Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate
Chapter 49: No Choice...

Chapter 49: No Choice...

Selene paced outside the throne room as she waited. She had requested audience with the king and was waiting. She twisted her hands, her usual calm replaced by nervousness as she looked at the tall double doors in front of her.

Her plan to win Damian back had fallen apart badly, and now she had no choice but to escalate things, using it to her own advantage.

The door creaked open, and a guard stepped out. "The King will see you now, Lady Selene."

Selene squared her shoulders, drawing on every ounce of her poise, and swept into the throne room. The expansive chamber was bathed in golden light filtering through the high arched windows.

King Lucian sat on his gilded throne, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly as Selene approached.

She curtsied low, her tone carefully laced with distress as she began. "Your Majesty, thank you for granting me this audience. I come to you with grave concerns."

Lucian’s expression hardened. "What concerns, Selene?"

Selene rose slowly, clutching her hands in front of her as if seeking strength. "It’s about Prince Damian," she began, her voice trembling just enough to seem genuine. "I fear his judgment has been clouded—manipulated by someone who does not have the kingdom’s best interests at heart."

The King leaned forward slightly. "Who are you referring to?"

"Evelina, Your Majesty," Selene said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "She has bewitched him, pulling him away from his duties, from me, and from the engagement that is vital to securing Arcadia’s alliances."

Lucian’s brows furrowed, his expression shifting from curiosity to concern. "Bewitched, you say? What evidence do you have of this?"

Selene’s lips pressed into a thin line as she hesitated, then pressed on. "Yesterday, after breakfast you saw when I was on my way to the Prince’s chambers to offer him food."

King Lucian nodded and Selene took that as cue to continue.

"But when I got there, Your Majesty, they... they were together... intimately."

"Intimately?" The King’s eyes narrowed. "You mean...?" he trailed off.

Selene nodded. "Yes. They were banging each other in his chambers. And when I confronted him about it, do you know what he said?"

Lucian’s jaw tightened. "What did he say?"

Selene’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. "He told me he was calling off the engagement, despite my pleas for him to reconsider. He’s throwing away the future of this kingdom for her!"

The King’s face darkened, his fist slamming against the armrest of his throne. "He did what?" His voice boomed through the chamber, making Selene flinch.

"I begged him to think of the kingdom, of our families," Selene continued, her voice quivering now as she dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. "But he was adamant, Your Majesty. He doesn’t see how she’s driving a wedge between us and weakening his position."

Lucian rose from his throne, his alpha aura filling the room. His expression was thunderous as he turned to the guard stationed near the door. "Summon Prince Damian at once."

With a salute, the guard hurried out, leaving the throne room in a tense silence.

Selene bowed her head, a small, triumphant smile tugging at her lips as the King’s anger played perfectly into her plans.

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

Brenick bolted, pushing past Evelina and Damian, and sprinted toward the edge of the gardens.

"Fuck!" Evelina cursed out loud. "Get him!" She darted forward, instinct driving her to chase him.

"After him!" Damian bellowed, his alpha tone compelling nearby guards to spring into action.

Evelina brushed past Damian too, but his hand shot out, gripping her wrist firmly. "Relax," he urged her. "The guards will catch him and bring him in."

She turned toward him, her breath coming fast, her pulse pounding.

His hand lingered on her wrist, the warmth of his touch spreading up her arm. For a moment, the tension between them shifted.

"I’m fine," Evelina said clipply after a beat. "You can let go now."

Damian released her immediately, but his silver eyes remained on her. "You knew," he said softly, studying her. "About Brenick. How?"

Evelina shifted her weight. "It was a hunch," she replied. "He was the guard on duty near the chambers, and something about him seemed... off. I wanted to confront him to see his reaction. Clearly, he’s hiding something."

Damian’s jaw tightened as he nodded. He closed his eyes briefly, opening a mindlink. "Have you caught Brenick?" he asked.

"Yes, Your Highness," a guard’s voice filled his head. "We’ve detained him near the edge of the southern woods."

Damian turned to Evelina. "They’ve got him. Come on."

Together, they made their way to the edge of the woods.

Brenick stood surrounded by guards, with his hands bound. His face was pale, and his body trembled as his eyes darted between Damian and Evelina as they approached.

"I didn’t do anything!" Brenick cried out, thrashing against the guards. "I swear! I’m innocent!"

Damian’s presence was cold and commanding as he stepped closer. "Then why did you run?" he asked. "If you’re innocent, running only makes you look guilty."

Brenick’s knees buckled as he stumbled forward. "They said they’d harm my family," he sobbed. "If I talked, if I said anything—they promised to kill them all. Please, Your Highness, don’t let them hurt my family."

Evelina stepped forward, her tone softening slightly. "We won’t let anything happen to your family," she assured him. "But you need to tell us the truth. What do you know?"

Damian added firmly, "Promise not to run, and we’ll let you speak freely."

Brenick nodded frantically. "I swear, I won’t run."

Damian gestured for the guards to release him, and they hesitated before stepping back.

"So," Damian began, his eyes narrowing on Brenick. "What do you know? Who asked you to plant the vial in Evelina’s chambers?"

Brenick’s lips quivered, and he glanced around nervously, his hands twitching at his sides.

Instead of responding, his face showed a determined look. Before anyone could react, he drew a dagger from his belt and plunged it into his chest.

"Brenick, no!" Evelina gasped, rushing forward as the guards scrambled to restrain him. Blood spilled from the wound as Brenick collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath.

Damian was at his side in an instant, catching him before he hit the ground. "Why?" Damian growled. "Why would you do this?"

Brenick’s eyes fluttered, and his voice was faint. "I... I had no choice. They’re... everywhere. I-I’m sorry." His breathing slowed, his body growing limp in Damian’s arms.

"Damian, his pulse is fading," Evelina warned, pressing her hands against his chest.

Damian didn’t bother looking up. "Get the healer, now!" he roared, and the guards dispersed.