Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate
Chapter 155: What Changed?...

Chapter 155: What Changed?...

Kyle’s jaw clenched. "Yes. Because I know Evelina. I trust Evelina. And I know for a fact that she wouldn’t do this."

Damian arched a brow. "And yet you’re so sure that I would?"

Lucian leaned back, watching him. "But you believe Damian would?"

Kyle didn’t waver as he answered both father and son. "Yes."

Damian’s lips curled in frustration. "You’re so quick to place the blame on me, but you refuse to consider that someone else could be pulling the strings?"

Kyle’s violet eyes gleamed. "I don’t have to consider it." He crossed his arms. "If it wasn’t Evelina, then there’s only one person who benefits from this mess."

Damian took a step forward, his voice dangerously low. "Careful with your accusations, Prince."

Kyle didn’t back down. "Are they accusations? Or the truth?"

Lucian exhaled slowly, his gaze shifting between the two of them.

For the first time in a long time, the King didn’t have an answer.

But one thing was clear.

The situation had just become far more dangerous.

The throne room was silent for a while, filled with tension.

Damian’s fists clenched at his sides, his wolf pacing restlessly inside him. He could feel the weight of every gaze in the room, the quiet judgement, the unspoken question of whether it was possible.

Lucian’s silver eyes flickered between his son and Prince Kyle, his mind undoubtedly calculating the long-term consequences of the accusations.

King Lucian exhaled, pressing his fingers against his temple before leveling a sharp gaze at both Damian and Kyle. "Enough." There was an air of authority in his voice, even though he sounded calm.

Kyle clenched his jaw but didn’t protest.

Lucian continued, "We gain nothing from pointing fingers. Our priority should be finding an antidote, not assigning blame."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the gathered nobles. Even those eager to entertain the possibility of Damian’s guilt understood the weight of the situation.

Luther, who had been observing quietly from the sidelines, finally stepped forward.

His golden eyes flickered with interest as he turned to Evelina. "You’ve worked miracles before, Lady Evelina." He tilted his head slightly. "Do you think you can work your magic again?"

Evelina straightened, her expression unreadable.

"Magic?" she echoed dryly. "You make it sound like I just snap my fingers and a cure appears."

Luther smirked. "I only meant that you’ve proven to be... resourceful."

Damian shot him a look, not liking the way he spoke to Evelina.

Evelina crossed her arms. "I’ll do what I can, but I need time. And more importantly, I need to know exactly what they were poisoned with. Without that, I’ll be playing a guessing game."

Lucian nodded. "Then you’ll have what you need. The court is dismissed. We’ll reconvene once we have answers."

One by one, the nobles and advisors started to leave, their quiet conversations echoing in the grand hall. Kyle shot Damian a final irritated look before he followed his people out in frustration.

Soon, only a few remained.

Damian turned to Evelina. "I’ll have Jasper help you gather whatever you need."

Evelina nodded, already deep in thought about the possible toxins that could have been used.

As she turned to leave, a voice stopped her.

"Lady Evelina," Luther’s smooth tone cut through the air.

She glanced over her shoulder. "Yes?"

Luther offered a polite smile. "If you don’t mind, I’d like a word with you."

Damian’s expression darkened instantly.

"Alone."

Evelina arched a brow, but before she could answer, Damian stepped between them. "Whatever you have to say, you can say it here."

Luther merely chuckled. "Protective, aren’t we, Your Highness?" His gaze flickered between them before settling back on Evelina. "I assure you, I only wish to speak. Nothing more."

Evelina hesitated. She didn’t trust Luther. Not completely.

But she was also curious.

"It’s fine," she said eventually. "I’ll hear what he has to say."

Damian didn’t look pleased, but after a long pause, he exhaled sharply. "I’ll be nearby."

With that, he shot Luther one last warning glare before leaving the room.

Once they were alone, Luther took a slow step forward, his golden eyes unreadable.

"You truly are an interesting woman," he murmured.

Evelina folded her arms. "If you dragged me into a private conversation just to flatter me, I’m leaving."

Luther chuckled. "No, no. I have a much more interesting topic in mind." He tilted his head.

Luther’s golden eyes gleamed with something unreadable as he took another slow step forward, his posture ever composed, ever controlled.

Evelina remained where she stood, arms crossed, watching him with wary curiosity.

