Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 180

Chapter 180: An Unwelcome Return

When Ruelle woke up, she felt her head pound. For several seconds she stared at the ceiling, and when she attempted to sit upright, the room spun enough that she dropped back onto the mattress.

"Don’t tell me I caught a cold," she groaned.

Last night she had spent a little too long outside without a coat or scarf. But it hadn’t mattered then, as she had loved every second of it with Lucian. With Peyton’s delayed return, they had been left alone longer than expected.

The potion Dane had made her sniff hadn’t brought back only pleasant memories. Some she would have gladly left buried. Yet she had let them pass, choosing instead to linger on the ones tied to this mansion.

To someone who didn’t know Lucian, he appeared cold and untouchable, a man who seemed impossible to move. Yet knowing who he truly was, Ruelle found herself feeling fortunate. And the portrait hanging on the wall didn’t do justice to the memories she had seen.

"...so cute," she murmured at the memory of a young Lucian.

"What are you calling cute?"

Before Ruelle could properly open her eyes, she felt a cold hand settle against the side of her neck and a soft sigh escaped her lips. As her vision cleared, she found Lucian watching her, and she smiled.

"Would you like me to summon a physician?" Maude inquired with an almost blank expression.

Lucian’s fingers remained against Ruelle’s pulse. He responded, "It should subside with rest," his gaze didn’t leave her. "Bring the pill box. And something warm for her to eat."

"Would you like me to bring your meal here too?"

"Yes."

Maude bowed before stepping out of the room, leaving them alone.

Ruelle’s gaze drifted behind him and she noticed the minister’s assistant was missing. Peyton still hadn’t returned. She hoped the vampiress wasn’t currently buried beneath an avalanche of snow somewhere.

"How are you feeling?" Lucian asked.

"Not that bad. I’ve felt worse." A laugh escaped Ruelle’s lips while the answer only deepened the slight frown between his brows. Embarrassed, she looked away and asked, "What time is it?"

"Nine minutes past nine."

"Ah..."

It was the hour the family usually gathered in the dining room in the morning for breakfast. He must have noticed her absence and had come to check on her.

When she attempted to sit up once more, Lucian steadied her. One hand settled behind her neck while the other supported her back.

"Thank you," she murmured. Strangely, the pounding in her head felt less severe than before and she blinked.

She was sipping water when hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor outside and she paused. A second later, the door opened and Peyton stepped inside. Snow still clung to parts of the vampiress’s coat. Unlike usual, she hadn’t taken the time to compose herself after travelling. Her expression was tense and her eyes immediately sought out Lucian before they fell on Ruelle.

"We didn’t do anything," Ruelle uttered as if wanting to ease the vampiress’s worry. The woman stared at her before turning to Lucian.

"There was a breach last night at the courthouse’s dungeon," Peyton informed.

It took Ruelle a couple of seconds before she understood what Peyton’s words meant.

Peyton continued to speak, "None of the prisoners stayed behind, including Ms. Belmont’s sister, everyone was let out and the guards were found dead. None of them survived."

"No intruders?" Lucian asked, the look in his eyes turning serious.

"No forced entry. It looks like someone caught the guard with the key before letting everyone out. The blood in the dungeon mostly belongs to the guards. Halflings," Peyton added with a grim expression.

Ruelle wanted to believe Caroline had been swept up in the chaos. Yet knowing her sister, she couldn’t completely dismiss the possibility that Caroline had fled alongside the others.

"The nearby towns and villages have been informed to keep a look out for the men and women who were held in the dungeon," Peyton continued speak, her lips setting in a thin line.

Lucian didn’t look pleased. When his eyes moved to Ruelle, he noticed the worry in her expression. It stood out more than usual against the slight fever colouring her cheeks. His gaze returned to Peyton.

"Is the Elder Minister still at the courthouse?"

Peyton gave a nod. "He intends to keep the matter contained for now. Some of the council members believe the announcement of the treaty may have provoked retaliation."

Silence settled briefly, before Lucian spoke, "Helsing is dead. Now an entire dungeon has been emptied overnight." His gaze sharpened. "Whether the two incidents are connected is irrelevant. People will connect them regardless."

He then turned to Ruelle and said, "I will try to get back soon."

"Wait," Ruelle caught Lucian’s hand before he could leave. She asked, "Can I come along with you?"

Lucian’s gaze lingered on her face for a moment. He took in her flushed cheeks, the slight exhaustion in her eyes and the fact that she was still wrapped beneath the blankets and the warm hand that held his.

"You have a fever, Ruelle."

"I know, but—"

"You can barely sit upright," his voice remained calm and patient.

Ruelle turned redder and she replied, "That was different."

