Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 89: A door knocked too early

Though Ruelle had been clear with her words, she didn't know if the prince understood it. Before he could come to a conclusion, she lifted her hand and said,

"Let us make a pact. One we will not break. Let us be friends."

And though she smiled, the edges of her lips faltered when his eyes narrowed, suspicion creeping in.

"Why do I feel like I am being deceived?" Edward questioned.

"Possibly because you are," Ruelle murmured. "For someone like me, being friends with someone like you does come with benefits. I will not pretend otherwise. But I promise I will not use you. I would treat you same as I treat others—for who you are. And I would ask the same in return."

He frowned and stated, "But I like being treated as the centre of the universe. I like—"

"Your Highness, do you not wish to be regarded for your soul rather than your title?" Ruelle interrupted him. She noticed how his eyes lowered in thought. After a pause, she continued, "If you permit it, I would like to be your friend for life," she extended her hand further.

Something tugged at his heart, as if he had forgotten the reason why he had called her here. He hesitated before placing his hand in hers. When she pressed her thumb lightly against his, a jolt shot through him. The prince yanked his hand back at once, face flushing.

"W–what are you doing?" He demanded, as this has never happened before and he checked his thumb.

"Sealing the pact," Ruelle replied with a warm smile. "That is how it is done in my village."

Edward stared at her with an appalled expression, before saying, "Your village has questionable customs. Where I come from, we exchange land, carriages, horses..." Horror then dawned on him. He murmured to himself, "Did I just agree to be a poor woman's friend? How benevolent of me!"

Edward began to feel hungry, his stomach impatient as he glanced back at the table. The dishes had been left untouched for far too long. The roasted bird had gone cold, the sauce had turned unappetising, along with the goblet of blood that appeared stale in the prince's eyes.

"All of this needs replacing," he muttered with a click of his tongue. "Disgusting. I dismissed Hermes far too quickly," he cursed himself.

His fangs ached faintly with an unpleasant pressure at the back of his jaw. He had not eaten before coming here nor had he attended the dining hall and it led to his gaze drifting unfocused before falling on the fresh blood that stood at the railing of the balcony.

Ruelle had moved away from the table after their talk, her hands resting on the railing, while she let out a sigh. For the moment, at least, the prince had abandoned his alarming insistence. She didn't hear the prince come up next to her, his steps slow.

The blood couldn't get any fresher than this, Edward's mind whispered.

Unaware of the vampiristic instinct the night creatures carried but curbed, Ruelle failed to notice the prince's gaze settled on her pale and exposed neck.

The vampire's lips parted without conscious command and he took a step forward towards her, ready to sink his aching fangs that craved warm blood.

But in the same instant, a woollen fabric slid around Ruelle's neck from behind and she let out a startled gasp as she was tugged away from the railing, her balance broken just enough to stumble backward into a solid, cold chest.

Edward's teeth snapped shut in the empty air before he realised what he just did and turned red. His fangs retracted quickly.

Ruelle looked up before turning her head and she met Lucian's face. She didn't know if it was because of the night, but she caught his eyes that had darkened quite a bit.

without the scarf," Lucian remarked, his voice barely

it," she said quietly, as she turned to

covering

scarf before he added, "So do situations that should never have been left

meet the prince's eyes that he had ignored. "Your Highness," he

the time Edward fixed the front of his coat as though he hadn't just tried to bite Ruelle's neck, a look of displeasure had passed through his eyes. His gaze lingered a moment too long on where

of the name aloud. "I have heard of you. You were working on one of the cases, weren't you? I have heard about your talent for uncovering matters others

can work for you too," came the prompt response from

the other person's words struck him. Did Lucian Slater

have to be careful. Making a habit of involving yourself where you are not needed can have consequences," Edward said,

"Some things only remain intact because others choose restraint. And not everyone recognises the difference with their thoughtless

at Ruelle after what he almost did. He

the underlying meaning of their exchange, couldn't help but think how passionate these two men were about their work. She could sense the intensity with the way it was delivered. She

she was never meant to hear. Subconsciously, her hand reached the wool around her neck as if to adjust it as

no longer needed there, she cleared her throat.

protest slipping through. "But we have not

and I still have assignments to complete. I am sure you do as well. And I think

scoffed. "Those can be postponed. I will inform the instructors. You need not trouble yourself with such things. There is no need for you to attend

reflexive. She responded, "I do not

a moment, as he was unfamiliar with such direct

night," Ruelle wished

she turned, Edward noticed Lucian taking a step away from there too. He

are leaving as

He regarded the prince for a moment longer than it was necessary,

"Yes," Lucian replied.

Edward muttered under his breath. He didn't like the way Lucian was

replied. Then with a slight tilt of his head, he added, "Unless you wished to speak

sucked in a breath as if preparing to say something, when hurried footsteps echoed along

Hermes appeared, a parchment clutched in his hand as he bowed quickly. "We need to catch

the parchment and his

keep you away from achieving greatness. Good night, Your Highness," Lucian offered a brief bow. Ruelle followed with a quiet nod, and together they stepped

his gaze fixed on the space

when their footsteps faded did Hermes clear his throat and he asked, "Is something the matter, Your

am the prince," Edward murmured while his eyes had narrowed. "Yet he walks

Hermes blinked at it.

Slaters are pure-blooded vampires and they are—well—old. One of the oldest vampire

eager to admire him. You should go work for him." He turned away and began

Highness!" Hermes called, quickly

corridor was dimmer than on the balcony. Candles burned on the stands, while two shadows moved against the wall. Ruelle walked a few paces ahead before noticing Lucian wasn't walking next to her. She wondered if he