Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate
Chapter 165: To Unexpected Dates and Irritating Princes...

Chapter 165: To Unexpected Dates and Irritating Princes...

"...But does he deserve you?"

Evelina tensed.

Kyle leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Come to dinner with me, Evelina. It’s harmless. No court gossip will change what’s real. And..." he paused, watching her carefully, "you can finally ask me whatever you want about why I chose you."

Evelina swallowed, her mind racing.

She knew Damian would come looking for her. She wasn’t ready to face him. Not yet.

And... if Kyle was offering answers...

She exhaled slowly. "Fine."

Kyle’s smirk returned, this time victorious. "That’s the spirit."

Without another word, he turned and began walking toward the dining hall. Evelina followed, keeping a steady pace beside him.

They moved in silence through the dim corridors, their steps echoing softly against the polished stone.

But what neither of them noticed—or what Evelina didn’t notice but Kyle did and managed to act indifferent—was the figure standing in the shadows.

Damian.

He had followed Evelina’s scent, intending to find her—to explain, to make her understand what had really happened in the gardens.

But as he turned a corner, he saw them.

Evelina and Kyle, walking side by side.

He didn’t know what it was but a part of him was telling him she was choosing to be with him because of what she had seen in the garden.

Was she trying to pay him back? Because if yes, it seemed to be working pretty well.

A sharp pain sliced through his chest.

Storm snarled inside his mind, feeling restless and furious at the whole situation.

Damian’s hands clenched into fists.

But instead of going after her, instead of calling out, he turned on his heel and walked the other way without another word... without looking back.

**********

The scent of roasted meats and freshly baked bread filled the small dining hall as Kyle and Evelina entered.

Unlike the grand banquet hall where the nobles and court dined, this was a quieter, more private space—reserved for intimate meals away from prying eyes.

A single round table sat in the center, already prepared with candles and a selection of Arcadian delicacies.

The chef, a short, wiry man with salt-and-pepper hair, stepped forward with a deep bow.

"My lady, my prince," he greeted smoothly, already setting out plates. "I took the liberty of preparing a selection of our finest for you both."

Kyle clapped him on the shoulder. "Perfect. I knew I could count on you, Reynard."

Evelina lowered herself into a seat as the chef laid down a plate of grilled venison, a bowl of spiced rice, and a fresh loaf of bread alongside rich, seasoned butter.

"Please, enjoy," Reynard said before excusing himself.

Evelina took a small bite of the venison, savoring the tenderness of the meat, while Kyle poured them both a deep red wine.

He lifted his goblet in a mock toast. "To unexpected dinner dates."

Evelina gave him a dry look. "Let’s see. There’s food already prepared and waiting for us, plus you know the chef by name. I don’t see anything unexpected in all these."

Kyle smirked, but Eve raised her glass nonetheless. "I’ll toast to irritating princes who talk and do too much just to impress a lady they barely know."

Kyle grinned, sipping his wine. "I’ll take that as a compliment."

They ate in comfortable silence for a moment before Evelina finally leaned back slightly and fixed Kyle with a level gaze.

"Alright," she said. "Let’s talk."

Kyle smirked, dabbing his lips with a napkin. "By all means."

Evelina hesitated, then exhaled. "You’re a prince. You have power, status. There are women in your kingdom—and outside of it—who would kill for the chance to be your queen."

Kyle rested his chin on his hand, watching her. "Go on."

"Then why me?" she asked plainly. "You barely knew me before Arcadia, and yet you suddenly declared to everyone that you wanted me as your mate. Why?"

Kyle tilted his head, his ocean-blue eyes glinting with amusement. "Because I like you."

Evelina scoffed. "Kyle."

He chuckled. "Fine. Because I see value in you, Evelina. And before you protest, no, it’s not just about politics. I see someone strong, someone intelligent, someone who doesn’t wilt under pressure." He leaned in slightly. "You intrigue me."

Evelina frowned. "That’s not an answer."

Kyle smirked. "It’s the best one you’re getting."

She sighed, shaking her head. "Hypothetically," she started, cutting into her venison again, "let’s say I agreed to your offer."

Kyle’s eyes brightened with something unreadable. "Oh? Should I have the engagement rings brought out?"

Evelina shot him a glare. "Hypothetically."

Kyle chuckled, gesturing for her to continue.

"If I agreed, and then one day, your fated mate appeared, what happens to us?"

Kyle took a sip of wine before answering. "That depends."

Evelina raised a brow. "On?"

He set his goblet down, his expression thoughtful for once. "On whether or not fate actually means anything."

Evelina blinked.

Kyle sighed, swirling his wine. "Look, I’m not blind to how things work in our world. Fated mates are supposed to be undeniable. A bond crafted by the Moon Goddess herself. But does that mean love can’t exist outside of that?" He tilted his head. "I think we both know the answer to that."

Evelina said nothing.

Kyle smirked, sensing her hesitation. "So, to answer your question... if my fated mate came along, I suppose it would depend on whether or not I had already chosen someone else." He met her gaze steadily. "Because some bonds may be fated, but others... others are chosen."

Evelina swallowed, unsure how to respond.

But before she could dwell on his words for too long, a sharp, uncomfortable restlessness coiled in her chest.

Relia.

Evelina stiffened slightly as her wolf stirred uneasily in her mind. "This is all wrong," Relia muttered.

Evelina exhaled, placing her utensils down carefully. "Nothing’s wrong. We’re just eating."

Relia growled. "Then why do I feel like we should be somewhere else?"

Evelina closed her eyes briefly. She already knew the answer.

Damian.

Or more specifically, the bond.

Even though she was furious with him—even though she had every right to feel betrayed—her wolf was still drawn to him.

"Relia, stop it."

"I will not."

Evelina clenched her jaw. "He let Selene touch him. He let her put her hands all over him, and he didn’t push her away."

"And yet, nothing happened."

Evelina’s hands tightened into fists on the table. "And what would have happened if I hadn’t shown up?" she shot back.

Follow current novels on freewe(b)novel.c(o)m