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.

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

Crown Prince sitting on a plush chair while he was drinking

when the kingdom must strengthen its bonds, what better way than

the humans, who had fumbled in the last

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

someone who truly believed the world spun a little brighter simply because he was present. Most of the young women leaned in his

word left the prince's mouth, Ruelle silently took a step back and then another. All she had to do

clapped her hands and instructed, "We will now be dividing into

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

had moved to the back. She almost

waved his hand as if summoning a pet he was particularly fond of. "Come here. You and I shall pair. Unless you already happen

of the bed this morning.

who had sought her a few seconds ago, now stood with his shoulders rigid from fear after what the Crown Prince had said. He didn't dare to move as his

dread in her friend's eyes. And for one fragile second, she felt alone beneath the weight of the

Your Highness… I don't," Ruelle

partner," Edward declared

her gaze drifted past his shoulder. Her eyes found Lucian, who stood there composed and unreadable. Whatever warmth had once existed between them showed no trace in his eyes and her

giving the impression that none

Ruelle lowered her lashes.

no right to expect anything from him—no right to imagine he owed her concern or involvement simply

she ever given in return except inconvenience? His lack of reaction only

snapped his fingers and music swept through the ballroom, which was dark and intricately layered. The prince lifted his chin confidently, holding Ruelle's hand,

Ruelle caught him frowning. She asked him, "Is everything

scoffed with pride. "Why would I

so often, his foot paused a fraction too long and Ruelle tried to keep

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

wondered aloud, nodding as if answering himself. "Of course it has. It usually does.

into a nearby couple, then

with the likes of commoners. I rarely converse with

"Then

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

"I would have helped anyone in

at her. He asked genuinely puzzled, "Why though? You need

on the head, he

"Edward," he corrected.

whispered, "Do you perhaps

me," Edward responded immediately while rolling his eyes. His chin lifted in stubborn pride, but his

before clearing her throat. She almost

them and catching the prince's attention. "We aren't

halt. Irritation flashed across his face and he demanded, "Why didn't you tell

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

of it," Edward said frankly, brows knitting