Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 85: A hand extended

"Returning to lessons after the weekend feels tiresome." An Elite vampiress sighed dramatically before deciding, "I am going to skip the rest of the day," she said to another vampiress.

Ruelle watched the vampiress walk away in the other direction.

"Must be pleasant having the world bend for you," Kevin muttered under his breath. His voice sounded tired. "Meanwhile, people like us keep trying only to have no rewards."

Ruelle turned her head toward him. His shoulders looked slumped, his steps steady but his expression looked worn out. She offered softly,

"If you're tired, you should rest."

Hailey, who walked ahead of them, chimed in light-heartedly, "She's right. Missing this won't ruin your grades. No one will hunt you down for missing a ballroom lesson."

But Kevin shook his head almost immediately. He replied, "No. It's only one class before lunch. I can rest later," managing a small smile.

In the last class of the ballroom lessons, he had partnered with Ruelle and he had enjoyed it, despite his awkwardness. He looked forward to the shared time again.

"I have already stuffed cotton into my shoes today," Hailey smiled wide, "No more damage to my poor toes."

Ruelle felt awful about it, and she said, "You and Kevin should partner this time. We don't want you spraining your toes again."

Hailey waved her hand and replied, "Don't worry about it. And just because I am hurt, you shouldn't be too! Today will be wonderful!"

But as they approached the ballroom, Ruelle picked up on the voices coming from inside. They reached the grand double doors and Ruelle's footsteps faltered. The room was occupied by other students.

"Has our class been cancelled?" Ruelle asked with a frown, but they hadn't been informed about it. Maybe it was an end moment change, she thought to herself. Realising, she murmured, "These are the final-year students…"

Her eyes continued searching and finally stopped when she found Lucian standing across the hall. He was talking to one of the Elites. As if sensing her gaze, his head turned and their eyes met. And for a moment, Ruelle felt the room turn quieter with the chatter turning dull.

Confusion flickered in his eyes first as though seeing her there did not make sense. Then, almost immediately, something settled behind his eyes.

"Why are they here…?" Hailey's hands went cold as she whispered, unease creeping through her voice. It was because the final years were filled with Elites and a handful of Halflings, who took pleasure in humiliating humans. "I don't think I stuffed enough cotton…"

"What are you all doing blocking the doorway?" The ballroom instructor arrived with a grim expression as she stepped inside the room.

"There's another—" a Groundling began hesitantly.

"I did not ask for commentary," the vampiress cut in sharply. "Inside. Now. We have a lot to do."

Reluctantly, like cattle guided toward something unseen, the first-years walked inside. The instructor clapped her hands for attention.

"Listen carefully. With the Winter Celebration only three weeks away, first-years and final-years will now train together. Everyone"—her gaze swept across the students—"will participate."

A murmur rippled through the hall.

"And if we don't want to?" A young man asked in doubt.

refuse opportunities for employment," the instructor's eyes slid pointedly toward

the Crown Prince sitting on a plush chair while he was drinking something. He then stood up, clapping his hands together and

strengthen its bonds, what better

were directed at the humans, who had fumbled in the last class. She added, "The Elites are skilled, and it would do you good to learn

gaze drifted to the humans, "but fear not. You are in capable hands. A rare chance to learn elegance from those born

simply because he was

prince's mouth, Ruelle silently took a step back and then another. All she had

instructed, "We will now

Crown Prince. As the pairing began, Kevin turned instinctively to his side, as

had moved to the back. She almost

particularly fond of. "Come here. You and I shall pair. Unless you already happen to have

had woken on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

her a few seconds ago, now stood with his shoulders rigid from fear after what

And for one fragile second, she felt alone beneath the weight

Your Highness… I don't," Ruelle replied with a small,

pick someone with no partner," Edward declared proudly as though Sexton would

her gaze drifted past his shoulder. Her eyes found Lucian, who stood there composed and unreadable. Whatever warmth had once existed between them showed

toward the instructor, giving the impression that none of

Ruelle lowered her lashes.

no right to expect anything from him—no right to imagine he owed her

in return except

intricately layered. The prince lifted his chin confidently, holding Ruelle's hand, and then took the first step forward as

obvious, but Ruelle caught him frowning. She asked

Edward scoffed with pride. "Why

his foot paused a fraction too long and Ruelle tried to keep up with him. He commented, "Wow, you really

he wasn't leading her! It was as if he had somewhere to go, thought Ruelle. This

nodding as if answering himself. "Of course it

colliding into a nearby couple, then pretended it was intentional.

with the likes

him, "Then you don't

what you did for me. I am surprised you didn't ask me for a

"I would have helped

her. He asked genuinely puzzled, "Why though? You need money, don't you? Humans attend Sexton for

nail on the head, he wasn't wrong. When her eyes fell on his feet, she

"Edward," he corrected.

and whispered, "Do you perhaps

chin lifted in stubborn

before clearing her throat.

coming near them and catching the prince's attention. "We aren't going to have the Caydence Taps for the Winter

footsteps came to a halt. Irritation flashed across his face and he demanded, "Why didn't you tell me that

be rude to interrupt when you had already begun," the instructor murmured

of it,"