Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 152: Weight Of Absence

Ruelle did not look away and neither did Hermes as the attendant took hold of the folded parchment. Beyond the walls of the castle, the weather had changed, with wind howling through the night, lifting loose snow into spirals.

"Do you know that this is considered the finest weather for hunting, Ruelle? It has long been a tradition in our family to hunt in such storms," Edward remarked as he looked outside the window. He turned back to look at them with a bright smile. "Do you want to try it?"

"I am going to be buried..." Hailey murmured as her faced turned pale while she stared at the parchment in Hermes’ hand.

Ruelle held Hailey’s hand without drawing anyone’s attention. She replied politely,

"I do not think it would be wise for us. With the storm as it is, the vision would be poor and might end up shooting each other. Not to mention we are humans."

"I have shot Hermes... and others in my own family. Do not trouble yourself, Ruelle. It will be just fine," Edward laughed as though what happened in the past were trivial.

"Maybe we can go early tomorrow, if the weather improve," Ruelle replied, offering him a polite smile.

"Then it is settled!" Edward declared, clearly pleased. He would make a coat out of the animal they would hunt!

The prince led the two young women outside the library. When Ruelle turned, she caught sight of Hermes stepping out of there and disappearing into another corridor.

She looked out through the passing windows. Darkness had settled across the grounds, leaving only the lanterns along the poles to burn faintly. The sound of the storm seemed to press faintly against the glass.

"Let me show you the tiger’s and bear’s hides. This way you will know what you want to hunt for tomorrow," Edward spoke next to Ruelle. "I hunted the tiger when I was six years old."

Ruelle’s gaze flickered toward Hailey before settling on Edward, a silent cue given without a word. Hailey was quick to catch the look even though her face was marred in anxiousness with what had occurred back in the library. She cleared her throat and spoke,

"That is very impressive, Your Highness. Not everyone could manage such a thing."

Edward huffed slightly, his chest moving forward. He replied, "That is hardly new to me."

"Unfortunately, I have never gone hunting before nor do I know how to use a crossbow, Your Highness," Hailey admitted with a dramatic sigh. She asked him, "If you would not mind, perhaps you could guide me in tomorrow’s hunt?"

felt a flicker of hope until he said bluntly, "Ha, then it is better you remain behind. This is not a hunt one attempts to learn. Incompetent,"

brow twitched and her lips pressed together as though holding something

of the

fell at

not be rather rude to leave a friend behind all alone?"

it may as well be from the best. From me. We shall do it during the hunt," Edward nodded, a smile returning as though he had fixed the little hiccup. He

that struck through his feet with each step. The attendant soon arrived at the king’s chamber and noticed King Septimus

raised the folded note. "This was

duties," the king hummed

attendant walked forward and placed the parchment into the king’s hand. He saw the king unfold it, his gaze lingering for no longer than a second before one corner of his lips curled.

fell upon the blank parchment. Turning nervous, he

am certain there was writing

faint smile

closing for a brief moment as he drew in a quiet breath in the hope that his other toes wouldn’t be severed.

castle’s dining room, the walls and the ceiling were covered in dark red wood, while three circular chandeliers

with no servants in the room, Ruelle made her way toward the fireplace, the flames burning bright and she lowered herself before it. Hailey followed quickly, sitting

whispered, her voice

the folded parchment from her pocket. She whispered back, "The other

She had

log and placed it above the parchment to

now?" Hailey asked

chest and made her less overwhelmed than before.

doing there?" Edward called, approaching them. "You need not concern

their feet as he approached. Ruelle answered, "We were

for us to sit at the same table as

There is no need to

commoners... we would not dare," Ruelle said with a slight smile. The truth was she was dreading sitting under the

Everyone’s back straightened at once. The

But we do