Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate
Chapter 182: Quite an Entrance...

Chapter 182: Quite an Entrance...

"You..." Damian’s voice was low, sounding almost reverent. "You look..."

Evelina raised an eyebrow, and a small smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. "Speechless, Alpha?"

Damian’s lips curved into a slow smile as he stepped forward, his gaze never leaving hers. "Perfect," he murmured. "You look perfect."

Evelina felt her cheeks warm, but she held his gaze, her chin tilting slightly. "You don’t look too bad yourself."

Damian chuckled, offering her his arm. "Shall we?"

Evelina slid her hand into the crook of his arm, her heart steadying at how firm he was. "Let’s go."

Together, they stepped into the hallway, the soft glow of the palace lights casting a warm glow around them.

—

The grand ballroom of the palace was nothing short of breathtaking.

Tall crystal chandeliers filled the room with warm, golden light, creating beautiful reflections on the shiny marble floors. The walls were decorated with detailed tapestries, and you could hear the gentle chatter of people mingling, along with the lovely music from a string quartet.

As Damian and Evelina entered arm in arm, all eyes turned to them.

Conversations paused mid-sentence, and the clinking of glasses fell silent for a brief moment as the couple made their way down the sweeping staircase.

Evelina wore a stunning crimson gown that moved like flames, with golden embroidery sparkling in the light as she walked. Damian looked confident in a perfectly fitted black suit with silver and deep red accents.

Whispers rippled through the crowd.

"She looks stunning."

"Crimson... bold choice for a ball."

"Prince Damian’s mate... no doubt about it."

Evelina maintained a calm expression, keeping her chin up, even though she felt a knot in her stomach from all the attention.

In her head, she could hear Relia’s teasing voice, filled with pride. "Look at all the eyes on us. It’s great! Let them see. They need to know who really rules this room."

"Calm down, Relia," Evelina thought back with a small smile tugging at her lips. "We’re here to blend in, not start a spectacle."

"Blend in? Wearing this?"

Evelina didn’t respond, but the warmth rising to her cheeks betrayed her.

Damian leaned slightly toward her as they reached the ballroom floor. "How are you holding up so far?" he asked softly, his voice reaching only to her ears.

She tilted her head to look up at him, the corner of her lips quirking. "You mean besides being the centre of attention? I’ve had worse."

His mouth curved into a faint smile. "You’re handling it better than most would. Just remember, you are not alone."

Evelina nodded, her grip on his arm steady. "I know."

After a moment, Damian straightened, his eyes scanning the room. "I need to step away for a moment," he murmured. "There are some council members I need to greet. I’ll be back before the first dance. I promise."

She raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Go ahead. I can handle myself."

"I never doubted that," he said warmly. Then, with a lingering glance, he stepped away, disappearing into the crowd.

—

Evelina stood at the edge of the ballroom, taking in the lavish surroundings. Everyone was dressed to the nines, and their laughter and conversations filled the air. A servant walked by with a tray of wine, and she snagged a glass, sipping it slowly to calm her nerves.

She didn’t notice Kyle approach until he was standing directly beside her. "You certainly know how to make an entrance," he said in a light tone but with an edge of something sharper beneath it.

Evelina turned her head to face him, her expression guarded. "Prince Kyle. Enjoying the festivities?"

He smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. "I am. But I’m more interested in hearing your thoughts. Have you considered my offer?"

Her grip on the glass tightened slightly, but she kept her tone even. "As I told you before, I’m not in the habit of going back on my decisions. You have my answer already."

Kyle’s smile widened, though his eyes narrowed. "Careful, Evelina. Opportunities like this don’t come around often. You wouldn’t want to regret letting it slip away."

Before she could respond, a familiar voice cut through the tension. "Kyle, I see you’re already trying to ruin someone’s evening."

Evelina turned to find Zade approaching. His dark suit was as immaculate as ever, and his expression was one of casual amusement. There was an easy confidence in his stride, and his sharp green eyes sparkled with mischief.

Kyle’s jaw tightened, but he stepped back slightly. "Zade," he said curtly, inclining his head. "I wasn’t aware you’d be attending."

Zade shrugged. "I wouldn’t miss an opportunity to enjoy good music, fine wine, and excellent company." His gaze shifted to Evelina, and his smile softened. "Lady Evelina, you look absolutely stunning tonight."

She gave him a polite smile. "Thank you, Zade. It’s good to see you."

Kyle muttered something under his breath and excused himself, disappearing into the crowd. Zade watched him go, his smile fading. "He’s persistent, isn’t he?"

"You could say that," Evelina said dryly. "But I can handle him."

"I have no doubt," Zade replied. "Though I do hope he doesn’t spoil the evening for you."

"He won’t," she assured him. "I won’t let him."

Zade tilted his head, studying her for a moment. "Good." Then, after a beat, he extended his hand. "The music’s starting. Would you honor me with a dance?"

Evelina hesitated for a moment, her gaze drifting toward the ballroom’s entrance. She found herself scanning the crowd, searching for a flash of silver eyes or Damian’s unmistakable figure.

He had said he would be back before the first dance, and yet, as the opening notes of the music began, he was nowhere in sight.

Relia’s voice chimed in her mind, full of amusement. "Looking for our mate, are we? He must have a good reason to leave us standing here."

"Relia, not now," Evelina replied, though she couldn’t hide the flicker of worry that crept into her thoughts. "What if he’s already gone to search Luther’s chambers? What if something went wrong?"

As if reading her unease, Zade tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. "Expecting someone else?" he asked lightly, though there was a trace of curiosity in his tone.