Claimed by the Prince of Darkness-Chapter 79: In search of safe company

The faint rustle of silk could be heard from beyond the curtain, and Ruelle cleared her throat softly.

"You don’t have to trouble yourself, Mr. Henley. I have enough dresses," Ruelle assured with a smile even though it wasn’t true. She added, "We came today because Mr. Slater wished for it as part of something. That is all."

"I apologise," Ezekiel offered her a polite smile, "I only meant that you didn’t have to rely on others when you have family. But I won’t press the matter."

Ruelle nodded hoping the gesture smoothed what little tension she had sensed earlier.

She knew that Ezekiel had only meant to be considerate, but Lucian’s interruption had been unexpected, as he rarely involved himself in matters that did not concern him directly. She didn’t understand why he had interfered at all. When she looked back at where Lucian stood with his back resting against the edge of the counter, she caught the faint expression of boredom on his face as though he had done nothing out of normal.

"What kind of fabric or dress are you looking for, milady?" The shopkeeper inquired, pulling her attention back to the front.

Dane stepped closer and placed his hand on her shoulder. Ezekiel, who was watching them, narrowed his gaze at the contact.

"Don’t feel obliged to hold back," the pureblooded vampire encouraged. "Take your time and pick whatever you like, Ruelle."

"Cotton dress," Ruelle replied.

"Cotton?" The shopkeeper blinked taken aback by her choice and then glanced at the Slaters before looking back at her. "If I may suggest something warmer, especially with the Winter Ball at Sexton approaching, it would be a fitting choice. Many of our patrons have already placed their orders."

"I hadn’t considered my attire for it..." she admitted. The ball hadn’t officially been announced by Sexton yet, and it made her wonder if they were planning to give out the news at the last minute to the Groundlings.

"Then this is as good a moment as any," Dane hummed, settling into a chair. "Besides, the antique room has been cleared."

Heat crept up Ruelle’s neck at the mention of her and her friends wearing clothes from there when they had secretly attended the vampires soiree. She offered a sheepish smile and replied, "I guess there’s no harm looking at the choices here."

"Wonderful," the shopkeeper exclaimed. "Do you have a preference for material other than cotton?"

"Velvet does suit her," Dane said thoughtfully. Then he turned to the shopkeeper, "Why don’t you bring a few options, Mr. Carcas? And have a mirror brought out so she can see what looks the best."

"Right away, Master Dane," the shopkeeper replied, clapping his hands to summon an assistant.

Left waiting, Ruelle felt the air in the shop turn slightly cold as if the temperature from outside was slipping through the cracks of the walls. To keep herself warm, she pressed her hands against the sides of her body.

Soon, two tall mirrors were brought forward and placed against the walls. Ruelle wasn’t used to this sort of treatment. In the past, when she used to accompany her mother and Caroline to the tailor shops, her family often chose materials that were unsold as they were cheaper.

At the counter of the shop, Lucian leaned with his arms loosely crossed. His attention drifted to Ruelle’s reflection in the mirror where she smiled at something his brother said. He noticed her hands subtly press against her sides. It was a small movement that a person standing next to her would have missed.

Most people would have eagerly accepted the opportunity to receive something for free.

But Ruelle seemed hesitant, unlike her sister, whose eyes drifted to the fabrics that were laid out in front of Ruelle.

The young Belmont didn’t look with concern but with an internal comparison as though checking what was offered to her sister against what she was being shown. Leaning towards her husband, she asked in a lowered voice,

"What is this Winter Ball?"

"It is a formal gathering held by Sexton. For students and benefactors who fund the institution," Ezekiel answered to her.

"Then I may attend as well?" Caroline’s eyes lit up in excitement.

Ezekiel smiled and responded to her, "Yes. Every instructor’s spouse is invited." He had not intended for Caroline to know about it. The Slaters had a habit of poking into matters that didn’t concern them and it was irking him.

"Then I would like to see the fabrics for the ball too," Caroline stated, while forgetting the initial idea of buying fabrics for her parents. "If we are attending this ball, I ought to look respectable!"

In the meantime, several fabrics were brought out from behind the curtain each folded with care and placed one after another upon the table.

"This has been shipped from the eastern lands," Mr. Carcas explained. "It is light and pleasant to the touch. We can build layers over it, which will offer proper insulation against the cold. If I may add, one of the minister’s wives purchased a piece from the same shipment."

Ruelle’s thoughts faltered at the indirect mention of its worth. She offered a polite smile and turned to look at the mirror.

"I don’t believe the lady is satisfied with it," Dane remarked from where he sat, one leg crossed over the other.

"Then perhaps this will suit better," Mr. Carcas pulled out another fabric which was beige in colour and which had pearls stitched into it. The fabric caught the light softly, neither simple nor too eye-catching.

When Ruelle involuntarily leaned forward to get a better look at it, the shopkeeper noticed it and smiled, "It seems this one has caught the lady’s attention."

"It will look finer once it is properly fitted. What do you think?" Dane turned to her, but Caroline was the one to comment.

