Evelina’s startled gasp was muffled as a firm hand clamped over her mouth. Her wide eyes darted to the shadowy figure in front of her, and she felt her heart race until the dim light illuminated Damian’s sharp features.
Relief and irritation mixed as her shoulders slumped slightly, her muffled voice protesting against his hand.
"Calm down," Damian whispered urgently. He removed his hand, stepping back just enough to give her so space.
"What the hell, Damian?" Evelina snapped, her voice rising before she caught herself. "What is wrong with you?"
Damian ignored her question, his piercing silver eyes studying her face for a mont before his expression softened—if only slightly. "What did Luther want?"
Eve crossed her arms, shooting him a withering glare. "He asked about my progress on the poisoning investigation. Then he offered his help. Said he’s on my side and all that."
Damian frowned, his brows knitting together. "And what did you say?"
"I thanked him," Evelina said pointedly. "Not like I have a long list of allies here, so excuse for not turning down the Lord’s help."
Damian’s tense posture eased, and he sighed. "You can trust him," he said quietly, his voice carrying a rare gentleness. "Luther’s been my ntor since I was a child. After my father, he’s the person I’ve looked up to most."
Eve’s lips twitched into a skeptical smirk. "So, what? He’s like your second dad?"
"Sothing like that." Evelina didn’t miss the fondness in his tone. "He’s guided through more challenges than I can count. If he says he wants to help you, he ans it."
Evelina nodded slowly, though her unease hadn’t entirely dissipated. "Fine. If you trust him, I’ll keep that in mind."
"Good." The tension in Damian’s shoulders eased off as he glanced around.
"Now, is there a reason you dragged in here like so kidnapper?" Evelina asked, raising an eyebrow. "Or are you just rehearsing for your side hustle as a palace assassin?"
Damian huffed out a quiet laugh, his silver eyes glinting with amusent. "Maybe I wanted to remind you who’s in charge," he quipped.
"Oh, is that it?" Evelina shot back, her smirk growing. "Or is this your way of keeping away from Luther? Getting a little possessive, are we?"
Damian took a step closer, a teasing grin tugging at his lips. "Jealousy isn’t my style, Evelina," he said smoothly, though the flicker in his eyes said otherwise. "But if you must know, I thought you needed a reminder of where your priorities should lie."
"Right," Evelina drawled, matching his step forward with one of her own. "And pinning to a wall or dragging into random rooms is supposed to help with that? Great leadership tactics, Prince Damian."
They stood close now, the tension between them getting intense. Evelina’s heart raced, though she told herself it was from irritation—or perhaps the lingering adrenaline of being yanked into a dark room.
Damian’s gaze dropped briefly to her lips before snapping back to her eyes. "You have a way of twisting everything I say, don’t you?"
"It’s a gift," Evelina replied with a mockingly sweet smile.
Before either could continue their verbal sparring, the sound of footsteps outside the door drew their attention. Damian stepped back instinctively, his body tense as he listened. A faint shuffling followed, then silence.
"Who was that?" Evelina whispered.
Damian moved to the door, gripping the handle and attempting to pull it open. It didn’t budge. His expression darkened as he tried again, this ti with more force. "It’s locked," he muttered.
Evelina blinked. "Locked? From the outside?"
Damian turned to her, his jaw tight. "Seems like it."
Evelina crossed her arms, a sardonic smile spreading across her face. "Well, isn’t this just perfect? You dragged in here like so overdramatic kidnapper, and now we’re trapped. Great job, Your Highness."
Damian shot her a withering look, his silver eyes flashing with irritation. "This isn’t my doing."
Evelina responded sardonically, "Oh, of course not. You just happen to have the worst timing and the worst luck."
Damian sighed, running a hand through his hair as he assessed the situation. "I’ll get us out," he said firmly, though his voice carried a hint of frustration.
Evelina leaned back against the wall, crossing her arms. "Take your ti." Her tone was laced with sarcasm. "Not like I have anything better to do than be locked in a room with you."
Damian shot her a glare but didn’t respond, his focus shifting back to the door. As he inspected the lock, Evelina couldn’t help but notice the set of his jaw, the way his shoulders squared as if determined to fix the situation.
Despite herself, a small part of her found the sight... reassuring.
But she quickly pushed the thought aside, reminding herself that the sooner they got out of this room, the better.
For both of them.
"Umm, can’t you just break the damn door or sothing to get us out of here?"
Damien paused as he glanced over his shoulder to look at her. Just as he was about to say sothing, Eve’s voice cut in. "Or wait, I think I got the answer. Are you afraid or ashad to be seen in a locked room with ?"
Damian gulped.
He already knew where this was playing to but he also knew better than to try and interrupt her either.
"No. I bet you are bothered that your betrothed, Selene, would wonder about your integrity when she finds us together in a dark room all alone."
She moved her hands for emphasis and Damian sighed.
"Eve..."
"No. I got an even better one. Perhaps you are just a lying bastard who wants to use before you have your dream bride, right? Because tell the fucking reason why you didn’t question out there like any normal person and instead brought here. Now you refuse to break the door because you cannot afford to..."
Before she could speak further, he held her wrist and pulled her to him. In a swift move, Damian spun them around and had her back against the door as he pressed his body to her.
"You an like this, huh?" Anger simred in his eyes, making Eve gulp.
"Da... Damian, what are you doing?"
He leaned forward, bringing his face closer to hers, his warm breath fanning her face. "Who knows, Evelina? Maybe I’m just the pervert you think I am. I could just make your thoughts and accusations co through and have you right here."
"Oh boy, now that’s what I’m talking about," Relia purred in approval.
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