Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate
Chapter 32: Breakfast with The Royals...

Chapter 32: Breakfast with The Royals...

"We’re having breakfast with the King and the rest of the royal family. Try to be on your best behaviour."

Evelina blinked, her frustration momentarily giving way to shock. "The King? Your family? Why didn’t you mention this earlier?"

"I didn’t think it was relevant," Damian said with a shrug, though his tone carried a hint of annoyance. "You are my mate after all. Consider this your introduction."

"Introduction?" Evelina repeated incredulously. "To what? Awkward silences and judgmental glares?"

Damian’s lips quirked into a faint smirk, but his eyes remained guarded. "To royal life. And trust me, the silences are the least of your worries."

Evelina wanted to argue, but Damian’s firm tone and the icy look he gave stopped her. Instead, she sighed, falling into step beside him as they continued down the hall.

Breakfast with the King and the royal family? The mere thought sent a chill down her spine, and Damian’s icy demeanor wasn’t helping.

When they reached the grand dining hall, the doors were pulled open by two uniformed guards, revealing a lavish room with a gleaming table set for royalty.

Gold-rimmed plates and silver goblets adorned the surface, while the smell of freshly baked bread and roasted meats filled the air.

At the head of the table sat King Lucian, his piercing silver eyes—a mirror of Damian’s—scanning Evelina the moment she stepped inside. His sharp, chiseled features and commanding presence left no doubt that he was a man used to getting his way.

"Father," Damian greeted with a slight bow. "This is Evelina."

The King stared at Evelina without blinking, his face difficult to read but clearly filled with judgment. "So," he finally said after a moment of silence, "this is the woman who has... captured my son’s attention."

Evelina stiffened, unsure how to respond to the veiled hostility. "Your Majesty," she said finally, offering a small curtsy.

"Let’s hope your presence proves less troublesome than it has been so far," King Lucian added with an unmistakable edge.

Evelina bit the inside of her cheek to keep from snapping back, her hands curling into fists at her sides. Damian, standing beside her, gave no indication of stepping in.

"Come," Lucian said, gesturing to an empty seat. "Let’s not delay breakfast."

As they approached their seats, Evelina caught sight of Zade, seated near the King with his characteristic easy grin.

Zade’s emerald-green eyes lit up when he saw her. "Evelina," he greeted warmly, rising to pull out the chair beside him. "It’s always a pleasure."

"Thank you," Evelina replied cautiously, taking the offered seat.

She couldn’t help but notice the clear difference between Zade’s charm and Damian’s serious attitude. Sitting down, she realized with some frustration that her seat was wedged between the two brothers.

Damian, on her left, offered no acknowledgment, his silver eyes fixed on his plate.

Selene sat across the table, her ice-blue eyes fixed on Evelina with a barely concealed look of disdain. Lord Luther lounged beside her, his expression unreadable but for the faint smirk tugging at his lips.

"Evelina," Selene said, her tone syrupy sweet yet sharp enough to cut. "How lovely to see you again. I hope you’re finding these past few days here... enlightening."

Evelina returned Selene’s saccharine smile. "It’s been unforgettable, Lady Selene. The company, especially, leaves quite the impression."

The faintest twitch of Selene’s lips betrayed her irritation, but before she could retort, King Lucian cleared his throat. "Enough pleasantries. Let’s eat."

Servants began bringing out plates of food, and the room was filled with the clink of silverware. Evelina kept her head down, focusing on the meal to avoid the heavy tension pressing down on her.

"So, Evelina," the King said suddenly, his deep voice breaking the silence. "I heard you and my son have a little something. Tell me, what exactly do you bring with... your supposed bond to my son?"

Evelina glanced up sharply, meeting his cold gaze. She opened her mouth to respond, but Zade cut in smoothly.

"Father, surely you don’t expect Lady Evelina to lay out her résumé over breakfast," Zade said with a light chuckle. "Besides, her contributions thus far have been... invaluable."

Lucian’s eyes narrowed in irritation. "Contributions," he repeated skeptically. "Aside from being at the center of my son’s near-death experience, I struggle to see any."

Evelina’s chest tightened, but she refused to show weakness. "With all due respect, Your Majesty, I didn’t poison Damian. I’ve spent every moment since then trying to uncover who did."

"And yet," Lucian said, leaning back in his chair, "the culprit remains at large. Curious, isn’t it?"

Before Evelina could respond, Zade leaned closer, his voice low enough for only her to hear. "Don’t let him get to you. He loves pushing buttons."

Evelina glanced at Zade, feeling grateful for his support, but her nerves were heightened by his proximity for a completely different reason.

Selene chose that moment to interject. "Perhaps it’s best not to dwell on unpleasant matters. After all, this morning is meant to celebrate unity." She raised her goblet with a triumphant smile. "To Damian and me, and our upcoming wedding."

The words hit Evelina like a physical blow. Even though she knew about the wedding, hearing Selen act so cocky about it and the fact that she had kissed Damian the night before didn’t help matters.

Zade leaned in closer, his green eyes glinting with something she couldn’t quite place. "Don’t worry," he murmured. "You know I gat you, right?"

"Zade," Damian’s voice was like ice. "That’s enough."

The atmosphere between the brothers was tense, but Zade just smiled, reclining in his chair.

"Shall we toast, then?" Selene continued, oblivious to—or perhaps enjoying—the storm brewing around her. She raised her goblet higher. "To the future of the kingdom and its rightful queen."

Evelina felt a lump rise in her throat as the rest of the table lifted their glasses. Her hands remained in her lap, trembling slightly as she fought to maintain her composure.

"Excuse me," she said suddenly as she stood. "I need some air."

Damian’s head snapped toward her, concern flashing in his eyes, but she didn’t wait for his response. She turned and hurried out of the hall, her heart pounding.

Damian rose from his seat without hesitation, running after Evelina.

Selene’s hand froze mid-toast, her goblet poised in the air. Her triumphant smile faltered as she watched Damian leave, his focus entirely on Evelina.

Her blue eyes narrowed, her grip tightening on the goblet. The murmurs around the table grew louder, but she ignored them, her attention fixed on the doorway where Damian had disappeared.

"Unbelievable," she muttered under her breath, her irritation bubbling to the surface. "Chasing after her, like she’s the center of his world."

Lord Luther leaned slightly closer. "It seems your hold on the prince isn’t as secure as you’d like."

Selene’s lips pressed into a thin line, showing her frustration. "It’s a temporary distraction," she said, though her voice lacked conviction. "Damian knows his duty to the kingdom. To me."

"Perhaps," Luther said with doubt. "But emotions, especially under a mate bond, can be unpredictable. Dangerous, even."

Selene’s eyes darkened, a flicker of anger crossing her face. She set her goblet down with a clink. "I won’t let her ruin everything."

Luther smirked faintly, leaning back in his chair. "Then what do you intend to do?"