Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 98: Half the Way to Sexton

Ruelle dragged her trunk to the carriage stop and waited for the local carriage to arrive. And while she sat on the wooden bench, she came to the conclusion that Sexton was the only place left to go.

The road was quiet at this hour, save for the occasional passerby who glanced at her sitting alone with her belongings. No one asked her questions as if the villagers had already decided she was not their concern. It was only when her stomach grumbled that she remembered that she hadn’t eaten anything since last night.

So easily her family had cast her aside, the thought ran again and again, refusing to leave her in peace. All those years beneath one roof, every small hope she had foolishly nurtured had been swept away in a single moment.

After some more minutes, the local carriage appeared, its wheels rattling on the ground. Ruelle rose to her feet, brushing dust from her skirt.

"Is this carriage bound for Sexton?" she asked, forcing a polite smile.

"It is. The ride will cost four crowns," the coachman replied, climbing down from his seat.

"Four?" Ruelle frowned. "But it is usually two."

"It’s Saturday, miss," he answered with a shrug. "And not many coaches run to Sexton on the weekend."

Ruelle hesitated, her fingers tightening around the handle of her trunk. She had only two crowns and five shillings... hardly enough for the journey. She glanced back toward the direction of her house. She doubted the door would open for her again.

"So—are you getting on?" the coachman asked.

"Then... I would like to go half the way from here. For two crowns," Ruelle let him know.

The coachman considered it for a moment and then nodded. He replied, "Alright."

He took her trunk and secured it behind the carriage. Ruelle climbed inside and sat in between the two women as on the opposite side sat two men. The moment the carriage began to move, she could feel the fellow passengers curious eyes on her.

Ruelle pulled her scarf higher around her neck, covering the lower half of her face as though the fabric could shield her from their curiosity.

She wondered how she would complete the rest of the journey to Sexton.

trunk to Sexton on foot? She still had today and

do that to your face?" the woman on her

turn

place. Nothing good comes of it. I don’t know why families agree

She didn’t see a point in responding, not when her own family had not

Instead of dropping her halfway, the coachman had stopped after another stop and

with carriages passing every so often and most

find some work to cover the rest of the fare to Sexton," Ruelle murmured to herself, A small inn caught her eye, the smell of warm bread and broth drifting through its open

trunk, a sharp pain shot

a deep breath, she forced herself to pick up the trunk, using her feet to push it forward as she made

stepped forward and pulled

eat, miss? We

work here," Ruelle interrupted gently. "Only for the day, if you

surprise before shaking

at last. Before adding more bluntly, "And if I take you in looking like that, people will think I’m the one who put those marks on you. I

she stepped out from the kitchen, wiping

her we don’t need help." He muttered to himself, "People will think I beat them when it

cheeks. She gave a quick apologetic bow, keeping her eyes

Then she smacked her husband lightly with

doing all the work back there? My arms are aching and it’s only for one day." She turned

"Ruelle."

pay you no more than a few shillings. Do you agree to it?" the woman asked, and

Ruelle bowed in

the utensils. She worked quietly and without complaint. Once she received the few shillings, she would be able

the eatery grew steadily busier. The clatter of plates and low murmur of conversation

her apron as she

has that man disappeared to now?" she muttered, craning her neck. "Always vanishing when there’s

then turned to Ruelle and