Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate
Chapter 223: Because I Love You...

Chapter 223: Because I Love You...

The Next Morning – Royal Council Hall

As soon as Evelina walked into the grand chamber, she could feel the tension in the air. It was different from the night before, when there had been quiet accusations and hushed whispers.

This time, the atmosphere was heavy with something older and more powerful.

The guards by the tall, arched doors stood more rigid than usual. The room was strangely silent. Even King Lucien, who usually kept a calm expression, looked uneasy.

Damian was already there, standing just beside the throne steps.

His eyes immediately found Evelina as she entered, and though the worry in his gaze hadn’t faded, there was something else now—unshakable loyalty.

Beside him stood Zade, arms folded, face grim. And on the opposite end of the chamber stood Draven.

The Dragon Prince.

He wasn’t wearing armour anymore, but the air around him still felt hot. Instead, he was dressed in dark, flowing robes that moved as if they had a mind of their own.

He looked like he stepped out of a forgotten story, with glowing amethyst eyes and thin, shimmering gold lines just beneath his skin, like veins of liquid metal.

Evelina’s breath caught.

"Introduce yourself, creature," Lucien said in a clipped voice.

"I am no creature," Draven replied in a low and sharp voice. "I am Draven. Last born of the Serathian Flame. And I have come for what was stolen from my people."

His gaze shifted—burned—toward Evelina.

"The pearl."

Lucien rose, not out of fear, but out of formality. "We were told of a sacred relic, yes. But this is a royal court, not a den of thieves. If you expect an audience, you will conduct yourself accordingly."

"Then listen carefully, King," Draven growled. "Months ago, a relic was taken from the sanctuary beneath the Scorched Vale. That theft severed our magic from the land. The bindings weakened. Our realm withers, and our dragons are dying."

He turned slowly to face Evelina. "And the pearl found its way into your hands."

"I didn’t steal it," Evelina said quietly, standing her ground. "It was given to me."

Draven’s eyes flickered.

King Lucien stepped forward. "Given by whom?"

Zade’s voice cut through the room. "By me."

All eyes turned toward him.

Lucien’s gaze snapped to the prince. "Explain yourself."

Zade met the stares of everyone in the room without flinching. "I bought a map from a rogue trader. It led to a cavern in the Frostmourn Ridge. I found the pearl there—buried, but unguarded. I thought it was a rare magical relic, nothing more. I gave it to Evelina as a gift, unaware of its true origin."

Draven’s expression didn’t change, but the temperature in the room seemed to spike.

"You desecrated a resting ground of the Serathian flame," he said. "Your ignorance does not cleanse the crime."

"Be that as it may," Alderic cut in sharply, "the pearl now belongs to her. She bore it. Awakened it. Surely if someone must stand judgment before your kind, it should be the one who held the relic."

Damian moved.

It was subtle—but lethal.

He stepped in front of Evelina, placing himself directly between her and Draven. "You won’t lay a finger on her."

"She is tied to it," Draven replied coolly. "Willing or not, the pearl’s energy has bound itself to her aura. The Dragon Council will not be appeased unless the bearer presents themselves."

"Then take me," Zade said suddenly, stepping beside Damian. "I was the one who removed it from the sacred ground. I’ll go in her place."

Evelina’s eyes widened. "Zade—," her voice cracking.

"I gave you the pearl," he said, eyes on her now. "I gave it to you because I—" he hesitated only for a breath, then said it clearly, "—because I love you."

Silence rippled through the room.

Even Lucien blinked.

Zade didn’t care.

"I will not let your life be the cost of my mistake," he said. "I’ll go with him."

"No," Evelina whispered, taking a step forward.

Draven didn’t blink. "You are not the bearer."

"But I agree to go willingly in her place," Zade snapped.

"You offer yourself," Draven said. "Willingly?"

Zade nodded.

Draven’s jaw tensed. "The Dragon Council demands restitution. The one who bore the pearl must be brought before them, judged for the binding’s corruption."

"Then judge me," Zade said.

Draven shook his head. "You were the thief. But she was its bearer. Its anchor. She awakened it. The Council will not listen unless she appears."

Then Damian’s voice cut through it all. "Then take us both."

Everyone turned.

Damian stared at Draven with the force of a man who would walk into death smiling if it meant keeping someone safe.

"You want restitution. You want representation. Fine," he said. "Take me and Zade. Leave Evelina out of this."

"No," Evelina whispered, stepping around Damian. "You can’t."

"I can," Damian said. "And I will."

Draven was watching them both. Something unreadable flickered in his expression—sorrow? Understanding? It was hard to tell.

"No," Evelina snapped, louder this time. "No. I won’t let you pay for something I carried. I’m the one who activated the pearl. I saw the vision. I felt the fire. It’s tied to me now."

Draven’s eyes narrowed. "And you think you can walk into our realm and return unscathed?"

"I don’t care," she said. "I won’t let anyone else suffer because of me."

"You misunderstand," Draven said coldly. "This is not a request. Either someone comes willingly with me, or I return home and summon the wrath of my clan. You will not survive it. Arcadia will not survive it."

Lucien tensed. "Is that a threat?"

"It’s a fact," Draven replied, unmoved.

The air grew heavy, making every heartbeat in the room feel tense and charged.

Damian stepped forward again. "She’s not going anywhere alone."

"She won’t be," Draven said. "But the choice is hers."

All eyes turned to Evelina once more.

She glanced at Zade, noticing his determined and selfless expression. Then her eyes moved to Damian, who appeared tense and prepared to defend her at a moment’s notice.

Then she looked at Draven.

"I’ll return the pearl," she said softly, pulling it from her pouch.