Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate-Chapter 159: His Beloved...

"And now he’s the king’s closest advisor. Isn’t that suspicious?"

Jasper nodded. "Maybe, I don’t know. But he’s played the long game, and it paid off. He’s got the king’s ear more than half the council combined."

Evelina frowned slightly. That wasn’t surprising, but it was still unsettling.

Jasper continued, his voice lowering slightly. "There’s more, though. Luther’s not just some politician. He’s got connections—ones that run deeper than what most see on the surface."

Evelina glanced at him. "Connections where?"

Jasper hesitated. "Everywhere."

She exhaled sharply. "That’s not vague at all."

Jasper gave her a pointed look. "Because he keeps it vague. He’s careful, too careful. And perfect too in the eyes of everyone, including the prince and the king, and the entire pack and kingdom."

Evelina folded her arms, her mind working through everything. "So if we assume he’s involved in the poisoning..."

"Then, proving it will be near impossible," Jasper finished. "Which is probably the point."

They reached the entrance to the wine depository, and Evelina paused, her fingers curling slightly at her sides.

Jasper studied her. "You’re not just curious about Luther, are you?"

Evelina sighed. "No. He knows something, Jasper. Or suspects something. And I don’t think it’s just about the poisoning."

Jasper’s silver-blue eyes sharpened. "So what??"

Evelina hesitated. "I don’t know. But I do know he’s watching me. Closely."

Jasper tensed, then muttered, "That’s not good."

Evelina smirked faintly despite herself. "No, it’s not."

Jasper exhaled, running a hand down his face. "Alright. Let’s find whatever we can here, and after that, we figure out what to do about Luther."

Evelina nodded.

Then, together, they pushed open the doors to the wine depository.

The scent of aged wood and faint traces of wine filled the air as Jasper and Evelina stepped inside the royal wine depository. The massive stone walls stretched high, lined with countless bottles stored in neat rows on wooden racks.

Dust motes swirled in the dim lighting, and the coolness of the chamber settled around them like a quiet hush.

But neither of them paid the wine any mind.

Instead, Evelina walked with purpose toward the farthest wall—the one she had leaned against the last time she was here. The one that had opened the passage to the Arcadia Trails.

Jasper followed closely behind, his steps light but cautious.

"So," he muttered, glancing around, "what exactly are we looking for?"

Evelina pressed her fingers against the cool stone, feeling for the hidden mechanism she had accidentally triggered before. "No idea," she admitted. "So anything and everything can be a clue right now."

Jasper sighed. "That’s comforting."

With a quiet click, the section of the wall shifted slightly. Evelina pushed, and just like before, a hidden passageway revealed itself, leading them deeper into the unknown.

Jasper let out a low whistle. "I don’t know what’s more concerning—the fact that this was here the whole time, or the fact that you just found it by accident."

Evelina smirked. "Luck, Jasper."

"Right," he muttered. "Let’s call it that."

They stepped into the dark corridor, their footsteps echoing slightly against the stone. The air grew heavier the farther they went, the silence pressing in on them.

At the heart of the passage, they reached the clearing Evelina had found before—a wide, open space with an old wooden table in the center, surrounded by crumbling walls covered in faint carvings.

Jasper ran a hand along the table, his brow furrowing. "Feels like we just walked into an old war room."

"Maybe we did," Evelina murmured, examining the carvings along the walls. Some looked like maps, others like records—possibly battle markings or something even older.

Ahead of them, three gaping cave entrances loomed like dark mouths, stretching into unknown territory.

Jasper frowned. "Those were here last time too?"

Evelina nodded. "We didn’t go in, remember?"

Jasper glanced at her. "Considering it?"

She hesitated, then nodded. "One of them might lead to something important. Or someone important."

Jasper sighed. "You know, for someone accused of being reckless, you sure have a habit of running toward trouble."

Evelina smirked. "It’s a talent."

Jasper opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, a noise from behind them made both of them tense.

A soft shuffle. A quiet breath.

They turned sharply.

And there, standing just inside the entrance of the passage, was Seraphina.

Jasper’s stomach dropped.

"Sera?" His voice was sharp with shock. "What are you doing here?"

Jasper felt his stomach twist. He had barely processed the sight of Seraphina standing in the passage when—

"You know her?" Evelina asked, her sharp gaze flicking between the two of them.

Jasper opened his mouth, trying to form a response. "Uhmm... yes, Lady Evelina. This is, uhm... Sera. She’s—"

"His female lover," Seraphina cut in smoothly, stepping closer to Jasper with an innocent smile.

Evelina’s eyes widened slightly.

Relia’s voice immediately rang out in Evelina’s mind. I did not see that coming.

Jasper stiffened. "Sera—"

"His beloved," Seraphina added, tilting her head dramatically.

Jasper shot her a look, one eyebrow twitching upward in a silent What are you doing?

Evelina turned fully to Jasper, crossing her arms. "Well? I’d love an explanation."

Jasper sighed. "Lady Evelina, I—"

"I’m sorry you had to find out this way," Seraphina interrupted smoothly. "It’s quite tragic, really." She placed a hand delicately over her chest. "But you see, he simply couldn’t stay away from me."

Evelina blinked.

Seraphina turned to her with an apologetic smile. "I do hope you won’t be too harsh on him. He misses me so much, poor thing. He couldn’t help himself."

Jasper clenched his jaw. "Sera."

Evelina’s lips twitched, though amusement was barely masked behind her surprise. "That’s fine," she said lightly. "In fact, I’m so glad we’re meeting. Though I would have preferred a better setting."

Jasper finally found his voice. "Excuse me."

He grabbed Seraphina’s wrist and pulled her off to the side, lowering his voice. "Did you follow me here?" 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Seraphina smirked, lowering her own voice to match his. "Don’t act so surprised. You didn’t exactly tell me to stay put."

Jasper pinched the bridge of his nose. "You cannot be serious."