Claimed by the Prince of Darkness novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Social classes in Sexton

Ruelle stood among the tall trees of the forest, sunlight filtering through the leaves above. Beside her lay the trunk she had set down just moments ago. Her parents had abruptly dropped her off midway, leaving her alone.

Her father's words echoed in her mind, "Don't disappoint us."

Despite the crisp, fragrant air that enveloped her, Ruelle found it increasingly difficult to breathe. Each inhalation felt laboured, her anxious nerves constricting like vines around her chest now with uncertainty.

Suddenly, the sound of wheels creaking against the forest floor broke through the quiet place, growing louder as a black carriage rumbled towards her. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she waved her hands, desperate for a ride. But the coachman paid her no mind, driving past with a detached indifference, while inside, a group of young women looked right through her, as if she didn't exist.

"Wait!" Ruelle called out to the next carriage rumbling by, her voice tinged with urgency. But it disappeared behind the trees, leaving her feeling abandoned.

Worried, Ruelle fumbled for her pocket watch, her fingers trembling slightly as she checked the time. It was ten past five. She needed to be at Sexton by six—not a minute later. If not, she would be denied entry.

With no other choice before her, Ruelle grasped the handle of her trunk and pulled it down the winding path, chasing after the ghostly silhouette of the last carriage that had disappeared into the trees. Just as despair began to creep over her, another carriage appeared, its wheels creaking and rumbling. She caught sight of the trunks piled high atop the carriage. Not wanting to lose this chance, she dropped her trunk in the path and leaped into the road so that the coachman didn't miss her. _{ƒrēewebnovel.com}

"Woah, lady! Are you trying to get yourself killed or the poor horses!" The coachman's eyes widened in disbelief as the horses shifted after the reins were pulled.

The coachman regarded Ruelle, noticing the trail left by her trunk on the forest floor. After a moment, he sighed, his expression softening. "Let's get your trunk tied on quickly."

Ruelle's heart lifted at his willingness to help, a warmth spreading through her as she beamed up at him. "Thank you very much!" she exclaimed, the gratitude brightening her voice.

Ruelle's eyes brightened at his kindness and she thanked him, "Thank you very much!"

Once her luggage was securely fastened to the carriage, she climbed inside. Her gaze swept over the interior, landing on two young women around her age. Instantly, a frown creased her brow as she recognised one of them was Ms. Clifford, her expression one of clear distaste, as if the very sight of Ruelle sullied the carriage they shared.

"I paid you to arrive at Sexton, not to pick up strays!" Ms. Clifford scolded the coachman, her tone sharp and condescending. She cast a dismissive glance in Ruelle's direction. "Does she even have the money?"

"I do, Miss Clifford," Ruelle responded calmly, her voice steady. "And if you need it, I will be happy to share."

The young girl shot her a cold glare. With a haughty sniff, she replied, "As if your meagre money could suffice for my living. I should have taken a separate carriage!"

"I can drop you here for you to pick a better carriage if you want, milady," the coachman stated from the front. Ms. Clifford gritted her teeth, clearly irritated by the coachman's audacity, while the other girl snickered.

Ruelle took the seat next to the other girl, who had short brunette hair tied up in two playful low ponytails. The girl smiled warmly at her. "Hello! I'm Hailey Elliot. First year?"

Ruelle nodded, returning her smile with one of her own, "Ruelle Belmont," she introduced herself.

"Me too!" Hailey exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Are you thrilled? We'll be studying at this prestigious place! My distant aunt was once chosen to serve the queen. Although I don't know her personally, I'm hoping for something along those lines. What about you?"

Ruelle was here against her will. She replied, "To land a decent job, I guess." A job that might finally bring in enough money to help her family escape their struggles, which she believed was because of her.

"The only job you'll find here is that of a maid," Ms. Clifford interrupted, her voice dripping with disdain. "Do you really think it's easy to secure a position close to the elites?"

"You should aim for the princes or the other high-standing men, Ruelle. In this carriage, you seem more suitable," Hailey stated, already disliking Ms. Clifford, who rolled her eyes. Ignoring the grump, she said to Ruelle, "But I hear there's a series of tests and scores that one needs to reach before one is even considered."

"You should try for it too, then," Ruelle encouraged sincerly.

"I would have, but strangely, I've always dreamed of being a head maid. It's been my ambition!" Hailey replied, her tone thoughtful, and she laughed. Ruelle smiled, though a hint of confusion flickered in her eyes. She found it odd that Hailey would settle for such a position. Yet she found it admirable.

By the time they arrived at Sexton, the sky had begun to change colour. Ruelle felt herself pressed against the window, her heart racing with a mixture of awe and apprehension, much like the others around her who were stepping into this place for the first time. The towering silhouette of the academy loomed ahead, its gothic architecture rising majestically against the vibrant twilight.

The buildings towered with multiple spires and countless windows, each casting a warm, golden glow from within. There was something hauntingly beautiful about the sight—a delicate balance of warmth and eeriness.

Ruelle was the first one to get down from the carriage and her heart had once again begun to beat faster. If Caroline were here, she would have shared her excitement with Hailey, she thought to herself. But she couldn't remove the sense of dread she felt right now.

Ms. Clifford wasted no time in grabbing her bag, her eyes scanning the gathering crowd in search of individuals she deemed to be of higher status. Ruelle handed the coachman more than his intended fare, for bringing her here on time.

"Let me give you a tip before you leave," the coachman said, his voice low and gravely serious as he addressed the two young women. "If you find yourself at the bottom of the social ladder, you'll be bullied to death by the vampires. But if you aim too high, it won't just be the purebloods who threaten you—it'll be the humans who will bury you." He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle in the air between them.

"That's not very encouraging..." Hailey murmured, her excitement being pulled down a couple of notches.

"I say this because there are a minimum of ten deaths every year at Sexton." The edge in his tone was sharp, making Ruelle's heart quicken.

"What should we do then?" Ruelle asked the coachman quickly.

The coachman advised, "Don't provoke the elites. Don't soar too high or too low. Just enough to keep you alive and you might survive. You'll soon discover that it might have been better to stay home than to step foot in here."

This was something Ruelle already knew, but her name had been given and there was no taking it back.

"The academy is divided into three classes," Mr. Mortis continued, his tone deliberate as he outlined the stark hierarchy. "First, we have the Elites—pureblooded vampires of the highest standing and the highest ranking humans' children. Next are the Halfbloods—the humans turned into vampires, carrying both the weight of our lineage and their former lives. Lastly, we have the Groundlings—that is, you humans," he finished, his gaze lingering on them as if to emphasise their place at the bottom of the hierarchy.