Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate-Chapter 127: She’s a Problem...

"Father, we need to talk."

Selene tightened her jaw and strode across her father’s study, struggling to hold back her anger. The smell of parchment and ink filled the air, but she was too furious to notice.

Lord Aldric sat behind his large oak desk and looked at her calmly. He didn’t seem surprised; in fact, he appeared slightly amused, which only made her anger grow even stronger.

"I take it things didn’t go as planned?" he mused, setting down his quill.

Selene exhaled sharply. "No. They most certainly did not."

Aldric leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers together. "Care to explain?"

Selene paced the room, her silk gown flowing behind her like a storm. "That woman—Evelina—is growing bolder by the day." She whirled to face him. "She openly defied me today, and Damian let her."

Lord Aldric’s brows lifted slightly. "Ah. And that bothers you?"

Selene’s fists curled. "You know why it does."

Aldric studied her for a long moment, then sighed. "Selene, I raised you to be strategic, not emotional."

Selene scoffed. "This isn’t about emotions. It’s about power. Influence. She’s gaining it, and if we don’t act, she will become untouchable."

Aldric tapped a single finger against the desk. "What happened exactly?"

Selene exhaled through her nose. "So there’s this pearl my handmaid helped pick when Evelina disappeared, but now? It’s missing. And I know Lily had something to do with it since she’s the only one who knows it’s with me."

Aldric’s expression darkened just slightly. "You’re certain?"

Selene’s eyes gleamed. "Of course I am. She gave it to me and saw me keep it. When I was questioning her, she was nervous. Evading. But more importantly—Evelina interfered."

Aldric hummed. "Interesting."

Selene crossed her arms. "I want permission to deal with her."

Aldric let out a soft chuckle. "Deal with her? My dear, if we strike too soon, we risk drawing suspicion. And you said it yourself—Damian is allowing her to grow bold."

Selene’s jaw tightened. "Because he’s blinded by her. I should be the one beside him, not her."

Aldric exhaled. "That may be true. But you must be patient. You strike when the time is right, not when you’re angry."

Selene turned her gaze toward the large window overlooking the moonlit courtyard. "She’s a problem."

"Yes," Aldric agreed. "But problems have solutions."

"Father, my solution is as simple as marrying the prince. You know that. It’s what I want. And it’s also what you want."

Lord Aldric tilted his head slightly, his sharp gaze never wavering. "Is it now?"

Selene scoffed, stepping closer to his desk. "Oh, don’t pretend to be surprised. You’ve been pushing for this union from the beginning."

Selene scoffed and rolled her eyes as she moved closer to his desk. "The alliance between our family and the royal bloodline—it’s what we’ve worked for. And now, that woman is getting in the way."

Aldric exhaled slowly, as if considering her words.

"Dad, I love the prince and want him. It should be me, not her."

Aldric chuckled. "Love? Oh, Selene, you misunderstand. Love was never part of this equation." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "But power? Influence? Now those are the things that matter."

Selene’s fingers twitched at her sides. "Exactly. Which is why I need your help. Damian marked Evelina, but that doesn’t mean she’s untouchable. Not yet."

Aldric studied her for a long moment. Then, he sighed. "And what exactly do you want me to do?"

Selene’s lips curled into a slow smile. "I want you to remind the King of what’s at stake. Remind him of the benefits our union would bring. Remind him that I am the only logical choice for his son’s Luna."

Aldric hummed in thought. "I will handle this," he assured her. "And in the meantime, you—what about Evelina?"

Selene’s expression darkened. "Leave her to me."

"Good. Now, focus on her and stop acting like a scorned woman."

Selene’s head snapped toward him, eyes flashing. "That’s not—"

Aldric merely raised a brow.

Selene forced her anger down, inhaling sharply.

Evelina would pay for humiliating her.

And this time, she wouldn’t have Damian around to protect her.

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

"Alright, my lady," Jasper declared as he set a goblet down in front of Evelina. "One drink, as requested."

Evelina arched a brow at the deep red liquid. "This had better be wine."

Jasper smirked. "Would I dare bring you anything less?"

Evelina lifted the goblet, taking a slow sip. The warmth of the wine spread through her, easing some of the tension from the encounter with Selene.

Damian leaned against the armrest of the couch, watching her with that unreadable expression of his.

Jasper stretched his arms above his head, letting out an exaggerated sigh. "Well, if that’s all, Your Highnesses, I’ll take my leave."

Evelina lifted her goblet in a mock toast. "You’ve done well, Jasper. Go forth and do... whatever it is you do when you’re not making sarcastic remarks."

Jasper smirked, placing a hand over his chest. "I live to serve." He gave a deep, dramatic bow before spinning on his heel and heading for the door.

Damian watched him go before exhaling heavily, running a hand through his dark hair. "Well... that was one hell of a day."

Evelina swirled her wine, watching the dark liquid move in slow circles. "You can say that again."

Damian tilted his head. "You handled Selene well."

Evelina arched a brow. "You almost sound impressed."

Damian huffed a quiet laugh. "Maybe I am."

Evelina took another sip of wine before setting her goblet down. "She’s not going to stop."

"No," Damian admitted, his silver eyes darkening. "She won’t."

Evelina exhaled. "Then I’ll be ready."

Damian studied her for a long moment, then asked, "Your visions."

Evelina blinked, caught slightly off guard. "What about them?"

"How do they work?"

Evelina leaned back, tapping her fingers against the goblet. "It’s... complicated. They don’t always come when I want them to. Sometimes, it’s a touch—an object or a person. Sometimes they happen on their own. And sometimes, I see things I don’t understand until much later."