Chapter 105: A Thing You Can Do for Me

Ruelle’s heart felt heavy once she arrived at the room. She stood there for a few seconds, staring at the door while the conversation with her sister replayed in her mind.

Then the door opened from within and her gaze settled on Lucian’s silhouette, a thin line of light tracing the left side of him.

The thoughts that had been racing moments ago went quiet in his presence. She found herself staring into his deep red eyes, as if they could anchor her from slipping away. She never knew a person could have such an effect.

“I am back…” Ruelle murmured.

Lucian pushed the door open further for her to step inside. He remarked, “You’re back later than Dane normally returns,” his words casual on the surface.

“You always know everything. Like a lizard on the wall,” Ruelle muttered and just in time caught him narrow his eyes. She hurriedly added, “It’s just a saying. For someone who is… well informed.”

“Dane has a meeting at six with Mikhael and the other instructors. Every weekend,” Ruelle heard Lucian speak, as she closed the door.

Ruelle walked to the couch and sat. She said, “I ran into Caroline and got held back talking with her.” That made him look at her. She pressed her thumbs into each other and asked, “Do you ever worry that one day you’ll become someone you never wanted to be?”

Lucian leaned back against the edge of the desk, his hands settling on the surface of the desk, his fingers curling lightly into the wood. His gaze was steady on her as he remarked,

“Some of us spend our whole lives trying not to be what we already are. Because sometimes instincts can outrun intention.”

Ruelle wondered if he was talking about the time when he had killed the men in the alley two weeks ago. Chills ran down her spine at the memory of it.

“You don’t have to be guilty of how you feel right now,” Lucian continued, pulling her attention out of her thoughts. “Choosing yourself doesn’t make you cruel. It means you finally stopped volunteering to be hurt for people who won’t do the same for you.”

His words eased something in her chest and before she realised it, a small smile found its way to her lips.

“Thank you for telling me that,” Ruelle thanked him out loud. She added gently, “I wish I could be useful to you too. Is there something I can do for you?”

Lucian went still. His attention fixed on her with an unreadable intensity, which she missed. He noticed a few pieces of her hair brushed against the side of her face when she picked up the blanket.

When she turned to look at him, Lucian looked away, staring outside the window as though the darkness outside required more attention than the darkness inside of him.

“You don’t have to decide it now,” Ruelle let him know, wanting him to take time. “You can—”

“There’s one thing you can do for me,” Lucian said, his fingers pressing briefly into the edge of the desk before easing again.

“Anything,” Ruelle replied, leaning forward with curiosity.

Lucian’s jaw tightened at her response. His gaze returned to her and he reprimanded her, “Don’t say that so easily.”

Ruelle blinked at him before her lips curved and she gave him an obedient nod. “Alright. I will be more careful,” she agreed, trusting him without question. “So?”

There was a brief silence in the room until Lucian finally spoke.

“I don’t want you knitting, not until Christmas is over.”

Huh? How is that going to be of any use to him? Ruelle tilted her head in confusion, while watching Lucian’s composed expression she didn’t know how to read.

“Did the needles—the click clacking sound—disturb you?” Ruelle asked him with a slight frown. But then again, she had always knitted away from him. “I can move it to another roo—”

“No.” Lucian’s words were firm, the look in his eyes sharpening. “Just until Christmas is done. This way you can focus on your classes entirely.”

Understanding dawned on Ruelle’s face. While the other groundlings complained about how the Elites didn’t let them study, here was Lucian, who didn’t want her distracted. Her expression softened and she replied,

“You want me to do well in class.”

But Lucian said nothing.

Ruelle gave a small nod, touched by his concern. She complied with his words, “I’ll stop for now. I can always continue it later.”

When Ruelle’s trunk was brought to the room, she lifted the lid and looked for the clothes to change into. The same time, Lucian pushed himself off the desk as if the conversation had ended, moving toward the cupboard. She didn’t notice him return until his footsteps stopped beside her.

Ruelle looked up and caught him holding a pouch in his hand. She asked him, “What is this?”

“You won’t be earning money through knitting for a while,” Lucian said, his voice sounding almost indifferent. “You will need fare if you travel. This will prevent a repeat of last weekend.”

