Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate
Chapter 85: Suspicion Instead of Relief...

Chapter 85: Suspicion Instead of Relief...

"You’re accusing me of poisoning an entire kingdom?" Evelina’s voice rang through the grand council hall. "We should be grateful that we were able to contain this on time."

Morning light poured through the tall windows, forming long shadows in the council chamber. The atmosphere was tense, and the gathered elders murmured in hushed tones.

The outbreak had been contained, and the victims were steadily recovering, yet instead of relief, there was suspicion.

A council meeting had been called. An urgent one.

"I think we’re all grateful the antidote worked," Selene began smoothly, her golden eyes gleaming with calculated mischief. "But gratitude should not blind us to an uncomfortable truth."

Evelina’s muscles tensed as Selene’s gaze landed on her.

"It seems a little too convenient," Selene continued, pacing the floor. "Lady Evelina, a woman with no formal alchemical training, just happens to develop a cure? And might I remind you, she was the only one who overheard the supposed traitor in the woods? No names, no descriptions, just vague whispers."

A ripple of murmurs spread through the council.

Damian bristled beside Evelina. "Careful, Selene," he warned.

Selene ignored him, keeping her eyes locked on Evelina. "How do we know she didn’t create the problem so she could miraculously provide the solution?"

Evelina’s fists clenched at her sides. She had expected opposition—whispers in the dark corners of the palace, side-eyes from the elders—but to be accused outright in front of the King and the council?

A few elders exchanged wary glances.

"She did defy the King’s orders," one elder murmured.

"And how does a noblewoman accused of treason suddenly possess such knowledge?" another added.

"I believe we are trying to see a problem where there’s none," Damian said. "I don’t see what you’re trying to stir up here, Selene."

Selene, who had returned to her designated spot, let out a soft, mocking chuckle. "Me? Trouble? I’m merely stating facts, Your Highness," she said smoothly. "She conveniently discovered a cure no one else could, disobeying the King’s direct order in the process. Some might call that... opportunistic."

King Lucian sat at the head of the chamber, his piercing silver eyes unreadable. His fingers drummed lightly against the armrest of his throne, betraying his thoughts.

Standing at Evelina’s side, Damian let out a low growl, his own patience wearing thin. "You’re grasping at shadows, Selene. Evelina risked her life to find a cure. Why would she poison the kingdom only to fix it?"

Selene tilted her head, unfazed by his anger. "Oh, I don’t know," she mused. "To gain favour? To make herself indispensable? If she hadn’t so boldly gone behind the King’s back, she would still be on the bad side, awaiting trial for an entirely different but related crime. Poisoning."

A murmur of agreement swept through a few council members, while others exchanged wary glances.

Damian slammed his palm on the table, causing a few startled flinches. "Enough! Evelina risked her life trying to solve this mess, and now you’re accusing her?"

"Sit down, Damian," King Lucian’s voice cut through the room. The hall fell into immediate silence.

Lucian’s cold gaze shifted to Evelina. "Lady Evelina," he said slowly, "do you have anything to say for yourself?"

Evelina inhaled deeply, forcing her emotions under control. "Yes, Your Majesty." She stood, her voice steady.

"If I wanted power or influence, I would not have risked my life in an unsanctioned experiment that could have failed," Evelina stated. "If I were truly the mastermind behind this, why would I rush to find a cure when I could have let more people suffer and positioned myself as the kingdom’s only hope? That would have been strategic."

A few council members nodded, considering her words.

Selene, however, simply smirked. "A convincing performance."

Lord Kael, one of the skeptical council member, leaned forward, "Yet, Lady Evelina, we must face the truth: someone poisoned the well. If it wasn’t you, then..."

Evelina gritted her teeth. That was the real question, wasn’t it?

She stole a glance at Lord Luther, who had been unusually quiet during the accusations. His eyes were focused on her, sharp and difficult to read as if he were judging each word that came out of her mouth.

King Lucian exhaled heavily, silencing the murmurs in the room with a single glance. "Enough," he said firmly. "The cure stands, that’s no doubt. But the accusations are troubling, but speculation alone is not enough. Until we find the true culprit, Evelina remains a suspect."

A cold weight settled in Evelina’s stomach.

"You have two weeks," Lucian continued, "to find the true culprit. Until then, you remain under suspicion."

The hall erupted in whispers.

Evelina swallowed hard. Two weeks?

Two weeks to uncover the truth—or lose everything.

Relia growled in her mind. They’re making you hunt for the real traitor, or they’ll string you up instead. "Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant."

Damian’s silver eyes burned with barely contained fury.

And Evelina?

She set her jaw.

If they wanted proof, she would find it.

*****

As they left the council room, Lucian’s words felt heavy between them. The air outside was fresh, but Evelina hardly noticed it. Her thoughts were busy with everything that had been said.

Damian called after her as they walked a short distance. "Evelina—"

"Just—let me be," she interrupted in a sharp but weary voice. She didn’t look back. "I’m sorry but I need some time alone."

Damian hesitated, watching her retreating figure, but said nothing.

Evelina walked quickly and purposefully, though she had no idea where she was going. Her mind was a jumble, going over all the accusations that had been aimed at her.

’First, I poisoned the prince.

Then, I was meeting with rogue wolves.

And now, I orchestrated an entire outbreak?’

Her breath hitched slightly, her chest tightening. What other crime would they pin on her next?

’Will they accuse me of poisoning the air they breathe? Of controlling the tides? Of bending the moon itself?’

Her fists clenched at her sides. Two weeks. That was all she had.

And if she didn’t uncover the truth in time...