Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate
Chapter 204: Tricks and Lanterns...

Chapter 204: Tricks and Lanterns...

Evelina didn’t remember sprinting down the entire south wing of the palace.

Her heart pounded in her chest, her feet flying over the polished floors as she followed Jasper through the winding halls. Servants stepped aside, startled by her speed, but she barely noticed them.

"Training yard?" she repeated breathlessly. "What happened? Was it Zade again?"

Jasper didn’t answer—just gave her a vague, apologetic look as they reached the double doors that led to the outer grounds.

"Damian’s too stubborn to back down," she muttered under her breath. "And Zade’s too proud to walk away."

Relia stirred in her mind, unimpressed. If that overgrown puppy laid a finger on our mate again, I swear I’m tearing out some princely fur.

"Damian can handle himself," Evelina muttered aloud.

Jasper heard her. "Ah... well. About that—"

Evelina shoved through the double doors leading to the outer court, blinking against the sudden brightness—and then... stopped.

There were no signs of blood. No scattered weapons. No groaning men or frantic healers.

What she saw instead was... lights.

Dozens of paper lanterns floated gently above the field, their soft golden glow dancing against the fading afternoon light. Flower petals—red and white—lined the training ground in spirals, creating a path that shimmered like stardust.

At the centre stood Damian, alive and very much not dying, in his full ceremonial armour with his hair combed back and a wolfish grin on his face.

He held a single flower in his hand, and behind him, a few stunned guards, a handful of giggling maids, and even a few noble guests stood by, watching in wide-eyed silence.

Jasper, now standing behind her, cleared his throat. "Oops," he said, far too casually. "Might’ve left out a detail or two."

Evelina turned slowly to glare at him. "You lied to me."

"Jasper said you were injured," Evelina hissed as she faced Damian. "You made me run here like the palace was on fire!"

"I said he was asking for you urgently. And look, here you are."

Relia howled with laughter. "That little rat. I like him, if not...."

"Technically," Damian said, stepping closer with a sly tilt of his head, "you ran here because you love me."

Evelina turned back to Damian, trying not to let her racing heart betray the fact that her knees had just stopped shaking. "You’re not dying."

"Not even a scratch," he said with a wink. "Though I nearly passed out trying to organize this without you catching on."

She crossed her arms. "So the training yard was never in danger?"

"Only of being too charming," he replied, stepping toward her.

Servants began to appear around the edges of the courtyard, followed by a few nobles and courtiers, their expressions curious.

The warm golden glow of the lanterns lit Damian from behind, giving him the air of a man bathed in sunlight and mischief.

He pulled something from his pocket.

It wasn’t flashy. Not overly polished. Just a simple, gold ring with a single crimson stone—the color of blood and roses and fire.

"This is the second time you’ve used the danger trick on me," Evelina said, arching a brow. "First was the one at the lake side when you wanted to apologize, and now this."

Damian had the decency to look sheepish. "It works every time."

"Once bitten—"

"Twice mine," he finished, stepping closer. "If you say yes."

Evelina opened her mouth. Closed it again.

Relia, ever helpful, muttered in her mind: "Say yes before he pretends to fall off a rooftop next time."

She took a deep breath. Her hand lifted to her chest, where the pearl usually sat hidden. It wasn’t there today—but its weight still lingered, like a reminder of all she carried.

He knelt before her in front of everyone. No crown. No armour. Just Damian.

"Evelina Drewstone," he said in a clear and low voice, "The Moon Goddess had bound us together as mates and I accepted you. But today, matebond and everything aside? I want you at my side. As my partner. As my future queen. As yourself."

She stared at him, feeling a hundred eyes watching. The wind caught her hair. Lanterns bobbed in the air above them, and petals swirled at their feet like they were caught in a dream.

And still, the only thing she could really see was him.

"Don’t faint," she whispered.

His grin widened. "Only if you kiss me first."

She laughed—really laughed—and then knelt down with him.

"You idiot," she murmured, cupping his face.

"Your idiot," he replied.

"Yes," she said.

And then she kissed him.

It was the kind of kiss that took everyone’s breath away, a kiss that ignored onlookers, broke all the rules, and defied expectations of who she was meant to be.

Her fingers tangled in his hair, while his arms tightened around her waist, drawing her in as if nothing else mattered and the chaos outside the castle didn’t exist.

They kissed like they’d been doing it for years.

When they finally pulled apart, the courtyard burst into applause.

Cheers echoed across the walls, and someone whistled loud enough to make Evelina laugh again.

Jasper gave a dramatic bow from the sidelines. "Well done, Your Highness. May I suggest a royal decree banning fake injury proposals in the future?"

"You’re getting a boot to the face later," she called to him sweetly.

Relia growled in her mind, "No, let him keep doing it. This was so much better than a war council."

Evelina touched the ring Damian had slipped onto her finger. It was warm. Heavy. Real.

Damian turned to the growing crowd. "You may tell the council and the entire pack," he called out. "The bond is official. She is mine—and I am hers."

And just like that, it became truth.

Not whispered. Not hidden.

A declaration made in the open air, beneath floating lanterns and rose petals and firelight.

And for the first time since she had arrived in Arcadia, Evelina felt like maybe... maybe this world was becoming hers too.

Relia purred softly. "Took him long enough."

"Yeah," Evelina whispered. "But worth the wait."