Ruelle slipped out of her room and made her way toward the place where the carriages were usually parked. The cold bit her skin as she scanned the space but the carriage she came to look for, along with its coachman, was nowhere to be seen.

She was about to turn back when four carriages arrived in a line, one after the other, before coming to a halt.

The servants moved quickly, unloading the trunks without pause. Ruelle’s gaze lingered a moment before she asked,

"Do these trunks belong to King Septimus?"

"They are garments for the groundlings. For tomorrow," the nearby servant replied, not pausing in his work. He then scolded the person before him, "Careful—don’t drop it. Take them all inside."

And as she looked at the trunks being taken in, she caught sight of Kevin carrying a small box.

"Kevin?" she said, surprised. "I thought you were assigned to start working at the castle."

"I am," Kevin replied, adjusting his hold on the box. "Mr. Mortis sent word that I need to be presented at the bidding tomorrow. But what are you doing here?"

"I was looking for someone, but it seems I was mistaken," Ruelle replied with a small smile as they began to walk. Her gaze dropped to the box in his hands. "What is that?"

"I’m not certain. I was asked to bring it from the carriage," Kevin said, shifting it slightly. After a moment, he added, "Strange, isn’t it? That our time at Sexton is coming to an end. It feels as though we only just arrived. I will miss our study time."

Time had passed more quickly than she had realised. Sexton had become something close to a home, and tomorrow things would change.

"Me too," Ruelle murmured. She then asked him, "The castle is treating you well, right?"

"It is. I am still getting used to it. I was worried I would be hired as a royal guard, I didn’t expect it to be this smooth," Kevin explained with a sigh. He then said, "I hope Hailey ends up somewhere good too. Did you speak to Lucian? He must have prepared for your bid."

A royal guard appeared in the corridor and upon catching sight of them, he approached. "Miss Ruelle, you are to come with me. The king has summoned your presence."

Ruelle gave a small nod, bracing herself as she followed. The royal guard led her and Kevin through the corridor before stopping outside a room that had been altered to suit the king’s presence. Tall windows stood dressed in dark red curtains, tied neatly at the sides.

She didn’t get to take in the rest when her eyes fell on King Septimus, who sat across the room, a cup in his hand as he took a slow sip. Hermes, who stood next to him, quickly took the box from Kevin before dismissing him to return where the other guards were stationed.

Kevin gave Ruelle a brief nod before stepping out, the door closing behind him.

"Seventeen. Ripe. Not exceptional but tolerable blood to drink for this weather which is still warm," King Septimus said, clicking his tongue. He then turned to look at her. "I am told your blood test yesterday was lacking."

Was he disappointed?

After a brief pause, Ruelle asked, "Does that make me unsuitable for the prince’s service?"

The spark of hope was extinguished by the king’s amused laugh. And as the sound faded, his gaze held hers a moment longer. He remarked,

"Your blood might be of low grade, but there are other things that make you a good fit. I hear you have been behaving well. A marked improvement from our last meet but there seems to be resistance."

Ruelle’s nails pressed into her palms and she answered carefully, "I am still adjusting to what has been decided for me."

King Septimus hummed and lifted a hand and soon Hermes stepped forward at once. He said,

"This should hasten your decision."

When the box was opened, Ruelle’s gaze fell on the diamond bracelet set in a delicate curve, catching what little light the room allowed. She heard him say, "For you."

Ruelle lowered her head. She spoke politely, "I am not accustomed to such things, Your Majesty. I would fear misplacing it."

King Septimus’s eyes narrowed slightly. He asked in a low voice, "Did you mistake my order for a choice?"

Ruelle took the bracelet before slipping the cool metal around her wrist. The bracelet felt no less than a shackle which binded her to the royal family, to whatever place the king had already decided for her.

Why had he come this soon? He could have come tomorrow when the bidding began. The king was leaving her no room to think or move.

He asked her, "Did Kevin mention that his family will be in attendance? A proud moment, one would think for a son to be taken into royal service." His gaze lingered, unreadable. "The other humans’ families have also been invited. It is only fair they should witness... where their children are ending up."

Ruelle fell silent.

To think he was going this far... She had never met one this cunning before. He was nothing like Edward, who was better mannered. But then again... Edward had spoken of the men he had beheaded.

Then something crossed her mind. She asked, "Even my parents?"

King Septimus turned his head slightly toward one of the royal guards. The man stepped forward at once, bowing deeply as he replied,

"The letter has already been dispatched to the address recorded in Sexton’s registry, Your Majesty."

"There you have it," King Septimus said, a note of satisfaction in his expression. His gaze drifted, catching the hem of her nightgown where it showed beneath her coat. "It seems you were in some haste this morning. Looking for something...?" Without waiting for her response while his eyes sharpened, he dismissed her, "You may leave."

Ruelle bowed, her movements careful and without another word she turned and left the room. The moment the door closed behind her, her steps quickened.

The corridor stretched longer than she remembered. Her breath did not settle no matter how steadily she tried to breath in. Her hair slipped loose behind her, brushing against her neck with every step while her mind was all over the place.

Catching the sound of footsteps, she turned her head and caught sight of the royal guard trailing behind her at a distance.

"Of course," she murmured.

Edward had yielded to her request, but the king would not.

When she returned to the room, it was empty and her hand gripped the edge of the door. Getting in, she closed the door.

Stripping out of her clothes, she ran a warm bath and lowered herself inside the bathtub. For a moment she let her eyes close. And when her thoughts refused to quieten, she immersed her head completely in the tub. She remained in the bath long after the water had begun to cool before she finally forced herself to rise from it.

After getting ready, she left the room and began to walk in the corridor, the royal guard following her once more, a few steps back but close enough to remind her he was following her.

The ground of Sexton was now heavily surrounded by mist, with the lanterns burning brightly. On her way, she heard whispers.

"Isn’t she lucky to be doted by the prince? Must be nice."

"First the lord’s son... now the prince."

It was the same time when Ruelle’s footsteps faltered. She caught sight of Lucian, who was a floor below in the next building.

She slipped into a room which connected to the next room. Walking quickly to the next door, she was led to the next room with the door closing behind her. By the time she reached the third door, she pulled it open and stepped out, while the guard stood at the first entrance. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

And Ruelle quietly tiptoed before running.

Arriving at the other building, her eyes searched immediately, moving from face to face. He was just here.

Where did he go?

Getting back to the ground floor, Ruelle turned and this time, she found him.

He stood in the corridor, speaking to one of the instructors. He simply stood there, tall and composed, his dark hair falling in quiet strands across his forehead, his presence cutting cleanly through the noise of the place.

The instructor finished speaking and walked away.

As if sensing her presence, Lucian turned and looked at her.

Ruelle stood there, her breath uneven, her pulse still refusing to settle. A smile was about to appear on her lips but it froze.

The anxiety that had settled deep within her rose all at once. Her breath caught halfway, her chest tightening as the air refused to get into her lungs.

Because from the room that stood between where Lucian and she faced one another, King Septimus stepped out into the corridor.