Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 79: In search of safe company

The faint rustle of silk could be heard from beyond the curtain, and Ruelle cleared her throat softly.

"You don't have to trouble yourself, Mr. Henley. I have enough dresses," Ruelle assured with a smile even though it wasn't true. She added, "We came today because Mr. Slater wished for it as part of something. That is all."

"I apologise," Ezekiel offered her a polite smile, "I only meant that you didn't have to rely on others when you have family. But I won't press the matter."

Ruelle nodded hoping the gesture smoothed what little tension she had sensed earlier.

She knew that Ezekiel had only meant to be considerate, but Lucian's interruption had been unexpected, as he rarely involved himself in matters that did not concern him directly. She didn't understand why he had interfered at all. When she looked back at where Lucian stood with his back resting against the edge of the counter, she caught the faint expression of boredom on his face as though he had done nothing out of normal.

"What kind of fabric or dress are you looking for, milady?" The shopkeeper inquired, pulling her attention back to the front.

Dane stepped closer and placed his hand on her shoulder. Ezekiel, who was watching them, narrowed his gaze at the contact.

"Don't feel obliged to hold back," the pureblooded vampire encouraged. "Take your time and pick whatever you like, Ruelle."

"Cotton dress," Ruelle replied.

"Cotton?" The shopkeeper blinked taken aback by her choice and then glanced at the Slaters before looking back at her. "If I may suggest something warmer, especially with the Winter Ball at Sexton approaching, it would be a fitting choice. Many of our patrons have already placed their orders."

"I hadn't considered my attire for it…" she admitted. The ball hadn't officially been announced by Sexton yet, and it made her wonder if they were planning to give out the news at the last minute to the Groundlings.

"Then this is as good a moment as any," Dane hummed, settling into a chair. "Besides, the antique room has been cleared."

Heat crept up Ruelle's neck at the mention of her and her friends wearing clothes from there when they had secretly attended the vampires soiree. She offered a sheepish smile and replied, "I guess there's no harm looking at the choices here."

"Wonderful," the shopkeeper exclaimed. "Do you have a preference for material other than cotton?"

"Velvet does suit her," Dane said thoughtfully. Then he turned to the shopkeeper, "Why don't you bring a few options, Mr. Carcas? And have a mirror brought out so she can see what looks the best."

"Right away, Master Dane," the shopkeeper replied, clapping his hands to summon an assistant.

Left waiting, Ruelle felt the air in the shop turn slightly cold as if the temperature from outside was slipping through the cracks of the walls. To keep herself warm, she pressed her hands against the sides of her body.

Soon, two tall mirrors were brought forward and placed against the walls. Ruelle wasn't used to this sort of treatment. In the past, when she used to accompany her mother and Caroline to the tailor shops, her family often chose materials that were unsold as they were cheaper.

At the counter of the shop, Lucian leaned with his arms loosely crossed. His attention drifted to Ruelle's reflection in the mirror where she smiled at something his brother said. He noticed her hands subtly press against her sides. It was a small movement that a person standing next to her would have missed.

Most people would have eagerly accepted the opportunity to receive something for free.

But Ruelle seemed hesitant, unlike her sister, whose eyes drifted to the fabrics that were laid out in front of Ruelle.

The young Belmont didn't look with concern but with an internal comparison as though checking what was offered to her sister against what she was being shown. Leaning towards her husband, she asked in a lowered voice,

"What is this Winter Ball?"

"It is a formal gathering held by Sexton. For students and benefactors who fund the institution," Ezekiel answered to her.

"Then I may attend as well?" Caroline's eyes lit up in excitement.

Ezekiel smiled and responded to her, "Yes. Every instructor's spouse is invited." He had not intended for Caroline to know about it. The Slaters had a habit of poking into matters that didn't concern them and it was irking him.

"Then I would like to see the fabrics for the ball too," Caroline stated, while forgetting the initial idea of buying fabrics for her parents. "If we are attending this ball, I ought to look respectable!"

In the meantime, several fabrics were brought out from behind the curtain each folded with care and placed one after another upon the table.

"This has been shipped from the eastern lands," Mr. Carcas explained. "It is light and pleasant to the touch. We can build layers over it, which will offer proper insulation against the cold. If I may add, one of the minister's wives purchased a piece from the same shipment."

Ruelle's thoughts faltered at the indirect mention of its worth. She offered a polite smile and turned to look at the mirror.

believe the lady is satisfied with it," Dane remarked from where he sat, one leg

this will suit better," Mr. Carcas pulled out another fabric which was beige in colour and which had pearls stitched into it. The fabric caught the light softly, neither simple

involuntarily leaned forward to get a better look at it, the shopkeeper noticed it and smiled,

fitted. What do you think?" Dane turned to her, but Caroline

eyes lingering on the fabric. It appeared richer than it had moments before, as though Ruelle's choosing it had made it

milady," Mr. Carcas obliged and when he turned away from her, his

back to Dane, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. She asked him,

"I know today wasn't easy and I am proud of

who had moved across the room to examine the fabrics with detached interest. She wondered whether he had already prepared his clothes for the Winter ball. But then again, pureblooded vampires were

"I have just another material if you are looking for another gown to be made," he

today," Ruelle responded with a polite smile. "I think my

attention and she was at the centre of everything. While Ruelle had always taken what was left behind if there

the materials and came to stand before the mirrors. She lifted one of the fabrics in front of

a moment?" Caroline asked Ruelle, who was about to

was quickly passed to Ruelle's

frowned with a sigh. "Here, hold this one as well," and as if not done, she was going to push the rest of the things

are quite fine, and carrying them together

heat crept up Caroline's neck as she turned to look at her

course. I—I know that." While the shopkeeper stared at her with a look that

assistant took the materials from Ruelle's hands

Her movements slowed, her earlier confidence dulled, as though something fragile had been knocked slightly out of place. Not

behind the curtain just as Caroline finished deciding on her final choice of fabric. The vampiress approached the counter, smoothing her gloves

Aire as well," she informed the man. "I'll need it ready a week

small bow. "I shall see to it personally. I do hope the little one will

of her uncles. Only last week she addressed one of our guests that he was…a person from

his hand to

in the past, there was little left to be done. Before leaving, she turned toward

Papa's house. Otherwise, we might begin to think you

"I'm

towards the

had the Henley couple left, Renard stomped into the

stand outside like a guard? I have other

"Is that how you speak

Renard scoffed, "For what?"

apologise to Ruelle," Dane reminded him. "Go on. Don't be

enduring being your servant for

shoe on the street," Dane's words came out dangerously low,

his glare barely contained and he stiffly

that an apology?" Lady Maxine

dismiss the matter

are right to think this isn't good enough apology," Dane

am sorry for looking down on you," Renard repeated through

"And?" Dane prompted.

said with difficulty, "That I should not

and interrupted them, "Sire—where would

his fingers and glanced at Renard. "Well? What are you waiting for,

that if he were a dragon, he would have lit the shop and the people inside it

you mind dropping me home, Dane?" Lady Maxine asked as she fastened her coat. "You can send

"Of course," Dane replied.

Lucian was no longer in the shop. Her gaze drifted toward the doorway,

asked lightly. After a pause, he added, "He said he has

outside, Lady Maxine and Sawyer stepped inside first. Dane was just

appears we have not yet taken your measurements. If you would be willing to stay a

glancing towards

meeting her

rested his hand briefly on top of her head and something about it made her feel warm. He