Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate
Chapter 96: Talk To Me...

Chapter 96: Talk To Me...

Evelina sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers tightening around the scrap of cloth. The dragon pearl rested beside her, pulsing gently.

She closed her eyes, trying to enter that familiar place where memories were gently conveyed through objects, where the past created echoes that only she could hear.

"Come on," she urged silently, pressing her fingertips against the cloth, letting the cool surface of the pearl ground her. She wanted to see into the past—to use her powers but, nothing was happening.

"Show me something."

Nothing.

A deep silence greeted her—no images appeared, no sounds from the past whispered. Just overwhelming emptiness.

She took a deep breath and tried again, rolling the pearl between her fingers, hoping to provoke a response—anything at all. The fabric stayed frustratingly quiet, a lifeless piece of cloth that wouldn’t reveal its secrets.

Still nothing.

Relia’s voice slithered into her mind with a lazy, amused tone. "You’re leaning too much on the pearl, you know. Maybe the problem isn’t the cloth... maybe it’s you."

Evelina’s eyes snapped open, glaring at nothing in particular. "You’re not helping."

"Oh, I’m helping. I’m pointing out the obvious. You’re relying on the pearl when you should be relying on yourself—your abilities."

Evelina clenched her jaw, her grip tightening around the cloth. "I can’t focus with you talking in my head."

Relia chuckled softly, clearly entertained. "Oh, sure. I’m the distraction. Not the prince with the brooding eyes or the mysterious man who ’rescued’ you."

Evelina shut her eyes again, blocking out the teasing. She inhaled deeply, grounding herself, and pressed her mind harder into the cloth’s fibres, her ability searching and stretching.

Nothing.

Not even a flicker.

Her frustration increased. She sharply tossed the cloth aside and let out an exasperated breath.

"I told you," Relia chimed smugly. "You’re just wasting your time."

"That’s it!" Evelina exploded, jumping to her feet.

She swept her arm across the nearby table, sending books, and everything around crashing to the floor. The dragon pearl rolled to the edge of the bed, catching a sliver of moonlight as it spun to a stop.

Evelina was breathing heavily, her chest tight with anger. She picked up a pillow and threw it across the room, yelling in frustration, "Why isn’t this working?!"

After her outburst, there was a heavy silence.

Then Relia spoke in a softer voice, but she still sounded annoyingly smug: "Do you feel better now?"

Evelina dropped onto the floor amidst the mess, burying her face in her hands. "No," she muttered. "I feel like I’m failing."

Relia’s voice softened, losing some of its usual sarcasm. "You’re not failing. You’re just... trying too hard. You’re focusing on the wrong thing."

Evelina didn’t respond.

She sat quietly among the shards of broken glass and scattered papers, feeling frustrated.

Evelina’s breath caught in her throat, and her voice came out as a quiet whisper, revealing her raw vulnerability. "Is trying to make everything right, the wrong choice?"

Before Relia could respond, the door to her chambers burst open with a loud bang.

"Evelina!" Damian shouted, his voice filled with panic. He hurried into the room, his silver eyes quickly searching the area until they found her crumpled on the floor. "Evelina, are you alright? I heard—" He paused suddenly, his breath hitching at the sight of her.

Evelina slowly lifted her head, tears streaking her flushed cheeks.

Her voice shook, soft and unsteady. "Damian?"

His usual stoic expression softened instantly. In two quick strides, he was kneeling beside her, his hands reaching out but stopping mid-air, as if unsure if he had the right to touch her.

"What’s wrong?" His voice was rough, but soft as his silver gaze searched her tear-streaked face. "Are you okay? Evelina, talk to me."

That was all it took.

Evelina broke.

The emotional barrier she had been keeping in check for days and weeks finally broke.

A raw, unguarded sob escaped her lips, full of all the feelings she had tried to hide: fear, exhaustion, frustration, and grief. It erupted from her chest like a dam that had finally given way after holding back a flood.

"Everything... just feels overwhelming," she choked out between ragged breaths. "Every time I’m one step closer to solving one mystery, another one pops up. Nothing makes sense. I’m trying so hard, but it’s like I’m drowning."

Damian didn’t hesitate this time.

He pulled her into his arms, cradling her against his chest as if she might shatter into pieces if he let go. His warmth surrounded her, grounding her in a way the dragon pearl never could.

"I’m here," he whispered against her hair. "I’ve got you."

Evelina clung to him, her fingers gripping the fabric of his shirt as if it were the only thing keeping her anchored.

The steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her ear was the only sound she focused on, drowning out the chaos both inside and outside her mind.

Damian didn’t let go.

He held her until her sobs softened, her breathing slowly evening out. His hand gently traced circles along her back, keeping her steady.

Then, in a voice so quiet it was almost a breath, he spoke. "I’m sorry."

Evelina froze slightly in his arms, her breath hitching again, but this time not from sobs.

"I’m so sorry for the way I spoke to you. I was—" Damian continued.

He swallowed hard, his arms tightening slightly around her. "I was angry... but not at you. I just—" His voice cracked, something Evelina had never heard before. "I hate that I wasn’t there to protect you. That someone else had to keep you safe when it should’ve been me."

Evelina pulled back slightly, her tear-filled eyes meeting his. "For someone who cares, you have a really lousy way of showing it."

Damian huffed a soft, shaky laugh, his forehead leaning against hers. "I know," he whispered. "I’m terrible at this."

The space between them felt like it disappeared. Their breaths mingled, hearts racing in sync. Evelina’s fingers clenched the fabric of his shirt, grounding herself in the feel of him.

Without thinking—without overanalysing—Damian closed the distance, pressing his lips to hers