Claimed by the Prince of Darkness-Chapter 124: The Prince’s Temper

Prince Edward paced restlessly along one of the stone corridors of the courthouse, while a handful of ministers lingered nearby, hoping to catch his favour.

"I believe it would be more comfortable to wait inside, Your Highness. It has been four hours since we have been standing here," Hermes said cautiously while subtly ushering the curious ministers farther down the hall.

"No." Edward’s mouth twisted with irritation. His foot tapped twice against the floor before he paused. "It has been thirty hours since last evening. Maybe we should post a notice declaring him missing? A bounty might encourage him to appear."

Hermes blinked. "I hear the minister has been occupied with urgent matters of state."

Edward snorted in response.

From the far end of the courtyard, Minister Maverick Griswold stepped down from his carriage and began making his way toward his office. Since yesterday, he had been trying to find the young woman who had attempted to deceive him.

Before he could reach the entrance, one of the newly appointed ministers hurried forward to greet him.

"Minister Griswold," the man said with a respectful nod. "His Highness has been waiting to meet you since yesterday."

Griswold let out a small, amused laugh as he straightened the front of his coat.

"Well," he replied with easy confidence, "that hardly surprises me. King Septimus has long relied upon my counsel. It would seem the prince intends to do the same. It is time for you to learn how work is carried out with the royal family. Watch and learn."

"Of course, Minister," the younger minister replied at once.

Moments later, Minister Maverick Griswold spotted the prince waiting at the end of the corridor. Composing himself, he approached before offering a courteous bow and greeted.

"Good afternoon, Your Highness. Shall we continue this conversation in my office?"

Edward, who was seeing the man for the first time, regarded him with open disinterest, as though examining an insect that had wandered too close. He asked flatly,

"For what purpose?"

But the smile on Griswold’s face did not falter.

"I am told Your Highness has been waiting for me since yesterday. I would have come sooner if I had heard it," he replied smoothly. "Whatever the matter may be, I imagine it is not something meant for public corridors. Matters of importance are best discussed privately."

Edward’s eyes began to narrow and he questioned, "You are...Greasewold?"

"It is Griswold..." Hermes tried to correct but his voice faded when the prince raised his hand to silence him.

"Minister Maverick Griswold, Your Highness. We met two nights ago," Minister Griswold reminded Edward, who seemed to not react. "I am the first minister—"

"It would be best not to be hasty and first confirm—" Hermes whispered behind Edward.

"Ruelle wouldn’t lie," Edward said with a frown. "And you saw her."

The minister blinked, clearly struggling to follow the direction of the conversation. Edward’s expression hardened and he called, "You," pointing at the minister. "Did you touch her that night at the ball?"

"Touch her?" Minister Griswold’s smile faltered for the first time. "Your Highness, I’m afraid I don’t understand what you’re implying."

"For a first minister, you are remarkably slow," Edward commented. Then he added, almost thoughtfully, "Perhaps this will help you remember." The next moment, his fist shot forward without warning, and the blow landed squarely against the minister’s face.

Griswold cried out as he staggered back, clutching his nose where it began to bleed. "What was that for?!" came his muffled shock as he stared at the prince.

"Your Highness!" Hermes remarked, startled. "You cannot do that!" Even though the prince belonged to the royal member, the ministers were untouchable, as they were positioned high by the king himself.

"You dared touch Ruelle. To eye the one whom I have chosen, you have some nerve, especially when it was clear during ball night," Edward glared down at the minister while the ministers nearby quickly came to where they were.

"Ruelle? Is that what her name is?" Minister Griswold’s muffled words came out, "I touched her because I intend to take her. I have already decided to make the payment for her—!"

Edward’s eyes narrowed and he was going to take another swing.

"Your Highness, please calm down!" One of the ministers put his hand in front of Edward before there could be any further damage. "Surely, there’s another peaceful way to discuss whatever it is—"

Edward’s impulsive foot moved before thought could catch it. The kick snapped upward in a brutal arc, catching Minister Griswold’s jaw.

Everyone’s mouth fell open at the unexpected attack, while Minister Griswold had fallen on the ground with a crack as if he was going to have a dislocated jaw.

"I will separate your good-for-nothing head from your body today!" Edward claimed and the minister looked up at him with a bewildered look. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

A couple of footsteps was heard and soon one of the oldest minister of the courthouse appeared with two men following him. He wore a grim expression and demanded, "What is going on here?"

"The prince is attacking me out of nowhere!" Minister Griswold spoke with his hands placed over his chin and broken nose.

"He touched the woman I am courting," Edward snapped.

The older minister’s expression turned sour at the sight and he ordered, "Take Minister Griswold away from here. And Prince Edward, this is not how we treat the ministers here. No matter what personal issue you have."

"That is how men fight. Surely, you don’t expect a dimwitted man like him to understand words. What kind of courthouse is this?" Edward huffed, rolling his eyes. He added, "He needs to be beheaded. If you aren’t going to do it, let go of my hands. I will get the job done."

"Perhaps you need some time to cool your head, Prince Edward—and consider what has just occurred," the older minister said, voice clipped with restraint. He gave a small nod to the men behind him.

Hermes stepped in quickly. "Minister, Your Highness is finished here. We should return to Sexton—"

"Hush now, Hermes," Edward snapped, still breathing hard. "This is not finished. Have him dragged out and beheaded."

"Your Highness," the minister said, the courtesy in his tone thinning, "this is a courthouse—not a parade ground. We will speak when you are able to do so without violence."

Five minutes later, Edward found himself escorted into a private chamber and the door shut with a decisive click. His eyes narrowed when the door didn’t open. He demanded, "Do they think I am a felon to be shut away like this?!"

Hermes hovered right behind him with a troubled expression. He murmured, "I did tell we should return to Sexton..."

The prince’s standing spared them the humiliation of iron bars. Instead, they had been shut into a private chamber. Hermes, however, found the situation odd. The minister who claimed such interest in Miss Belmont had not even known her name. Something about it did not sit right with him.

—

Author’s note:

I am not enjoying my time during non-update days. It simply means something came up and I am unable to write. Things haven’t improved.

I get it, it is super annoying with the irregular updates for this book. But I am doing what I can. I am not going to ask you to be patient. If waiting feels difficult, you may prefer to return to this book after a couple of months when the book is finished. Otherwise, it’s perfectly alright to step away from the story.

Nonetheless, I appreciate the patience of readers who continue to follow the story despite this.