Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 135: Term of Twenty

At the hour of night, darkness had fallen over the courthouse grounds and the day’s chatter had turned quiet. Most of the men had already departed, their footsteps long faded and only a handful lingered to complete the last of their duties. The wind had grown restless as the hours went on, rushing through the trees and making them tremble, along with the flames in the iron fire pits.

Right now, behind one of the tall windows on the ground floor stood two men at the back of the building who had only recently been admitted into service.

"I cannot believe that after all the examinations I endured, I have been assigned to guard duty," one of them muttered, clicking his tongue in quiet displeasure. "To stand here like a watchman, in case he storms out and strikes Minister Griswold again. It seems His Highness is rather powerless on his own. Pity."

He turned to the window where the glass had fogged slightly due to the cold weather, blurring the view of the room behind it.

The other minister, who stood beside him with a cigar held between his fingers, let out a quiet breath before speaking.

"It would be wise not to judge by appearances," he said calmly, the ember at the tip of his cigar glowing as he took another slow drag. "And wiser still not to say such things aloud lest you find yourself on the prince’s execution list. The moment Prince Edward reaches the age of twenty, he will be able to resist the First Elder Minister’s commands. And when that day comes, he will not forget who spoke carelessly while he was unable to answer back."

The first minister fell silent at that, his earlier irritation turning to unease. He murmured, "That is rather odd. I don’t think I heard it before."

"It is an old rule," the second minister continued. "Which is precisely why the First Elder ordered the prince to remain here tonight. To reflect, as he called it."

The first minister gave a small scoff, though it lacked the confidence it had before. He said, "We have been standing here for hours. I am certain Prince Edward has had more than enough time to reflect by now."

But the truth was far from it.

Inside the room, Prince Edward lay sprawled across the couch in a most undignified manner with one arm hanging loosely toward the floor while his legs extended far beyond it. the other end. One would have assumed by the look alone that the prince had been grinding through his time in Sexton.

But it was Hermes who was running on lack of sleep. The attendant wore a slight look of bewildered expression, listening to the prince snore now.

When the prince’s attendant heard the distant footsteps echoing out in the corridor, approaching their room, he straightened immediately to have the prince in a presentable state.

"Your Highness," Hermes called in a low voice, attempting to wake the prince up before the person approaching arrived. "It seems we may soon be permitted to return to Sexton. Your Highness?"

"Mm," Edward responded without opening his eyes. He stretched like a languid cat, entirely untroubled before slowly pushing himself upright just as the doorknob on the other side of the door began to turn. Still half-asleep, he muttered, "The first person I shall have beheaded once I come of age will be you."

"Your High—" Hermes began carefully.

faithfully assist in my plans, Hermes. You always do," Edward gave a

came a slightly gruff male voice from the doorway as

fully open and for a brief moment, he froze like

loudly with a smile. "What a pleasant surprise. Truly. A delight. A rare

situation required, before slowly turning his head to glare at Hermes with sharp accusation in his eyes for failing

gaze respectfully and wondered

his posture at once, attempting to gather what remained of his

in Sexton," he said as though it was him who

the weight in it was unmistakable. "Especially when I was informed that you

humour Edward had worn moments ago faded almost instantly. There were very few people in the world who could silence him.

temper

inside the room, his guards stood out in the corridor but someone else followed inside. It was Minister Maverick Griswold, whose one

narrowed instantly at the sight of the man.

was at no fault and

"I was

Minister Maverick quickly informed. "It is true that I approached him three nights ago during Winter’s Ball, but all we did was

Ruelle, Father," Edward wore a

I met during the ball was a vampiress. Alanna Beckett, you can

he had simply not

to him, thought Edward to himself. A day not spent

compensated for the wrong done to

then Miss Ruelle had agreed that the minister had come for her last noon.

Maverick was dismissed from the room with a wave from the king. "Hermes," King Septimus called, while jerking his head in the direction of the minister and the attendant quickly bowed before stepping out of the

this the same woman whom you wrote to me about

did not answer

Septimus walked closer until he stood directly before his son. He lifted his hand and took hold

him. He decides which battles are worth the war that follows," The king’s gaze hardened slightly as he continued to speak. "You were sent to Sexton to complete your education and your understanding of this world, not

away slightly, his voice lowering, "If this woman is the cause of such disturbances then perhaps

He hoped his father was joking... "She is better than any princess raised in royal courts. She has never treated me differently. She has been patient with me... even when I did not

son in silence, and though his expression revealed little,