Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate
Chapter 150: Jasper and the Princess I...

Chapter 150: Jasper and the Princess I...

The cool night air smelled of damp earth and pine as Jasper walked back to the palace, worried about the growing tension between Prince Damian, the council, and OakenShaw’s surprise involvement.

He was no stranger to palace politics, nor was he blind to the subtle moves being made behind closed doors.

But tonight, something felt off.

As he neared the outer road, a flash of movement caught his eye. His sharp senses picked up the faint creak of carriage wheels.

Odd.

By now, all of OakenShaw’s delegates should have been settled in the chambers prepared for them within the palace walls. Yet, this carriage seemed to have made some sound like someone was inside.

Jasper stilled, his body tensing. Who would still be lingering outside the palace?

The faint murmur of a sound drifted through the trees, too low to make out clearly. His instincts flared. Something wasn’t right.

Without a sound, he stepped off the main road, moving through the underbrush until he found a good vantage point. He crouched low, slowing his breath.

Seconds turned into minutes.

Minutes stretched into nearly an hour.

The silence remained, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. Did I imagine it? Jasper was about to turn away when—

A sharp shuffle. Then—

A voice. Smooth, feminine, and undeniably amused.

"We can save each other the trouble and come out now."

Jasper’s breath hitched. He hadn’t sensed anyone nearby. No scent. No presence.

And yet... someone had sensed him.

Slowly, he straightened, stepping into the dim moonlight filtering through the trees. His sharp blue eyes locked onto the figure now standing by the carriage.

She was draped in a deep-blue cloak, the hood lowered just enough to reveal cascading silver hair, almost glowing in the night. Her features were striking—sharp cheekbones, full lips, and a bright violet eyes that held an eerie, knowing glint.

"Before you think about doing anything, let me introduce myself. Seraphina, princess of Oakenshaw."

Jasper’s eyes lit up a bit in surprise.

Seraphina.

Princess of OakenShaw.

Prince Kyle’s sister.

And yet... something about her presence here felt entirely out of place.

"Jasper, at your service. Though I don’t recall seeing you among the guests welcomed inside the palace," Jasper said smoothly, eyeing her with casual suspicion.

Seraphina tilted her head, watching him with an unreadable expression. "That’s because I wasn’t."

Jasper arched a brow. "Sneaking in?"

She smirked. "You could say that."

He studied her closely, noting something odd—her scent was almost nonexistent.

Not gone entirely, but masked so thoroughly that even he, a trained tracker, had nearly missed it.

He took a step closer. "Why?"

Seraphina let out a soft sigh, her gaze flickering toward the palace in the distance. "Do you know what it’s like to be caged?"

Jasper hesitated. The question caught him off guard.

A wry smile tugged at her lips. "No? Then I doubt you’d understand."

Her posture remained elegant, but there was a stiffness to her—something held back, something carefully controlled.

Jasper didn’t press her immediately. Instead, he tilted his head, considering her words. "You came all this way just to get out of the palace?"

Seraphina’s lips twitched in amusement. "Something like that."

Jasper crossed his arms. "You must know sneaking around Arcadia isn’t exactly wise right now. Your brother has already stirred enough tension."

Her violet eyes gleamed with something unreadable. "Kyle plays his games," she said smoothly. "And I play mine."

Jasper exhaled through his nose. "I’m not sure what’s more concerning—the fact that you openly admit to sneaking into an enemy palace or the fact that you don’t seem remotely worried about getting caught."

Seraphina shrugged. "It’s not an enemy palace, not yet." She met his gaze directly. "Besides, I don’t intend to get caught."

Jasper huffed a quiet laugh. "And yet, here we are."

A flicker of something passed through her expression—something fleeting, something unreadable.

Then, out of nowhere—

A low, unmistakable growl rumbled from her stomach.

Jasper blinked.

Seraphina stilled. A beat of silence passed before she let out a soft huff, pressing two fingers against her temple. "And to add to tonight’s growing list of humiliations... I’m starving."

Jasper’s lips twitched. "Hungry, Your Highness?"

Seraphina shot him a look, though there was no real heat behind it. "Do me a favour and drop the formalities."

"Alright," Jasper said, amusement flickering in his gaze. "Seraphina."

She pursed her lips. "Just Sera is fine."

Jasper let out a quiet sigh, his sharp blue eyes flickering over Seraphina as he considered his next move. Bold, reckless, and completely unbothered by the risk she’s taking.

