The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 179

Chapter 179: 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.

“Let’s continue this conversation elsewhere,” Rafael asserted, his tone inadvertently revealing his struggle to maintain humility. Frustration flashed across his face as he realized he had let his emotions take control once more. Despite his inner turmoil, he had no means to retract his words or alter his tone. Now caught in a bind, he faced the possibility of Hera refusing to engage with him and even potentially dismissing him. However, he understood that reacting with anger would not resolve anything or achieve the purpose of his visit.

Observing Rafael almost on the brink of agitation, Hera offered a helpless smile to Luke and Victor. “Gentlemen, would you mind giving us a moment to talk?”

“Wait, what about my wine?” Dave, who had been sidelined from the beginning, interjected with a hint of panic in his voice as he eyed the wine bottle in Hera’s hand. He too desired a taste of the wine, priced at a staggering $12 million. While his grandfather may have received extravagant gifts, Dave knew they were never meant to be shared. This was his chance to indulge and perhaps tease his grandfather about it later.

An awkward silence settled among them as Dave’s question echoed in the air, seemingly oblivious to the significance of Rafael and Hera’s conversation. His attention fixated on the wine bottle, he appeared oblivious to the discourse around him, eagerly awaiting his turn to indulge in the alluring wine. However, when he caught wind of the phrase “give us a moment,” he panicked, blurting out his thoughts without fully comprehending the situation.

Hera couldn’t help but chuckle at Dave’s antics. Seeing him now, so carefree and focused on the wine, he seemed worlds apart from the serious and distinguished young minister often featured in diplomatic news. That version of him was instrumental in leading their country towards development and fostering peace treaties with other nations.

Observing Dave in person after seeing him on the news, Hera begins to understand the truth in Athena’s earlier remarks about him. She initially thought Athena was exaggerating, but now she saw Dave’s playful exterior hiding a cunning and inscrutable nature. If Rafael embodied the archetype of the Tsundere Prince, then Dave was undoubtedly the Cunning Fox. It came as no surprise that he could outmaneuver older diplomats from other countries, gaining more leeway in negotiations, and leaving them powerless to counter his tactics.

Whenever Hera saw Dave on the news, she could hardly imagine him as the playful mascot of their group. But witnessing his lighthearted demeanor now, it became clear that he truly embodied that role, brightening the atmosphere and keeping their spirits high.

Without Dave in their group, it would seem as though a bunch of old men were simply hanging out together. The other four members, especially when all of them are taciturn, lacked Dave’s effervescent energy. Even though Luke had a warm and refreshing demeanor, he still couldn’t quite replicate the vibrant atmosphere that Dave effortlessly brought to their gatherings.

As part of their everyday routine, playful banter with Dave was a staple, often initiated by Dave himself.

Observing Dave’s genuine excitement for the wine, Hera poured him a glass, which he accepted with both hands, conveying his gratitude. Hera couldn’t help but feel a wave of amusement at Dave’s enthusiasm. As Dave and Luke prepared to make themselves comfortable on the couch by the billiards, Hera surprised them by offering them the entire bottle of red wine to enjoy. Both Dave and Luke were taken aback by Hera’s unexpected generosity, not anticipating her to simply give away such an expensive bottle of wine.

Neither of them declined her offer, expressing their gratitude before settling onto the couch and placed the bottle on the coffee table in front of them. Amy had also sent over a charcuterie board, perfectly complementing their drinks. Victor joined them on the couch, sparking a conversation about their shared interests. Meanwhile, Zen, Xavier, and Zhane were engrossed in a game of billiards, but both Xavier, Luke, Zen, and Zhane couldn’t help but sneak glances at Hera from time to time.