"It is beautiful." Her eyes lingering on the fabric. It appeared richer than it had moments before, as though Ruelle’s choosing it had made it more valuable. Turning to the shopkeeper, she said, "Mr. Carcas, why don’t you show me something similar? Mr. Henley has money to spare."

"Of course, milady," Mr. Carcas obliged and when he turned away from her, his eyebrows subtly raised.

Ruelle turned back to Dane, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. She asked him, "Are you sure this is alright?"

"You earned it," Dane said with an encouraging smile. "I know today wasn’t easy and I am proud of what you did." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

She nodded, returning his smile, though her eyes soon drifted past him toward Lucian, who had moved across the room to examine the fabrics with detached interest. She wondered whether he had already prepared his clothes for the Winter ball. But then again, pureblooded vampires were never unprepared when it came to such occasions, she thought to herself.

Mr. Carcas then asked, "I have just another material if you are looking for another gown to be made," he offered.

"No, just one is enough for today," Ruelle responded with a polite smile. "I think my sister will be interested in it. You should show it to her."

Until now, Caroline had never thought twice when her parents showered her with attention and she was at the centre of everything. While Ruelle had always taken what was left behind if there was anything left. But now with everyone’s attention focused on Ruelle, Caroline felt the need to remind herself that she was important too.

Before the tailor could say something, Caroline grabbed some of the materials and came to stand before the mirrors. She lifted one of the fabrics in front of her, but the shawl around her shoulders seemed to block her view.

"Ruelle, could you hold this for a moment?" Caroline asked Ruelle, who was about to take a seat.

The shawl was quickly passed to Ruelle’s hands.

"It’s difficult to see properly with all of this in the way," Caroline frowned with a sigh. "Here, hold this one as well," and as if not done, she was going to push the rest of the things she had picked up into Ruelle’s hand, when the elder Belmont spoke,

"Caroline, I think it will be better to let Mr. Carcas handle them. These materials are quite fine, and carrying them together could crease or damage them for the next customer."

Ruelle’s words came from her thoughtfulness. But heat crept up Caroline’s neck as she turned to look at her sister.

"Oh—" Caroline faltered, then forced a light laugh. "Yes. Of course. I—I know that." While the shopkeeper stared at her with a look that asked ’Do you?’

Upon Mr. Carcas’ order, the assistant took the materials from Ruelle’s hands before helping the young woman.

Caroline returned her gaze to the mirror. Her movements slowed, her earlier confidence dulled, as though something fragile had been knocked slightly out of place. Not to mention, her husband seemed barely interested in dressing her up, and it brought her mood further down.

A few minutes later, Lady Maxine emerged from behind the curtain just as Caroline finished deciding on her final choice of fabric. The vampiress approached the counter, smoothing her gloves as she addressed the shopkeeper.

"I’ve chosen something for Aire as well," she informed the man. "I’ll need it ready a week before Christmas."

"Of course, milady," Mr. Carcas replied with a small bow. "I shall see to it personally. I do hope the little one will be pleased. It has been some time since I last saw her."

Lady Maxine laughed softly. "She has become something of a menace in the company of her uncles. Only last week she addressed one of our guests that he was...a person from hell."

"Oh my..." The shopkeeper lifted his hand to his mouth in polite alarm.

With Caroline’s measurements already preserved from a previous visit in the past, there was little left to be done. Before leaving, she turned toward Ruelle and asked,

"You’ll come to visit next week, won’t you? At Mama and Papa’s house. Otherwise, we might begin to think you don’t miss us."

Ruelle nodded at once. "I’m sorry I couldn’t come sooner."

They embraced briefly before pulling away. Ezekiel offered Ruelle a courteous smile, then guided Caroline towards the door. Her mood had somehow gotten only worse than when she had left the house.

No sooner had the Henley couple left, Renard stomped into the shop, irritation written plainly across his face. He demanded,

"How long am I meant to stand outside like a guard? I have other important matters to return to."

Dane shook his head in disappointment and asked, "Is that how you speak to your master, Renard? You should first apologise."

Renard scoffed, "For what?"

"You are to apologise to Ruelle," Dane reminded him. "Go on. Don’t be shy."

"I am already enduring being your servant for the hour. This is—"

"Perhaps you would like to polish my shoe on the street," Dane’s words came out dangerously low, mirth dancing in his eyes that said he wasn’t joking and Renard knew it too.

Renard clenched his jaw, then turned toward Ruelle, his glare barely contained and he stiffly said, "I am sorry."

"You call that an apology?" Lady Maxine asked dryly. "It lacks honesty."

Ruelle shifted uncomfortably, wishing she could dismiss the matter altogether. She began, "I think—"

"You are right to think this isn’t good enough apology," Dane nodded.

"I am sorry for looking down on you," Renard repeated through his teeth.

"And?" Dane prompted.

Renard closed his eyes and said with difficulty, "That I should not have underestimated you."

At that moment, an assistant stepped forward and interrupted them, "Sire—where would you like the boxes placed?"

Dane snapped his fingers and glanced at Renard. "Well? What are you waiting for, Renren? Take the boxes, load them into the carriage, and bring it around."