"How?"

mouth before realising she had no answer. A faint look of amusement appeared in his eyes. She then said, "It

on the edge of the bed. The softness in his eyes had returned and he questioned, "How wise do you think it is to travel in this

know but..." she admitted quietly, before adding, "I

suggestion earned her a look and it wasn’t an encouraging one. Her smile turned sheepish. "Please?" It was just that she doubted she would be able to rest, not knowing what was going

judgement is questionable right now, Ruelle. Do you

winter," Ruelle replied, only

noticed his finger lightly tap against the edge of the bed as though giving her an opportunity

room seemed to disappear and a chill crept across her skin, a shiver running through her. It

"Lucian..."

cold?" His voice remained

wasn’t fair at all, Ruelle thought to herself, while he looked

corridor and soon Ruelle caught

of the breakout,"

entered the room, his eyes fell on Peyton as if he were already aware of her

with him," Ruelle declared and noticed the corner of Lucian’s mouth twitch once. She quickly added, "You said I could

rest of them who didn’t know what Lucian said looked

like she doesn’t want to part from you. How about I accompany

to worry

He then said, "You will remain

lips and her hair turned messier. Lucian’s lips pursed as if he wanted to say something. She then saw Lucian walk to the side and

travelling with us to the

the housekeeper bowed, and everyone stepped out of

enough layers to keep her warm, the five people headed towards the courthouse. On their way, she found herself chatting with Dane and Sawyer, while Lucian kept a watch and listened to

recovering from the cold already, but Lucian

outline of the courthouse appeared through the carriage window. Guards moved quickly through the snow-covered grounds. Messengers hurried

stepped down from the carriage, she noticed the courthouse grounds holding more guards than the last time she had visited. Men stood

officers hurried toward their

Slater," the man bowed

update on the situation?" Lucian asked without

the side. The vampiress listened to whatever was whispered

was found splattered inside one of the cells. On the inside of the iron bars. The watchmen stationed above reported hearing nothing. They saw no one enter or leave. A few unburnt

who gave a small nod before departing with

was enough for Ruelle to notice. "One of the documents that was burned was the treaty recently released

was coincidence that the treaty ended up with the other documents to be destroyed. Yet

Peyton was right... Then perhaps their wedding

a difference." Ruelle blinked and turned to Lucian, his eyes already on hers. The words had clearly been meant for her. "It is a blood contract treaty. Burning parchment

been holding her breath and she quietly released it. Of course. A treaty like that was not merely ink on paper. Still, hearing him say it eased a tension she had not realised had

gave a short nod

lower levels, like the dungeon. With everything she had heard so far, it felt natural to assume they

his coat, withdrew a key, and handed it to Dane. He said, "Let her rest.

cold air had grown sharper while they stood outside. The fog escaping her lips appeared thicker

placing his hand on her back to

she thought to herself. Giving one final glance toward Lucian, she allowed Dane

walked, Lucian’s eyes didn’t leave her and he questioned the officer, "Do

I added the details of who caught them and who was interrogating them," the

than ten steps when someone came

the place, but not easily, as

and caught sight

stumbled the remaining distance between them and for a moment, Ruelle almost failed to recognise the woman. She didn’t know if it was because of

you hear about Caroline? Someone must have kidnapped her!" The woman’s hand found Ruelle’s hands. "You look

way the older woman looked relieved, as Ruelle worrying about them was a good thing. Then Mrs. Belmont looked toward him as hesitation in her expression returned.

Ruelle. I beg you. She’s been through so much, I am worried something bad is going to happen

Caroline herself. But she understood that her stepmother

others?" Ruelle

The woman looked troubled. "I haven’t seen him since two nights ago. I tried asking around but no

thought Ruelle. Was he swept with other debt collectors or did it have something to do with the recent chaos that had

husband. She then said, "And Ezekiel? I haven’t seen him since the same time Harold

didn’t know a name could make her

with a quizzical expression. "Did they run into each other

fear seemed to strike her features. She looked extremely worried and

find all of

your husband and your son-in-law, we need to be sure something happened before we can file the report," Lucian

to Ezekiel over the murders?!" Mrs. Belmont

blinked. Did her stepmother believe that he had something to do with Caroline too?

if not knowing how to respond to it. The older woman’s lips trembled slightly before she looked away, "It is

she did to him," Lucian’s words were sharp as he interrupted the older woman’s

eyes widened at the

him when he

the guilt written across the woman’s

Belmont," Lucian spoke

she glanced back at Ruelle

answer. She merely watched

it didn’t hurt much knowing about it. Once, perhaps, she would have spent

thought lingered only briefly before Dane guided her toward the courthouse entrance. By the time they reached Lucian’s office, the

door was unlocked by Dane

to descend all at once. Her limbs felt heavy and her

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