Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate
Chapter 51: The Search...

Chapter 51: The Search...

Evelina sat silently on the edge of the fountain in the palace gardens, staring at the rippling water with a faraway look.

Her mind replayed the events of the day, Brenick’s face flashing before her eyes—his desperate plea, the sudden dagger, the sickening realization of his death.

Her fists clenched against her thighs as she whispered, "So close... and yet, nothing."

Relia’s voice cut through her thoughts, soft but with an edge of sass. "Don’t get too worked up, Evie. The bastard didn’t deserve your tears."

Evelina sighed. "It’s not about him. It’s about the truth. Every lead I’ve had either disappears or dies."

Relia snorted. "They can try to cover it up all they want, but we’ll figure this out. Together. You’ve got me, after all."

Before Evelina could respond, Jasper’s voice broke the quiet. "Lady Evelina," he called gently, approaching with a sheepish grin. "You’ve got that look. The one that says someone’s about to get punched. I’d prefer not to be the target."

Despite herself, Evelina let out a soft laugh, though her mood remained somber. "I’m fine, Jasper."

"Fine people don’t look like they’re carrying the weight of the world," Jasper said lightly. "You know, my grandmother used to say a smile can fool anyone, but a frown tells the truth."

Evelina sighed. "I just need some time to process things."

Jasper plopped onto the bench beside her with exaggerated ease. "Well, I’m here to lighten the mood or take a punch—whichever helps you process better."

His grin widened, boyish and teasing, as he added, "Your wolf... what does she think about me?"

In her mind, Relia chuckled. "He’s got spunk... though his interruptions are always annoying."

Evelina held back a chuckle at her wolf’s response but before she could come up with a simplified response to Jasper’s question, a familiar voice called out. "Evelina."

Eve and Jasper turned to see Zade approaching, his emerald eyes filled with concern. He moved swiftly, his gaze flicking between the two of them before settling on Evelina.

"I heard what happened. Are you okay?"

"I’m fine... I’ll manage," Evelina replied, but her tone lacked conviction.

Zade tilted his head, studying her carefully. "You should have told me you wanted to talk to him when you asked about him yesterday night. I could have helped. Maybe we could have avoided this unfortunate... situation."

The subtle dig at Damian didn’t go unnoticed, but Evelina chose to ignore it. "It wouldn’t have made a difference," she said, her tone neutral. "He’s gone."

"Well, I’m here now," Zade said, offering a small smile. "Let me help however I can. Whatever you need, just say the word."

Evelina shook her head. "There’s nothing anyone can do right now."

Relia’s voice chimed in. "He might not be useless, you know. Use him."

Evelina frowned in thought. "What do we do next, Relia?"

"I don’t know, you are suppose to be the brains here, not me."

Evelina sighed in resignation, her fingers instinctively brushed against the dragon pearl in her pocket. Just then, an idea popped in her head. Search. Brenick might have left something behind, anything that could provide a lead.

"Use the dragon pearl," Relia suggested. "You’ve already triggered visions before. Why not try it again?

Evelina stood abruptly, drawing both men’s attention.

"Actually, Zade," she said slowly. "Can we check Brenick’s room? There might be something."

Zade raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

Evelina nodded firmly. "Yes. He was hiding something. Maybe there’s a clue, anything that can give us a hint."

Zade gave her a reassuring smile. "Of course."

Jasper rose, stretching lazily but with a watchful gleam in his eyes. "I’m coming too."

The trio made their way to Brenick’s modest quarters on the palace grounds. The small space was sparsely furnished—just a bed, a table, and a chest in the corner. The air was heavy with the scent of dust and faint traces of Brenick’s musk.

"What are we looking for?" Zade asked, his eyes scanning the room.

"Anything," Evelina replied. She stepped inside, her fingers tightening around the dragon pearl. "Anything that might tell us who sent him to plant the vial... or who’s blackmailing him."

Zade and Jasper exchanged a glance before they began their search.

Evelina stood still, her grip on the pearl steady as she focused, willing it to guide her.

Evelina, Zade, and Jasper carefully searched through Brenick’s small quarters, turning everything upside down. Every drawer was opened, every piece of furniture searched, every crevice examined.

Yet, for all their efforts, nothing seemed out of place.

The small chest by the bed contained standard-issue guard supplies—spare uniforms, a dull blade, and a few personal items. A search of the table revealed only mundane items like a broken quill and a scrap of parchment.

Jasper sighed, brushing his hair back as he leaned against the wall. "This is a waste of time. If he had something to hide, he wouldn’t leave it lying around."

"Don’t be so sure," Evelina replied firmly as she scanned the room again. "People make mistakes when they’re desperate."

Zade crouched near the bed, running his hands along the mattress edges. "Desperation doesn’t always leave clues, though," he muttered. But as he shifted his position, his foot brushed against something under the bed.

His eyes narrowed. "What’s this?"

Evelina moved closer as Zade reached under the bed, pulling out a small leather pouch. He placed it on the table, the soft clink of coins inside drawing their attention.

"Gold coins?" Jasper asked, stepping forward and opening the pouch. The coins gleamed brightly, far too extravagant for a palace guard’s salary.

Evelina stared at the pouch, her fingers brushing the edge as something inside her shifted—a tingling sensation she had come to associate with her golden finger ability.

She hesitated, then grasped the pouch tightly, her vision going hazy as the world around her blurred.

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

The room around her faded, replaced by a shadowy alley. Brenick stood there, his hand outstretched toward a figure cloaked in moonlight. The pouch of coins exchanged hands. Evelina’s vision tilted as if her eyes had moved to Brenick’s perspective.

She looked up, her breath catching in her chest as her eyes met the figure handing over the pouch.

None other than Selene.