Fury flashed in the vampire’s eyes. Ruelle could only imagine that if he were a dragon, he would have lit the shop and the people inside it on fire. But he drew a breath and said nothing, only obeyed.

"Would you mind dropping me home, Dane?" Lady Maxine asked as she fastened her coat. "You can send my things tomorrow."

"Of course," Dane replied.

As they spoke, Ruelle realised Lucian was no longer in the shop. Her gaze drifted toward the doorway, then the counter, only to find Sawyer watching her.

"Looking for someone?" he asked lightly. After a pause, he added, "He said he has matters to attend to."

With the money paid to the dressmaker and the carriage drawn up outside, Lady Maxine and Sawyer stepped inside first. Dane was just about to follow when Mr. Carcas stopped them.

"Miss. It appears we have not yet taken your measurements. If you would be willing to stay a little longer?"

Ruelle hesitated, glancing towards Dane.

"She can stay," Dane said before meeting her eyes. "Lucian will collect you, okay?"

Dane rested his hand briefly on top of her head and something about it made her feel warm. He then turned and climbed into the carriage before it rolled out of there.

Wait. Lucian didn’t say he was going to return! Ruelle thought to herself.

Outside the town, the Slaters’ carriage continued to move while being greeted by trees and quieter roads. Renard who sat beside the coachman, cleared his throat and spoke arrogantly,

"Now that this tiresome errand is finished, you may as well drop me at my estate too." After a pause, he added nosily, "I didn’t expect Lucian to tolerate sharing space with a human. Is something going on between you and the girl, Dane? Sexton must be a treat for instructors."

Inside the carriage, Dane’s gaze met Lady Maxine’s. For a brief moment neither of them spoke. Dane then finally reached out and tapped his knuckles against the carriage wall. He instructed to the coachman,

"Stop here," and soon the reins of the horses were pulled to a stop.

Renard leaned forward, scowling. "Why are we stopping? This isn’t—"

"I dropped my watch," Dane said in worry. "Would you mind picking it up for me?"

Renard glared hard before he climbed down from the carriage. He had barely taken a few steps when the carriage began moving and Dane called out,

"Do take care getting home, Renren."

Renard froze. Then he turned, fury flashing across his face. "You miserable bastard," he snapped. "I’ll make you regret this. One day I will make you pay for it."

Dane leaned out of the carriage window, resting his chin against his hand, smiling as though indulging a child. He replied,

"If you do, I hope it’s in shiny gold coins." The carriage had moved farther, picking up its pace and leaving Renard standing alone in the road, his curses swallowed by distance.

A small smile curled on Lady Maxine’s lips and she remarked, "Do your students know how petty you are?"

Dane leaned back into his seat as he grinned at his cousin’s words.

Back in the shop, Ruelle’s dress measurements had been taken and the gown, which was yet to be made, was redesigned. Mr. Carcas had excused himself as he had another customer to attend to, so she had taken a seat next to the window, watching outside while her hands held each other tightly with the cold poking her.

The lanterns outside the shop swayed gently with the wind, their glow and shadow moving back and forth on the ground.

Twenty minutes had passed since she was sitting idly, but Lucian hadn’t returned. She replayed Sawyer’s words in her mind.

’He had matters to attend to.’

She rubbed her thumbs together absently as she watched the people and carriages moving, which had become increasingly scarce. Did he have to buy something? After all, this town had many shops around.

Rising from her seat, she approached where Mr. Carcas had just finished talking to the customer. She called softly,

"Mr. Carcas."

The shopkeeper looked up. "Yes, miss?"

"If Mr. Slater returns here looking for me, would you let him know that I stepped out to look around the nearby shops? I won’t go far."

The man nodded, "Of course. I’ll see that he’s informed."

"Thank you," Ruelle offered him a smile.

When she pushed open the door to step outside, she felt a breeze of wind wrap her and she instinctively shivered. To think the weather could change this drastically in a day, she thought to herself as she began to walk up the streets.

A short distance away, Ruelle caught sight of a baker’s window glowing warmly, the scent of bread and cake lingering faintly in the air. Her mouth watered for a second before she shook her head. Focus, Ruelle, she said to herself as she continued to walk past the shops, while taking a little peek at each of them. It was better not to catch any rude vampire’s eyes as she didn’t want to run into trouble.

When Ruelle reached the end of the street, she found the shops already closed for the day. The wooden signs swayed faintly above the doors, creaking with each passing wind. Ready to retrace her steps back, she turned when she heard something from the narrow, dark alley.

Her footsteps faltered. When the noise came again like a strangled grunt, her heart began to thud a little faster.

"Hello?" she called, keeping her voice steady despite the unease. Upon not receiving a response, she said, "I will go and get help. Please wai—"

She heard something move against the ground, like a scraping sound, before the lantern’s light fell on a man’s face. His mouth was hung open with the tongue ripped out and eyes gouged out. Her stomach twisted and she stumbled backwards at the sight.

The person tried to crawl and made grunting noises from pain while she stood frozen.

"Belmont. What are you doing here?"

Ruelle spun around and caught Lucian standing before her. His expression was calm but there was a hint of displeasure in his eyes, as though she had wandered somewhere she was not meant to see.