Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate
Chapter 185: Ready???

Chapter 185: Ready???

Jasper studied her for a moment. After a moment, he spoke softly, his tone careful. "What’s it like with him?"

She blinked, glancing over at him. "What’s what like?"

"With your brother," he clarified, tilting his head slightly toward the ballroom where her brother stood. "From what I’ve seen, you two are... very different."

Seraphina hesitated, her gaze dropping to the marble floor below. "Different doesn’t even begin to describe it," she said in a bit quiet voice now, almost drowned out by the orchestra’s crescendos. "Ever since we were kids, he’s always been the perfect one. The golden child. The one everyone looks up to."

"And you?" Jasper asked evenly.

A wry smile touched her lips, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. "And I’m the one they tolerate. The one they tell stories about in hushed whispers. Too wild, too unpredictable, too... much."

Jasper frowned, his jaw tightening as he leaned back against the alcove’s stone wall. "That’s not fair."

She shrugged, her voice lighter now as she forced a teasing tone. "Fair’s never been part of the deal, Sir Jasper. You should know that."

He smiled at the title she had given him days back, calling him her Arcadian Knight.

The smile faded slowly as he studied her for a moment longer, but before he could respond, his expression changed. His eyes lost their focus for a brief second, his brow furrowing in concentration.

"Jasper?" Seraphina asked, tilting her head.

He didn’t answer immediately, a faint flicker of irritation crossing his face as his gaze unfocused again. She recognized the look—he was receiving a mindlink, likely from someone important.

After a moment, he blinked and straightened, the corner of his mouth twitching in exasperation. "It’s Prince Damian," he said.

Her brows furrowed in curiosity, her attention now fully on him. "What does he want?"

Jasper sighed, glancing back at her as if weighing how much to say. "He’s asking where I am. He’s noticed I haven’t made an appearance yet, and apparently, he needs me for something."

"Well, that’s not vague at all," Seraphina quipped, though there was a hint of nervousness behind her humor. "What are you going to tell him?"

"I don’t have much of a choice," Jasper replied. "He’ll want me down there soon."

Seraphina bit her lip, glancing toward the ballroom again. Her brother was still there, chatting animatedly with a group of nobles. "Do you think he knows?" she asked softly. "That I’m here?"

Jasper shook his head. "No. If he did, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. He’d already have half the guard looking for you."

She relaxed slightly at his assurance but still frowned. "You’re going to have to go, aren’t you?"

He hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I won’t be long," he said firmly. "But you need to stay here. No wandering. No stepping out of the shadows. Promise me, Seraphina."

Her violet eyes narrowed at him, but she nodded reluctantly. "Fine. I’ll wait. But you’d better hurry back."

He gave her a faint smile, his hand brushing her shoulder briefly before he pulled his cloak tighter around him. "Don’t move, milady," he said in a teasing tone that barely masked his concern. "I don’t want to find you in the middle of the dance floor when I return."

She rolled her eyes, but the corners of her lips twitched upward. "I’ll be right here, Sir Jasper. Now go before your prince gets impatient."

With one last glance at her, Jasper slipped out of the alcove and into the bustling palace corridors.

—

Damian’s silver eyes softened as he stopped before Evelina, taking in her regal yet understated presence. "I see you’ve been keeping yourself busy," he said, a hint of amusement lacing his tone.

Evelina arched an eyebrow, her lips curving slightly. "And I see you’ve taken your time getting here. I was starting to think you might not show."

"I’m here now, aren’t I?" Damian replied smoothly, the corner of his mouth quirking into a faint smirk. "Though it seems I’ve missed some interesting company." His gaze shifted briefly to Zade, who remained a few steps away, his arms crossed and his sharp eyes scanning the room for any sign of trouble.

"Zade was keeping me entertained," Evelina said lightly, though the slight tension in her voice betrayed the effort it took to maintain her composure in the crowded hall.

"I’m sure he was," Damian said dryly, his attention returning to her. His gaze softened once more, his expression betraying a flicker of concern. "How are you holding up, Evelina? Really?"

For a moment, her mask faltered. The teasing light in her eyes dimmed, replaced by something more vulnerable. She hesitated before answering.

"I’m... managing," she admitted quietly. "It’s not exactly easy to pretend everything is fine when the entire court is watching your every move."

Damian nodded, his silver eyes searching hers. "You’re doing more than managing. You’re holding your ground, even when they’re trying to shake you. That’s no small feat."

Her lips twitched into a faint smile at his words, though the weight of the evening still lingered in her expression. "Thanks for saying that," she said softly. "It means more than you know."

Damian opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, a familiar voice cut through the air behind him.

"Ah, there you are."

Both Damian and Evelina turned to see Jasper approaching, his cloak swept back over one shoulder and a slightly exasperated look on his face. He dipped his head respectfully to Evelina before addressing Damian directly. "You called for me, Your Highness?"

"Jasper," Damian greeted with a nod. "You’re late."

"Apologies," Jasper said, though there was a wry edge to his tone. "I was... tied up with other matters."

Evelina’s gaze flicked between the two men, catching the subtle tension in Jasper’s posture. "Other matters?" she asked, curiosity piqued.

Jasper hesitated for a fraction of a second, his sharp green eyes meeting hers briefly before he spoke. "Nothing to concern yourself with, Your Grace. Just some last-minute preparations for tonight."

Damian’s silver eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn’t press the issue.

Instead, he stepped back and gestured for both Evelina and Jasper to follow him. "Well, you’re here now. That’s what matters. Are we ready for the rest of the night?"

Jasper nodded, though there was a flicker of unease in his expression. "As ready as we’ll ever be."