Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 57: When Porcelain Breaks

"What?" Ruelle uttered, not because she didn’t hear it. But because she was in shock. "But m—"

"Incomplete. What’s the point of bringing water when it doesn’t even touch the dying man’s lips?" Ms. Gemma asked, looking straight into Ruelle’s eyes. "Sexton prepares you for the world. You should have known when you and your family signed up to study here. To advance yourself."

But Ruelle had never wished or thought of attending here in the first place. And now she couldn’t pull away from it.

"Maybe you will not fail the next time. If there’s one, that is, hoping you pass in other subjects. You may leave now, Ms. Belmont," the older woman politely waved to the door, and Ruelle exited the room.

A chill ran down Ruelle’s spine because there was a possibility of failing... as she had missed the questions in the stuck sheet of the questionnaire. The image of the Groundling tied in chains flashed through her eyes.

"Ruelle?" Hailey called, who had been waiting for her.

"Do you know when the results are going to be announced? All the subjects that we wrote," Ruelle asked, worried.

"It should be put up the day after tomorrow on the board. Before we leave for the weekend," Hailey replied, before coming to realise what might have Ms. Gemma told her friend. She placed her hand on Ruelle’s arm. "Let us not think of the worst now."

Ruelle nodded her head, but she couldn’t get rid of the hopelessness she felt sink into her. She had studied hard. She had gotten her ears pierced. Yet things didn’t go the way they were supposed to. She began to imagine the worst direction her life could shift in once the results came out and she felt her stomach ache.

She followed Hailey through the quiet corridor, their footsteps muted against the stone floor. They reached the stairwell. A few students hurried past, chatting about the river trip and also the prince’s arrival.

"...they’ll have lanterns strung across the trees at night," one of the female Groundlings said in a hushed voice. "It will look like starlight fallen onto water."

"Not until evening though. I heard the Elites will be attending the river festivities. In fact, it is hosted by one of them," said her friend, as they walked behind Ruelle and Hailey. "Someone said merchants are bringing wine and food. Isn’t that exciting."

"If it is hosted by the Elites..." the first one whispered, "the rest of us can still linger by the riverbanks. So long as we don’t cross their boundaries."

"Ruelle! You and Hailey are coming, aren’t you?" asked another girl, quickly coming to her side.

"Where?" Ruelle asked, pulled back to the present.

"The river. Tomorrow, of course!" the girls responded, their voices bubbling with unkempt excitement.

"I haven’t thought about it yet," Ruelle replied honestly.

"Oh, you must come! You’re one of the bravest Groundlings in our year. At least we know we would have someone to stand with!"

But Ruelle didn’t share the same sentiment. Brave? When had she been brave here? All she had done was fall into trouble—unwanted, uninvited, unavoidable.

She wasn’t in the mood either. Yet as she thought about it... it was likely one of the last days she would be free. Free, before the chains came. A shiver ran down her spine, even as the two girls drifted away down the hall, their voices still laced with excitement.

if you don’t want to," Hailey supported her with a

"I mean it is better

Hailey asked and Ruelle

And I am sure Kevin is eager to attend too," Ruelle replied, and at

around to look around the place as if to catch sight of Kevin, but he wasn’t there. "He should have been out from submitting the assignment long ago. Maybe Mr. Henley has held him back," she

of the students had left the room. His steps were uneven, his face looked pale beneath the candle lit chandeliers

himself down onto the bench across from them. "You look

leaning forward.

because I almost did faint," he muttered under his breath. "I

the pitcher and poured juice into a glass, sliding it across to him. "Here," she

His gaze lingered on her for a beat too long, something unspoken flickering in his eyes. Then he lowered them quickly and took the glass, draining it in one go. Without pause, he dragged the

skin. "I thought... wasn’t it supposed to be a one-time thing?"

replied with a weary

to enjoy this," Hailey whispered—not teasing,

hand through his hair. "But you know... when

her brows rising faintly. "You’re

Kevin’s fingers curled faintly

she watched him. The soft glow of candlelight caught in her hair, her

this soon. It would be reckless," Ruelle said, and Kevin smiled before looking away

was being practical, Ruelle thought to herself. She knew it would be wise to

come... and in her case it would be soon. She felt a twinge in her stomach, and her eyebrows furrowed out of the discomfort she

through its door. The air still carried the faintest

the late hour where the halls were empty, he had returned under the simple pretense of collecting the graded sheet of the female Groundlings. He had finished grading the other male Groundlings. The result needed to be compiled

floated towards him, who was sitting on the edge

I thought the quiet hour might serve me well. I’ve come to collect the results," he replied with ease, his

smile curved Ms. Gemma’s mouth. "Perhaps

worth pursuing," Ezekiel’s smile deepened a shade warmer, yet empty

brushing the edges of the parchment stack. His eyes flicked over the names,

asked casually. "The test was quite easy for

him with a faint note of disappointment. "She lost the assignment’s required item. I

Ezekiel’s smile remained fixed, pleasant as ever. Yet beneath it, a flicker of possessive fury coiled. How did she fail with such simple task? She could have come to him!

stepped out of the room and walked through the corridor. One’s mind was heavy with

and dipping into water. But it makes me wonder if

her. A faint rustle of papers caught

the side stairwell, Ezekiel emerged carrying a stack of parchments in one hand, while

silk, a pleasant smile

ahead. I’ll catch up." The last thing she