Elise wanted to pretend she hadn’t seen Chase, but it was difficult.

Especially since he, already a flamboyant figure, had dressed even more elaborately today, drawing attention inevitably with his glittering attire.

As Chase moved, the crowd’s gaze followed him.

The subjects of rumors had gathered in one place.

Elise, Karan, Chase.

People blatantly sneaked glances at them. Even the musicians had to pause their play momentarily, earning a reprimand from the administrator.

Elise stepped aside to make way for someone else.

As if part of the group, Chase also changed his direction to follow her.

She hoped he was looking for someone other than her, but that was a vain hope.

“Elise.”

The affection in Chase’s call made the hairs on Elise’s arms stand up.

“I greet Your Highness, the prince.”

Elise placed her hands demurely on her chest and curtsied.

Meanwhile, Karan, of equal status, stood even more upright.

As soon as she rose, Karan took Elise’s hand and placed it on his forearm.

Chase’s gaze lingered on that forearm for a moment before dropping.

Only Elise noticed the slight lift and fall of Karan’s left lip.

“Pleased to meet you, Your Highness. Finally, we meet. I am Karan Lysander of Titris.”

Karan greeted politely.

Chase, fixing his gaze on Elise, remained silent, his eyes troubled.

People exchanged puzzled looks.

“Still hung up on her?”

“He must dislike speaking with the barbarian.”

Ironically, while Chase was the one being rude, Karan was the one receiving criticism.

Elise, concerned for Karan, looked at him.

His expressionless face made it impossible to guess his thoughts.

‘Didn’t he hear it?’

It would be a relief if he hadn’t.

Elise didn’t know that Karan’s hearing was better than most.

“Do you have something to say, Elise?”

Feeling her gaze, Karan turned to her with a smile.

The slight change softened his handsome face, causing a stir around them.

Ladies fluttered their fans.

“Oh my, look at that. No wonder Lady Elise fell for him. He is handsome.”

“The rumor about him being popular with women must be true. They say in Titris, he’s been with over a hundred women…”

The level of gossip escalated. Elise had braced herself for some back talk, but this was extreme.

‘They’re too interested in us.’

Distracting the focused attention seemed the better option now.

Therefore, getting away from the conspicuous Chase was urgent.

“Your Highness, if there’s nothing else, I shall take my leave.”

As Elise tried to excuse herself, Chase stepped forward.

Then, Karan stepped in front of Elise as if to block Chase.

A strange standoff ensued between the two men, with Elise caught in the middle.

“What are you doing?”

Chase raised his eyebrows sharply.

“I didn’t hear your greeting, so I thought to greet you again. Hello, Your Highness Chase. I am Karan Lysander of Titris.”

Karan leaned in toward Chase. Close to his ear, Karan whispered.

“It would be difficult to ignore me a second time. I greatly appreciated the gift you sent. Shouldn’t you at least accept my thanks?”

Chase’s cheek twitched.

Meeting Chase’s eyes, Karan raised his eyebrows in a friendly gesture and stepped back.

Fire sparked in Chase’s eyes, and his jaw tensed.

“…Pleased to meet you.”

Chase begrudgingly greeted after some contemplation.

Karan nodded in response and then turned to Elise.

“Elise, don’t they dance at Pedroc’s parties?”

Elise quickly responded.

“Of course, they do. Would you like to dance with me, Your Highness?”

The room buzzed again. Elise had invited Karan to dance as a man typically would a woman.

It clearly showed how much she respected and cherished Karan.

“I’d be honored, though I may not be the best dancer.”
Karan took the hand Elise extended.

“Elise, I need to talk to you for a moment…”

Chase, attempting to hold her back, couldn’t finish his sentence because Elise had already moved far away.

One of Chase’s steps forward returned to its original place.

He had been ignored by Elise for the third time in the banquet hall alone.

His pride wouldn’t allow him to hold her back any longer.

Left alone, Chase glared at Karan and Elise, who were settling on the dance floor.

‘Accepted the gift, huh? Insolent brat.’

What Chase had sent Karan wasn’t a gift but members of a crime syndicate unafraid to dirty their hands.

Chase didn’t want to see Karan with Elise.

Thus, he sent technicians to prevent Karan’s attendance at the party.

Technicians skilled in killing.

He had instructed them to just keep Karan at bay, but those fools let him escape.

‘Slipped away like a rat.’

Chase, turning away, hadn’t imagined that Karan would have skillfully beaten them up.

Anyway, he also had a partner. He couldn’t leave her alone any longer.

Iris, turning to look at Chase approaching her, displayed a bright smile.

In her light pink dress and with her fair skin, she radiated a charm different from Elise’s.

‘This might actually be good for me.’

Thanks to Elise’s antics. Now he could have the woman known as the Rose of the Continent by his side.

‘Without a single thorn.’