Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 95: Ruelle’s realisation

After twenty minutes at the front of the Belmonts’ house, a carriage rolled and stopped. Out stepped Caroline before she headed inside the house, where the door was open.

"Mother? Father? I’m home!" Her voice was bright. She stepped inside the living room and frowned. "Why is it so quiet?"

Upon noticing the bare room before her, she wondered loudly, "Where is the couch? They must have finally decided to replace that dreadful thing. It was uncomfortable. Hm? Even the dining table is gone," she noted obliviously.

"Caroline, you are here! The journey wasn’t too tiring, was it?" Mrs. Belmont enquired warmly as she came out of the kitchen.

"Not at all," Caroline replied cheerfully. "But Mother, have you decided to redecorate? The room looks so... spacious."

"We were hoping Mr. Henley and you would gift a couch to us this Christmas," Mrs. Belmont replied, and Caroline laughed, unsure if her mother was joking or being serious.

Ruelle, who was still in the bathroom, heard her mother and sister speak. She stepped out of there, even though she was in no condition to be moving. Her body protested, but she steadied her expression and stepped out into the corridor.

By the time she reached the living room, Caroline was already standing in the centre of it, turning slowly in a circle.

"Ruelle!" her sister exclaimed, stepping forward. She caught Ruelle’s hands and gave them a squeeze in excitement. "When did you arrive? I am so glad that you are here."

"This morning," Ruelle replied quietly, biting down the pain.

Caroline tilted her head and stated, "You look tired. What’s the dirt on your face? Travelling must have been exhausting or is Sexton being hard on you? If it is, you can let me know. I will have Ezekiel take care of it!"

"Ruelle is smart enough to handle herself in Sexton. You don’t have to trouble Mr. Henley about it," Mrs. Belmont intervened with a smile, while not wanting Ruelle reaching out to Caroline’s husband. She noticed him missing and asked, "Where is Mr. Henley?"

"Oh, he told he had some work to attend to and would arrive later," Caroline waved her hand. She then turned to her mother and said, "You would be pleased to hear that I am going to host a soiree."

"That must cost a lot..." Mrs. Belmont murmured, and Caroline nodded.

me hold it. I just hope it turns

attending Sexton, Ruelle had believed that what her parents gave her was affection. She had convinced herself that they were strict because they cared, harsh because they worried

being earned first. It had been a strange thing to witness. For love to

then she had seen Lord Azriel look at his sons with open pride, as if he was happy simply because they existed. Even vampires offered love, in contrast to what

from her parents. Only that

as though the room were still full of furniture and

her new chain. She replied, "Of course I will," as if success had always been a natural expectation for her. Her gaze drifted around the

a small nod, then glanced at Ruelle’s dress. "Nice dress,

"It was a gift for helping." She moved her

"But you shouldn’t wander about with three men. Even Ezekiel agreed it looked... ill-mannered. We are only worried about you. You’ve never

because her wounds were wide open today, but Caroline’s words pushed her

smile and replying, "I appreciate your concern, Caroline. But I was treated with respect and was not made to feel insignificant like

She responded, "Well, just remember I said so." She turned to her mother and said, "Mother, can

toward her parents’ bedroom.

of the rooms

took a quick look inside. Everything appeared exactly as it always had. She

dreadful thing," she muttered, staring at the old bed. She was about to leave when

stepped closer, her curiosity piqued. It was a pair of

smiling at the small click as they

on me," she

back into the kitchen,

earrings. I

at her sister and froze, noticing they were the

"those are mine. You need to take them off, as I will need to

spend the money on