"Well," he said finally, crossing his arms, "I can’t exactly leave you out here, can I? You should come with me, Princess Sera. I’ll take you to the palace."

Seraphina scoffed. "And invoke the wrath of my brother and father?" She raised an elegant brow, her violet eyes gleaming with amusement. "I’m bold, Jasper, not stupid. I intend to stay out here and return without them ever knowing—at least, not until we’re safely back in OakenShaw."

Jasper smirked. "So, sneaking around is a habit of yours."

She lifted her chin slightly. "More of a skill, really."

A low rumble cut through the silence—another unmistakable growl from her stomach.

Seraphina closed her eyes briefly, exhaling. "Perfect," she muttered under her breath.

Jasper’s smirk widened. "You might be good at sneaking around, but you’re terrible at going unnoticed, milady."

She shot him a glare, but it was half-hearted at best. "You have a solution, or are you just here to entertain yourself at my expense?"

Jasper shrugged. "I’m just saying—you should probably take care of that."

Seraphina sighed, rubbing her temple before glancing at him. "Then be useful and help me find some food."

Jasper tilted his head, watching her carefully. "Why should I?"

Seraphina folded her arms, giving him a flat look. "Because I’m hungry?"

"Not exactly a compelling argument," Jasper mused. "What’s in it for me?"

She narrowed her eyes, considering him. Then, a small smirk played at her lips. "Fine. You help me now, and I owe you a favour."

Jasper arched a brow. "A favour?"

Seraphina nodded, her expression unwavering. "I don’t offer them lightly. But since you seem to enjoy making me beg—"

"I never said that."

"—consider this a rare opportunity."

Jasper held her gaze for a long moment, something unreadable passing between them. The night air was cool, but there was something else in the silence. Something neither of them acknowledged.

Finally, Jasper exhaled through his nose. "Fine... but don’t go wandering off."

Without another word, he turned and vanished into the trees.

Seraphina watched him go, her smirk fading slightly.

She had meant it as a joke—her words, her teasing. But there was no denying the shift in the air between them.

And that?

That was unexpected.

***********

It didn’t take him long to return.

Jasper had spent years navigating the palace grounds and surrounding lands. Slipping into the lower kitchens undetected was child’s play. Within minutes, he secured a small assortment of food—fresh bread, roasted meat, and fruit—before making his way back.

When he returned, Sera was exactly where he had left her, leaning lazily against the carriage, arms crossed as she gazed up at the night sky.

At the sight of the food, however, her expression shifted.

She didn’t wait.

In one swift movement, she reached out, taking the food and sinking her teeth into the roasted meat with startling urgency.

Jasper watched, mildly taken aback by the raw hunger in her movements.

Between bites, Sera glanced at him, her violet eyes glinting with something between amusement and defiance. "I don’t eat like this, trust me. I’m a well-groomed princess, but imagine being in there all night and day."

Jasper smirked. "I understand, Sera."

She paused mid-bite, her eyes flickering up to meet his.

A flicker of something passed between them.

Faint. Almost unspoken.

Then—Sera scoffed lightly, breaking the moment as she reached for a piece of fruit. "Well, aren’t you accommodating?"

Jasper shrugged. "I aim to please."

Sera rolled her eyes but didn’t hide the small smile that tugged at her lips.

Silence settled between them as she ate, but it wasn’t uncomfortable.

Jasper watched her, taking in the way she carried herself—the way she masked things behind her sharp words and easy confidence. He had met many nobles, many royals... but Sera was different.

And he found himself wanting to know why.

As for Sera, she had come here for a reason.

But now?

Now, she wasn’t entirely sure what had compelled her to stay and talk to him.

The night air remained calm, surrounding them in peaceful silence. The only sounds were the occasional rustling of leaves and the soft way Seraphina ate her food, her hunger finally showing.

Jasper watched her with quiet curiosity.

She stood apart from the royals he had met earlier—more open and yet more wild. There was a restless energy in her that even the heavy atmosphere of OakenShaw’s politics couldn’t suppress.

Finally, she leaned back against the carriage, exhaling. "You’re staring."

Jasper smirked. "I’m observing."

"Big difference?"

"Depends on who’s asking."

Sera huffed a small laugh and tossed a grape at him, which he caught with ease. "You’re lucky I’m too tired to throw harder."

Jasper chuckled, then tilted his head. "So, what are you doing out here, really?"