Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate
Chapter 210: Dangerous or Illegal?

Chapter 210: Dangerous or Illegal?

"So if you have an issue with me, Selene," she continued, "say it directly. Stop cutting corners. Stop hiding behind old rumors and half-baked suspicions."

Selene’s lips pressed together in a cold smile, but she said nothing.

Evelina straightened her shoulders. "I was out there bleeding for Arcadia, but where were you? Hiding behind walls? I’m not in the mood to entertain veiled slander while bodies are still being pulled from the rubble."

She turned to the king, and though her voice was respectful, it lost none of its edge. "Your Majesty. With your permission, I’ll take my leave. I assume the rest of this council will continue before someone thinks of accusing me of being a mole next."

Lucien didn’t stop her.

Damien didn’t.

No one did.

Because they couldn’t.

She gave Selene one last look. Not a threat. Not even anger. Just... disappointment. Cold and quiet.

Then she walked out.

Boots striking the marble with calm, deliberate steps.

And not once did she look back.

Relia whispered in her mind. "Next time she tries that, I’m dragging her into the ring myself."

"I know," Evelina whispered back. "I almost let you."

Behind her, the council erupted into whispers.

And the war planning continued.

Evelina didn’t make it far from the council chamber before a familiar shadow peeled off from one of the stone columns ahead.

Jasper.

He leaned casually against the wall, arms folded, a faint grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. His tunic was rumpled, a fresh nick across his collarbone, and a streak of ash darkened the side of his neck—leftover from the chaos outside.

But as always, his posture was sharp, but his eyes had that nonchalant look.

"If looks could kill, I’m sure you’d have done more damage in there than you did last night, milady."

Even though she felt a storm of anger brewing inside her, a deep sense of humiliation, and all those stares focused on her, Evelina managed to smile softly.

"Jasper."

His expression softened the moment she said his name. "Is everything okay?"

She let out a breath that wasn’t quite a laugh. "Well, Selene just accused me in front of the entire war council of having prior knowledge about the attack."

Jasper blinked. "Ah. So... the usual then."

Evelina stared ahead. "She dredged up that old report—about the guard I spotted months ago near the eastern woods. She’s twisting it now, trying to make it sound like I withheld information. Like I let this happen, or I even have a hand in the attacks."

Jasper made a low sound in his throat. "Coward’s move. And desperate. Anyone who knows you—really knows you—wouldn’t believe that for a second."

"Apparently, not everyone in that room does," she murmured.

He gave her a long, careful look. "What do you want to do about it?"

"Right now?" Evelina sighed. "I want to punch something. Or someone."

Relia purred in her mind. "Say the word. I’ll hold your earrings."

Jasper smirked. "Well, I’m flattered to be considered—but might I recommend not starting a duel in the middle of the war council corridor?"

"Pity," she said dryly. "You would’ve made an excellent warm-up."

"I know, right? You want me to tell Prince Damian once he’s out that you want to see him?" he asked quietly.

She hesitated.

She didn’t want to talk about this to him. Not yet. Not unless Selene pushed again. Not unless the council turned more than just suspicious stares in her direction.

"I’ll find him later," she said. "Right now, I need air."

"Not too much air," Jasper said, falling into step beside her. "You’ve still got stitches under that armor."

She gave him a sideways glance. "You’re not going to leave me alone, are you?"

He smiled. "Not a chance, milady."

By now, they had reached the end of the corridor. The palace was quieter here—emptier. Just the hush of wind through the arrow-slit windows and the occasional creak of the old hall settling into silence.

Evelina slowed.

Jasper raised a brow. "You planning to disappear into the shadows again, or are we actually going somewhere?"

Evelina turned toward him with a calculating look.

"It seems you have nothing much to do," she said casually, brushing an imaginary speck of dust from his shoulder. "So why don’t I indulge you in something?"

Jasper’s eyes narrowed, amused. "Something dangerous or something illegal?"

"Depends," she said, glancing left, then right.

He tilted his head. "What is it, milady?"

Evelina stepped closer and tugged him gently into a small alcove nestled between two columns. Her voice dropped to a whisper, her eyes sharp. "So yesterday... when we were fighting in the courtyard... I saw something."

Jasper leaned in, all trace of humor gone now. "What?"

"Or should I say... someone," she continued.

He stilled. "You’re not about to say what I think you are."

Evelina’s expression turned grim. "Lord Luther."

Jasper blinked.

Then blinked again.

"You..." he started slowly, "you’re sure, milady?"

"Not entirely," she admitted. "Smoke, blood, chaos—I could’ve imagined it. But I saw a figure in the breach, half-masked, robed... the way he moved, the way he stood. I’ve seen it before. My gut says it was him."

Jasper’s brows knit together. "That bastard’s supposed to be dead or halfway across the continent hiding in a ditch. I mean after he vanished from prison, there’s been no sightings, no whispers, nothing. We thought he fled to the outer territories—"

"Or he’s been hiding right here this whole time," Evelina said quietly. "I believe he’s behind the rogue wave, the blast, and possibly behind those masked warriors too."

There was a beat of silence before Jasper let out a long, slow breath. "Damn it."

She looked up at him. "So... want to investigate with me?"

Jasper gave her a long, dry look. "Let me guess—you already have a plan."

Evelina smiled faintly. "Would I be me if I didn’t?"

"Gods save me," he muttered. "Alright. Where are we going?"

"Back to the breach. Southern wall." She tapped the side of her temple. "I marked the place in my mind, near the collapsed stone. Someone slipped away in the middle of the chaos, and no one’s had the time to inspect it yet."

"Because we’ve been too busy not dying," Jasper said wryly. "Sounds like the perfect time for a stroll, then."

"You coming or not?"