Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 82

Chapter 82: In her corner

It was eight at night, and in the Slaters' mansion, Ruelle gathered the few belongings of hers that she had pulled out from her trunk during her short stay. As she and the others had classes tomorrow, the carriage had been prepared to leave.

The movement of wind had increased far more than when they had arrived from the town and the sky was covered by clouds, making the atmosphere darker.

Her fingers lingered on the fine fabric of the dress she had worn earlier. For a moment, she only stood there. Looking and not touching, before she folded it with care. Slipping back into her older dress that reminded her where she belonged.

She should have said something, she thought to herself. For someone like her, she didn't understand what losing a mother meant. Because she hadn't got the time to spend with her biological mother, and her mother was only an idea.

But for someone like Lucian, who had spent and known his mother. And for one single hope of connection to be lost…

A knock broke her thoughts and Maude stepped inside the room.

"Shall I have food packed for the journey, Miss Ruelle?" she inquired.

"That won't be necessary. I ate outside before returning to the mansion," Ruelle replied with a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"It isn't my place but you should avoid eating outside," Maude replied, her expression barely changing. "It is the easiest way to poison someone. Humans do not approve of those who associate with vampires. Some prefer to solve things quietly."

Ruelle blinked, startled. "I will be careful," she murmured.

Maude moved to the neatly folded dress on the bed. Without asking she picked it up and carried it to the trunk.

"That doesn't belong to me," Ruelle reminded the vampiress.

"It does, milady," Maude replied. "It is yours now."

"That's too generous. I cannot accept something like—"

"You misunderstand, milady," said Maude, closing the trunk. "There has not been a young woman in this house for years. These clothes have no purpose here. Letting them hold dust in storage is far more disrespectful than giving them to someone who will use them."

She paused briefly and continued, "They were prepared by the lady but never worn. A trunk has already been loaded into the carriage."

"For me?" Ruelle asked, her voice almost a whisper.

"Unless Master Dane intends to experiment with lace ribbons, yes. For you." Maude's gaze rested on her for a second longer than usual. "The master was the one who ordered it."

Ruelle's lips parted but no words formed. Warmth spread through her chest along with guilt. She had learned not to expect kindness and tonight she wasn't sure she deserved it.

Maude turned toward the door and called, "Take Miss Ruelle's luggage to the carriage."

stepped in and

softly, "Thank you." In response, the vampiress offered her a

minutes, Ruelle stood beside the carriage where trunks had been secured, the cool night air brushing across her cheeks. She had wrapped the scarf that Lucian had given her, its warmth settling

next time

into the courtyard. It came to a stop behind the Slaters' carriage. She wondered if it was a guest for Lord

carriage door opened, Blake

across her face. The vampiress' elegance and warmth was striking and Ruelle

Blake greeted, curiosity and gentleness threading

politely, returning the smile. "Good

carriage. It was a vampiress in her fifties. Her hair was pinned in an elegant updo, her thin

polite bow to

over Ruelle in a dismissive sweep that lingered just long enough to decide the human

Lord Azriel?" the older

isn't home," Ruelle answered

vampiress raised her hand and with a lazy flick ordered, "Then go tell them the

opened her

voice was polite

She's

head slowly, regarding Blake first and then Ruelle again.

Groundlings tend to find their rightful place eventually. Best to begin learning

but one Groundling now serves as Head of the Royal Guard.

Lady Stelaris's expression and

Groundlings rise only when a vampire raises them. Without us, you would still be scraping

world changes whether we approve of it or not. There was a

Stelaris's lips thinned and she whispered under her breath, "Insolent. Azriel has truly

words struck, but Ruelle swallowed the sting. She had been looked down on before. What mattered was how she

barely left Lady Stelaris's lips before

dark against the lantern glow, shoulders straight, expression unreadably composed. Yet nothing about him felt calm. His dark red eyes quiet and merciless, settled on Lady Stelaris as if he

insulting his guest, Lady Stelaris." Lucian's voice was smooth and

guest? The

fraction. She blamed, "Did you

the middle of this, but the woman had asked for it by saying things earlier. But

gaze flicker to her. It

Nor is it a place where guests insult those

lips together, her fingers curling against

faint laugh and remarked, "You misunderstand. I was

in. The older vampiress looked tongue-tied as if in shock that

to where Ruelle was and remarked, "Are you trying to fall sick instead

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