Claimed by the Prince of Darkness novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Hardwork lost

The light from the window was dim as the sun had begun to set. Ruelle stood by her drawers, her brows knitting in frustration. Hailey, standing behind her, suggested,

"Maybe you put it somewhere else?"

"No," Ruelle responded, shaking her head, her voice laced with quiet certainty.

She had tucked the scarf inside this very drawer before leaving for class. She was sure of it. Her eyes scanned the room once more. The scarf was gone. And with it, the sense of accomplishment and personal victory that had come from knitting it. It wasn’t just the scarf—it was her time, her effort, and her hope.

Her mind raced back to the only possibility that made sense. Her roommate. She was the one who had access to this room. Not to mention the trouble she had caused before, which was enough to make Ruelle suspect her.

"I should check with June," Ruelle whispered to herself, almost reluctantly. She didn’t want to accuse anyone without proof. Especially not someone she had to live with.

Hailey crossed her arms, her frown deepening as she replied, "It wouldn’t surprise me if she took it."

With only the two of them there, they began to search, pulling open drawers and rifling through cupboards. Ruelle’s movements became more frantic as the seconds passed, lifting the mattress, checking every hidden corner as though the scarf might be hiding, waiting to be found.

The door creaked open behind them, and both Ruelle and Hailey paused. June stood in the doorway, her arms crossed. "What do you think you are doing, touching my things?" she demanded, her eyes narrowing with suspicion

Ruelle straightened, and explained, "My scarf is missing. Have you seen it?"

"You thought I took it? Why on earth would I want your silly little scarf?" June rolled her eyes as she stepped into the room, and said, "So, naturally, I’m the thief because I’m your roommate? Please. If I wanted something from you, trust me, it wouldn’t be that cheap piece of fabric."

There was no point in escalating things, not without proof. Instead, Ruelle tried to keep her calm and replied, "No one’s accusing you. I’m just asking if you’ve seen it."

June scoffed, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "I haven’t. And honestly, it sounds like you’re just looking for someone to blame. I already had a bad day thanks to that stupid assignment. Now, why don’t you step away from my things, since you’ve already gone through them and found nothing?"

With those words, June picked up something from her cupboard and left the room. Hailey muttered,

"She’s lying through her teeth, isn’t she?" and then sighed as if remembering something. "I will go inform Tess about you not being able to sell the scarf... Will you be fine?"

Ruelle nodded, "Go ahead. I will be fine." As Hailey left, she sat down on the edge of her bed, staring blankly at the wall.

She knew there was no use moping. She reached into her drawer where she kept her knitting supplies and headed to an empty classroom to start over. And though fuelled by determination, her hands trembled as she tried to focus on the intricate motions, flying faster than usual, the yarn slipping between her fingers in a blur of motion. The emotions that had been building inside her all day—the frustration, the helplessness—threatened to spill over. The familiar prickle of her eyes threatened to break through again.

The classroom was eerily quiet, except for the sharp click of the knitting needles.

"Any more force and those needles might start a fire," a voice teased softly, carrying an easy warmth that filled the empty room.

Ruelle’s head snapped up, startled by the sudden presence.

"Mr. S," she murmured, quickly trying to stand, but Dane waved his hand in a casual motion, telling her to remain seated. His blond hair gleamed faintly in the lantern’s soft glow, while the edges of his lips curled into that permanent half-smile that never quite revealed what he was really thinking.