Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 181: Dead Man Returned

At the sight of her husband, Mrs. Belmont walked past Lucian with desperate urgency before she flung her arms around her husband’s neck and a cry escaped her that was hours of accumulated fear.

"Where have you been?! I have been looking for you all over the place. Thank God you are here!"

The man frowned over her words, his expression shifting into something defensive. He huffed, "I got chased around by some of those damn debt collectors. I had to travel on foot and hide in the trees."

Mrs. Belmont pulled away from the embrace before she smacked his arm in frustration.

"W—What are you doing?! My hands are still weak," he looked offended.

"It is what happens when you keep gambling!" Her worry had transformed into irritation. "I was worried something happened to you. Did you not think about what I might go through?"

Mr. Belmont gave a weak nod and patted her hand as if physical touch could absolve him of his failures. He then said, "But I was able to win a gold coin. We can now find a better person to represent Caroline, huh?"

Mrs. Belmont gritted her teeth before tears gathered in her eyes. She shook her head, and replied, "Caroline is not here, Harold."

"What do you mean she’s not here?" he demanded, staring at his wife.

"Wait, did they let her out?" His expression turned hopeful.

"No..."

"Mr. Belmont," Lucian’s voice cut through the moment like winter wind through open windows. His eyes were trained on the human, the human who looked perfectly fine for someone whose throat had been slashed. "Your daughter escaped from the dungeon with the other prisoners last night. The courthouse has already ordered to find and retrieve them back here."

When Mr. Belmont stared at Lucian, the pureblooded vampire waited for the familiar panic he had witnessed before. The desperate terror of the human who knew exactly what Lucian was capable of. But it never came.

Instead, confusion crossed the human’s features.

"She escaped?... By herself?"

missing from the dungeon too, Harold," Mrs. Belmont rubbed her

the damn guards doing instead of watching over?!" Mr. Belmont demanded and when Lucian’s eyes narrowed subtly, the human flinched

seeking agreement, seeking

is framed and now—now you tell us she’s gone. Caroline

put a bounty on her head," Mrs. Belmont snivelled,

said you were being chased

killed was standing before him, breathing, speaking, existing when he should have been rotting in an unmarked

close in suspicion. "Wait—don’t tell me you, I am going to be the suspect of who

Belmont’s mouth fell open, her face turning as pale as her husband’s at the possibility. Her lips trembled and she turned to Lucian,

this to our family? Must

corridor had gradually fallen quieter as the officers carrying parchments slowed their steps. Mrs. Belmont’s trembling voice

having this conversation. I merely asked where your husband spent the night," Lucian remarked, his eyes not

Minister

Minister Carnifex questioned, his expression

Slater and Sawyer Ravencroft," Minister Sylvan murmured with

back and forth before he

gone missing... I feel our entire family

dug her nails into his arm to shut him up. Complaining about Lucian wasn’t going to help them.

"Stay quiet," she whispered.

had leaned forward to whisper about who these humans were to

and Mrs. Belmont. I understand you have your worries after what happened yesterday," Minister Carnifex spoke in an even voice. "Your family is important and

Belmont looked relieved for a brief moment, and she bowed deeply, "Thank you, Minister! Thank you!" Mr. Belmont

doubt the Belmonts have their own residence. I hear it was lost through cards and they now live with their relatives," Minister Sylvan uttered in

Belmont looked uncomfortable at the information shared out in