Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 185: Under His Roof

An hour had passed since Lucian and the court officers had left, leaving guards posted at every entrance of the mansion. Right now, Ruelle sat at the dining table with her parents.

She could smell the fresh wax on the wooden floor, which made it obvious that the house had been prepared on short notice. Her fingers rested quietly on her lap while her eyes stayed on one of the vases as they waited for the food.

"The seat here is empty. Why are you sitting there?" Her father’s voice drew her attention away from the empty vase.

Ruelle looked at him, surprised. She replied, "That is Caroline’s seat... And you always preferred I sit beside Mother."

Something seemed to pass behind her father’s eyes, which she couldn’t deduce as it faded quicker than it had appeared.

"Well, Caroline isn’t here," her father said, as if that explained it. "Sit here now."

But Ruelle did not move. Was it easier for him to strike her that he was asking her to sit there? No, thought Ruelle. He was too much of a coward right now. With Lucian in the picture and one of the guards in the dining room, her father was too much of a coward for that. She said,

"I am comfortable here. And I would rather sit beside Mother."

Her father’s lips twisted before he spoke, "You must have missed your mother. Fine. Sit there. But from tonight onward, you will sit on this side."

"Why? So you can look at me while blaming your bad fortune on me?" Ruelle’s hands clenched tightly, before what she wanted to say this morning came to her lips, "There was no reason for you to insist we live together. You could have stayed in this mansion while I returned to the Slaters."

"Ruelle," her father’s voice sharpened. The look in his eyes changed into something she knew well. It was the same look he used before his temper broke. "Do you no longer care to honour the treaty? Or have you forgotten how little humans matter to them? Do you think the courthouse would hesitate to replace us? You? They could find another family just as easily."

Did he think everyone was like him, who would use and dispose of people whenever he saw fit?

"They may find another human woman. But what makes you think Lucian would take another bride?" She trusted Lucian. More than she had ever trusted the man across from her.

Mrs. Belmont quickly placed a hand over her husband’s. "What matters is that we are eating together after so long," she said softly. "If only Caroline were here too."

The food arrived soon after.

Warm bread, thick soup, roasted meat. The smell filled the room, rich enough to make one want to eat it, but Ruelle barely tasted any of it. She could feel her father’s eyes on her the whole time, and with every bite it felt harder to swallow. If he wanted to say something, she wished he would be done with it.

After only a few mouthfuls, she pushed her chair back.

"Done so soon?" her father asked, lifting an eyebrow. "Sit down and eat more. I would hate for the ministers to think we are starving you."

Ruelle wiped her mouth with the napkin. "I have no appetite. I fear I will throw up if I take another bite." She was about to leave when his voice stopped her again. "Then have dessert. You like sweets, don’t you?"

How odd for her father to even remember what she liked.

Beside her, Mrs. Belmont began, "Harold, if she does not feel well, there is no reason to force—"

"Are you the head of this family?" His voice cut through the room.

Ruelle saw the sharp irritation in his eyes shift to her stepmother, and for a second it felt strange seeing someone else receive the look she had grown up with.

Mrs. Belmont’s face reddened at once. "I apologise," she murmured.

Ruelle stood there for a moment. The smell of meat, wine, and candle wax suddenly felt too thick. The room felt smaller than before.

"I am unwell. So, I would like to rest for now and eat when I have an appetite." And before he could stop her again, she turned and walked out of the dining room.

It was obvious that he wanted to keep this mansion to himself after he had lost two houses in the past. One from the war and the other by Lucian.

When she entered her room, she locked the door behind her at once.

The firewood in the hearth had burned low, leaving behind only warmth in the stone and the faint smell of ash. The bed was soft beneath her when she lay down, her eyes fixed on the pale ceiling above. Even here, she could not stop thinking of the dining table.

She closed her eyes as she felt her forehead grow warm again. She let out a breath and wished for time to move faster. For the wedding to come.

some point, sleep

opened her eyes again, there was knocking at the door. For a moment, she didn’t know where she was as her eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room. Beyond the windows, the sky had turned dark and

The knocking came again.

her voice carrying through

suddenly wrapped around her so tightly that

"I missed you, Ruelle!"

almost unable to believe it. Was this

to see King Septimus for work and asked if I could be borrowed for a few days until the wedding." Her eyes flickered toward the guards outside before returning to Ruelle. "So here

fever that had been sitting in her body seemed to fade little by little, as

the time Hailey had heard about Caroline escaping,

understand. If you’re standing at the gallows, of course

"They are," Ruelle nodded.

turned toward her. "What happened? Are they blaming you

head. "That would

You’re unhappy they’re not?"

toward the dark window. "Something feels strange. They’re trying to fix things with me. As if

Especially her father.

had felt his eyes on the mark at her neck more than once. The thought made her skin crawl even now. Was he thinking of what he

would be too if I treated you the way

saw it. Pushing the thought away, she asked, "How is the castle? I hope King Septimus isn’t making your

looked at them. "Not as bad as I thought. My

That made Ruelle smile.

helped me a lot. He watches over me. Kevin is doing well too. Prince Edward hardly stays in the castle. He spends most of his time at his own place," while skipping the part where

Ruelle nodded.

study," Hailey said, making a

surprised. "He did?" She heard her

Before I came here, he told me to memorise the streets of Rimebridge. Either from the

trying to promote her friend from maid to a better position,

shook her head at once, as if trying to throw the idea away. "I refuse! I’ve seen what that job does to Hermes. I

and Hailey were dressed and ready to leave for the soiree at Lady Maxine’s mansion. Ruelle adjusted the sleeves of her dress as they stepped into

Ruelle?" Her stepmother’s voice made her

turned and found Mrs. Belmont standing

a soiree to attend," Ruelle said. "I will be back before

saw him. He stepped out of the living

she had heard wrong. Her brows

you have been unwell since yesterday afternoon

dug into the

aggression instead of yelling or hitting her? She remembered too clearly the days she had worked through

thought her father would truly stop her from leaving the

now. She could feel the irritation rising, slow and hot, climbing her spine. "Is that why

looked at

hear you fell sick while staying at the Slaters’ mansion..." He gave a small

Ruelle’s jaw tightened.

are to be married in a few days, it is only

speak poorly of them," Ruelle said firmly. For a moment, she caught the flash in his eyes. It was anger that was sudden and then it

did you skip breakfast with us? You said you were unwell. Yet this

wish to have a meal with you," Ruelle couldn’t get any more direct than

"I realised I have been too harsh with you and I want to fix our relationship. Do you not

her, Mrs. Belmont looked

waited for this. For him to look at her properly, to show even a little affection. But now that it was here,

some old part of her still wanted to believe him. "In a few days, I will

guard, as if she too was struggling to

Mrs. Belmont hesitated.

a child, Harold had hardly spared his eldest daughter a glance. Back then, she had not cared enough