"I suppose I should start with an apology," he said smoothly.

Evelina raised a brow. "An apology?" That’s unexpected.

Luther gave a slight nod. "Yes, an apology."

"For what, exactly?" she asked, tilting her head.

Luther offered a polite smile. "For the times I have spoken against you in court. And for doubting you."

Evelina narrowed her eyes slightly. "You mean when you accused me of being reckless, questioned my loyalty, and implied more than once that I was a danger to Arcadia?"

Luther chuckled. "Yes, those times."

Evelina snorted, folding her arms. "Forgive me if I’m not rushing to accept your apology."

He inclined his head. "That is fair. You must understand that I serve the kingdom first. I question what needs to be questioned."

Evelina exhaled sharply, unimpressed. "That’s convenient, isn’t it? Playing both sides so you’re never on the losing one."

Luther’s smirk deepened. "Clever as always."

There was something almost too easy about his words, as if he didn’t particularly care whether she accepted or not. And that, more than anything, put Evelina on edge.

"Is that why you pulled me aside?" she asked. "To offer an apology that you don’t actually mean?"

Luther hummed thoughtfully. "That depends on whether you accept it."

Evelina tilted her head slightly. "And if I don’t?"

Luther shrugged. "Then I suppose we’ll continue as we always have." He took a step closer, his voice lowering slightly. "But I was hoping we could move past that. Perhaps... work together."

Evelina stiffened. "What?"

Luther’s gaze never wavered. "The poisoning of the horses was not a simple act of sabotage. You and I both know that."

Evelina narrowed her eyes. "And why do I get the feeling that you know more than you’re letting on?"

Luther chuckled. "I wouldn’t say more—only that I see the bigger picture."

Evelina crossed her arms. "And what do you see?"

Luther tilted his head slightly as if choosing his words carefully. "Patterns."

Evelina frowned. She arched a brow. "What do you want, Lord Luther?"

Luther’s expression didn’t shift, but there was a sharp glint in his gaze, something just beneath the surface.

"Humor me for a moment," he said. "A year ago—perhaps a little more—where were you?"

Evelina frowned. "A year ago?"

"Yes."

Evelina exhaled, rolling her shoulders. "I was here. In Arcadia. Surviving your endless scrutiny."

Luther smiled faintly. "Yes, you were. And yet, you weren’t always so... involved in matters of the court."

Evelina’s gaze sharpened.

Something about the way he said it sent a flicker of unease through her.

She hesitated, then said carefully, "Why are you asking?"

Luther hummed. "Let’s call it... curiosity. Tell me, Lady Evelina, do you remember an incident from about a year ago? A rather unfortunate poisoning?"

Evelina forced herself to remain still, but she felt her wolf stir uneasily inside her.

A year ago.

She knew exactly what he was referring to... because she was there. Not her though, but Evelina was there and since she’s Evelina...

Relia growled softly in her mind. Be careful, Evelina.

Evelina kept her voice steady. "You’ll have to be more specific."

Luther smiled as if expecting that answer. "Of course." He took a slow step forward, lowering his voice. "A particular noble fell ill—violently so. There was an investigation. The blame shifted more than once."

Evelina’s heart pounded, but she didn’t let it show.

She remembered it too well.

That night. That man. The way he had collapsed, clawing at his throat—

She clenched her fists.

Luther’s voice was almost a whisper now. "You were present, weren’t you?"

Evelina met his gaze head-on, refusing to let him see her hesitation. "Why does that matter now?"

Luther’s smirk returned, but there was something sharper behind it this time. "Because, my dear Lady Evelina, I find it fascinating how back then, you stood and did nothing... in fact, you were more shaken, but now?" she trailed off.

Evelina’s breath stilled, but she forced herself to remain composed.

Luther took another slow step forward, watching her like a predator studying its prey. "Back then, you were shaken. Uncertain. You hesitated." He tilted his head. "But now? Now, you move with purpose. With knowledge. Almost as if... you’re not the same person at all."

Evelina’s fingers curled at her sides. Careful. Relia’s voice echoed in her mind.

She met Luther’s gaze, her voice cool. "People change."

Luther chuckled. "Oh, I know. But not like this." He leaned in slightly, his golden eyes gleaming. "So tell me, Lady Evelina... what changed?"