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."

earlier displeasure melted

well. I shall look

corridor with Hermes hurrying after him. But once they

"Hermes!"

"Yes, Your Highness?"

want you to bring in men…" Edward knew this was a problem. "Something needs to be fixed. Bring them

to the window and pushed it open, letting the morning

sorry about that… I didn't expect him to appear at the door this early," she apologised. She added, "I will have the flowers placed somewhere

his cupboard as he reached for a clean shirt. "You're not responsible for

shake the feeling that she

the dining 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

"Ruelle!"

Elite's table with his sides

caught Edward patting the seat beside him and he called, "Join

attention never left Ruelle. Lowering her voice, Hailey leaned in

back when

then walked towards the table and asked the prince, "If you don't mind, I was hoping Hailey could sit

woman. His gaze skimmed over Hailey

this seat is just

her cheeks turning

me," Ruelle interrupted gently, offering Edward a polite smile. "But I cannot leave my friend behind to sit at

once. But he didn't know why he couldn't do the same to her. He studied Ruelle for a moment and then

would leave?" he added looking offended. "You said I

friend would wish to get along with the people important to me and not push them away." After a pause, she added, "I hope

tabletop, irritation fighting with something close to panic. After a second, he exhaled and waved his

the Henley house because the curtains were mostly drawn. In the bedroom, the Halfling restlessly searched through

drawer, footsteps entered

home, Ezekiel!" Caroline looked excited. "Are you taking

smiled at her instantly and replied, "I will

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

Ezekiel continued to smile at

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

see you later and wait for you for

view. At first he didn't move and only watched the place Caroline had

before slipping it into the inner pocket of his coat. He did not

carriage that carried him to another town and he parked it there. From there he took a local carriage, stepping down after one stop. A shawl was drawn over his head, covering half his

make sure no

he knelt without hesitation and began to pull out the dark mud, which clung to his fingers. He kept digging for

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

his voice low and emotionless, "that there will be no one to see you host a soiree, Caroline. As you will have other

where it belonged before it

minutes passed, and the clink of cutlery gradually filled the spaces between conversation in

quietly while feeling people's eyes at the table she sat at.

too 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

before him and wondered what was so special about them that Ruelle was ready to let him eat alone. He

his voice, despite the fact that half the hall

Edward asked, already assessing their