[BL] Alpha, You've Got the Wrong Mate!

Chapter 226 — I Don’t Like You

"Why do you use this?" Eiran asked, pointing at the stick in Enzo’s hand.

"Well..." Enzo froze, unsure how to answer. Then he leaned down gently and patted the boy’s head. "I’m sick, that’s why," he explained softly.

"Oh! I hope you get well soon," Eiran grinned, taking Enzo’s hand and guiding him toward the seat beside him.

Enzo’s chest tightened even more. This child was so polite, so genuinely kind... while Enzo—he had come with ulterior motives toward the boy’s father. Although now, even knowing how difficult it would be, he had finally decided to give up on this unrequited, unrealistic love.

The owner guided them into a room, where a large window allowed them to see the snowfall. Outside, a family of three walked down the road while a little child played with the snow, brushing her hand through the mountain of snow piled at the side of the road. Her mother scolded her while her father calmed her mother.

The table was draped with a white cloak on which violent embroidery was made. A few glasses were turned upside down, and napkins were prepared for each client.

Once everyone sat down, Soren asked, "What do you want to eat?"

No one heard him, so he tapped on the table to get everyone’s attention.

"Call the waiter—" Rihaan stopped, jaw tightening when he felt the owner’s eyes lingering on them from across the room.

Of course.

Any noble would’ve received polite service, but Soren and Zayden carried Imperial blood. People practically tripped over themselves to serve them and gain their favours.

"Just call the owner," Rihaan muttered, lowering his voice so only Soren could hear. "Get this over with."

Soren didn’t react. He simply lifted one hand, and the owner hurried over with a bow so deep it was almost embarrassing.

He didn’t go out often, and people rarely recognized him. Perhaps it was because the owner of this place was a noble. Usually, commoners didn’t pay him much attention. Hence, he preferred walking down the shops in small alleys.

Rihaan and Soren sat side by side—against their will—because they both knew how the court operated.

One glance, one shared seat, one polite smile... and by evening the entire capital would be buzzing with "proof" of how close the Crown Prince and his future consort were.

Especially now that the official engagement ceremony was only days away.

Rihaan forced a smile for the sake of appearances, but his shoulders were stiff. He kept his voice perfectly polite as he ordered a dish he didn’t even want. Soren noticed it—of course he did—but chose not to comment.

The moment the owner stepped away, Rihaan let out a slow breath and leaned back.

"This is ridiculous," he whispered through clenched teeth. "I told you before. I don’t... I don’t want this."

Soren’s eyes shifted to him, quiet and unreadable.

"The engagement?" he whispered, careful not to let Enzo, who was occupied with Eiran, and Zayden and Ren, who were absorbed in their own conversation, hear.

Rihaan scoffed softly.

"Obviously the engagement. I don’t like you. I never did."

Soren’s gaze didn’t waver.

"I am aware. It is but a political marriage. Why are you letting it affect you so much? It was bound to happen. If not with me, then it would have been with someone else."

Rihaan blinked, thrown off for a moment. He expected defensiveness. Anger. Anything.

But Soren just continued calmly,

"If you have something new to say, say it directly."

Fine.

Rihaan clenched his jaw, lowering his head slightly. He glanced around, making sure no one was paying attention to him or his words.

After all, he couldn’t let anyone discover that he was the one who requested the engagement to be broken off. If that were to happen, then his father would undoubtedly behead him.

"I want to cancel it. I already have someone I intend to marry back home. Someone who actually cares about me." His voice softened for a heartbeat along with his gaze before they both sharpened again. "I won’t be paraded around here like some... political toy."

Soren remained quiet, pretending to consider his words. He could care less about this alpha and his lover in his country. What mattered was his empire, and his people’s safety,

Rihaan continued, his tone lowering in frustration.

"My father is forcing this. I don’t want to live in this cold empire. And I don’t want to be bound to someone who—" He stopped abruptly.

Someone who what? Someone who looks at him with politeness while secretly looking down on him? Someone who doesn’t care enough to even argue?

Soren raised a brow, waiting.

But Rihaan only sighed and looked away.

"What are you both talking about?" Zayden grinned, raising his eyebrows teasingly.

"Mind your own business," Soren snapped, glaring at him.

Ren blinked, his gaze shifting between the two brothers. Soren seemed unusually irritated, while Zayden was being... well, Zayden.

He gently placed a hand on the General’s shoulder, giving a small shake of his head: Don’t.

The General narrowed his eyes before sighing.

"Fine," he muttered, grabbing the glass of water in front of him and taking a sip.

Just then, several waiters hurried toward them, carrying trays stacked with plates of the dishes they had ordered. Steam curled upward, fading quickly, and the rich scents of spices and simmered flavours filled the room.

A smile tugged at Zayden’s lips when his meal was set before him. Without hesitation, he reached for Ren’s plate and switched it.

Ren blinked, a small frown forming on his face.

"Why would you—?"

"We should share," Zayden said, smiling as he cut a piece of steak into a smaller bite. He lifted the fork toward Ren.

Ren’s cheeks flushed red. Everyone—even his son—was staring at him with bright, expectant smiles, as if waiting for him to accept. How could he? The pressure was suffocating.

Still, he bit his lip, then parted it to take the piece of meat.

"Please... eat your own food," he mumbled quickly, switching their dishes back.

Soren tried his best not to laugh. At this rate, it felt like Zayden was seconds away from announcing that he and Ren were already official.

"Why are you not eating?" Enzo leaned toward Soren, noticing his food was still untouched.

"No reason," Soren replied quietly, his gaze sliding to Rihaan—who was eating as if their conversation from earlier hadn’t meant anything at all.

He couldn’t believe someone could be so at peace when nothing was going his way. Meanwhile, there was he, who couldn’t be at ease even when things were working well for him.

"Where should we go after we finish this?" Ren asked hesitantly.

"Where, you ask?" Enzo sneered, his gaze glimmering knowingly. He surely had something in mind.