Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 54: A Pinprick of Fear

The dining hall doors groaned as they swung shut behind Ruelle and Hailey, swallowing the lingering chatter within.

The rain from the previous evening had not stopped. It pattered softly against the stone pathways, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and candle wax from the candle holders lining the walls. The cold clung to her skin, slipping beneath her sweater as she pulled it tighter around herself.

As they turned the corner, she caught movement of a blurry figure lingering at the forest’s edge. But the next second the figure vanished. Her steps faltered. Had she imagined it? It was probably the shadows playing tricks at night.

"—if I fail the Cultural Studies test tomorrow, I swear, I’ll throw myself into the lake," Hailey declared dramatically, flinging her arms up. "Mr. Lundy has it out for me. I just know it."

Ruelle hummed absentmindedly in agreement, her gaze lingering on the spot where the figure had vanished.

"Are you even listening to me?"

She turned to find Hailey squinting at her in suspicion, arms now crossed.

"You are making that face again," her friend accused.

Ruelle blinked. "What face?"

"The one where it looks like your soul has left your body to go on a very long journey."

A small laugh left Ruelle. "Not too far," she assured her, before adding, "Mr. Lundy wants everyone to fail tomorrow. Fewer students make for lighter grading. I’ll keep the boat ready for us."

She forced a smile at Hailey’s teasing, but her thoughts were already slipping elsewhere—back to last night’s conversation.

My mother was murdered by humans.

She had replayed those words too many times, trying to understand. How could a lord’s wife be murdered?

Lucian was not a person who wore grief the way others did. He did not let it weigh his shoulders or tremble in his voice. Instead, it had hardened into something else entirely. His hatred was not a wound that bled—it was a scar that would never fade.

And right now, it was justified.

Yet something about it unsettled her.

She barely noticed when they wandered past the main building until Hailey looped their arms together and tugged her forward.

"I miss home more than usual today," Hailey murmured, her voice quieter now. "And to think we still have another week before we can return."

Ruelle tilted her head slightly. "You sound like you haven’t written to them in a while."

"Oh, I have," Hailey sighed. "But I haven’t received a response so far. It is just that every time it rains, we huddle before the fireplace. Mother would massage my head, and I’d fall asleep right there."

A faint smile touched Ruelle’s lips. "That sounds... peaceful."

"It is." Hailey’s expression softened. Then, after a moment’s hesitation, she asked, "What about you, Ruelle? Looking forward to going home?"

The question was light, but there was something careful about the way Hailey said it.

Ruelle didn’t answer immediately. Her gaze flickered down to the cobblestones, then back up. She smiled.

"Of course. I haven’t seen them since Caroline got married. Ezekiel mentioned a family dinner."

"Oh, I see..." Hailey nodded, but Ruelle caught the flicker of doubt in her expression.

a commotion

furniture—heavy, expensive-looking pieces.

as

closer, they overheard two

arriving in less than two weeks, and there shouldn’t be

coming here for?" another servant

make sure everything is to the prince’s liking

as the servants disappeared inside. Hailey let out a slow breath. "Did you hear that? The

eyebrows slightly. "You sound

will be in the presence

you. They won’t take it lightly," Ruelle chuckled before quickly looking at the corridor to make sure there wasn’t any Elite

you blame me? He is

a regular person, I assume," Ruelle hummed

chest. "I

have at Sexton? And why did it feel like the entire academy was preparing for something far

the past?" Hailey asked curiously, forgetting they had

said, "My family hasn’t mingled with the Elites, less

news! Just think about it. The competition is going to be bad. Once the prince arrives, all the girls will want to earn his favour. Maybe one

interested in any of

in elegance and seduction. Of course, he’d want a wife—or at least a lover! One can only dream of it now!" Hailey

harder for tomorrow’s test. I can only guess

gasped with motivation. "You’re right. I should focus. Marrying a prince would be quite the accomplishment."

Ruelle asked as they continued

the prince too,"

think I am fine,"

her. "Who’s to say the prince

her off. "I

she felt the air shift in

emerged from the corridor ahead. It was

Ruelle immediately straightened.

evening stroll?" Blake asked as they neared

Ruelle," Sawyer waved at

offered them a bow, while being aware of Lucian’s eyes on her.

breath beside her as they quickly hurried out of there. "I mean your roommate," she whispered. "His glare...

knew Lucian could be... difficult for someone looking from outside. But she had grown used to him

us?" Hailey

care

remind me," her friend

arrived at the building where their rooms were which was mostly quiet. Ruelle exhaled, the coolness of

"Ruelle! Hailey!"

stillness, pulling them both from

couldn’t quite hide the slight stiffness in his movements, nor the way he seemed to hunch his shoulders ever

until he was close enough that Ruelle caught sight of the scarf wrapped tightly around

you feeling cold, Kevin?" Hailey inquired, while Ruelle’s eyes

got bit..."

and Elite vampiress’s help in the evening, and she almost drained me," he gave a

Ruelle murmured with

when he touched his neck, which was still tender from the vampiress’s fangs stuck in there. "It’ll just... take some getting used to. But definitely not pleasant