Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 54

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.

more, a commotion ahead caught

servants carrying furniture—heavy, expensive-looking pieces. Chairs,

watching as a servant

they stepped closer, they overheard

arriving in

coming here for?"

sure everything is to

servants disappeared inside. Hailey let out a slow breath. "Did you hear

raised her eyebrows

in the presence of greatness," Hailey

won’t take it lightly," Ruelle chuckled before quickly looking

dreamily. "Can you blame me? He is a prince. Can you

I

gasped, clutching her chest. "I am sure he

What business did a prince have at Sexton? And why did it feel like the entire academy was preparing for something far bigger than a simple royal

glimpse of him in the past?" Hailey asked curiously, forgetting they had to get back to

have not," Ruelle shook her head. She then said, "My family hasn’t mingled with the

The competition is going to be bad. Once the prince arrives,

he’ll be interested in any of that?"

least a lover! One can only dream of it now!" Hailey

stop chuckling. She encouraged her friend, "Maybe this is why you should study harder for tomorrow’s test. I can only

accomplishment." Then, as if a thought struck her, she narrowed her

me?" Ruelle asked as they continued

should aim for the prince

I am

Hailey nudged her. "Who’s to say the prince won’t look your way?" Before Ruelle could refuse, Hailey

yes," Ruelle laughed, shaking her off. "I will absolutely capture

just as she dismissed the conversation, she felt the

corridor ahead.

Ruelle immediately straightened.

asked as they neared them with a

there, Ruelle," Sawyer

expressive most of the times, the same couldn’t be said when the Elites were around. Ruelle offered them a bow, while being aware of Lucian’s eyes on her. Thankfully the vampires didn’t stay behind for chitchat and walked past them, their footsteps echong

manage, Ruelle," Hailey let out an exaggerated breath beside her as they quickly hurried out of there. "I mean your roommate," she whispered.

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

heard us?" Hailey

care about where we end up. Come on. We have a test tomorrow,

don’t remind me,"

rooms were which was mostly quiet. Ruelle exhaled, the coolness of

"Ruelle! Hailey!"

cut through the stillness, pulling them both from

from the opposite hallway. The dim lighting couldn’t

was close enough that Ruelle caught sight of the scarf wrapped

inquired,

got bit..." Ruelle

to draw the blood and took and Elite vampiress’s help in the evening, and

murmured with

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

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