Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate
Chapter 225: Potcakes or Pancakes?

Chapter 225: Potcakes or Pancakes?

"We can’t allow this to happen," Damian said firmly, stepping closer to the throne.

King Lucien didn’t speak right away. His gaze drifted toward the doors Evelina had exited through, and for a moment, the weight of kingship pressed heavily across his shoulders.

"I’m not ready to decide anything," Lucien said at last. "But I do know one thing—we already have a war brewing beneath our feet. It would be a mistake to provoke another if there’s any path to avoid it."

"I know that, Father," Damian said. "Believe me, I do. But this isn’t just about diplomacy or dragons or pearls. It’s about her. She’s more than you know—more than anyone here knows. She needs our protection."

Lucien stared back at him. "You think I don’t know that?"

"No. I think you need to understand why."

And so, Damian opened up and shared everything with him.

He explained Evelina’s true background and her special powers. He talked about the visions she had, Luther and Tobias, and the mysterious pearl. He revealed that Evelina wasn’t originally from their world, and the heavy burden she had been carrying since she arrived.

Her knowledge of tactics that didn’t exist in Arcadia yet. Her experience with war... science... manipulation.

Lucien didn’t interrupt once.

When it was done, he simply turned toward the high window and looked out at the storm breaking in the distance.

"So she’s not from here," he said at last.

"No," Damian agreed.

"But she fights for here."

"Yes."

Lucien was quiet for a long time, then finally said, "Then she’s one of us."

—

Council Chamber – An Hour Later

Lucien’s decision hit everyone hard, like a sudden loud thunder.

"Evelina Drewstone is hereby cleared of every wrongdoing attributed to her name," he declared loudly. "Her loyalty will no longer be questioned for whatever reason. And as of today, she is formally recognised as a vital asset to the crown."

Selene’s face paled.

Alderic said nothing.

But the moment the announcement ended, he stood from his seat. "Then House Alderic formally withdraws its funding from the kingdom’s military and construction projects on the eastern wall," he said coldly. "I refuse to fund madness."

Lucien’s jaw clenched. "Lord Alderic—"

"My coffers are closed," Alderic repeated. "Until this court begins to act with reason."

He turned and left.

Selene followed, silent but triumphant in her own way.

Lucien watched them go. "Let them walk. We’ll find the coin elsewhere. But we won’t find another Evelina."

Evelina said nothing.

Her heart was still catching up.

After the council chamber emptied, leaving only the echo of Lord Alderic’s cold departure behind, King Lucien turned toward Damian and Evelina.

"I’d like to see both of you later, in my private study. I believe we have much to talk about."

Damian bowed slightly. "Of course, Father."

Evelina mirrored him with a shallow nod. "Your Majesty."

Lucien gave them one last look before dismissing them with a wave of his hand.

They walked out of the council room quietly, moving side by side through the twisting hallways of the keep. Neither of them said a word, and they didn’t have to. The silence was filled with unspoken feelings, but it felt surprisingly calm.

Only when they were safely back inside Damian’s chambers did Damian finally break the silence.

"I guess that did it," he murmured, pulling her into his arms.

Evelina let herself melt into his chest with a long sigh. "Thank you, Damian."

"You don’t have to thank me," he said, resting his chin lightly atop her head. "You never have to thank me."

They stayed like that for a while, holding each other as the world spun somewhere beyond these walls. Long enough that time slipped its leash and ran away from them.

Finally, Evelina shifted slightly and looked up at him. "So... what exactly did you tell him? How did you even say it? And, gods, how did he take it? I can’t even imagine the look on his face."

Damian chuckled under his breath. "Actually... he took it better than I did."

Evelina’s brows shot up. "Seriously?"

"Probably hid his shock better than I did, too," Damian added with a crooked smile. "But that was it. He didn’t argue. He listened. And when it was all laid out in front of him, he made the call."

"I guess he’ll have a few follow-up questions when he summons us later," Evelina said wryly. "And probably some ideas about... the way forward."

"As expected," Damian agreed, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face.

For a moment, a comfortable silence settled over them.

Then Evelina tilted her head. "How about you? Don’t you have any follow-up questions?"

"I do," Damian admitted, a slow grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I was just waiting for the right time."

"Well, I can accommodate one or two now," she teased.

He pulled back just enough to meet her gaze properly. "That dish you made the other night... potcakes or something?"

Evelina blinked—then burst into laughter. "Oh gods, I couldn’t hold it. It’s pancakes, Damian. Pancakes! And yes, they’re one of my favourites. Mostly eaten as breakfast back home. I just... missed it. And decided to prepare it for us."

Damian chuckled, shaking his head. "You should make it for my father one of these days. I’m sure he’s gonna love it."

"No problem," Evelina said with a soft, amused smile.

From the back of her mind, Relia yawned dramatically. "You should probably teach me too, you know. Imagine me, Relia, master chef of the wolf world."

Evelina snorted quietly through the bond. "Stick to wisecracks and inappropriate comments. You’re better at those."

Meanwhile, in Damian’s head, Storm rumbled with a low, approving grumble. "About time she cooked again. Maybe this time we won’t have to fight a damn war over breakfast."

Damian almost laughed aloud but masked it with a cough.

"I take it your wolf’s giving commentary again?" Evelina asked slyly.

He nodded. "Storm’s just relieved we have you out of danger."

They both chuckled again.

Damian kissed her forehead gently. "Come on. Let’s freshen up before the king summons us. I’d rather not show up smelling like old council dust."

Evelina grinned. "Bath time it is."

Hand in hand, they moved toward the bathing chamber, their steps lighter than they had been in days—even with the storms still brewing just beyond the horizon.

For now, for a little while, they had each other.

And that was enough.