Husband With Benefits

"Papa! I did not expect this from you, of all people! This is cheating!" Dora’s voice wavered slightly, betraying the mix of surprise and frustration she felt. The only thing that kept her from stomping her feet in frustration was the strict lessons about not doing it!

"How is it cheating? It’s only a blind date, sweetheart! There’s only six months left to your birthday; we really need to hurry. And he is a handsome man. Also, he fits all the criteria." Alexander’s tone was gentle, almost coaxing, as if he were trying to reassure a skittish horse. His eyes softened as he watched his daughter’s reaction on the screen, knowing how stubborn she could be.

"I don’t care how handsome he is!" She cared, of course she cared, but there was no way she was accepting that in front of anyone. She crossed her arms over her chest, her chin jutting out defiantly as she continued, "He is a known playboy!"

"He was a known playboy. But he is also a smart and astute businessman, as proven by him in the last few years. Also, there have been no scandals about him in the last few months. And the ones before that were also rumors. Didn’t you want someone like Lucien or Demetri? Then he is it."

Alexander tried to convince his daughter who refused to look at him. And when she got up and disappeared from front of the screen, Alexander rubbed his forehead. He’d known convincing Dora was going to be a task then why did he have to do it.

"Dora! Come back here! We were still talking! Jut because it is through a screen does not mean you can choose to end this conversation whenever you want! Do you think you’re already the queen that you can disrespect me like this?" Alexander called out, his tone a mix of authority and frustration, and then he almost jumped when she popped back in front of the camera, her face filling the screen, "Does that mean I am allowed to be rude to you when I become Queen, Papa?"

As she batted her eyelashes at him, Alexanded could not help but laugh. " No! You’re not allowed to be rude to Papa, even then!"

Dora pouted, her lips forming a perfect little bow as she tilted her head, just like she used to when she was little. The look had always helped her get what she wanted, and she was not above using it again to wriggle out of this blind date. "You’re no fun, Papa! Okay, I won’t be rude to you! But can I be rude to him?"

Alexander Sterling shook his head and sighed, his patience beginning to wear thin as he tried to not melt at The Look from his daughter. "No, you cannot be rude to Prince Kael as well. As far as I know, he is being coerced into this blind date too."

Dora sent her father a look then, one that spoke volumes of her reluctance, before looking down, her emotions carefully hidden from her father. Her heart sank. She did not want to go on this date. If she had known that this was what the council had been planning, she never would have agreed to come to Petrovia. A blind date with him. The very idea made her stomach twist.

"Come on, child. Cheer up! It’s not as if they are forcing you to get married. It’s just a blind date. Why not try to become friends with the prince and see where this goes? If things go well, then it’s good for you and the council. If they don’t, then you shrug it off because it wasn’t meant to be."

Dora looked down at her hands and nodded slowly before looking up," But daddy, warn them, that the next time they set me up, I won’t agree so easily. I might end up on a blind date but they will end up blind."