‘No, it won’t happen. It can’t.’

Britney held her breath and stared at the back of Iobet.

‘I’m just going to talk to Count Green.’

Iobet stopped in front of Count and Countess Green.

‘Don’t ask Iris for a dance!’

Britney screamed inwardly. A few other ladies at the spot had the same thought.

But their thoughts couldn’t stop Iobet’s actions.

“Lady Iris Green.”

Iobet extended his hand as he called out Iris’s full name.

The fact that he called her full name, not ‘Lady Green’, suggested a lot.

It meant that he would show his favor to ‘Iris’, not just the Green family.

“May I have the first dance?”

There were gasps and sighs from here and there.

But Iobet didn’t care and kept his gaze fixed on Rishi.

Iobet was surprised by Rishi’s attitude.

Being the partner of the Crown Prince’s first dance was a glory that any lady would covet. Despite receiving such honor, there was no tremor in Rishi’s eyes. A graceful smile floated subtly on Rishi’s lips, as if it was a rightful occurrence.

Rishi’s gaze was respectful, yet proud. Iobet strangely felt as if he was of lower rank than Rishi.

A small, warm thing overlaid on Iobet’s palm.

This situation should have been an honor for Rishi, but Iobet felt honored instead.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Rishi said in a small but powerful voice. It was a pleasant voice.

Britney tearing up and leaving the ballroom, quiet conversations passing among the nobles, none of it was a problem for Iobet.

At this moment, Iobet felt as if he and Rishi were the only ones left in the ballroom.

‘Huh!’

A hollow laugh spilled out.

‘The flower of the Withlow duchy?’

That’s a ridiculous nickname.

‘This woman is not like a flower.’

He knew it just from a brief exchange of glances.

‘She’s a beast that can swallow everything.’

Now he understood why Kay was fascinated by Rishi.

Princess Mary was nothing in comparison, not only in terms of appearance but also in terms of the aura, gaze, and demeanor of Rishi. Everything was different.

‘She’s not an ordinary woman. How could she have such a gaze while being locked up in the Withlow mansion?’

Eyes of a warrior who has faced countless wars and deaths.

‘No matter what, she’s an attractive woman. It’s a pity that Kay discovered her first.’

When the Withlow family was mentioned as outlaws, he should have declared that he would marry Iris instead of Britney. Then he could have put this woman with mysterious eyes on the throne as the Crown Princess.

‘Kay, this guy. He registered the marriage even before the wedding, fearing that everyone would covet her.’

Now he couldn’t snatch Iris away, not even by a royal decree. Even with the power of the royal family, one couldn’t snatch someone else’s wife.

Of course, even if he could, Iobet wouldn’t have snatched a woman that Kay had first got his hands on.

Because Kay was his only friend.

‘It’s not just her eyes. Her dancing skills are also excellent. She’s leading me.’

Rishi danced so smoothly that Iobet forgot that he was dancing.

Rishi, with her soft yet firm skills, was leading the dance as if water was flowing.

“Your Highness.”

Suddenly, Rishi opened her mouth. She didn’t look breathless, even though the dance was quite fast.

“Worven is not good.”

Because of the unexpected name, Iobet came to a halt.

Rishi whispered with a tender smile.

“You have to lead the dance, Your Highness.”

“Ah, sorry.”

Iobet composed himself and moved his legs again to match Rishi’s movements. But his mind was a complete mess.

Worven Trading Company.

The trading company that Iobet was planning to invest in recently. Mainly dealing with Meritium, acquiring this trading company would be of great help in solidifying his position as the Crown Prince.

The problem was that the second prince also had his eyes on Worven Trading Company. He was considering how to fully acquire Worven Trading Company so that the second prince couldn’t interfere.

‘How does she know that name? Did I mishear?’

Rishi was focusing on the dance as if nothing had happened.

Meanwhile, one song had ended.

It was time to let go of her hand and ask another young lady for a dance.

But the Crown Prince couldn’t do that.

“May I ask for another dance, Lady Green?”

The fact that the Crown Prince had asked for consecutive dances was an unusual event.

Britney, who was collecting herself to accept another dance request, and the young ladies who thought they had a chance, could not close their open mouths.

“Your Highness, other young ladies should have the opportunity as well.”

At the sound of Rishi speaking like a child’s appeasement, everyone couldn’t help but be shocked.

“I need to dance one more song with the Countess. Please allow me one more.”

Rather than scolding Rishi for the rude refusal, the Crown Prince asked for a dance as if he were clinging, causing not only the nobles but also his aide, Setni, to nearly faint.

Rishi laid a hand on the Crown Prince’s shoulder as if there was nothing she could do.

“Your Highness, it’s difficult if you ask me for two songs. Other young ladies are waiting for the honor of dancing with you.”