Claimed by the Prince of Darkness novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Invitation to attend the privileged

One morning, as the dawn light spilt softly across the small kitchen, Ruelle stood at the table, setting the breakfast for her family. The air was thick with the aroma of freshly baked bread, when her sister Caroline burst into the kitchen, breathless.

"Mama! You cannot believe what I just found out!"

Mrs. Belmont closed her eyes. Ruelle caught sight of Caroline holding a parchment, waving it like a flag of victory. Curious, she asked, "What do you have there?"

"This is everything anyone is talking about in the village right now!" Caroline exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over as she thrust the parchment into Ruelle's hands. "The institution where vampires and select humans study has changed its rules! They are now going to allow one young man or woman from each family, between the ages of fifteen and eighteen, to join. Sexton is opening its doors to all families!"

Sexton.

The establishment had been founded two hundred years ago, during the era when vampires expanded their dominion, conquering vast lands that had once belonged to humans. Word had it that vampires from high-ranking families were sent there to hone their skills in various disciplines.

It was no secret that the establishment evoked a mix of curiosity and envy among humans. Even suspicion. Because the humans excluded from its doors could only speculate what went inside its privileged walls. Even the humans who did attend Sexton never revealed what went on inside.

But one thing was for sure: the humans who did attend Sexton often ended up working directly for the vampires, earning them a higher position and status than those enjoyed by the regular humans.

Ruelle's eyes skimmed across the words written and sealed on the parchment. "Where did you get this?" She couldn't help but wonder why the sudden change had been made and if there was a hidden agenda behind it.

"The men from the capital arrived this morning! They've been spreading the word all over town, " Caroline replied, unable to contain her excitement. She then turned to their mother, her eyes wide with hope. "Mama, please! I need you to sign my name on this so that I can attend! The registration ends by next weekend, and needs to be mailed in by then!"

"Let me see," Mrs. Belmont said, her tone suddenly serious as she reached for the parchment. Ruelle quickly handed it over.

"How wonderful would that be?" Caroline turned to Ruelle, her eyes sparkling with the dreams of possibility. "Just think of the opportunities!"

"Are you sure about this?" Ruelle asked, a gentle warning lacing her words. This wasn't just any school; it was a sanctuary for vampires, where danger often lurked beneath the surface, cloaked in elegance and charm. Those creatures were not only dangerous but also known for their cruelty.

"I am," Caroline replied with fervent determination. "Everyone knows that attending Sexton is a guaranteed pathway to elevating one's status. I thought it wouldn't be something you'd want for yourself, so I'll be more than happy to apply. Right, Mother?" _{freewebnovel.cσ๓}

Mrs. Belmont stared at the inked words on the parchment for a moment before smiling and saying, "I will discuss it with your father."

"Thank you, Mama! You are the best!" Caroline exclaimed. ecstatic in the response, unaware that her mother had no plans of sending her anywhere near Sexton and had other plans in mind.

In the following days, the town buzzed with gossip and excitement over Sexton's announcement of accepting new students.

Families found themselves grappling with mixed emotions. Some viewed this as a promising opportunity for their children, a chance to rise above their current circumstances, while others recoiled at the thought of sending their precious ones to a school filled with bloodsucking creatures who ruled over them.

The whispers grew louder, echoing from one household to another, until fear settled. Despite the appeal of potential advancement, only a handful of families dared to send their children, oblivious to the fate that awaited each of them beyond the walls of Sexton's hallowed halls.

One afternoon, as Ruelle made her way home from the market, her mind was preoccupied with worry about whether her parents would grant Caroline permission to attend Sexton. Today was the last day to submit her name for enrollment, and the mere idea of her sister navigating a world filled with vampires triggered a surge of worry through her. But she also knew how much Caroline looked forward to going, which was one reason Ruelle had kept her concerns to herself.

"Miss Ruelle!"

Startled from her thoughts, Ruelle turned to see Ezekiel approaching, his warm smile cutting through the gloom like sunlight breaking through heavy clouds. "What a fortunate coincidence to run into you. Are you heading home?"

"Yes, I am," Ruelle replied, her spirits lifting at the sight of him. She returned his smile. "What brings you to the village today?"

"I was here to meet someone—nothing urgent," he said, adjusting the satchel slung over his shoulder. She caught the soft clink of glass from within it. "I had hoped to visit your family sooner, but work kept me tied up. Have you been doing well? Let me walk you home."

"I have, Mr. Henley. My family is doing well too, and it's all thanks to you," Ruelle responded as they began walking side by side toward her house. "How about yourself?"

"Same here," Ezekiel replied, watching her intently for a moment before continuing. "I've been swamped with work—my employer has been wanting me to put in overtime, and the travel has been relentless."

"That sounds tough," she said sympathetically. "If you ever need a change of pace, perhaps you could join our family business. It's small at the moment, but one day it will flourish, and we could certainly use an extra pair of hands."

Ezekiel smiled. "That sounds like a plan. We could become family then, transitioning from friends to something even more significant." His words caught Ruelle off guard, and she stared at him, puzzled. "We are friends now, right?"

"Ah, yes," Ruelle murmured, feeling her cheeks warm at his implication. Was she imagining it? Just then, she heard him ask, "Did your mother say something about me to you, Miss Ruelle?"

"That you're our saviour," came her lighthearted reply, which made the moment feel less charged, though his gaze remained steady on her. "Everyone has been busy since the news arrived from Sexton."

"Sexton?" Ezekiel's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Haven't you heard? The institution is now accepting one young lady or young man from each family for admission." Ruelle said, her brow arching in surprise. "Caroline has been eager to apply."

Ezekiel's expression darkened slightly at the mention of Sexton. After a moment, he replied, "I need to be honest with you. I don't think it's a good idea for anyone to attend that place—especially not for your family. You're good folks, Ruelle. Those who go there often become entangled in the darker aspects of vampire society, and I fear it could lead to disaster."

As they stopped just before her house, an unspoken tension hung in the air, wrapping around them like morning mist. Ruelle took a breath, pondering his warning. "I thought it could be like that," she admitted quietly.

Ezekiel nodded, his gaze steady and earnest. He surprised her by reaching out and gently taking her hand in his. "I only mean well for you and your family, Miss Ruelle. I truly hope you can discuss my concerns with them before any decisions are made." He released her hand, and stepped back slightly. "I should go now. I'll see you next week then."

Ruelle managed a smile, watching the man leave before she stepped inside her house. This exchange did not go unnoticed by their neighbour, Mrs. Finch. As Mrs. Belmont stepped outside briefly to inspect the outer walls of her house, which needed repainting, Mrs. Finch took the opportunity to approach.

"Good afternoon, Mrs Belmont," she began, her tone casual but laced with curiosity."It seems you have finally decided to send one of your daughters away," Mrs. Finch remarked, her tone teasing but laced with assumptive air.

Mrs. Belmont turned to face her neighbour, a frown creasing her brow. "I haven't made any decisions about sending Caroline to Sexton yet," she replied, her voice steady but with a hint of tension beneath the surface.

Mrs. Finch chuckled softly, her eyes gleaming with delight. "Oh, I'm not talking about that at all. I meant Ruelle's marriage to the young man! He is handsome and holds a decent position in society, does he not?" Her laughter carried a note of glee, clearly pleased by the thought. "He certainly seems to be quite taken with her, doesn't he?"

Mrs. Belmont fell silent, the weight of Mrs. Finch's words settled heavily in her mind. It seemed like it was time that a decision needed to be made, thought the woman to herself.

Before nightfall, Mrs. Belmont carefully filled out the application that accompanied the parchment for Sexton.