Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 183: The Guardian’s Decision

Ruelle wondered what had happened three nights ago. She noticed her father’s throat bob and for a brief second he looked like he didn’t want to be here. To escape the weight of Lucian’s gaze boring into him like a blade finding flesh but then his expression hardened.

Mr. Belmont folded his arms against his chest and replied, "I already told you. I was running from the debt collector. It was in the town of Dunwich."

"What was his name? The debt collector?" Lucian’s voice remained mild, almost conversational. But there was a predator’s patience in it.

"It was Hemingway. Jack Hemingway," Mr. Belmont answered before adding, "You can ask him."

"And you were alone?" Lucian asked.

For a moment, something flickered behind Mr. Belmont’s eyes. "Of course I was alone," he replied. "Who else would be with me?"

"Those debt collectors must have been persistent. Three days on the run and you never once managed to let your wife know you were alive?" Lucian questioned. "Or if she would be looked for next."

Ruelle watched her father’s jaw tighten. He exhaled, "I was worried they would trail me somehow and harass my wife."

"It seems they were well updated with your relocation then," Lucian’s observation came smooth and he clicked his tongue quietly. "And yet you refuse the one thing that would make them stop." His gaze remained fixed on Mr. Belmont. "So how did you spend your time dodging?"

"I remember getting away from them and I must have slipped or hit my head," Mr. Belmont explained, looking down at his hands. "Because the next thing I knew, I woke up in the middle of the forest. My body was hurting quite a lot. Mostly my neck. My hands too. My chest felt like something heavy had crushed it," he then looked up at Lucian and asked, "Why did it happen?"

Ruelle felt the room grow tense.

"Perhaps they caught up with you after all," Lucian’s suggestion came like bait cast into water, waiting to see what would take the hook.

"I don’t know. It feels like my—my mind has been blank," Mr. Belmont wore a puzzled expression as if he was trying hard to remember but only failed.

Lucian stayed quiet for a second, his face deep in thought before he offered,

"You should get yourself checked in the courthouse infirmary." He noticed a brief flicker in Harold’s eyes—surprise, perhaps, or fear or the recognition of a trap being sprung. "Like I said, what matters to Ruelle matters to me. It will be free of charge and they are very skilled."

"Maybe you should, Harold," Mrs. Belmont urged out of concern. "Maybe check your head," and hearing her words, Dane coughed.

"What a dusty room," Dane muttered and when Ruelle’s eyes met his, he winked at her.

Mr. Belmont’s jaw tightened before he stood up abruptly. He questioned, "When will we find out about Caroline’s whereabouts?" the deflection swift.

"Sit. I am not done questioning." Lucian’s words were sharp. His eyes turned darker as he wasn’t happy with the way things had turned out today and his presence became heavier.

his seat. Ruelle felt something unfamiliar stir inside her. Seeing how her father was powerless against Lucian soothed a corner of her mind.

you are interrogating me, but if you

no heed to the human’s words and instead asked, "You said you woke up this morning? What did

was a forest. Trees?" Mr. Belmont asked as

descriptive." Mr. Belmont’s jaw clenched

told you.

stream or any signs of another person you might have caught?" Lucian’s

tried to appear brave and she wondered how long it

your body still hurt?" Lucian asked and Mr. Belmont nodded. "It must have hurt worse

"Yes."

walking." He

look at her husband and she

these belong to him?"

if the second person in her family was going to end up behind

again, like a clock ticking. He then remarked, "Did you treat yourself with new clothes when you could

to get caught in case the debt collectors were waiting for

knock on the door

reveal Minister Carnifex, followed by Minister Sylvan inside the room. The atmosphere shifted immediately. Noticing the ministers,

looks like there’s a family discussion going on in there," Minister Sylvan hummed, his eyes moving through the people before it fell on Ruelle. He offered a polite smile and Ruelle returned it with a bow from where she sat. "I didn’t know Dane Slater was part of the

was chaperoning Ruelle. Didn’t want to disappoint the assistant," his eyes fell on Peyton, who stood

Sylvan only continued to smile, his eyes carrying amusement

didn’t know why, but she didn’t have a good

some thought about your current predicament," the elder minister continued to speak. "Lucian has been generous enough to close all your debt accounts and from the courthouse’s side, we would like to offer you a house. It isn’t going to be a mansion but a

over their heads. The last few days had been difficult for them and she was glad to hear it. Now only if Caroline could return too, she thought

returning to work with me for a

the head, as he didn’t

Carnifex let out a sigh before he said, "The council wants both

the clipped words

she had experienced back in the mansion return, the air turning heavy

marriage date will be pushed forward," Minister Sylvan decided to speak and Lucian’s eyes narrowed. "A bride sleeping under the same

the truth," Lucian replied, his eyes turning colder. "We’ve already had this discussion. You will have to let go of this condition. A minister is dead. Parchments were burned. People disappeared from a

stationed around the house for their protection," Minister Sylvan offered

of it made her skin crawl. She had made her peace when she had been kicked out of the house and spent

to plummet. "The guards here couldn’t keep the