Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 178: Beneath the Apple Tree

The following morning, Ruelle woke earlier than usual.

The kitchen was quiet when she entered it and she had the space to herself, as Maude was on outdoor duties. Right now, her fingers were dusted with flour and she mixed the cake’s batter in the bowl. She had baked several times in the past and her skills in the kitchen were something she counted on.

She had tried to find out through Peyton on Lucian’s schedule for the day and apart from meeting Minister Gaile, he would be off work by the hour of noon. She had planned the day to begin with family breakfast and then have lunch with him alone. Then a visit to Lady Irina’s grave together.

And then—if he wanted—they would go out to hunt. She had heard it was popular for vampires of the higher class to do so.

When the batter was smooth and golden, Ruelle poured it into the prepared pan and slid it into the fire with sand beneath it.

When the cake was ready, Ruelle carried it to Lucian’s room with excitement. She hadn’t used too much sugar, knowing he didn’t have a sweet tooth. She requested Peyton stand at the end of the corridor than follow into the room.

Knocking on the door, she waited. Wondering if he was sleeping or in the bath, she turned the knob while announcing,

"I am coming in, Lucian."

But when the door opened, the room was empty. Her eyebrows furrowed as her eyes scanned the place once again. Taking a step back, she turned and caught Peyton talking to a servant before the vampiress turned to look at her.

"Mr. Slater was summoned as one of the ministers was found dead in his house," Peyton informed.

"Oh..." Ruelle’s eyebrows rose. Even though she had rushed through, it seemed like she had missed seeing Lucian. "I guess I will preserve it in the ice box so that it stays fresh by the time he returns."

But when afternoon approached, still there was no sign of Lucian or his carriage and while waiting, she fell asleep at the window.

At the hour that was approaching evening, Lucian finally returned, and Ruelle was quick to appear next to the carriage before the door even opened. Once the pureblooded vampire stepped down on the ground, catching sight of her, he stated,

"The weather is cold and you might fall sick standing out here."

"I didn’t want more numbers appearing before me in the list of people who have wished you," Ruelle replied with an awkward smile. Taking a deep breath, she wished, "Happy birthday, Lucian."

His eyes remained on her before the corner of his mouth lifted faintly. He said,

"Then I am glad I came back before the day ended. I would have regretted missing it."

"Here," Ruelle cleared her throat as she raised her hand. It was a small box that could fit in one hand.

"When did you buy it?" Lucian asked, because even though he wasn’t home, he had been receiving information about what she was up to.

"I didn’t," Ruelle said softly. "I—uh, borrowed it from the attic."

Lucian’s head tilted slightly in curiosity as he opened the box. Nestled inside was a small brass dial, no larger than his palm. Ruelle explained,

"It looks like an ordinary compass, but I bound it with my blood. No matter where I am, it will point towards me."

"I like it." Lucian ran his thumb across the glass of the dial and he murmured, "I will treasure it." He then slipped it carefully into his coat pocket.

Ruelle beamed at his words. She had thought long and hard before she had used what she had with her. It was something she had learnt in potion class and she had simply applied it. She noticed how his fingers tightened around his gift as if it were something precious.

She was about to ask about his work before bringing up the dinner she had arranged with Peyton’s help when she heard the sound of carriage wheels. Soon carriages appeared at the gates of the Slaters’ Mansion. What seemed like just two at first was soon followed by four more.

The carriages were made of dark woods and metal that looked freshly polished, enough to let one know by the look of it, along with the coachmen, that the people inside were all pureblooded vampires. Upon catching sight of Mr. Elliot, Hailey’s father, Ruelle guessed Lady Maxine’s arrival.

"Mr. Elliot," Ruelle greeted her friend’s father, who looked happy to see her.

"Miss Ruelle, how have you been? I heard the news, congratulations. My wife and I were very excited hearing it," Mr. Elliot uttered with a kind smile.

"Just Ruelle is fine, Mr. Elliot. I am Hailey’s friend before anything," Ruelle reasoned, not liking the distance that would form between her or her friends just because she was marrying into a lord’s house.

"Lucian! Happy birthday!!" Sawyer was the first one to step outside the carriage with a bright grin.

"I don’t recall inviting anyone," Lucian remarked as more carriage doors opened.

"Well, it is your birthday and the wedding news is all over the towns. We wanted to celebrate it and others wanted to meet Ruelle," Sawyer replied, unfazed by his cousin’s displeased expression. "Hey, Ruelle," he turned to look at her.

"Good evening, Sawyer," Ruelle greeted. "Have you been well?"

"Utterly well, but now even more fantastic," Sawyer said and he turned to catch his twin step down, followed by Oliver. As the others began to wish Lucian, he said to Ruelle, "He just acts displeased, but he secretly likes that the entire family is here together. I mean what better way to celebrate, right?"

