The guards scanned Benjamin from head to toe with a flat, detached indifference. As Benjamin drew closer, he noticed that the two guards were identical twins. The guard on the right performed yet another pat-down.
Satisfied, the guard on the left gripped the handles and opened the heavy door.
Inside, the room was dimly lit. Three long, velvet-upholstered couches were arranged in a wide U-shape, their open end facing the door. At the center of this formation sat a polished low, dark-wood table.
At the center of the arrangement sat the esteemed guest.
Yes, that's him. The dark golden wavy hair falling just above the shoulders, the fair skin, and those luminous purple eyes. That is the Prince of Isadora, Charles Ione Asterion, a brilliant and capable Alpha.
It was said that Prince Charles possessed such unwavering charisma that men follow him not out of duty, but devotion. He was a leader with the vision to see the path to victory and had the raw capability to carve it himself. At only sixteen, he had already led a successful campaign to protect the borders of Xenos from its aggressive Eastern neighbors.
By eighteen, he received the honor of serving as the Ambassador of Isadora. In the halls of foreign courts, his silver tongue and magnetic charm became his primary weapons.
By twenty, he returned to Isadora with a promotion to Commander of the First Guards. Now, he stood as both a seasoned soldier and a refined politician.
Yet, beyond his leadership, he was equally famed for his striking looks and his rare purple eyes. He was the only member of the current royal line to possess these purple eyes, a genetic legacy rumored to have skipped two generations since his great-grandmother.
This was precisely why Benjamin's mind raced with disbelieving confusion.
What is someone like him doing here? Has he no shame? Benjamin thought, getting flustered.
Yet his indignation was quickly overshadowed by a cold, sharp anxiety. I've got to be extremely careful. I've sacrificed too much to get caught now, he reminded himself.
Charles didn't look up as Benjamin entered. He didn't bother with a greeting or acknowledging the guest who had just been tossed into the room. His attention remained fixed on the documents in his hands, his eyes scanning the pages with a cold, sharp focus. A second stack of papers lay spread across the low table.
Benjamin walked quickly to the couch on the left, perching at the very edge, the furthest possible point from the Prince. He sat rigid, hands interlocked tightly on his thighs, tilting his head away from Charles and toward the door.
Charles finally looked up. He despised this recurring ritual. Every time he met with Lan Zhou, the man insisted on sending in attendants, as if he was intentionally testing his patience.
Who did he send this time? Charles wondered, annoyed. His cold, purple eyes finally shifted to the figure perched at the edge of the couch.
When Charles looked up, he was surprised to see the quiet profile of a man whose face remained partially obscured. From his profile, he could make out the curve of his jaw and the long, and the elegant line of his neck and shoulders that held an effortless, refined grace.
Unlike the others who had been paraded before him, this man did not approach him to seduce him. Instead, he remained in a tense, dignified silence, looking almost frightened, and his gaze fixed downward at his own feet.
Well, I guess this is good. I can get back to work, Charles thought.
The room was silent except for the sounds of paper rustling from Charles flipping through his documents.
At least he's leaving me alone, Benjamin thought. This silence is uncomfortable, it's better than having to do other things.
Benjamin continued gazing down, observing the patterns on the carpet beneath him.
Finally, the heavy door swung open, breaking the silence.
"You didn't like him? I even paid extra."
Lan Zhou stood in the doorway, his tall, lanky frame leaning casually against the frame. His styled black hair caught the light, and his outfit was a loud, aggressive display of wealth. A bright red suit paired with dark red shoes and a collection of gold necklaces. He was accompanied by one of the twin guards.
"Maybe you're not into men," Lan continued with a dismissive shrug. "After our meeting, I'll send some girls up. It's a shame, though. He's so handsome! I might just take him for myself."
Lan stepped toward the couch and gripped Benjamin's chin, tilting his face up to inspect his prize with a greedy, predatory smile.
"I'll take a closer look at him after our meeting," Charles interrupted.
The Prince's voice deep and resonant voice caught Benjamin off guard. He finally looked up, and his eyes locked with those legendary purple irises.
Charles did not look away. His gaze was steady and unreadable, pinning Benjamin in place. Benjamin finally broke the contact and looked down, turning his head sharply to the right to hide his blushing face.
"Calix," Charles said, addressing the guard. "Please escort him out for now. I'll see him after this."
Why does he want to see me after? Benjamin was confused as he walked out escorted by the guard.