Chapter 179 Let’s Talk
"May I also have a glass of wine?" Rafael broke his silence, maintaining his usual demeanor. Athena often dubbed him the ’Tsundere Prince,’ though Hera remained unfamiliar with the term. Athena elaborated, describing them as individuals who are frequently short-tempered and emotionally erratic—sometimes cold and irritable, yet capable of warmth and kindness towards those they’re drawn to.
Athena mentioned that Rafael exhibited these traits towards the original female lead in the novel—he could be irritatingly arrogant and come across as a jerk, yet he also harbored a remarkably soft-hearted side. He found it difficult to stay angry for long, often displaying an overwhelming sense of protectiveness towards his loved ones, unaware of the potential negative consequences this could entail.
Moreover, among all the male leads, Rafael bore a striking resemblance of a mafia boss, contributing to potential misunderstandings, especially when paired with his temperamental nature. However, beneath his intimidating exterior, he possessed the most tender-hearted disposition among them.
This is precisely why he couldn’t muster the resolve to discipline his sister with a firm hand and instead opted to leave it to their parents to handle their princess. Deep down, he recognized the need for action, yet the sight of his sister’s pitiful tears whenever he tried to intervene proved too much to bear. Consequently, he repeatedly avoided confronting the issue until he eventually distanced himself from it altogether. It wasn’t until witnessing the extent of his sister’s online backlash that he finally grasped the consequences of his indifference.
This is why Rafael held a favorable impression of Alice from Alice’s previous life. She had successfully influenced Minerva to transform positively, leading to a significant improvement in Minerva’s demeanor and reputation. As Alice became his sister’s closest friend, Rafael made a concerted effort to treat her with utmost respect and kindness. Not only did he aim to prevent his sister from experiencing sadness, but he also sought to express gratitude to Alice for the favor she had done for their family.
Hera glanced at Rafael. "Oh, Mr. Briley, what a surprise to see you here." Her words were polite, but a subtle undertone of sarcasm lingered in her tone, causing Rafael to purse his lips in discomfort. Despite feeling unwelcome, he realized he had allowed the situation to unfold and knew he couldn’t change it now.
"I’ve come to talk to you," Rafael said, maintaining his composure. Despite his usual air of arrogance, there was a subtle softening in his demeanor, indicating his genuine intentions. Although Hera may not have initially grasped this without his explicit statement, she couldn’t help but detect the slight shift in his aura.
Hera poured him a glass of wine and stepped closer to pass it to him. Luke and Victor watched Rafael closely, curious about his intentions. However, Rafael didn’t want anyone, not even his friends, to overhear their conversation, as it was a personal matter.
Hera couldn’t help but feel curious about Rafael’s intentions, her eyebrows raising subtly as she observed him. Despite her discreet scrutiny, she remained aware of the presence of the other Male Leads around her. With a composed smile, she addressed him, her tone business-like. "I’m all ears, Mr. Briley."
Rafael released a quiet sigh as he glanced around, noticing that all eyes were on them. While he suspected that his friends might have already deduced his purpose for being there, he was determined to preserve whatever shred of dignity remained.