Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate
Chapter 21: You’re Delusional...

Chapter 21: You’re Delusional...

"Da... Damian, what are you doing?" Evelina’s voice trembled slightly, betraying the conflict swirling within her. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, an unsteady rhythm that seemed to echo in the charged atmosphere surrounding them.

He leaned forward, bringing his face closer to hers, his warm breath fanning her face, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine.

"Who knows, Evelina? Maybe I’m just the pervert you think I am. I could just make your thoughts and accusations come through and have you right here," he said, a devilish smirk playing on his lips, his eyes glinting with mischief.

"Oh boy, now that’s what I’m talking about," Relia purred in approval, clearly enjoying the exchange and where it seemed to be headed.

Damian looked intensely at Evelina as he stood close to her, his breath warm against her face, making the moment feel almost dizzying.

She felt an undeniable pull towards him, an allure that was both exciting and frightening at the same time.

However, she tried to keep her cool because the last thing she wanted was to give in to the confusion of her feelings.

"You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?" Evelina challenged. "The whole alpha act, trying to make me squirm." She met his gaze, refusing to flinch, though every instinct in her body screamed at her to retreat.

Damian chuckled softly, a low and throaty sound that sent another shiver through her. "Enjoying it? Perhaps. But it’s not my fault that you make it so easy," he retorted smoothly.

Evelina rolled her eyes, though the heat of his body pressed against hers made it hard to maintain her usual composure. "You’re delusional. Let me go."

Damian tilted his head, looking as if he was deep in thought but actually pretending. "Let you go? After you’ve accused me of being everything from a kidnapper to a pervert? Seems like letting you go would be a missed opportunity."

"So you want to get closer?" she asked in a whisper.

Damian considered for a few seconds before responding. "You’re too easy to rile up, Evelina.".

"Oh, I’m sorry," Evelina shot back, regaining her composure. "I didn’t realize locking someone in a room was part of the royal playbook for diplomacy."

"It’s not," Damian admitted, his tone playful as he leaned casually against the door. "But it’s effective, isn’t it?"

Evelina scoffed. "Effective? You’re so full of yourself if you think this little stunt makes me see things your way."

"Not my intention," Damian countered smoothly. "But I do enjoy watching you squirm."

"Squirm?" Evelina arched a brow, stepping closer, her chin tilted defiantly. "I think you’re projecting, Your Highness. The only one squirming here is you."

Damian’s grin widened, the gleam in his silver eyes almost wolfish. "You’re impossible." His tone was tinged with amusement. "Do you ever stop talking?"

"Not when I’m right," Evelina retorted, her lips curling into a triumphant smile. "And for the record, I don’t squirm."

Damian chuckled softly, the sound sending a shiver down Evelina’s spine.

"So what’s the plan, Your Highness? Keep me pinned here until Selene, your fiancée, storms in and finds us? Or are you going to call for Jasper to bring popcorn while you pretend this is all my doing?"

Damian’s smirk widened, but he finally stepped back, releasing her from his hold. "You’ve got a mouth on you," he said with reluctant admiration. "It’s a wonder I don’t gag you just for some peace and quiet."

"Try it, and you’ll lose more than your peace," Evelina shot back, brushing past him to inspect the door.

Damian chuckled softly, leaning against the wall as he watched her. "I should leave the planning to you, smart mouth. Since you seem to have all the answers, how do we get out?"

Evelina ignored him, running her hands along the edges of the doorframe. "Maybe we wouldn’t be in this mess if you didn’t feel the need to drag me into random rooms."

"Maybe you wouldn’t keep getting into trouble if you didn’t have a talent for pissing people off," Damian countered.

Evelina glanced back at him, her eyes narrowing. "You’re one to talk, Your Royal Highness of Grumpiness."

Damian let out a laugh, and for a brief moment, the tension between them faded, giving way to an unexpected sense of closeness.

"Fine," Damian said, stepping forward. "Let’s work together. Unless, of course, you’d prefer to stay locked in here with me for a little longer?"

Evelina snorted. "Please. I’d rather be locked in with a feral wolf."

"Careful what you wish for," Damian muttered, placing his hands on the door. "Move back now, missy. You don’t want to get hurt."

Evelina nodded and moved away. Bracing himself, Damian used his shoulder to hit the door.

The door groaned under his weight before suddenly bursting open, sending him stumbling into the hallway. Evelina followed almost immediately, while Damian regained his footing with a curse.

The sound of their dramatic exit drew the attention of nearby servants and guards, who exchanged curious glances. Damian’s and Eve’s disheveled appearances did nothing to dispel the air of suspicion, and murmurs began to ripple through the crowd.

"Well, this isn’t awkward," Evelina muttered under her breath, brushing her hair away from her face.

Damian shot her a look, his silver eyes flashing with frustration. "You’re the one who wanted out."

"Don’t blame me for your bad luck," Evelina retorted, crossing her arms.

The murmurs grew louder as Selene appeared at the end of the corridor, her eyes narrowing as she took in the scene. Her expression darkened, showing her jealousy and suspicion.

"Prince Damian," Selene called in a forced polite voice. "Is everything... alright?"

Damian stiffened, his jaw tightening. "Perfectly fine," he replied curtly.

Evelina suppressed a smirk, enjoying Selene’s obvious discomfort. "If you’ll excuse me," she said sweetly, brushing past Damian and Selene without a second glance.

"If you’ll excuse me," Damian said to Selene, following Eve almost immediately.

Selene’s lips thinned, but she stepped aside, her gaze lingering on Evelina with poorly concealed disdain.

Out of the corridor and away from prying eyes, Evelina exhaled a long breath. The tension from the locked room—and Damian’s infuriatingly smug presence—still lingered, but she pushed it aside.

She turned to see Damian hot on her heels again. "Still looking for more time with me?"

"You wish. You’re under my protective custody, remember?"

Evelina didn’t say anything at first. "Your fiancée is delightful."

Damian groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Can you not?"

"I’m just saying," Evelina teased. "You’ve got great taste."

As they reached the main hall, Damian stopped abruptly, remembering he had to meet with Lord Luther. "I’ll catch up with you later, I have matters to attend to."

"Let me guess," Evelina replied, feigning innocence. "Luther?"

"Yes," Damian said, already walking away. He paused to glance over his shoulder. "Jasper will keep an eye on you until I’m back, so stay put."

Evelina rolled her eyes. "Of course. Can’t have the big bad rogue running loose in your precious palace."

"Exactly," Damian replied, smirking before disappearing down the hall.

Left alone, Evelina leaned against the wall, her mind racing. Her earlier musings about returning to her world resurfaced. If she had died in a fire, perhaps recreating the circumstances could reverse whatever had brought her here.

The thought lingered and without waiting for Jasper, Evelina made her way to the kitchen.

The memory of her death haunted her—flames licking at her skin, the suffocating heat swallowing her whole. Could recreating that moment send her back?

’It’s a long shot,’ she thought grimly. But then again, what wasn’t in her current situation?

"Relia," she muttered under her breath, summoning her wolf. "Any objections?"

The wolf’s voice came through, low and amused. "Just one. You’re insane."

Evelina rolled her eyes. "Noted."

Slipping into the kitchen, she surveyed the room, her gaze landing on the large hearth where a fire burned brightly. Her heart pounded as she approached, the heat from the flames already prickling her skin.

’This has to work,’ she told herself. ’It’s my only way home.’