Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate-Chapter 152: Not Normal...

The small cabin stood quietly among the trees, its wooden structure weathered but sturdy. A faint glow from the moon cast elongated shadows along the forest floor, making the place seem almost untouched by time.

Seraphina stopped just outside the entrance, tilting her head slightly. "It’s... quaint."

Jasper leaned against one of the porch’s support beams, watching her. "Disappointed?"

She shook her head, stepping forward to push open the door. It creaked slightly, revealing a modest interior—a single bed tucked into the corner, a fireplace with stacked wood nearby, and a small table with a few chairs. Dust floated in the air, disturbed by their presence.

"No," she admitted, running a finger along the table’s edge. "Not disappointed."

Jasper smirked. "Didn’t think royalty would appreciate something this simple."

Seraphina gave him a look but didn’t deny it. "I won’t lie—I do enjoy the luxury of a proper bed, silk sheets, and the ability to summon anything I need with a snap of my fingers."

She walked over to the window, pushing it open to let the night breeze in. "But... sometimes, I think I’d give all of it up for something like this."

Jasper folded his arms, intrigued. "Really?"

She exhaled softly, glancing back at him. "Not forever, of course. But just once in a while... it would be nice to be free of responsibilities. To make choices without the weight of a kingdom on my shoulders."

Jasper studied her, noting the rare vulnerability in her voice. "And what would you choose?"

Seraphina hesitated, as if no one had ever asked her that before. Then, a small, wistful smile curved her lips. "I don’t know. Maybe I’d travel. See the world without an entourage or guards trailing behind me. Maybe I’d work in a little shop, sell things with my own hands, and meet people who don’t care about royal bloodlines or alliances."

Jasper chuckled. "A princess running a shop. That’d be a sight."

She turned toward him, a playful glint in her violet eyes. "Oh, and what about you? If you could choose anything?"

Jasper considered it for a moment before shrugging. "Haven’t thought about it much."

Seraphina arched a brow. "Liar."

Jasper smirked but didn’t elaborate. Some thoughts were better left unspoken.

Instead, he stepped back toward the door. "Get some rest, Sera. I’ll see you tomorrow."

Seraphina watched him for a moment before nodding. "Goodnight, Jasper."

With that, he turned and disappeared into the darkness.

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

Jasper slipped back into the palace from the rear entrance, carefully avoiding unnecessary attention. Years of moving through these halls had made him an expert at moving unnoticed, but tonight, his mind was elsewhere.

The image of Seraphina—her silver hair glowing in the moonlight, her laughter carrying through the quiet night—lingered longer than he expected.

Stop it.

He knew better than to entertain foolish thoughts. She was a princess, destined for something far greater than anything he could ever offer. He was an omega, a palace servant. Their worlds weren’t just different—they were completely incompatible.

Still...

A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

Just as he reached the corridor leading to his quarters, a faint noise caught his attention.

Jasper paused, tilting his head.

The sound was coming from the stables.

Frowning, he changed course, slipping into the shadows as he approached.

When he reached the entrance, the stables were quiet. The horses stirred lightly in their stalls, but nothing seemed amiss.

Jasper scanned the area, his senses on high alert. I know I heard something.

He stepped further in, checking each stall one by one. Nothing.

After a moment, he let out a slow breath. Maybe I imagined it.

Shaking his head, he turned on his heel and headed for his own chambers.

Jasper closed the door to his chambers, exhaling as he leaned against it for a brief moment. The palace was quiet now, save for the distant footsteps of patrolling guards.

He moved toward his desk, where a small oil lamp flickered, casting a warm glow over his modest room. It wasn’t much—just a simple bed, a wooden dresser, and a small writing desk.

But it was better than what most palace servants had. Perks of being the prince’s personal manservant.

Jasper reached into a drawer, pulling out a leather-bound sketchbook along with a few sharpened charcoal pencils. His fingers worked on instinct, moving over the page as he began to draw. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

The lines started simple—a curve here, a shadow there. Slowly, an image took form.

Seraphina.

Her sharp violet eyes. The slight tilt of her smirk. The way her silver hair cascaded down, almost glowing under the moonlight.

Jasper worked in silence, adding the finest details with care. He wasn’t sure why he was doing this, only that he needed to.

Minutes turned into an hour. Then another.

When he was finally satisfied, he held the sketch up over the lamp’s glow, admiring his handiwork. A quiet smile tugged at his lips.

Not bad.

His fingers hovered over the page for a moment before he exhaled and closed the book, setting it aside.

As he lay back in bed, staring at the ceiling, he allowed himself one last thought of the silver-haired princess.

He knew it wouldn’t work.

He knew better than to dream.

And yet...

As sleep finally pulled him under, Jasper couldn’t quite bring himself to regret meeting her.

*******

The Next Morning

Before the first light of dawn, Jasper was already up. He splashed cold water onto his face, shaking off the last remnants of sleep before his gaze landed on the sketchbook from the night before.

For a brief moment, he hesitated. Then, with careful hands, he tore out the drawing, folded it neatly, and tucked it away inside his dresser.

Better keep that to yourself, Jasper.

After a quick wash and dressing into his uniform, he stepped out into the palace corridors.

The palace was just beginning to stir. Servants moved quietly through the halls, preparing for the day ahead. The scent of fresh bread and roasting meat wafted from the kitchens, making Jasper’s stomach grumble.

Speaking of food...

He made a mental note to swing by later and see what he could bring for Seraphina before heading toward the main grounds.

Damian would be up soon, and he’d want a status update.

Jasper made a quick sweep around the palace, checking in on key areas. Everything seemed normal.

Until he stepped outside.

The air was filled with frantic voices, hushed yet urgent.

Jasper frowned, quickening his pace toward the commotion.

And that’s when he saw it.

Chaos.

Stable hands rushed back and forth, whispering anxiously among themselves. A few of the knights stood nearby, looking tense.

The horses—every single one of them—were sick.

Several lay on the ground, their sides heaving. Others stood weakly in their stalls, eyes dull, their bodies trembling.

Jasper’s stomach twisted.

This wasn’t normal.

Something was very, very wrong.