! I think she’s getting

suspicion. She responded, "That can’t be right. Sexton doesn’t just kick Groundlings out like

She suggested, "Maybe she did something worse." Then, unable to stop herself with her imagination running wild, she added, "She must

far too easy for a lowly human like Ruelle. No, the stables would be a kindness, Alanna thought with disgust.

into a venomous smile. "She doesn’t deserve the luxury of stables. I will make sure to pay her back for this," she said, looking down at her bandaged

belongings, briskly moved through the cold, endless corridors. Meanwhile, back at Mr. Mortis’ office, the air felt thick with the tension. The sound of

the room. On her other side stood Lucian, quiet and brooding. The gravity of what lay ahead weighed heavily on her, pressing down on her with every second. She

slightly and whispered, "You’ll be alright." Ruelle could

Belmont, you are aware of the implications of your reassignment

of her own heartbeat filling her ears. Her voice barely above a whisper,

holding the same dispassionate formality. "You understand the terms, Mr. Slater? Miss Belmont will be your