Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 151: After Three Toes

"Your Majesty has my deepest gratitude. I shall endeavour not to fail you," Kevin said, bowing low.

"I have to know from Ruelle that you have attended my son in his studies and kept a careful watch over him. I have no doubt you shall conduct yourself admirably here, within the castle," the king stated calmly. "I will have the word sent to Sexton so you can join. I do have some payments to make."

"I hope you are going to pay him handsomely, Father. Kevin joined classes to become stronger," Edward stated.

Ruelle felt the strong urge to confront Edward, perhaps even seize him by the shoulders and shake him. Not for answers, but because of what his one letter had done. But the prince would blabber without a thought and others would bear the consequence for it.

’I do not wish to see him displeased, and I would hate for another rift to appear between us,’ the king’s warning rang in her ears.

She would not rush forward blindly, not right now. Only a fool would charge ahead when the ground beneath her had already begun to give way.

"Seven and a half silver coins should be sufficient? Perhaps we should make it eight," the king answered nonchalantly.

Kevin bowed once more, unable to disguise the quiet brightness that had overtaken his features. He said, "Thank you for your generosity."

Ruelle noticed how Kevin stood there with gratitude, entirely unaware. There was nothing generous in what had been offered. She had refused the king’s reward and Hermes had paid for her defiance with his own flesh, and right now the king had chosen the next person for it.

Footsteps were heard and one of the servants appeared before them. The servant informed, "Your Majesty, the Earl and his wife have come to visit you."

"Kevin, you can go observe the training. It is better to have a head start." King Septimus turned to look at the humans and his son before saying, "Let us see each other at dinner then." With that, he left the place, while Kevin followed the king’s words.

Watching Kevin leave, the prince turned to the nearby maid and ordered, "Prepare three rooms for them."

"Hailey and I will share the same room. There is no need for two," Ruelle said quickly, and Hailey’s face brightened.

"Right," Hailey nodded with enthusiasm that they were finally going to share the same room.

"Are you sure? You can have the whole room for yourselves." Edward raised his eyebrows.

Ruelle offered him a small smile and responded, "Yes."

"By the way, Ruelle, do you still feel like throwing up?" Hailey asked.

"What, throwing up? Are you not well?" Edward asked with a frown. Turning to the nearby maid, he ordered immediately, "Go fetch the physician right away—"

"No!" Ruelle’s response came quickly before she repeated, "No, I am fine now. There’s no need for the physician. I just need to eat something light. Porridge." She had been helped enough for the day...

Edward snapped his fingers and the maid bowed before leaving for the kitchen.

to walk through the corridor. "How much are servants and maids paid?

I am not wrong, it should be a

carefully, "That’s discrimination.

first to hide when harm

walked through the corridor beside them in silence, found her

think of him when things began to slip beyond her control, and with it came a quiet

The king was not a student to be silenced, nor a minister to scare

going to follow the fortune teller’s words or have you decided to be a maid?" Edward huffed softly

replied, her tone

mind and she wondered what if she were to turn Edward’s attention elsewhere? And her eyes fell on Hailey. If his interest could be drawn away from her, maybe it could help her.

back," Ruelle turned and began

slight frown and he was about to follow Ruelle when Hailey commented, "Your Highness, she’s probably visiting the bathroom," and

and caught sight of Claude still standing next

while noticing Hermes arrived at the entrance as if following orders. "All of us

clearly taken aback by the change of plans. But

you tell me what time I should come and

in the afternoon, if it is alright with you," she added with a polite smile,

the carriage leave. With the coachman not allowed inside, it made sense to return. This way, Lucian would know where she was, should things not go

walking up the stairs and arriving at the entrance,

to be

me, Miss Ruelle. I am required to follow my orders." Hermes bowed.

when she paused, the movement

am heading

taken

the opposite. It would be easier, she thought, to let him know she was following the king and

prince stood, they were led along the

the larger canvases. "There have been a few additions over the years." He tilted

the brushwork. "The technique is rather distinct. Who was the

no name marked. If there ever was one,

across the canvas. At its centre stood a lone tree, its branches bare yet holding red blossoms that

her head

’Where’s my gift?’

only met with Hermes’s face. She turned around. Did the fortune teller have something to do with it? Because

flower pot. Briefly, she wondered if she touched the

her jaw tightened while uneasiness crept into her. Not bothering to look at the other

circular library that was filled with books on the shelves against the wall, she walked towards one of