Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate
Chapter 221: What’s Really Going On?

Chapter 221: What’s Really Going On?

Somewhere Beneath the Southern Range

The air was colder underground. Not because of temperature, but because of purpose.

The tunnel was alive with activity—soft footsteps, hushed commands, and the clanging of metal on stone. Soldiers in masks moved through the corridors like shadows, sorting crates, marking symbols on the walls, and working with sealed barrels of explosives.

And at the centre of it all stood Luther—Tobias.

He stood over a wide, worn map pinned to a metal table, its edges curling with damp and age. Several sections were marked in crimson ink. Others burned black at the corners, scorched by deliberate fire.

"We’re ahead of schedule," Matthew said from across the chamber, his cloak still dusted with ash from the last tunnel clearing. "The northeastern passages are done. By next moon’s turn, the network will stretch all the way to the palace wall."

Tobias didn’t look up. "And the detonators?"

"Primed and hidden. Masked within arcane vessels, just like you instructed."

Tobias reached for a metal marker and dragged it slowly across the map’s edge, drawing a harsh line that bisected Arcadia’s eastern sector.

"Good," he said.

Matthew shifted, watching him with a mixture of awe and unease. "You really think they’ll blame the court?"

"They won’t have to," Tobias murmured. "They’ll tear themselves apart trying to decide who to blame. The nobles. The King. Evelina."

His jaw clenched.

"Especially Evelina."

Matthew hesitated. "She’s dangerous. The others... they think she’s just a former alchemist. Clever, yes—but they don’t know what she’s capable of."

"I do," Tobias said darkly. "She was the only one who matched me back home. The only one who could out-think me, out-run me." His hand hovered over the heart of Arcadia on the map. "And now she’s tied to Damian. Protected. Loved."

Matthew’s eyes narrowed. "You sound jealous."

Tobias smirked. "Jealous? No. Jealousy is for men who’ve lost something they wish they still had. I’ve already accepted what was broken between us. What I want now... is to show her what she broke."

He stepped back from the table.

Matthew didn’t speak.

"We’ll give her nowhere to hide," Tobias said, voice lowering. "Let her choose. To save this world or die for them. But she won’t get both."

Elsewhere – The High Tower of House Alderic

Selene’s room was pristine but felt a bit stifling—every mirror shone brightly, and the curtains hung perfectly. She stood in front of her vanity, comb in hand, but she hardly used it on her hair. Instead, her gaze was locked on her reflection.

Her maid, Lily, lingered near the hearth, folding a set of pale blue gloves that had already been folded twice.

"You followed her all the way into the woods, milady?" Lily asked quietly.

"She didn’t notice," Selene replied, smoothing a loose strand into place. "Typical. Evelina thinks she’s invisible."

Lily looked up, hesitant. "But what if she really was scouting?"

"She wasn’t," Selene said. "She was meeting someone. I didn’t see the face—but I saw the glow."

"The glow?"

Selene’s hand tightened on the comb. "From the pouch at her hip. Violet light, pulsing like a heartbeat. Magic. Old magic."

Lily frowned. "Like... relic magic?"

"Something more," Selene murmured. "That pearl of hers... when you brought it to me, I’fve always known it was something more. If only I can get it back and know exactly what it is... I’ll know how to use it."

She rose from the vanity and crossed to the window, looking out toward the darkened gardens.

"She doesn’t belong here in the palace," Selene said softly. "She thinks surviving the trial gave her power. But it only gave her time. And time is a noose."

Lily shifted awkwardly. "The prince... still favours her."

"I’m aware," Selene said coldly. "He looks at her like she’s the sun. Like he’d walk into a battlefield for her without a second thought."

"You’re... still sure about this?"

Selene turned, eyes hard. "I will not be forgotten. I will not be replaced. My father gave everything to position me at the heart of this kingdom. And I will not let some false-blooded girl rewrite the court in her favour."

—

Lord Alderic’s Study – Later That Night

Lord Alderic stood before a burning brazier, dressed in a robe of deep blue velvet. He turned slowly as Selene entered.

"You summoned me?" she asked.

"I’ve received a letter from the western provinces," Alderic said. "Two of the outer houses are beginning to doubt Lucien’s command. They want protection from the northern threat, and they want assurances of trade."

