Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 106: Charcoal and Rose

Ruelle didn’t know a Christmas gift could be stressful. Too many eyes lingered on her, waiting for her to oblige and her shoulders stiffened.

"I was thinking blue, since it’s my favourite colour. But perhaps it’s better if you choose your favourite colour for me," Edward continued, already imagining himself wearing the sweater.

Her lips parted. "I—"

"Red."

The word came calmly from behind the prince. Lucian had stopped a short distance away with Sawyer, who had stopped mid-sentence now forgetting what he was talking about earlier.

Lucian’s posture was relaxed with his expression unreadable and his gaze settled on Edward.

"I don’t remember asking you," Edward grumbled, as he was still bitter about the day he had brought Ruelle flowers. He frowned, stating, "I believe I asked Ruelle."

Ruelle blinked at Lucian.

Did he not tell her to concentrate on her studies and pause on knitting? She asked herself. Had he changed his mind? But the unnerving calm in his eyes suggested otherwise.

"You asked in a public corridor. I assumed it was open to answer," Lucian replied.

Sawyer frowned slightly, thinking aloud before he could stop himself, "I always thought red made it easier to aim at."

Edward turned towards Sawyer with an obvious scowl. He asked, "Ravencroft... Are you volunteering to test how sharp the royal axe is?"

Sawyer straightened at once and bowed, "My apologies, Your Highness. I misspoke. I should see if Angelina has arrived," and he slipped away.

Before things could escalate further, Ruelle spoke up, "Edward," drawing the prince’s attention immediately. She offered him a warm smile before continuing, "It is very kind of you to ask for something made by me. But I’m afraid I won’t be able to start any knitting for a while."

"Eh? Why ever not?" Edward looked offended.

given her word to Lucian for something he had asked of her for

very important and I want to place well... just like you are. I would hate for someone like you to have a friend who is dull,"

closed again as he tried to decide whether to be pleased or to protest. Before he could regain control of the conversation,

be honoured to make one for you, Your Highness," Caroline stepped forward with a bow, who had

annoyed with the number of people

her expression and replied, "My name

watched Caroline introduce herself, while

Edward asked, giving her

is busy, I would be grateful for the chance to be of service instead. We

who was unconvinced, turned to Ruelle to question, "Is she really

there smiling, speaking as if nothing between them had cracked beyond repair. The memory her sister reached

share a father," Ruelle replied quietly. "Caroline

like a door closing on her face. Hurt flashed across her face before it

"Ruelle—"

of the corridor murmured politely, "Excuse me," already stepping away. "I

at being abandoned mid-conversation. When she didn’t stop, his expression soured. He turned

seems you are neither a good sister nor a particularly useful subject. I don’t need your sweater. If something is to be made, it will be made by Ruelle.

a cue to slip

at the

took the prince’s wish, the favour would spill onto her too. All that would be needed was for the prince to say the word and she would

remained standing alone in the corridor, cheeks burning, while the prince walked past her without a glance and

the other hand, Ruelle’s steps quickened as she turned the corner and saw Lucian already several paces ahead, the distance between them slowly widening. The sound of her shoes echoed softly against the corridor floor as

"Lucian—"

surprise. She reached him a moment later, faintly out of breath, though she couldn’t tell if it was from the hasty walk

that... back

looking for a colour," Lucian answered, his gaze moving briefly to the flush still clinging to her cheek before returning to

of laughter left Ruelle’s lips, light but uncertain. She admitted, "I wasn’t, Edward was." Then she asked, almost thoughtfully, "But what would you have done if I had

to look behind her, wondering if her friends had got inside the dining room, while unaware that her question had not

Lucian