Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 90: What is buried beneath

The prince rubbed his eyes, hoping for Lucian's face to change into Ruelle if he tried hard enough. But it didn't.

Edward lowered his hand slowly. He had, in fact, closed his eyes all the way here, picturing how Ruelle might look upon waking. That vision had now been thoroughly ruined!

"May I help you, Your Highness?" Lucian asked, his tone polite and his expression aloof.

"Yes," Edward replied at once, lifting his chin. "I came to see someone important. However, it appears my attendant has failed me again." He flicked a glance at the pillar.

"Your Highness, this is—" Hermes began, who stood behind the pillar.

"Quiet, Hermes," Edward shushed without looking at him. "You already misled me once. Do not compound it by speaking." He turned back to Lucian, continuing as if uninterrupted. "I am looking for Ruelle. Although, I suppose you wouldn't know—"

"This is her room," came Lucian's calm response.

"—when you are—what?" Edward paused. He frowned before demanding, "Then what are you doing here?"

"This is also my room."

The silence that followed was quietly filled with the sound of crickets. Edward's eyes widened and he questioned, "You—what—why is she sleeping in the same room as you?"

Behind Lucian, Ruelle appeared at the doorway, eyes still clouded with sleep. She took in the sight before her and blinked in surprise.

"Your Highness? What are you doing here?" She asked the prince, confused.

Edward turned to her with a look of shock and repeated, "What are you doing here?"

"I was sleeping. It is five thirty in the morning," Ruelle frowned.

Edward looked as though he were one heartbeat away from tearing his hair out. Lucian's expression did not change.

Ruelle noticed how Edward had dressed as if he were going somewhere. Was he returning to the castle? She noticed him take a step forward. But at the same time, Lucian shifted, just enough to block the path.

"What do you think you are doing?" Edward asked in a low, threatening voice.

Lucian sneezed once, quietly, bringing a knuckle to his nose. He murmured, "Flowers."

"Oh…" Ruelle glanced at the flowers. "He is allergic." When Lucian took a step back, she noticed his eyes water faintly.

Edward stared at Lucian, dumbstruck, before the moment turned into a glare. Because the prince had almost buried Lucian's face in those same flowers earlier, and he had been perfectly fine!

The prince then stated, placing one hand on his chest, "I picked these for you, Ruelle. It is customary to celebrate new beginnings. To our new friendship." He extended the bouquet further, as if intent on placing it directly into her hands.

But at the same time Lucian sneezed again. He turned his face away and walked inside.

Ruelle's eyes flicked between Lucian and the flowers. She hesitantly accepted them, and replied sincerely,

"Thank you, Edward. They are lovely." After a pause, she added, "But I cannot keep them in here… I will have them placed somewhere nice where everyone can admire your handiwork."

She noticed the prince think about it with a deep frown. She then said, "I will see you later at the dining hall. And in the meantime, I will think about what gift I should give you in return."

expression shifted at once. The earlier displeasure melted into something brighter, almost

shall look

Edward turned on his heel and began to walk down the corridor with Hermes hurrying after him. But once they reached the bottom floor, the prince stopped in his tracks with

"Hermes!"

"Yes, Your Highness?"

in men…" Edward knew this was a problem. "Something needs to be

to the window

at the door this early," she

it," Lucian replied, standing before his cupboard as he reached for a clean shirt. "You're

shake the feeling that she had caused

hall was yet to fill itself. With the weather that had turned colder, Ruelle had wrapped her scarf around her neck, which kept her warm. She entered the hall with Hailey when an enthusiastic voice called

"Ruelle!"

caught Edward seated at the end of the Elite's table with his sides and the front empty as

caught Edward patting the seat beside him

Ruelle. Lowering her voice, Hailey leaned in and murmured, "I will catch up

begun to step back when Ruelle's fingers grabbed

prince, "If you don't mind, I was hoping Hailey

then did Edward seem to notice the other young woman. His gaze skimmed over Hailey

this seat is just for

her cheeks turning red. "I

polite smile. "But I cannot leave my friend behind to sit at a

else in her place, he would have punished them for rejecting him more than once. But he didn't know why he couldn't do the same to her. He studied Ruelle for a moment and then

he added looking offended. "You said I was

did," Ruelle replied with a nod. "And I meant it. I hope my new friend would wish to get along with the people important to me and not

the tabletop, irritation fighting with something close to panic. After a second, he exhaled and waved his hand as if granting

were mostly drawn. In the bedroom,

closed one drawer, footsteps entered

home, Ezekiel!" Caroline looked excited. "Are you taking the day off from

instantly and replied, "I will need to return. I forgot something

and kissed him on his cheek while hugging him. "I was thinking of hosting a soiree here. What do you

idea," Ezekiel continued to smile at her. "I cannot wait to see what you

and the theme," Caroline grinned before saying, "I should go bathe now. "I don't want the water to turn cold," she laughed, crossing the room while removing the delicate chain from her neck and keeping it on

you later and wait for you for dinner," she said over

At first he didn't move and only watched the place Caroline had stood. Then his gaze moved

into the inner pocket of his coat. He did not stay back to talk further with

parked it there. From there he took a local carriage, stepping down after one stop. A shawl was drawn over his head, covering half

turning back to make sure no

without hesitation and began to pull out the dark

exhaled softly. He rose to his feet, brushing the dirt from his hands. From his pocket, he withdrew Caroline's chain and let it fall beside

low and emotionless, "that there will be no one to see you host

quicker because Ruelle's attention needed to be drawn back where it belonged before it strayed too far toward the

clink of cutlery gradually filled the spaces

feeling people's eyes at the table she sat at. Simply because it

many times out of nervousness. And next to Hailey sat Kevin, who had joined them after he had entered the hall. He sat straighter than usual, mostly lowering his gaze to avoid eye contact with the prince, while occasionally glancing at

what was so special about them that Ruelle was ready to let him

the prince leaned closer to Ruelle and lowered his voice, despite the fact

coming?" Edward asked, already assessing their space, which felt