"And if we promise them those things?"

"They’ll support the shift," Alderic said. "One more pressure point, and we could force a reformation vote."

Selene stepped closer. "Then we push."

"Too soon, and Lucien digs in."

"Then we push from the inside," she said quietly. "Evelina’s already been flagged for questioning. Another misstep, another half-truth—and the people will start to whisper."

Lord Alderic gave her a long look. "She’s popular. They remember her in the infirmary after the poisoning and also assisting in taking care of the wounded."

"Let them remember," Selene replied. "Martyrs burn brighter when they fall."

Alderic stared into the flames for a long moment.

"Do what you must," he said finally, and Selene smiled.

—

Moments Ago...

Damian remained silent until they left the hall, walking down a dimly lit passage. His grip on her wrist was firm yet gentle, revealing his protective and tense demeanour.

They passed two patrolling guards and turned into the northern wing, the part of the palace closest to the royal quarters.

Only when they reached his chambers did he finally release her hand and close the door behind them.

Then he turned to face her.

"It’s just you and me now, Evie," he said quietly. "No council. No king. No Selene poisoning the air."

He stepped closer.

"So tell me," Damian said in a low but calm voice. "What’s really going on, Eve?"

She looked down.

"I told you."

"No, you told them what they needed to hear." His hand lifted, gently touching her chin so she’d look at him. "But what about me? What are you not saying?"

She didn’t speak.

Damian exhaled, softer now. "You looked terrified, even though you’re hiding it pretty well. Not like someone caught off guard... but like someone who’s holding the weight of something massive."

Evelina’s throat tightened.

"I’m trying to protect you," he added. "But you’re making it hard."

The room was quiet, except for the distant rumble of thunder. A storm was coming—one that mirrored the war in her chest.

Evelina stood frozen, her heart pounding. The heavy silence enveloped them as Damian remained still, his eyes locked on her, waiting for something to happen.

But it wasn’t just him she had to answer to.

"Relia?" she whispered inwardly.

"Still here," Her wolf replied, sounding quieter than usual. Thoughtful. "You’re not running this time, are you?"

"I don’t want to."

A pause.

"So... everything?" Relia asked. "As in every, every thing?"

"As it stands," Evelina thought back, "if I tell him a partial truth now, what happens when something leads to another thing and I have to tell him the rest later? Will he still trust me then?"

There was silence between them for a breath too long.

"So this is it, huh?" Relia finally said. "You’re finally going to tell him."

"I thought you’d be pushing me harder to tell him everything."

"Oh, I am," Relia said. "But I just want you to know what you’re getting into. This can make or break you both. And you know, I’ll always prefer the first."

"The first?" Evelina echoed.

"The make part. Because if we break, well... no more hot sex for us. And trust me, after feeling how he makes us feel, I’ll rather not want another man pounding inside us.."

"Aurelia!" Evelina snapped her full name, flaring with embarrassment.

"What?" Relia replied innocently. "I just wanted to break the ice a bit. Keep things light. You’ve got this, Evie. And I’ve got you too."

Evelina closed her eyes, took one final breath, and turned to face Damian.

He noticed her posture shift—the way her shoulders squared, the resolve in her gaze. He remained steady, but his arms loosened slightly at his sides.

"I’m guessing the inner conversation is over," he said softly.

She gave a small nod. "It is."

"So?"

She licked her lips, already feeling the burn at the back of her throat. "You might want to take a seat for this one."

His brows lifted, but he obliged, moving toward the edge of the bed. He sat, his forearms resting lightly on his knees, his eyes never leaving her. "That much?"

"Trust me," Evelina said with a faint, almost sad smile. "You won’t see it coming."

Damian let out a slow breath. "Alright," he said. "Hit me."

She rubbed her palms together to settle the jitters in her bones. One more breath. Another. The kind you take before diving into a lake, knowing you might not come back up.

"Okay..." she muttered, more to herself than to him. "Where do I even start?"

"Right here," Relia said softly. "With the truth."

She nodded, her fingers clenched, her voice steady but quiet. "First off... my name isn’t Evelina Drewstone."

Damian didn’t move. But his eyes narrowed slightly, focused.

"My real name," she said, "is Evelyn Matthew."

A beat.

"And I’m not from this world," she continued, "or this time."