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."

back onto the street and made his way towards the fair. Children darted between the stalls of pastries and trinkets, while somewhere farther ahead with

seemed unwilling to let Ruelle’s matter rest.

lifting two

shall take

glasses over. Dane thanked him before turning and pulling the medicine that the physician had given him. Crushing it between his fingers, he sprinkled it on the

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 and well-conditioned beneath

you’re doing?" the stranger asked with a deep frown as his

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

You put something into one of them," the man accused

Dane nodded thoughtfully. "It

tightened.

do I. Now if you will excuse me," Dane said, trying to

I don’t know what I saw?" the man crossed his arms and Dane looked at him for a long second before a smile appeared but it didn’t

constructed but it has nothing to do with you," Dane’s voice was light, and his hand moved back when the

Belmont’s voice interrupted

passed his face. "Mrs. Belmont?" His guarded expression softened for the first time. "I wasn’t expecting to find you here," and he looked around to find

with mild interest as Mrs. Belmont crossed the short distance and embraced her nephew. He turned and swapped the juice from the

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

"How did it happen? Are you all alright? I don’t

head slightly tilted. He noticed the

Mrs. Belmont replied before she nodded to herself, "We’re managing

the bustling

Dane couldn’t resist turning amused, which the man named Lachlan didn’t share the

he fetched the physician." Only then did she seem

and he asked, "Ruelle’s fiance?" A look of evident

elder brother." Dane inclined his head politely

Lachlan replied, while the suspicion in his eyes

before turning to ask to Dane, "Did you manage to find

I thought it would be easier to mix it into the juice before bringing it over." His eyes drifted lazily towards Lachlan and he continued, "Unfortunately... Your nephew arrived with rather dramatic conclusions before

why didn’t you say so?" Lachlan asked pursing

Dane looked genuinely thoughtful. "It became rather difficult to get a word

tightened at the

the glasses and took an unhurried sip. "There. Still alive and

His eyes lingered on the two glasses, following

swelling," he said, offering her the glass. "The physician insisted you rest once you return home and then you will

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

fair, Ruelle and Lucian had arrived in the town after walking through the forest to find any traces of blood. It didn’t take long for Ruelle

the fair at this time 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

"Would you

herself from smiling and

passing young man slowed almost unconsciously as his attention lingered on Ruelle. Before he could look again, Lucian’s darkened eyes met his, and the man’s shoulders stiffened.

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

"I found Dane."

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

steps quickened of their own accord. "Brother

surprise crossed his face before it broke

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

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

came early. I thought you wouldn’t arrive until

toe. "I see you are doing better than the last time we saw each other!" His cheerful voice

more than a year ago," Ruelle