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 carried the

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

secured, the cool night air brushing across her cheeks. She had wrapped

next time she would visit her house, she would need warmer clothes,

to a stop behind the Slaters' carriage. She wondered if it was a guest for Lord Azriel, who had come at

Blake Stelaris stepped out of the

second before delight softened them, a bright smile blooming naturally across her face. The vampiress' elegance and

evening, Ruelle," Blake greeted, curiosity and

politely, returning the smile.

hair was pinned in an elegant updo, her thin eyebrows arched naturally. The woman resembled Blake, and Ruelle guessed the person to be the young

offered a polite bow to the

just long enough

is Lord Azriel?" the older vampiress demanded. "And the

Ruelle answered

a lazy flick

her mouth to

was polite but

isn't staff! She's

Blake first and then Ruelle again. The

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

her. She continued, "You may be unaware, but one Groundling now serves as Head of the Royal Guard. Another

flickered in Lady Stelaris's expression and she

a vampire raises them. Without us, you would still be scraping for

the vampiress whose eyes had considerably narrowed at her, "the world changes whether we approve of it or not. There

breath, "Insolent. Azriel has

struck, but Ruelle swallowed the sting. She had been looked down

before they heard

was Lucian. His silhouette looked 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

approve of someone insulting his guest,

guest?

for a fraction. She blamed, "Did you hear what she

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

to her.

is it a place where guests insult those under our protection. Especially where respect is expected. Shouldn't you return

her lips together, her

laugh and remarked, "You misunderstand. I was only offering perspective to a

Stelaris," Lucian cut in. The older vampiress looked tongue-tied as if in

"Are you trying to fall sick instead of getting inside?"

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