Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 81: A Step Forward, and Back Again

Author's Note: Wishing everyone a blessed 2026 year!

When they reached the bakery, the shutter had already been drawn down for the day, though the faint scent of bread still lingered in the air. Ruelle's stomach betrayed her again with the softest protest, a quiet growl that felt far louder than it was and she turned to look in the opposite direction from where Lucian stood. Heat crept up her cheeks.

It seemed like she was getting accustomed to the world of vampires, especially after she had seen such gory sight and her stomach still chose to growl now, Ruelle thought to herself.

"The owner must have closed for the night," she murmured, keeping her voice small. "It is rather late—"

Before she could finish, Lucian stepped forward and rapped his knuckles against the shutter. A brief silence followed before the shutter lifted just enough for a face to appear. The person looked annoyed for a second before it vanished upon seeing who it was.

"Good evening, Master Slater," the baker greeted, hurriedly pushing the shutter higher. His tone held respect. "What may I get for you this evening?"

"Cream buns with jam," Lucian replied, his voice neither rising nor falling. "If you have them."

"One moment, sire." The baker bowed and disappeared, lamplight spilling onto the empty street. When he returned, his face wore a look of apology. "I apologise, Master Slater. They have been sold out and there's no batter for the bread to make. But may I offer something else you wish?"

She felt Lucian's gaze fall on her first. Only then did the baker's eyes notice her presence.

"What will you eat?" Lucian asked.

"Anything is fine."

"Blood tea," Lucian stated instead, his eyes still on her, his voice unchanging. At the same time, she caught sight of his eyes shift colour between red and black, which caught her off guard. "And one of each item you have left."

Wait–One of each? Her lips parted slightly but the baker left to get back inside to bring them. Noticing Lucian's eyes turning black, Ruelle pointed her finger to her eyes and said,

"They are…turning black, Lucian."

"My eyes?" Lucian answered calmly. "I am running out of fuel. It will correct itself soon."

He was hungry? She hadn't seen him at the dining room, she thought to herself. She asked instead, "I didn't know when vampires turn hungry their eyes go black…"

"They don't," Lucian replied. "If you ever see one with black eyes… run."

She tried to recollect what she had learned in class. And it was then that she remembered that vampires didn't have black eyes unless they were corrupted vampires, and her eyes widened.

And while her stomach had growled even after lunch, Lucian had resisted sinking his teeth. There had been times when she wondered if he didn't bite her for blood because of his strong hate for humans.

Soon the baker returned with a bag of items and steaming tea. Lucian paid for it and they moved to a nearby bench. He sat down with the same calm demeanour he had worn in the alley.

The parcel sat between them. Then Lucian nudged it closer to her. For a heartbeat, she simply stared at it and then looked up to catch him sipping his tea.

Not in abundance. She picked the softest, warmest roll and

he didn't

remarked nonchalantly. "Those are

this one isn't doesn't look that sweet," Ruelle answered, where her hand hadn't returned

her before sighing. He

a second. Pulling her hand back, she picked up another item and took a bite. Her shoulders eased as if for a brief moment, the food

through her mind and she asked,

times than I should have," came his dry response, eyes trained briefly on her face before returning

after she was full, unwilling to waste what he had bought her. In the meantime, she failed to

he placed the empty teacup on the side,

and replied, "Not anymore. Thank you for

from the bench and began to walk. The street was quieter, lamplight swaying above them and

were none. Frowning,

is no local carriage here?"

vampires of higher standing. Humans are not expected to frequent it often enough to warrant convenience. If anyone does, they are expected to bring their own

side on the side of the road, the faint glow of the street lamps reducing in numbers as they stepped out of the town. For a while, the only sound was the distant hush of wind and the faint rustle of leaves along

behind

"Lucian…"

"Yes?"

Mr. Carcas's shop…Why did you say that

He answered, "I merely reminded him of the proper etiquette,

has taken care of my family even before he married Caroline. Things became a little easier on my family. All thanks to

like idle conversation born of an empty street and a long walk. He remarked at

He glanced at her. "When others are unaware of your relationship, it

which is why he is cautious when he

believe it. Not because he thought she lied— Ruelle rarely did— but because she was kind to a fault.

nothing familial in the

"If he wishes to help you, he should secure your future rather than hovering over your daily safety. A man with his standing could… arrange something

She blinked. "Better…?"

A husband. A life not tethered to the whims

stared at him—then

had suggested something far too luxurious to consider. "I doubt there is anyone left eager to marry a woman who has set foot

wind rustled across the empty road, pulling at her skirt in

because it was easier.

burnt. I was engaged once..." Her voice stayed warm, as if recounting something trivial rather than a wound. "He broke it off. I suppose that was

to be brave but somehow… it felt easier to tell the

themselves in a thin line, which was hidden by the shadows of the trees they

she asked softly,