Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 201: Help The Horse

When they finally arrived at the nearby town, they noticed a fair was set up at the centre of it. Somewhere farther ahead, a fiddler played a cheerful tune that was repeatedly swallowed by the chatter and laughter of the people.

Mrs. Belmont released a long breath, grateful to finally stop walking as her injured foot had been throbbing several minutes ago. She thanked,

"It is fortunate you were with us, Mr. Slater."

"Of course. We certainly cannot have our bride’s family arriving with crutches," Dane replied with a polite smile as the corners of his eyes crinkled.

Mrs. Belmont gave a weak smile while Dane turned his attention towards the rows of stalls where people moved. The pureblooded vampire then suggested,

"I’ll find the town physician. In the meantime, why don’t you and Miss Belmont rest somewhere inside the fair? With everything that happened yesterday, I think it is better to stay among the people than standing here alone. I will come find you."

"Okay. I could use some rest now." Mrs Belmont nodded before slowly pushing herself away from the tree. Caroline immediately moved beside her, allowing her mother to lean lightly against her shoulder as they started towards the fair. She then murmured to her daughter, "Caroline, we need to send word to Aunt Imogen. She must hear about your father from us before rumours reach her."

"I understand, Mother," as the pair walked.

Dane remained where he was, and he murmured, "People become wonderfully cooperative after funerals," the pleasant smile lingering on his face for another second before fading altogether.

His thoughts wandered back to the courthouse before they had left from there.

After leaving Minister Sylvan’s chambers, Dane had taken a small detour before returning to the carriage. When he had reached at the back of the carriage, he heard Caroline’s voice,

"Why aren’t you questioning what just happened? You saw it too, didn’t you? You heard what the woman said. How is that possible?"

"Lower your voice, Caroline! Do you understand the situation your father has left us in?"

When Mrs. Belmont spoke this time, her voice was quieter.

"Of course I’m curious... Especially when your father’s death had already been concluded as the work of a witch." A dull thud sounded from inside the carriage, as though someone’s hand had struck the wooden seat between them. "We need the Slaters’ protection. The treaty cannot fall apart now. Not while our safety depends on it."

"But Father—"

"I’ll find out the truth myself." There wasn’t the slightest hesitation in Mrs. Belmont’s voice. "We’ll visit Aunt Imogen. I’ll borrow what the officials use to expose bad seeds. Make sure Ruelle comes with us."

Dane watched Mrs. Belmont disappear into the crowd with Caroline at her side. With an almost cheerful hum, he turned away from the fair and walked down the street. Noticing a maid carrying a basket, he called,

"Excuse me, beautiful miss." The young woman turned at the sound of his voice and immediately looked away again, cheeks colouring. "Would you happen to know where the town physician lives?"

"B-behind the bell tower," she answered, pointing hurriedly. "The white house with the black gate."

"Thank you." Dane rewarded her with a smile bright enough to leave the poor woman standing there flustered long after he had gone.

Upon finding the house, he knocked on the door, and a thin man with sparse hair opened the door.

"My apologies," Dane said pleasantly. "Would you happen to have medicine for a rather stubborn horse? It looks like my horse has become unusually irritable. Nothing serious. I’d simply like it calm enough to get home."

The physician disappeared briefly before returning with four small white tablets wrapped in folded paper. He instructed,

"One each day. It is better not to stop midway."

"And if I do?" Dane asked with genuine curiosity.

"The horse might break into a fever, but nothing serious you need to worry about."

"I see," Dane rolled the paper thoughtfully between his fingers before smiling. "Then I’ll make sure the course is completed."

cover the medicine without inviting further conversation. After offering a courteous bow, he stepped back onto the street and made his way towards the fair. Children darted between the stalls of pastries and trinkets,

and Caroline. The younger Belmont still seemed unwilling to let Ruelle’s matter rest. Even from a distance, he could

pulp juice?" a vendor called, lifting

"Then I shall take two. One for my lover and one for

Crushing it between his fingers, he sprinkled it on the surface of the juice while people continued to hover around the juice stall. He gave the glass the gentlest turn of his wrist,

when someone caught his wrist. His red eyes dropped to the hand before lazily travelling upward to meet warm brown eyes that didn’t flinch under his gaze. The man stood perhaps half a head shorter than him, his build lean

with a deep frown as

juice." He lifted the glasses slightly as if presenting evidence. "A rather controversial beverage, apparently. If you are thirsty, you can go get

something into one

thoughtfully. "It was

stranger’s jaw tightened.

lover, why? You are awfully nosey for someone who doesn’t know me nor do I. Now if you will excuse me," Dane said, trying to step to the side, intending to

saw?" the man crossed his arms and

constructed but it has nothing to do with you," Dane’s voice was light, and his hand moved back when the stranger reached for one of the glasses. "It looks like you aren’t fond of

Belmont’s voice interrupted the

back and turned, a look of surprise passed his face. "Mrs. Belmont?" His guarded expression softened for the first time. "I wasn’t expecting to find you

Mrs. Belmont crossed the short distance and embraced her nephew. He turned and swapped the

surprised to see you in this part of town. Ruelle mentioned that she had written to you and that you were coming to... walk her down the aisle," she replied before her voice faltered and moisture gathered in

it happen? Are you all alright? I don’t see

head slightly tilted. He noticed

was held back at the courthouse for something," Mrs. Belmont replied before she nodded to herself, "We’re managing as best

the bustling fair,

between them, while Dane couldn’t resist turning amused, which the man named Lachlan

of the courthouse broke down. I twisted my ankle so Mr. Slater suggested we wait here while he fetched the physician."

eyes slightly furrowed and he asked, "Ruelle’s fiance?" A look of evident displeasure seemed to etch itself on his face, which

inclined his head politely and introduced himself, "Dane

replied, while the suspicion in his eyes hadn’t

to ask to Dane,

the juice before bringing it over." His eyes drifted lazily towards Lachlan and he continued,

medicine, why didn’t you say

came at me like a little yapping dog," Dane looked genuinely thoughtful. "It

tightened at the

and took an

His eyes lingered on the two glasses, following every

glass. "The physician insisted you rest once you return home and then you will be healthy as

thoughtful of you," Mrs. Belmont replied gratefully. She

Lucian had arrived in the town after walking through the forest to find any traces of blood. It didn’t take

of the season." Her gaze wandered from one stall to another before a small laugh escaped her. "I think Hailey, Hermes and I have developed an aversion to fairs after

and asked, "Would you like me to erase

from smiling and replied, "I would like it. But

he could look again, Lucian’s darkened eyes met

the others had already found another carriage and left. Beside her, Lucian who stood taller than her, his gaze

"I found Dane."

his eyes. But instead of Dane, a familiar figure stood among the crowd. Her

steps quickened of their

man turned and for a heartbeat, surprise crossed his face before it broke into a smile Ruelle hadn’t seen

around her in a hug that lifted her clean off her feet for the briefest moment before setting her back

held back her tears so that he didn’t worry about her. If there was one kindness Harold Belmont’s family had ever

came early. I thought you wouldn’t arrive until later," Ruelle said, unable to stop

over from head to toe. "I see you are doing better than the last time we saw each other!" His

was more than a year