Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 88: Be a smart cookie!

A quiet breeze moved across the balcony but Ruelle barely felt it as she was too shocked to feel anything.

Her gaze shifted towards the prince's attendant. And he must have sensed it because his weary eyes lifted and met hers. Then he inclined his head a fraction, a quiet gesture of condolence like a fellow offering sympathy at a burial. As if to say he too was only another lamb trapped in the prince's world. And as quickly as it appeared, it vanished.

Before the situation could spiral further, Ruelle took a deep breath and addressed, "I would like to speak alone with you."

"Yes. Of course," Ezekiel nodded, already stepping forward and relieved that she wanted to discuss it. He turned to the prince and politely informed him, "Your Highness, Ruelle and I will discuss—"

"I meant with His Highness," Ruelle clarified politely.

Ezekiel froze mid-breath. Did she decide to be the prince's mistress?! Rage shot up his spine as he turned to her with a look of disbelief in his eyes.

"You heard her." Edward snapped his fingers with a pleased expression. "Both of you are dismissed so we can discuss our arrangement once she's my mistress. Also take the guards along with you, Hermes."

Once they left Ruelle and the prince alone, Edward leaned back in his plush seat. He closed his eyes and remarked, "You must have resisted because you were overwhelmed by the idea of standing beside me. I knew you were a smart cookie—"

"I do not want to be your mistress," Ruelle interrupted quietly.

Edward's eyes flew open. "What?!" He glared at her, as if insulted. "It seems like you do not want to be a smart cookie."

she replied honestly. "Forgive

she would be intimidated by it. "I know you want to be a smart cookie. You clearly said it wrong," he insisted. "Try this. 'Thank you, Edward, for

her lips as both of them stared at each other. She began, "Thank you,

You are halfway there," Edward nodded in

not wish to be your mistress," her

looked at her plate, as if guessing how well the bird was cooked. She could feel the prince's stare burning a hole into the side of her head. It was an unspoken rule that one couldn't refuse the words of the Crown. But if she didn't try now, she would

which was now replaced with him squinting at

one thing and you keep answering with something entirely different. You clearly need a physician's assistance.

"I keep

her. But she was sceptical about the response she

shall fix you," as if he was doing her

is possible,"

disagreed when she should have agreed, and agreed

to be my mistress? Any other woman in your position would have expressed gratitude by now. They would die

hands dramatically on his chest. Then he looked at her again, with an incredulous expression. He stated the obvious, "Sexton is going to have you chosen anyway. All the

a loss for words. What did he

the humans here are bound to the contract. I know that the human male's first or second time drawn blood is used for it. Though I don't know the details about

reconsider my decision. Though I believe

do not understand why you want me as your mistress when there are far more willing young women in Sexton," Ruelle reasoned softly. She didn't want the privilege he