Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate
Chapter 196: What Do We Know?

Chapter 196: What Do We Know?

Every crate, satchel, and false panel was ripped apart, and still—no sign of Luther. No lingering trace of arcane residue, no footprints, no scent for the hounds to catch. If he’d escaped via the convoy, he was either a ghost... or long gone.

When the final cart was cleared and the results reported, Alderic turned back to Evelina. "We’ll proceed, then. But be warned—if we discover you’ve used this as a pretense to harass my family or delay our return, there will be consequences."

"I understand," Evelina said, bowing low.

With that, the convoy slowly resumed its journey, the wheels creaking and the air buzzing with unease.

Seraphina lingered, casting one last look toward Jasper. "You didn’t have to admit to all that."

He shrugged. "You’d have done the same for me."

She gave a ghost of a smile, then turned and walked briskly toward the front, falling into pace beside her brother, who was still muttering under his breath.

Evelina and Jasper watched them go, silence stretching between them as the dust of the convoy swirled in their wake.

"Well," Evelina finally said, "that was less of a disaster than I expected."

Jasper gave a tired laugh. "Still pretty disastrous. Though it could’ve gone worse."

"Could’ve gone much worse," Evelina agreed. She folded her arms and glanced at him. "You really do have a talent for chaos."

Jasper grinned. "Occupational hazard."

They mounted their horses again but didn’t ride immediately. Instead, they lingered, side by side, staring after the retreating banners.

"I know I should be furious at you," Evelina said, not looking at him. "For keeping Seraphina’s identity from me. For bringing her into the city without clearance. For possibly endangering everything we just worked for."

"But you’re not?" he asked, cautious.

"Oh, I’m furious," she said lightly. "But also... impressed. You’re a better liar than I gave you credit for."

"I don’t know if that’s a compliment."

"It is. From me."

Jasper chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Thanks... I think."

She turned her head slightly, eyes on his. "Why’d you really help her sneak in, Jasper?"

He hesitated. "Because... she looked like someone who needed out. Just for a while. And because... I liked her."

A pause.

"And what about now?" Evelina asked.

Before he could answer, a voice tickled at the edge of her mind—faint but familiar, almost teasing.

"Well, between the two of us, we both know you are the better liar. Tell me, when are you going to tell them you don’t belong in this world and time?"

Evelina blinked, startled. Relia?

Jasper frowned at her sudden stillness. "You alright?"

She nodded slowly. "Just a... strange thought."

He gave her a long look, then offered a crooked smile. "Well, whatever it was, if it helps you figure out what happens next, I’m all ears."

Evelina stared at the road ahead, something hard settling into her expression. "We need to get back to the palace."

"Do you think they’re still there?" he asked. "Lord Luther and Matthews?"

She didn’t answer right away.

Instead, she leaned forward in the saddle and said, almost to herself, "No... I think they wanted us to look out here. I think we’ve been played."

Then she looked at Jasper, eyes narrowing. "Tell me something," she said.

"Anything."

"If you were Luther or Matthews, and you had the entire palace in chaos... what would be the first place you’d go?"

Jasper’s face paled.

"Uhmmm... I’d wait out?" he whispered.

And Evelina’s voice was steel. "Exactly."

—

The ride back to Arcadia was punishing. They galloped hard through shifting winds and midday heat, the city’s spires just beginning to shimmer in the distance by the time the guards opened the gates for them.

As they dismounted in the courtyard, Evelina spotted Damian standing near the palace steps, his coat unfastened and his face drawn with exhaustion.

They dismounted in the courtyard. The bell had stopped ringing, but the stillness that followed was worse—a suffocating hush, as if the entire palace was holding its breath.

Damian was standing just inside the great hall, looking tired and worn out. His cloak was dirty, and he had a weary expression on his face. As soon as he spotted Evelina, he walked straight toward her.

"You’re back," he breathed, his voice low and taut. "Where in the seven hells did you go?"

Evelina dropped the reins into a groom’s hands and didn’t hesitate. She crossed to him in three strides and threw her arms around his shoulders.

He stiffened for a moment, startled, then returned the embrace with a low sigh into her shoulder.

"I had to check something," she murmured into his collar.

He let out a shaky breath and pressed his forehead to hers, hand curling behind her neck. "You scared me."

"Same," she said, pulling back to study his face. "We were chasing a lead. Thought Luther might’ve escaped with the Oakenshaw convoy."

His brows rose. "Did he?"

"No. But it was worth checking," she said. "Too neat, the timing. Too quiet."

Damian looked past her to Jasper. "And you let her go alone?"

Jasper spread his arms. "You think I’d survive telling her no?"

That actually drew the barest smile from Damian. "Fair point." A second later, he recounted his ordeal. "I swept the western trails. Rode with guards as far as the ridge line. Questioned every scout on the border," he murmured. "Nothing. No fresh tracks. No sightings."

Jasper stepped forward, panting slightly. "So he didn’t leave the city."

"Or," Damian said, voice dark, "he left before we closed the exits."

"No," Evelina muttered. "It doesn’t fit."

Damian glanced toward the stairs. "Let’s take this to the war room."

They didn’t argue.

In just a few minutes, the three of them gathered around the big oak table covered with maps and markers. The candles on the walls flickered, creating shadows that danced across their faces.

A few generals stood off to the side, heads bent in low conversation.

Evelina leaned over the table. "Alright. Let’s talk about what we know."

"Which is very little," Damian muttered, rubbing his eyes.

Jasper pointed to the dungeon sketch. "The melted lock. No arcane residue. No blood."

"No signs of struggle," Evelina added. "And every known exit was accounted for or guarded within minutes. So either he vanished through a crack in the walls, or—"

"He never left," Damian finished grimly.

Jasper blinked. "What, you think he’s still here?"