“Borrowing money is never a good idea…” Ruelle murmured as she had seen what it did to her family.

“Take it. You don’t have to use it,” there was no hesitation in his tone. He didn’t offer it into her hands but simply held it for her to take it.

When she did, she felt its weight instantly. She said, “I can’t take this much… But I’ll borrow one coin,” and that is all she took from him.

When morning arrived, Ruelle ran into Kevin and Hailey in the corridor not far from the dining room. Hailey let out a small gasp before rushing forward and wrapping her arms tightly around Ruelle.

“We were so worried about you! We asked your sister who joined, but she didn’t know where you were,” Hailey uttered in concern, her lips pressing together in disapproval. “Are you alright?”

Ruelle gave a small nod, returning the embrace more carefully than she used to. “I missed you both,” she admitted softly.

“Of course you did,” Hailey replied, pulling back with a grin. As she stood close, her eyes caught the faint, nearly faded mark along Ruelle’s cheek. It was easy to miss unless one looked carefully. And though Hailey guessed what it was, she chose not to mention it. Instead, she looped her arm around Ruelle’s and said brightly, “We’re just glad you’re back. Next week, you’re not disappearing anywhere without telling us. Mother has been asking about you.”

“She is very thoughtful,” Ruelle answered as they slowly began to walk.

“I made notes for you so you wouldn’t fall behind,” Kevin added, holding up a stack of papers a little awkwardly.

Ruelle’s eyes widened with relief. “That is very kind of you, Kevin. I’ll borrow them,” her voice filled with gratitude.

As Hailey glanced down the corridor, Ruelle followed her gaze and spotted Caroline standing some distance away from them and her feet slowed. The Belmont sister’s eyes met before a wall came to stand between them.

“Ruelle!” It was Edward who stood before her. “Why didn’t you tell me you were on a one-week vacation? I am sure you missed me.”

“Good morning, Edward,” Ruelle greeted with a polite bow. Hailey and Kevin followed suit. “I don’t think you would have enjoyed it. I spent most of the time studying.”

“Rubbish!” Edward declared, closing his eyes and lifting one finger dramatically. “I love studying provided it’s with the right company. Look at me place first in my year’s upcoming tests.”

At his side, Hermes blinked slowly, wondering if he had to bribe the faculty for it to happen.

“All I need is proper motivation,” Edward continued. “You’ll study with me, won’t you? And you two,” he added, glancing at Hailey and Kevin with a serious expression, “you’re welcome to join us.”

It wasn’t an invitation one could easily decline. Hailey and Kevin nodded in agreement and murmured, “Thank you for the invitation, Your Highness.”

From down the corridor, Caroline stood watching. Her mouth had parted in shock. A thin thread of envy wound its way through her thoughts. If she had been the one sent here instead of Ruelle… Then perhaps it would have been her the prince was smiling at, unlike her husband, who was annoyed and avoiding her since she had entered Sexton.

“Perhaps you should spend your next holidays at the castle,” Edward said, as if the matter had already been settled. He gave a satisfied nod to himself. “You would find everything there quite exquisite. Sexton is nothing compared to it.”

His words sounded less like an invitation and more like a decision made on her behalf, she thought.

“And speaking of holidays,” Edward went on, “I have already bought a gift for you and I am sure you will like it.”

“You truly didn’t have to…” Ruelle replied gently.

Edward waved his hand dismissively. He laughed, “Don’t be modest. Gifts should go both ways, after all. I fully intend to claim something in return.” He leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice. “Don’t look so alarmed. It’s a very simple gift—”

The sharp sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor and Ruelle couldn’t help but look in its direction. She caught Lucian walking with Sawyer beside him, his cousin talking.

“—I heard you are quite skilled when it comes to knitting,” Edward continued cheerfully. “So you may take my measurements and begin right away. I was thinking a sweater?”

That didn’t sound difficult at all, Ruelle thought at first. But then she remembered Lucian’s words,

I don’t want you knitting, not until Christmas is over.

Looking past Edward, Ruelle noticed Lucian move closer and he wasn’t listening to what Sawyer was telling him. Because his eyes were on her, which looked darker than usual. Her throat went dry as if she had swallowed sand, when Edward asked lightly,

“So what colour will you pick for my sweater?”

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