Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 158: Claim Made at Midnight

No amount of stress Ruelle had endured before could measure up to this moment. Her heart paused for the briefest moment, and the edges of her vision began to blur.

King Septimus had just finished speaking, Hermes standing at his side with his head bowed in quiet obedience. Ruelle’s eyes returned to where Lucian was and she realised this was a bad time.

Not here, her mind whispered in panic.

And when Lucian took a step toward her, she took a step back. It was small but he saw it. His gaze stilled before his eyes narrowed.

Ruelle swallowed. She hadn’t meant to step back. Her body had reacted before she could think. She noticed something shift behind his eyes and she knew she shouldn’t have.

She tried to think of how to fix it—when suddenly Edward stepped in front of her, blocking everyone behind him.

"What are you doing here? I’ve been waiting by the carriage this whole time—" He stopped mid-sentence, frowning. "And you were here?"

Ruelle hadn’t moved, her features frozen.

The prince didn’t think about it. He simply reached out, catching her hand and said, "Come, there’s much to be done," and he pulled her away before she could react.

And though Ruelle looked calm on the surface, internally she was freaking out.

Everything felt out of place, but it wasn’t the king that stayed with her. It was the look in Lucian’s eyes. She told herself she would speak to him later, when she returned to the room. The bidding was only tomorrow and—

"Quick. Get in," Edward said, standing next to the carriage.

Ruelle gathered her skirt and stepped. She barely had time to settle before Edward climbed in after her, shutting the door with a firm click. But the carriage did not move.

"Look," the prince whispered. She followed his line of sight and caught one of the royal carriages had already begun to move, rolling past the gates of Sexton. Soon another followed behind it after a few seconds.

"Father sure likes to keep an eye. Let them go ahead. We will have our time without being watched," Edward let out a breath as he muttered.

"I don’t know if this is a good idea," Ruelle muttered, remembering the last time he had been stabbed. She gave him a look and stated, "You’re worse than me."

Edward rolled his eyes with a soft huff. He said, "Don’t say that. I just wasn’t careful last time. This time, I’ve planned it properly, ha." After a pause, he added, "You looked terrified back there and I thought it will help you too. Father must have frightened you the last time you met him."

She could use some time away from King Septimus. It felt as though he followed without moving, present no matter where she turned. Then, as if something crossed her mind, she asked,

"Even if you lose him now, won’t he just find you again? With his abilities... like the mist?"

Edward laughed under his breath, clearly pleased with himself. He said,

"My mother gave me this," he said, lifting his hand and wiggling his fingers where a signet ring rested on his index finger with a black stone. He continued, "See it?" It wipes the trail of whoever wears it and people around it. Father won’t find me that easily. It was made by one of the first-generation witches," he leaned back saying it.

Ruelle’s gaze lingered on the ring. If his mother had needed something like that... she could only imagine what it had been like living under the king.

"Besides, I had a human woman and a male vampire take the other carriage. No one will question it," Edward added with a shrug.

"You put a lot of thought into it," Ruelle murmured and she received a grin from him.

Ruelle looked out through the window. The buildings of Sexton slipped behind the trees disappearing little by little until there was nothing left to see. Her hands tightened in her lap as she tried to steady her breathing. At some point along the way, she had begun to pray to not get into trouble.

They travelled for nearly an hour before the carriage slowed to a stop outside an inn. Edward reached into his coat and pulled out a pair of gold-rimmed spectacles, setting them carefully on the bridge of his nose. He asked her,

"Well? How do I look?"

"I can barely recognise you," Ruelle replied with a flat tone.

Edward ran a hand through his hair, pleased. "That good?" and he laughed.

Once they stepped inside the inn, Ruelle noticed it was empty. The air held a faint warmth, the kind that lingered even without a crowd. A man appeared almost at once, bowing quickly. The man then took their orders in a hurry before disappearing back inside, leaving them alone.

As Ruelle looked out the window, she heard Edward say,

"Don’t worry about my father right now... or anything else. Just—" he paused as if searching for the right words, "let these few hours be yours and mine. I want you to feel better."

"I am not worried," Ruelle lied.

Edward frowned and pointed, "You’ve sighed six times since we left Sexton."

She didn’t say anything for a moment before she said, "I’m surprised you know a place like this."

