Mirabelle continued eating, her hunger momentarily overpowering her nerves. The rich flavors and quality of the food were unlike anything she usually received at home, where she was given scraps or leftovers.
She slowly began to forget the intensity of Caspian's gaze, allowing herself to savor each bite.
When she reached for a glass of water, Caspian was quicker. He handed it to her without a word, his eyes steady on her as she took it with hesitant hands.
Across the table, her aunt and uncle watched every interaction like hawks, their anticipation palpable.
Sally, however, was fuming in her seat, her face turning redder with each passing second.
Dinner proceeded in tense silence. Every time her aunt or uncle attempted to steer the conversation toward a subject they thought would impress the prince,
Caspian silenced them with nothing more than a raised finger. His focus remained solely on Mirabelle, as though the rest of the room barely existed.
Mirabelle, oblivious to most of the tension, finished the last bite of her meal and reached for her water again.
She drank deeply, then, without realizing it, allowed a small, satisfied smile to bloom on her face.
Caspian's eyes lit up, as though her smile were a personal reward just for him. "Are you full?" he asked, his deep voice softer now, carrying a note of genuine curiosity.
She nodded instinctively before the weight of the situation came crashing back down on her.
Her heart sank as she glanced around the table, taking in her aunt's pinched expression, her uncle's calculating stare, and Sally's furious pout.
Shit, she thought, panic rising.
What would happen now?
If Caspian didn't choose Sally because of this—because of her, a girl with the audacity to eat everything on her plate without hesitation—she knew her aunt wouldn't forgive her.
She could already imagine being thrown out of the house, banished for daring to disrupt their carefully laid plans.
She bit her lip hard, her mind racing. How had everything spiraled out of control so quickly?
What was this man's game? And why, of all people, had he chosen to fixate on her?
Mirabelle decided that if Caspian's attention was already on her, perhaps she could use it to her advantage—maybe even save herself from the consequences that loomed in her aunt's burning gaze.
"Alpha prince?" she said hesitantly, her voice wavering.
"Yes, bunny?" he replied promptly, his tone softening slightly.
Mirabelle blinked, caught off guard by the nickname.
Why was he making this so difficult? She shook her head, pushing aside her discomfort.
"This is my cousin," she began, gesturing toward Sally, who immediately straightened, puffing out her chest. "But she's like a sister to me. She's a good person, truly, and… she's perfect for you."
Caspian tilted his head slightly, his red eyes narrowing as he studied her.
"Please pick her as your mate," Mirabelle continued, though her words began to slur. A strange, warm sensation coursed through her body. "Everything will be lovely…"
Her head swam, and she felt lightheaded, as though she'd eaten too much. Sally, sensing an opportunity, smiled brightly and leaned forward, batting her lashes.
Her parents, however, narrowed their eyes at Mirabelle, suspicion flickering in their expressions.
"Sally is innocent and sweet," Mirabelle added, though her voice grew fainter.
Caspian's deep voice cut through the tension like a blade. "But I already found my mate."
Mirabelle's stomach turned.
She fidgeted in her seat, her clothes suddenly feeling too tight. Heat radiated through her body, making her shift uncomfortably.
"When did you find your mate? There was no news of that!" Sally gasped, her voice tinged with both disbelief and desperation.
Her mother quickly joined in, her face etched with confusion.
Mirabelle blinked, trying to clear the haze clouding her mind. "Who… who is your mate, Alpha prince?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"You," Caspian said, his words landing like a thunderclap.
The entire table erupted in shock. Mirabelle gasped audibly, her hands gripping the table for stability. "What? Alpha—"
"Call me Caspian," he interjected smoothly, his gaze steady on her.
Mirabelle shook her head, the heat becoming unbearable. Her skin felt as though it was on fire, and her breathing grew uneven. "I feel… hot. Too hot. And sick," she confessed, squirming in her chair. She stood abruptly, desperate for fresh air.
Her uncle, ever the opportunist, feigned concern. "Are you sick? What's wrong? What's happening to you?"
"I feel… tight and unbearably hot," Mirabelle said, clutching her arms and looking around in panic. "What is this? What's happening to me?"
Caspian was on his feet in an instant, his expression dark and thunderous. His voice was sharp with accusation.
"That's because this family decided to lace my food with aphrodisiac—one they clearly didn't expect would affect her instead," he said scornfully, his eyes burning as they flicked over the stunned faces around the table.
"What?" Mirabelle whispered, horrified.
"No! Alpha prince, we would never do such a thing!" Sally exclaimed, but her voice cracked, betraying her nerves. Her parents remained silent, their faces pale.
Caspian took a menacing step forward, his gaze locking on the aunt and uncle. "Do you have any explanations for this?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
The couple exchanged a panicked glance, but no words came. The silence only deepened the weight of their guilt.