Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate
Chapter 83: Key to Victory?...

Chapter 83: Key to Victory?...

Stepping out of the throne room, Luther heaved a deep sigh as he placed both hands behind him. His eyes narrowed as he glanced ahead in the direction leading to the makeshift lab.

Ever since he saw Evelina the last time before getting summoned by the king, he has been troubled by what he saw.

Unfortunately for him, that was all he could think about, even during his meeting with the king.

"I guess it is better to confirm what I saw."

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

As Lord Luther entered the dimly lit lab, he interrupted the quiet concentration of everyone inside. His boots tapped on the stone floor as he looked around the room, observing the cluttered tables filled with vials, burners, and quickly written notes.

Damian stiffened, his silver eyes narrowing slightly.

Jasper, leaning over a pile of books, straightened with an exaggerated stretch, a playful grin tugging at his lips. "Back so soon, my lord? Didn’t you receive enough gossip about alchemy already?

Luther’s expression remained neutral, though his gaze had a glint of amusement. "Curiosity often gets the better of me, Jasper. I thought I’d see how the experiment is progressing—and if Lady Evelina’s brilliance continues to shine."

Evelina barely glanced up from her work, her brow furrowed as she adjusted a burner. "It’s going as well as it can," she said curtly, trying to keep her voice steady.

Her pulse quickened as she sensed his probing gaze.

"Good to hear," Luther said smoothly, taking a leisurely step closer to the table where she worked. "Your precision is remarkable, Lady Evelina. It reminds me of techniques taught at a certain academy I once visited. Have you ever studied abroad?"

Evelina’s hand paused mid-motion. Abroad? Her thoughts raced, and Relia’s voice chimed in with a growl. "What kind of trap is this? Don’t answer."

"No," Evelina said calmly, focusing on pouring a reagent into a vial. "Most of what I know comes from reading and a bit of hands-on experience during my free time. I’ve... had access to various texts over the years."

Luther tilted his head, his expression unreadable. "Fascinating. Not many in this kingdom would have such refined methods. You must be quite resourceful."

Damian’s voice cut through the tension. "Lord Luther, I suggest stepping back if you plan to stay. The last thing we need is another spill."

Jasper chuckled, gesturing toward his own slightly singed sleeve. "Trust me, my lord, the lady’s experiments are hazardous enough without added distractions."

Luther smiled faintly but obliged, moving to lean against the wall. "Of course. I wouldn’t want to interfere."

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

Time seemed to crawl as Evelina laboured relentlessly, her frustration growing with every unsuccessful test. Relia’s voice offered a continual commentary in her thoughts, switching between sarcasm and encouragement.

"You’re doing great, Evie. Only about a hundred more failed combinations to go!"

"Not helpful," Evelina muttered under her breath, carefully measuring a diluted extract into the next vial.

Across the room, Jasper flipped through another dusty tome, squinting at its faded script. "You know," he said, stifling a yawn, "if this doesn’t work, I’m going to nominate myself for sainthood. Best-dressed assistant in history, and all."

Damian, seated beside him, rubbed his temples but managed a faint smirk. "You’ll have to fight me for the title."

Evelina paid no attention to their teasing, focusing completely. She adjusted the flame under a beaker, her hands steady despite the exhaustion bearing down on her.

Suddenly, she stopped mid-movement, her eyes widening.

A thought struck her like lightning—a combination she hadn’t tried yet.

"Mistletoe," she murmured aloud, her fingers trembling as she reached for a small vial. "And... angelica root."

Jasper perked up. "Angelica root? Isn’t that the one that smells like wet socks?"

Evelina shot him a look but didn’t respond. She carefully measured the two components and combined them in a clean vial.

Everyone in the room fell silent, watching as she added a stabilising agent and placed the vial over a low flame. The mixture began to change, swirling from pale green to a soft blue.

Evelina’s heart pounded as she observed the reaction.

The colour stabilised, and the liquid remained clear—no clouding, no fizzing.

"That’s it," she whispered, a small smile tugging at her lips. She turned to Damian and Jasper, holding up the vial triumphantly. "That’s it! Just like I thought—this is the key to victory!"

Luther froze. Key to victory?

Her words, tone, and the excitement in her voice were all too familiar.

He straightened a bit, locking his gaze on Evelina. He saw her turn to Damian happily as she handed him the vial.

The way she moved, the way she celebrated—it was a memory come to life.

Luther’s fingers curled against his palm as a chill ran down his spine as he watched Evelina’s triumphant expression. ’Could it really be her?’

The scene before him tugged at a part of his memory he had long buried. It’s not possible... Evelyn Matthew?

The name echoed in his thoughts like a ghost from another life. Her gestures, her tone, the way she handled the alchemical process—it all pointed to a figure he once knew, but the possibility seemed absurd.

Yet the resemblance, in both skill and mannerisms, troubled him.

Without turning his head, Luther reached out through a mindlink to the King. Your Majesty, his tone was calm yet urgent. I’m sorry for intruding but there’s been a development regarding the toxin antidote.

Speak, came King Lucian’s sharp reply.

"There’s been significant progress. A formula has been successfully stabilized; one that could neutralize the poison. But," Luther paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he glanced at Evelina; "you might not like what I have to say next."

"Go on..."

"Evelina Drewstone... She’s the one who found the formula. She’s the one who identified a potential antidote."

Lucian’s reply came in after a brief moment of silence. "Interesting."

"Do you have eyes on her?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. They are in the old abandoned storage just above the dungeons.

"Make sure they remain there. They have an explanation to give."