Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate
Chapter 103: Embarrassing Moments...

Chapter 103: Embarrassing Moments...

"So, do you do this for all your romantic interests?" Eve asked playfully as she popped a piece of turkey into her mouth. Or am I just special?"

Damian smiled and leaned back on one arm as he looked at her. "You are definitely special," he said warmly. "But I don’t do this for just anyone. I wanted tonight to be memorable for both of us."

Relia snickered. "Ohhh, listen to this smooth talker. If I had a body, I’d be fanning myself."

Evelina clenched her jaw, determined not to react. Do not engage. Do not give her the satisfaction.

"I suppose I should be flattered," Evelina replied, forcing herself to focus on Damian instead.

Relia, of course, wasn’t done. "Sooooo, does this mean we’ve officially entered the swooning phase? Are we a blushing maiden now?"

Evelina nearly choked on her wine.

Damian raised an eyebrow. "You okay?"

Evelina nodded, feeling a warmth spread within her that had nothing to do with the wine. "Well, you’ve certainly succeeded," she murmured, her eyes locking with his across the table.

As they began to eat, their conversation flowed easily, mixing light-hearted banter with deeper, more intimate exchanges. Damian told her stories about his childhood, growing up in the pack, and the responsibilities that had been thrust upon him at a young age.

Evelina paid close attention, intrigued by his moments of vulnerability. She also found herself opening up about her own feelings.

"So, tell me," Damian said with a mischievous sparkle in his eyes as he sliced a piece of turkey for her. "What’s the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?"

Evelina laughed, shaking her head as she accepted the slice. "Oh no, you first. I’m not falling for that."

Damian grinned, leaning back on one hand as he took a sip of wine. "Fair enough. I’ll go first. But you have to promise not to laugh too hard."

Relia let out a wicked chuckle. "Ohhh, sweetheart, I can tell it’s gonna be a hard laugh."

Evelina ignored her, but her lips twitched.

"No promises," she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Damian let out a dramatic sigh, pretending to be reluctant. "Fine. So, it happened when I was about thirteen. There was this big pack gathering, and I was just crowned prince and heir to the throne, so I was supposed to give a speech in front of everyone."

"I was so nervous that I tripped on my way to the podium and landed flat on my face. And to make matters worse, my pants split right down the middle."

Relia howled with laughter. "Oh, that’s gold. Prince Split-Pants? I might actually like him now."

Evelina struggled to keep her composure, but the mental image of a younger Damian tripping in front of a crowd was too much. She burst out laughing, covering her mouth.

"Oh no!" she gasped. "What did you do?"

Damian shrugged with a sheepish grin on his face. "I tried to make a joke out of it, but I was so mortified that I barely made it through the speech. I think half the pack still remembers that day. Though nobody dares to talk about it."

Evelina’s laughter slowly subsided, her cheeks flushed with amusement. "Okay, that’s pretty bad."

"Yeah, but since I was brave enough to share, I guess you’ll tell me yours."

Evelina swallowed, her mind scrambling for something—anything—to say that wouldn’t expose the fact that she wasn’t actually the original Evelina.

She obviously couldn’t mention the time she’d written a cringe-worthy love letter to a visiting professor back in high school, which somehow ended up in the dean’s office.

Relia perked up instantly. "You did what? Come on, girl..."

Or the eighth-grade science project where her homemade rocket launcher misfired and sent her flying into the janitor’s closet.

Nope. Definitely not.

Before she could think of a convincing lie, Relia eagerly interrupted, clearly amused.

"You could tell him about that one time you... I mean, the real Evelina, thought the fancy ballroom fountain was just for decoration—until she tripped and fell face-first into it. In front of half the noble court."

"What?"

"Oh, and let’s not forget how she came out of the water looking like a drowned cat."

Evelina stiffened. "Wait. That actually happened?" she asked, the memory somehow coming to her like she had experienced it herself.

Relia snorted. "Ohhh, yeah. And the best part? She tried to act like she meant to do it. Gave some ridiculous speech about ’embracing the elements’ while soaking wet."

Evelina pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh. She could totally

"Well," she said aloud, glancing at Damian with a dramatic sigh. "Since you were brave enough to share, I guess I’ll tell you mine."

Damian smirked, leaning forward, clearly eager. "This better be good."

Evelina lifted her chin, feigning dignity. "Once, at a very important noble gathering, I... may or may have not tripped and fallen into a fountain. In front of everyone."

Damian’s eyebrows shot up. "No."

"Oh yes," Evelina groaned. "Right into the water. Soaking wet. I even lost a shoe."

Damian’s shoulders shook as he tried—and failed—not to laugh. "That’s amazing."

"Oh, it gets worse," she muttered. "I was so embarrassed, I just stood up and gave this noble-sounding speech about, uh, embracing the elements and, you know... water being the essence of life."

Damian barked out a laugh, tipping his head back. "You did not."

"I did," Evelina admitted, groaning as she covered her face. "I think some people actually believed me. Someone even applauded."

Damian wiped a tear from his eye, his whole body shaking with laughter. "Oh, gods. I wish I had been there."

"No, you don’t," Evelina muttered, shooting him a glare. "Because then I’d never live it down."

Damian grinned. "You’re right. I definitely wouldn’t let you forget."

Evelina huffed, crossing her arms. "Well, at least I didn’t split my pants in front of the entire pack."

Damian smirked. "Touché."

They both laughed again, and the stress from the past few days started to fade. For the first time in what felt like forever, Evelina felt light, like she could just... enjoy this moment.

Damian watched her, his laughter turning gentle. He reached out and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "You know," he said softly, "I like this. Seeing you like this."

Evelina tilted her head. "Like what?"