Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

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?"

answer. A faint look of amusement appeared in his eyes. She then said, "It

eyes had returned and he questioned, "How wise do

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

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 on.

"Your judgement is questionable right now, Ruelle. Do you know how

winter," Ruelle replied, only to see his

of the bed as though giving

and a chill crept across her skin, a shiver running through her. It felt

"Lucian..."

voice remained

fair at all, Ruelle thought to herself, while he

and soon Ruelle caught sight

have been summoned to the courthouse because of the breakout," Sawyer informed, with a look of seriousness. "Are you coming

"One evening alone with each other and Ruelle has turned redder than a tomato." And as he entered the room, his eyes fell on Peyton as if

be going with him," Ruelle declared and noticed the corner of Lucian’s mouth

didn’t know what

to part from you. How about I accompany her

have to worry

briefly across Lucian’s eyes before it disappeared. He then said, "You will remain in my chambers at the courthouse and

pursed as if he wanted to say something. She then saw Lucian walk to the side and he pulled

with us to the courthouse.

Master Lucian," the head of the housekeeper bowed,

coat, scarf and enough layers to keep her warm, the five people headed towards the courthouse. On their way, she found herself chatting with Dane and

she was recovering from the cold already,

of the courthouse appeared through the carriage window. Guards moved quickly through the snow-covered grounds. Messengers hurried between buildings with stacks of documents in hand, and even from outside,

the carriage, she noticed the courthouse grounds holding more guards than the last time she had visited. Men stood stationed at intervals along the stone pathways, while others moved

the officers hurried toward their carriage the moment

Slater," the man bowed

situation?" Lucian asked without

report, another guard approached Peyton from the side. The vampiress listened to

of the iron bars. The watchmen stationed above reported hearing nothing. They saw no one enter or leave. A few unburnt documents were also recovered from the

Lucian asked, his gaze shifted briefly toward Peyton, who gave a small nod

enough for Ruelle to notice. "One of the documents that was

tightened slightly. Perhaps it was coincidence that the treaty ended up with the other documents to

wedding would not pass as smoothly

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

did Ruelle realise she had been holding her breath and she quietly released it. Of course. A treaty like that was

how they are doing with the perimeter," Sawyer gave a short

like the dungeon. With

reached into his coat, withdrew a key, and handed it to Dane. He said, "Let her rest. There are blankets

offered right now. The cold air

heard him," Dane remarked, placing his hand on her back to guide her. "Let

do, and she could wait until she felt better, she thought to herself. Giving one final

Lucian’s eyes didn’t leave her and he questioned the officer, "Do you have the list of the prisoners

them and who was interrogating them," the officer answered

than ten steps when someone

went in and out of the place, but not easily, as

Ruelle turned and caught sight of her stepmother. "I am so glad

them and for a moment, Ruelle almost failed to recognise the woman. She didn’t know if it was because of the cold she had caught or if it was

hand found Ruelle’s hands. "You look

Lucian said nothing but watched the way the older woman looked relieved, as Ruelle worrying about them was a good thing. Then Mrs.

her, Ruelle. I beg you. She’s been through so much, I am worried

Caroline herself. But she

the others?" Ruelle

father?" The woman looked troubled. "I haven’t seen him since two nights ago.

nights? Even though her father liked to gamble until the hour of dawn, he always returned home, thought Ruelle. Was he swept with

her husband. She then said, "And Ezekiel? I haven’t

silent. She didn’t know a name

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

face twisted into a deep frown before fear seemed to strike her features. She

all

breakout, but for your husband and your son-in-law, we need to be sure something happened

over the murders?!" Mrs. Belmont questioned

he had something to do

how to respond to it. The

Ezekiel Henley might take revenge for what she did to him," Lucian’s words were sharp as he

eyes widened at

to him when he explicitly asked your hand

caught sight of the guilt written across the

Belmont," Lucian

walk, she glanced

not answer. She merely watched

much knowing about it. Once, perhaps, she would have spent days wondering

the courthouse entrance. By the time

was unlocked by Dane before she was

ignored seemed to descend all at once. Her limbs felt heavy and her head heavier. She closed her