Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate
Chapter 46: Bothered...

Chapter 46: Bothered...

Damian’s silver eyes flashed in the mirror as realization dawned. "Selene."

He strode out of the bathroom, once he was done bathing. The tendrils of damp hair clung to his forehead, and the tension in his jaw mirrored the storm brewing within him. His voice echoed through his chambers as he called out, "Jasper."

Opening a mindlink, Damian mentally reached out to the one person he knew would have answers. Jasper’s calm and respectful voice came through the link.

"My Prince, what is it I can—"

Damian cut him off sharply. "Where are you?"

"In the stables, sire."

The stable was far enough from the palace that waiting for Jasper to arrive would waste precious time. Damian clenched his fists, forcing himself to remain composed. "Answer me quickly. The food and wine you brought to my room earlier—who prepared them?"

There was a pause, and Damian’s heart thudded as if anticipating the response. "Lady Selene, sire," Jasper admitted.

Damian felt a tightness in his chest as his suspicion turned into a clear realization. "Selene?"

His voice dipped lower, the name tasting bitter on his tongue.

"Yes, your Highness," Jasper continued. "I tried to tell you when I brought the tray, but you wouldn’t let me finish."

Damian’s teeth clenched. I should have allowed him to speak then. He blamed himself.

Forcing his frustration down, he focused on the mindlink. "I ordered YOU to bring food. Not Selene."

"I understand, sire," Jasper said, his tone careful. "But Lady Selene said she noticed you left breakfast early and thought you might need it. I assumed she was acting under your direction."

Without giving a response, Damian cut off the mindlink suddenly, concentrating entirely on one goal.

Finding Selene.

*************

Selene paced her room angrily like a caged animal. The plan had been flawless—or so she thought. The aphrodisiac should have worked perfectly, luring Damian into her arms.

She had calculated every detail, knowing she was in her fertile period. If they’d ended up in bed together, the possibility of carrying his heir would have solidified her position as queen and Luna of Arcadia.

The thought made her clench her fists tightly. It should have been perfect!

Her lips curled into a sneer. If Evelina had walked in on them, it would have been an added benefit. The humiliation of seeing her mate with another woman would have shattered her.

But instead, fate—or sheer stupidity—had twisted the outcome.

Selene’s jaw tightened as she thought of Jasper. Stupid, useless Jasper! He hadn’t mentioned Evelina’s presence when he collected the tray from her. How could she have known that infuriating woman would be with him?

"Grrrr!" Selene growled aloud as she reached for a glass ornament on a nearby table and hurled it toward the door with a furious scream.

The crash echoed through the room just as a knock sounded, and the door creaked open.

Selene’s maid froze in the doorway, her eyes wide with terror as shards of the shattered ornament scattered just inches from her feet.

"L-Lady Selene," the maid stammered, bowing her head. "Forgive me, I didn’t mean to interrupt."

Selene took a deep breath, trying to mask her rising anger with a calm facade. Her intense gaze bore into the maid, who cowered under the force of her anger.

"What is it, Lily?" Selene snapped sharply.

Lily hesitated in the doorway, still bowing her head. "I-I went to fetch the fragrance oil for your hair as you instructed, my lady," she stammered, her voice trembling slightly.

Selene’s nostrils flared as she tried to keep her temper in check. She vaguely remembered telling Lily to bring a different oil earlier, but her rage had clouded everything else.

Taking a deep breath, she waved a hand dismissively. "Forget that," she said referring the glass shards on the floor. "Come here and attend to my hair."

Lily walked carefully across the room to grab the comb and the newly brought fragrance oil. Selene sat stiffly in front of the mirror, and her reflection revealed the anger just beneath her calm appearance.

Lily started to comb Selene’s long, blonde hair carefully, as if she were worried about triggering another outburst.

"Is something bothering you, milady?" Lily ventured cautiously.

Though she was Selene’s personal maid, their relationship was unusually close—closer than anyone would expect. It gave her the confidence to speak, even in Selene’s volatile moments.

Selene pressed her lips together and then let out a sigh, releasing her frustrations. "My plan to ensure Damian slept with me failed," she admitted bitterly. "Instead, he ended up sleeping with her—that witch, Evelina."

Lily didn’t respond yet and so Selene went on. "I mean, I want her to pay. I need everyone to see her as the whore that she is. But I can’t do so much or else the prince will hate me. And the opposite is the goal."

Lily’s hand paused briefly in Selene’s hair before continuing. "Milady," she said softly, "if I may suggest..."

Selene glanced at her through the mirror. "Go ahead."

Lily leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Get her out of the way. Out of the palace. Eliminate the competition, and the prince will have no one else but you."

Selene’s expression shifted, curiosity sparking in her eyes. "Go on."

Lily continued. "It doesn’t have to be drastic. Just enough to make her... you know? Disappear... even if it’s just for a while."

"Out of sight, out of mind."

"Exactly, milady."

Selene leaned back in her chair, considering the idea. A slow, cold smile spread across her lips. "You might just be onto something, Lily. How do we—"

Her words were cut off as the door suddenly swung open with force, hitting the wall behind it. Both women jumped, their hearts racing as Damian stormed into the room, his silver eyes blazing with fury.

"Leave us," Damian ordered. His gaze fixed on Selene, but the command was clearly directed at Lily.

The maid froze, glancing nervously between Selene and Damian, unsure whether to obey.

"Now," Damian growled, his tone brooking no argument.

Lily hastily placed the comb down and scurried out, the door clicking shut behind her.

The room was very quiet as Damian moved closer to Selene, who attempted to stay calm, but her racing heart gave her away.

Selene forced a smirk, her voice dripping with feigned sweetness. "Have enough fun with her, and now you’re here to—"

"Don’t." Damian’s voice was cold, cutting through her words like a blade. His glare could have frozen fire.