Chapter 5

ISABELLE’S POV

The air bristled with tension as I stared at Kael, he stayed kneeling in the thick snow, his expression cold and hardened.

His silence stirred something of a mix of frustration and fascination within me.

I let out a deep sigh of disappointment. "You’re breaking my heart with your cold demeanour, you know."

But still, Kael remained silent, not even a flicker of emotion breaking through his cool mask.

So, he’s a tough nut to crack, I mused, feeling a thrill run through me at the challenge. I let go and tossed my cloak and hand warmer at him. “Kneeling here to plead for your brother is pointless. You won't get what you want from the Emperor like this.”

Finally, he stirred him, his expression faltering for a second. Kael looked up, and his eyes met mine, momentarily softening as he took in my features. My wolf sensed a faint glint of admiration in his gaze before his face hardened, returning to his icy expression.

“What do you mean?” he growled, his tone clipped and sharp.

I felt a little bit of relief to have broken through, so I leaned in. “I’m offering to help you, General Kael. I’ll speak to the Emperor and investigate your brother’s case and, if he’s truly innocent, I’ll do everything I can to clear his name.”

His brows are knitted, clearly sceptical. “And what do you expect in return?”

Her wolf whispered with excitement. ‘Make this interesting. You need a physical connection to grow your mate bond.’ An idea sprang up in my mind, and I felt my cheeks redden.

‘You have skills in painting, leverage this advantage.’ She whispered, pushing me to request a bold deal.

I mustered all the confidence I could, my gaze meeting his with determination. “I would investigate your brother's case, basing my judgements on your brother's character.”

His back straightened, his attention fully set on me now. He stood up from his kneeling position, rising to tower over me.

My breath hitched as he gazed down at me, his dark masculine scent filling the air between us.

“I have one condition,” I drawled, my voice low with a hint of mischief.

“One condition….” He echoed, his brows raised.

I leaned in closer, standing on my tiptoes, my lips just inches from his ear, and whispered, “You would have to pose as my art model—nude.”

Kael’s face was masked with shock, his mouth slightly open as he registered my words. “No,” he snarled, shaking his head frantically.

“Oh?” I arched an eyebrow, crossing my arms over my chest. “Then I suppose I can't help you and you would allow your brother to die in the prison…” I drew it out. “You have three seconds before my offer is null.”

His eyes never left mine, his lips still parted at my daring proposition.

“One… two…” I mockingly counted.

Before I could say three, Kael closed his eyes and muttered, “Fine.”

Looking up in surprise, my heart leapt with excitement. ‘Victory,’ I muttered under my breath. I let out a triumphant smile, feeling a rush from my small win.

With a new sense of determination, I turned towards the entrance of the palace hall, my steps confident as I approached my brother, the emperor, seated on his grand throne.

Tristan looked up, his expression flickered with surprise as he noticed me striding towards the throne.

“Isabelle,” he called out, his voice echoing through the throne room. “I thought you were gone?”

I gave him a curt bow.”Yes, I was but I returned for a very urgent matter.”

Tristan's brows rose and I could see concern cloud his features. Before he could ask I spoke up.“Brother, I have a request,” I said, bowing my head respectfully.

“What is it, Isabelle?” He asked.

“I’d like to take your permission to investigate the case of General Kael’s brother. I believe there may be more to it than what’s been presented.”

The concern in his expression melted away with sheer surprise.“It’s unlike you to take on… serious matters. You, my carefree sister, suddenly concerned about justice?”

I hesitated, taking a few more steps towards the throne. “Perhaps I’ve found… a new interest, I was simply taken aback by the General's looks.” I whispered, my cheeks heating slightly as I thought of Kael’s striking face.

Understanding dawned on Tristan’s face, and he let out a small chuckle. “So you’ve moved on from Rowan to the Zeta?” He leaned back, nodding thoughtfully, his eyes swimming in amusement “Very well. I’ll grant your request, you can start your investigation.”

KAEL’S POV

When I glanced up at the Princess, my heart skipped a beat. Just gazing into her clear blue eyes and her hair almost as white as the snow was enough to weaken my knees.

I quickly dismissed my reaction—after all, I had been stationed at the border for months, with only the cold and the other soldiers for company. Perhaps I have forgotten the effect a beautiful woman could have.

But I knew about Princess Isabelle. I have heard so many rumours in the kingdom about her as an idle, frivolous woman who had been infatuated with Beta Rowan and chasing him.

And now her sudden attention toward me and my brother's case was puzzling, and I couldn’t quite trust her motives.

Why would the Princess suddenly pay any attention to me? What was her true intention?

A wave of cold breeze blew into my face and I broke away from my thoughts, remembering the reason I was here outside the palace. My brother’s arrest.

The whole case feels like a trap, especially since I hadn't been allowed any visitation rights. For hours, I knelt outside the palace, hoping to be granted an audience with the Emperor, but there had been no word, no summons. Isabelle's unusual offer was suddenly my only hope.

Still, I never expected her to be so audacious and her condition so daring.

When she leaned in and whispered that she wanted me to pose nude as her art model, I had nearly refused on instinct.

But now I had no other options. Even though the thought didn't seem right to me, I had to agree for the sake of my brother.

She's even more daring than I have heard in the rumours. This was not the same princess described by the court gossip.

As I stared out the palace grounds, the snow crunching under my heavy boots, I couldn't help but question what I had just gotten myself into.

But the part of me that wanted to see his brother free— resolved to go play along with the Princess's conditions, hoping I could make amends later.

And yet, deep down, I still wondered if there was something more to Princess Isabelle’s sudden attention.