"You are mistaking tolerance for enjoyment," Lucian shook his head.

"See? He’s happy," Sawyer grinned.

Ruelle smiled at Sawyer’s words and nodded. "Birthdays should be celebrated with loved ones." Unlike her lonely ones, it was good to see that even though Lucian was aloof in nature, there were family members who cared about him. To know that he was loved brought some peace in her mind.

"Wonderful to see you again, Ruelle," Lady Maxine spoke, and before she knew, Lucian’s cousin leaned forward to kiss the sides of her cheeks. "Congratulations on the treaty and the wedding to take place. I guess it makes us sister-in-law now," and she pulled away.

to stand beside Lady Maxine, who was as tall as her, and he had blue eyes and blond hair. He carried a little girl in his arms. "I am Jeremiah

polite bow to the man, noticing the little one staring

of the vampiress, whose hair had grey streaks, remarked as she made her way to where Ruelle was.

engulfed Ruelle in a warm and unexpected embrace which had the young woman’s eyes widen before her cheeks turned

are going to overwhelm her," Angelina uttered in an

before pulling back. "I can’t believe that

she didn’t feel

we are a family, just call me Auntie Francoise,"

like it is Ruelle’s birthday more than Lucian’s," one of the vampires chuckled at how Ruelle was surrounded by Lucian’s

Lucian remarked when his eyes

met the Duke, who was less intimidating, while his eyebrows were heavy and raised. He looked slightly gruff,

see that the soul bonding has already been done." He then asked, "Have you settled

mansion is very comfortable.

before saying, "I cannot get over the fact of how sweet she looks. Irina would have

the mention of Lady Irina, Ruelle felt a knot in her stomach,

to see Lucian’s day is going to be celebrated,"

Maxine’s daughter, who stared at Ruelle murmured in trance, "Looks just like

let you take her home, Livvy," Sawyer teased. He expected Lucian

is mine

it before everyone and she didn’t know what to do with all the attention. It was obvious to notice that

in cold?" Another vampiress appeared, who

returned from the courthouse," Ruelle heard Lucian respond, and she decided to stay quiet, as it would be rude to leave everyone... when they were here for

awful of them to make you work even this day. Frankly, I thought Dane was well suited to the

that with Dane in the courthouse, half of the human population

behind my back," Dane who had just stepped out of the mansion, wore a look of mock

you are approaching at the

raised her hands and was soon picked up by

mansion

go after the wedding?" one of

yet," Ruelle responded. She was still letting herself be soaked in the news that she was going to marry Lucian. There had been

who was talking to his cousins and his expression

said

a pointed look. In the meanwhile, her daughter had found her way to Ruelle before climbing on her

far ahead," Ruelle admitted with a small laugh while letting the little girl play with

behind her and when she turned, she found Peyton,

have been summoned to visit the Elder

soon the vampiress took her leave from

was leaving her side and she wondered if it was because Lucian and she had shown restraint. No, it

noticed how none of them brought up anything about her family, as if there was nothing to talk about concerning them. Somewhere she was grateful, but then there was a part of

heavy, but the

Ruelle’s attention turned to the doors of the room and she caught a servant pushing the cart on top of which a

here finally," someone in the room remarked. "With the mansion

for everyone to eat. She

Maude?" asked one

away, who stood in the room.

on Ruelle and she wasn’t used to this much

drawing her attention

her. She answered, "It is at the back of the kitchen.

Lucian’s order was for Maude and the head

be bought and Ruelle felt the cake had grown smaller compared to the fancy one laid on the cart. Her eyes moved back to Lucian, as if trying to read his face that barely gave anything away as he watched

one thing to give him the cake when they were alone, but

Lucian called,

intended to hide, but she didn’t want to disturb the way everyone stood and she was content watching from where she stood. She made her

time

Ruelle stood on his side, watching him cut a thin slice from the cake she had made for

for you," Ruelle murmured and she saw him tilt his head as his eyes grew curious. "I will do it," she

touched Lucian’s lips, the noise within the drawing room seemed to recede. His gaze

piece of cake disappeared from her fingers as his eyes remained fixed on her face. The brush of

be a delicious cake if he’s eating

attention never left

the entire cake before someone else would reach for it. He

help yourselves to the other

continuing to eat the cake, with his whole attention on it. The relatives soon helped themselves to the spare cake before they sat near him. By the time the wine had been poured and

life had she witnessed someone

for me. Why wouldn’t I?" Lucian asked with

the entire time worrying whether he would

beat Ruelle’s gift," commented another cousin, while taking a nearby seat.

the wedding gift,"

Sturdy beds are important. The number of them we broke with. Oh, I am shy," Lady Francoise laughed, but her children’s faces scrunched as if they had taken a bitter