Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 105: A Thing You Can Do for Me

Ruelle’s heart felt heavy once she arrived at the room. She stood there for a few seconds, staring at the door while the conversation with her sister replayed in her mind.

Then the door opened from within and her gaze settled on Lucian’s silhouette, a thin line of light tracing the left side of him.

The thoughts that had been racing moments ago went quiet in his presence. She found herself staring into his deep red eyes, as if they could anchor her from slipping away. She never knew a person could have such an effect.

"I am back..." Ruelle murmured.

Lucian pushed the door open further for her to step inside. He remarked, "You’re back later than Dane normally returns," his words casual on the surface.

"You always know everything. Like a lizard on the wall," Ruelle muttered and just in time caught him narrow his eyes. She hurriedly added, "It’s just a saying. For someone who is... well informed."

"Dane has a meeting at six with Mikhael and the other instructors. Every weekend," Ruelle heard Lucian speak, as she closed the door.

Ruelle walked to the couch and sat. She said, "I ran into Caroline and got held back talking with her." That made him look at her. She pressed her thumbs into each other and asked, "Do you ever worry that one day you’ll become someone you never wanted to be?"

Lucian leaned back against the edge of the desk, his hands settling on the surface of the desk, his fingers curling lightly into the wood. His gaze was steady on her as he remarked,

"Some of us spend our whole lives trying not to be what we already are. Because sometimes instincts can outrun intention."

Ruelle wondered if he was talking about the time when he had killed the men in the alley two weeks ago. Chills ran down her spine at the memory of it.

"You don’t have to be guilty of how you feel right now," Lucian continued, pulling her attention out of her thoughts. "Choosing yourself doesn’t make you cruel. It means you finally stopped volunteering to be hurt for people who won’t do the same for you."

His words eased something in her chest and before she realised it, a small smile found its way to her lips.

"Thank you for telling me that," Ruelle thanked him out loud. She added gently, "I wish I could be useful to you too. Is there something I can do for you?"

Lucian went still. His attention fixed on her with an unreadable intensity, which she missed. He noticed a few pieces of her hair brushed against the side of her face when she picked up the blanket.

looked away, staring outside the window as though the darkness outside required more

Ruelle let him know, wanting him to take

said, his fingers pressing briefly into the edge

replied, leaning forward with

gaze returned to her and he reprimanded her, "Don’t say that

blinked at him before her lips curved and she gave him an obedient nod. "Alright. I

silence in the room until Lucian

you knitting, not until Christmas

going to be of any use to him? Ruelle tilted her head in confusion, while watching Lucian’s

click clacking sound—disturb you?" Ruelle asked him with a slight frown. But then again, she had always knitted away

"Just until

the Elites didn’t let them study, here was Lucian, who didn’t want

want me to do

But Lucian said nothing.

She complied with his words,

lid and looked for the clothes to change into. The same time, Lucian pushed himself off the desk as if the conversation had

him holding a pouch in his hand. She asked him, "What

won’t be earning money through knitting for a while," Lucian said, his voice sounding almost indifferent. "You will need fare if you travel. This will prevent a

money is never a good idea..." Ruelle murmured as

it," there was no hesitation in his tone. He

said, "I can’t take this much... But I’ll borrow one coin," and that

and Hailey in the corridor not far from the dining room. Hailey let out

about you! We asked your sister who joined, but she didn’t know

gave a small nod, returning the embrace more carefully than she used to. "I missed you both,"

Hailey replied, pulling back with a grin. As she stood close, her eyes caught the faint, nearly faded mark along Ruelle’s cheek. It was easy to miss unless one looked carefully. And though Hailey guessed what it was, she chose not to mention it. Instead, she looped her arm around Ruelle’s and said brightly, "We’re just glad you’re back. Next week, you’re not disappearing anywhere without telling us. Mother has been asking about

Ruelle answered

fall behind," Kevin added,

eyes widened with relief. "That is very kind of you, Kevin. I’ll borrow them," her voice filled

from them and her feet slowed. The Belmont sister’s eyes met before a wall came to