"Pfft, what do you take me for? Of course I know this place—and every other one. I—" he stopped when she gave him a look. "...Alright. I didn’t," he admitted, almost too quickly. "Hermes brought food from here once. He was eating it in the castle and it smelled incredible. So I wanted to see it for myself."

He then leaned forward slightly, and asking, "What about you? Do you have places you like to go to? Or... somewhere you’ve wanted to visit?"

I have one," Ruelle answered after a beat. "Before Sexton, I was always in the village my family lived in. Helping my family. But there were

together and

small laugh, replying, "It

them. He then went on, "I was

Highness, are you trying to make me feel bad

calling me that? It sounds like you’re speaking to my father," he stated, almost offended with a look of disbelief. He corrected,"Edward. Just Edward. And

then gestured toward the table, already moving. He said, "Come on.

anything she had tasted in a long while. But even after she was full, the

he said lightly, pushing himself to his feet. He reached into his coat and dropped a small pouch into

of this?" she asked noticing

followed her gaze briefly before shrugging, unconcerned. "You’re full," he pointed

said. Without waiting for him, she turned toward the innkeeper and asked, "Could you pack these for

mild look of confusion on his face and he asked, "What for? It is going

the parcel from the innkeeper and stepped outside with Edward close behind.

laugh, almost as if the suggestion was ridiculous. He responded, "Why would I? I’ve never carried anything in

he could reach for the parcel, she moved it away

as Edward frowned. He looked like he was deciding whether to argue

saying you will make me carry things? What is this little

"What do you think of a

later, they were walking side by side through the quieter streets of town. The cold had driven most people indoors. Shop doors were half-shut, windows fogged, and only the occasional passerby crossed their

while, looking ahead. She reached out to tug on Edward’s sleeve and

her head toward

them, worn thin and

"You want children?"

by surprise. She looked down at his

it to them." Noticing the look of uncertainty flicker across his face, she asked,

Edward gave a short, offended laugh. "They’re barely taller than

walked towards them. But his footsteps slowed as he reached their side, suddenly unsure what to do with himself. For

took it hesitantly and bowed. Edward gave a stiff nod, his ears tinging faintly pink before he turned and

had Hermes do that. Or one

looking at him. "When you

the parcel, their hands moving quickly, as if

his breath, he said, "...a little,

back, already turning away but her shoe slipped against the hardened snow ground. A small gasp escaped her before she could steady

"At this rate, I think my

ankles," Ruelle gave

for a moment longer before he began, almost thoughtfully, "You know...most people

quieter and

went on, slower now, as if piecing his thoughts together. "Why you would look like that when you have every reason not to...and I wondered if it was because you hold someone in your heart," his eyes

"Do you?" he asked.

he should have. The lines he had once

sighed under his breath, the disappointment

Edward murmured, the words

give the name. And just when she was about to

that doesn’t change much. I still have a few hours. And as far as I can tell... you’re not spoken for yet," he said with

the town, the streets thinning until they were on the road again. When it finally came to a stop, Ruelle stepped down and looked up to catch

by the entrance and

walls were carved and chandeliers hung overhead, their light catching on the

opened suddenly to a high dome rose above them, with rows of seats set in a curve. At the far end was

It was a theatre.

never been here before," Edward said, glancing at her as they made their way up the stairs. There was a hint of satisfaction in his voice before he asked, "Do you want to see it

She stepped into one of the private galleries and took a seat

attention fixed on the stage. For a brief moment, the weight she carried seemed to loosen. She didn’t think about the king. Or the

was lost in it, the prince wasn’t looking at the stage at all. His gaze remained on

as her expression shift from first surprise and then a frown before a quiet smile settled on her lips. And it was the most beautiful one, more than his. There

his attention. But somewhere along the way, that had shifted without him noticing. Now, he found himself watching for her

right now, a faint bitterness settled in his chest

caught her attention.

sigh of dejection slipped from Edward’s lips which drew her attention. Her gaze left the stage as she looked at him.

be bored.

Let’s stay a while longer," Edward replied with a

nodded, her attention drifting back to

didn’t follow. His gaze lingered on her instead, as though keeping her here would

track of time watching them. During that time, Edward spent his time explaining about the play as he had

could find something to eat," he added, pulling out his pocket watch and glancing at it. "Though

shook her head lightly and replied, "I’ll skip it. I’m

gave a small nod. They rose from their seats and made their way