Husband With Benefits
Chapter 720: Admiration

Chapter 720: Admiration

"Prince Kael Ignis." As the butler announced his name into the room, Kael shook his head and entered the study, muttering under his breath about the absurdity of being introduced to his own brother. The formality was simply too much.

Rafael watched his younger brother enter the room, observing how Kael threw himself into a chair with all the grace of a petulant four-year-old. Grinning, Rafael said, "Well, well. Someone finally made the time to come see his older brother, hmm?"

Kael scowled at the teasing tone, firing back, "If someone hadn’t come to the city without informing anyone, then his brother wouldn’t have been too busy to see him earlier."

Rafael’s grin widened at that. "Ha. I won’t argue with you today because I’m just too happy."

That made Kael frown even more, and he glared at his older brother. "What has you so chippy so early in the morning?"

Rafael raised an eyebrow, countering, "Well, what has you so salty so early in the morning?"

The brothers locked eyes, and then, in unison, they answered—"a woman."

Kael shook his head, raising an eyebrow in surprise. "A woman put that big smile on your face? Wow! This is interesting. So tell me, did you finally find yourself a girlfriend?"

Rafael shook his head and sighed. "If only I could ask her to be my girlfriend. But she..." His voice trailed off, a wistful look crossing his features. Kael’s interest was piqued, and he leaned forward slightly.

"Rafael Ignis... this is interesting. The Crown Prince of Petrovia is in love," Kael teased.

"Shut up. It’s not love. I just... I think I’ve found someone who is easy to talk to and truly interesting. But... she’s out of my league..."

Kael coughed, struggling to suppress a grin. "She’s out of your league? Holy shi* Rafe! What is she that she is unattainable to you? The CROWN PRINCE?"

Rage shook his head," Just someone I met. And don’t say those words as if they are something esteemed. In fact, being the crown prince might just be the biggest hurdle I encounter in pursuint her."

"So, you are finally going to come down from your high horse and pursue a girl?"

"Shut up, Kael. I won’t be discussing these matters with you. I am more interested in how you have woman troubles. Aren’t you like the eternal flame attracting the girls like moths, willing to burn around you?"

Kael’s mood plumetted as he was reminded of Dora and he muttered," Just someone who is making me feel things I don’t like to feel."

Rafe lifted his brows then and looked at his younger brother carefully, " Has my baby brother fallen for someone as well?"

"If I feel for her, then I would be the biggest fool! She is a playgirl!"

Rafe laughed at that as he leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "Oh, the irony. The infamous Prince Kael, Petrovia’s most eligible bachelor, after me that is, is finally getting a taste of his own medicine? The same Kael who’s left a trail of broken hearts across the continents? This is rich."

Kael shot him a dark look, but Rafael wasn’t deterred. "So, let me get this straight," Rafael continued, a smirk playing on his lips. "You, who’s known for wooing women like it’s a sport, are upset because this playgirl—" he made air quotes with his fingers, "—has turned the tables on you? That’s poetic justice if I’ve ever heard it."

"Don’t start with that," Kael grumbled, slumping further into his chair. "She’s different, okay? Or at least I thought she was different. Actually, at first, I thought she wasn’t much different from other gold diggers, then I thought she wasn’t. But then...I can’t explain it."

"Different or not different, huh?" Rafael leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "She really has confused you. I’ve never seen you like this and never would have imagined that a girl who could send you spinning would even exist. So, what is it? She’s not falling for your usual charm? Or is it something more than that? Maybe she’s the one playing you, and you’re not used to being on the losing side."

Kael stared at Rafael, his eyes darkening with frustration. The silence stretched on for a moment, and Rafael’s smirk slowly faded, replaced by a look of genuine surprise.

"She really played you, didn’t she?" Rafael asked, incredulity lacing his voice. It was more of a statement than a question, and Kael’s tense posture was all the confirmation he needed.

Kael sighed and explained the entire matter starting from how Kit had asked him to help teach her a lesson to how he had approached her and then wooed her to then being dumped for someone else. And how she had been playing him, etc.

So she had you wrapped around her finger the whole time, while you thought you were the one in control. That’s... wow, Kael. I never thought I’d see the day when a woman could outplay you like that. I need to meet her."

"Why would you want to meet her?"

"Because she was not just able to oursmart you but still has you tied up in knots. I never would have expected something like this from you, Kae?

"What do you mean?"

"From the first to the last, you have made assumptions about her without trying to find the truth about her. And when your instinct is trying to warn you about it, you are overriding it because somehow your heart is involved. So, of course, I am going to look for this girl and go meet her..."

Keal stilled as he realized something that he had failed to until now. Could it be that he had been wrong from the beginning and all this was nothing but a vast confusion. Was that why he was so confused? Because his heart was saying one thing and his brain another?

Rafael knocked his knuckles on the table, catching Kael’s attention as he said," You really need some sense knocked into your head? What are you still thinking?"

Keal looked up at his brother," Okay okay. The wise Prince. I know what to do. I have to be objective. First separate facts from feelings and then come to a conclusion."

Rafael grinned and nodded," Good answer. Now, can you leave and we can meet for dinner tonight. I have an important meeting."

"An important meeting? Who is so important that you’re even kicking me out."

"Its official business."

Keal scoffed," Official business? Or is it the girl you like?"

Rafael rolled his eyes," It is not Isis. It is someone else. Someone who has been avoiding meeting us or anyone else for that matter because he doesn’t want to be involved in politics.

"Isis? Is that her name? Interesting. Tell me more about her..."

Rafael grimaced but could not help his smile as he looked at his brother. With his chin on his hand, Rafael answered," She is beautiful. Stunningly so. Her eyes are always shining and she is full of life. But she also has a sense of humour. And she can be sarcastic and blunt but knows how to put people at ease and not cross the line. Also, she is really smart. Her vision of the future is clear and outstanding. And she has a strong sense of justice, knowing and being able to distinguish right from wrong with ease."

"Holy he**! You really are smitten with her." Kael murmured as he heard Rafael wax poetic about the woman.

"Wow! I would like to meet this paragon. Are you sure she is not existing only in your imagination and that is why she is ’out of your league’?"

Rafael shook his head," She is unattainable, because she already has a boyfriend. She is loyal to him. When I flirted with her, she didn’t flirt back. Though she handled it with ease, she slipped in casually about her boyfriend...tactfully reminding me that I should not cross the line."

"She is taken?" Kael asked, feeling for his brother. The first time, his brother truly admired someone and the girl was already taken.

Just then, the butler knocked on the door and announced, "Your Highness. Your next appointment is here."

Rafael looked up, his smile shifting to one of mild anticipation. "Excellent. Please bring him in."

Turning back to Kael, Rafael added, "You’re welcome to sit in on this meeting if you’d like. It might be quite interesting."

Kael was about to decline, but before he could respond, the butler entered once more and announced, "Dr. Caius Frost is here."

The name had him stilling and his head whipped around as the man walked inside. He stood up, glaring at the man who entered. What was he doing here? This was the guest he was waiting for?

Caius Frost seemed to sense the hostility and as his eyes met Kael’s the atmosphere in the room suddenly shifted. Rafael looked between the two, and frowned.

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