"Huh... huh huh huh?! Dating?!"

Like being hit by a heavy hammer on the head, Aya was instantly stunned, her cheeks blushing, and she waved her hands helplessly: "No, no! Absolutely not! I can't agree to it. We're both boys, how can... umm!"

Fortunately, Aya realized it was not right before she said it all, and quickly covered her mouth. Phew, that was close. I almost revealed everything. But it seems like I've already said half of it. I hope Gawpht didn't notice anything.

When Aya looked at Gawpht again, the Grand Knight Commander had already collapsed on the ground and fallen into a deep sleep, probably from drinking too much.

"Thank goodness he fell asleep..." Aya wiped off a cold sweat and went over to lift Gawpht from the ground. Although Gawpht's physique doesn't belong to the muscular type, he is still over 1.8 meters tall. It would have been difficult for a girl to support him, but it's not a problem for Aya.

After handing Gawpht over to the waiter and instructing him to take Gawpht back to his residence, Aya breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, it's done after being dragged here for so long.

But it took so long. I wonder how the banquet hall is doing. The banquet should be coming to an end soon, right?

Sure enough, when Aya pushed open the door to the terrace leading to the banquet hall, the official herald inside the hall just shook a copper bell, indicating that the banquet was nearing its end and the final dance was about to begin.

If what Gawpht said is correct, this final dance is probably the moment when Tiran announces her beloved. Aya sighed and remembered Tiran's plan.

Those poor guys below would never guess what Tiran is up to, right? They are too naive. How could the princess just obediently engage and get married?

Sigh, it would be quite a spectacle if the protagonist had no role to play.

Shoulders shrugged, Aya walked to the dance floor on the first floor.

Tiran was nowhere to be seen. She should be preparing for the opening of the dance in a while. Hmm, taking this opportunity, isn't it finally time for me to have something to eat? Aya's gaze fell on the various delicacies placed on the table next to her.

Although it's a banquet, everyone present knows that the purpose of this banquet is not to eat. Even those elders who did not come for the princess spent most of their time talking to other nobles. In the noble social events, there are probably only a few children who follow their elders to gain experience and actually focus on the food.

"So I'll just take it without hesitation~" Aya happily held a plate and stood in front of the table, hesitating about what to eat. Hmm, should I start with a piece of chocolate cake or mango pudding to whet my appetite, or should I directly have a portion of sashimi freshly made by the chef over there? Hmm, I wonder how it compares to what the Crown Prince made.

Decision made, I guess I'll start with a steak! The dance will start soon, so it's important to fill my stomach first. There will be time to taste the desserts later.

As Aya walked towards the position where the steak was placed, a slightly anxious figure brushed past her shoulder, accidentally bumping into Aya and almost causing her to lose balance.

"Sorry! Miss, I... huh? Knight Aya?"

"Ouch, that hurt. You, your bones are so hard... huh? Aren't you that guy? What are you doing here?" Aya also recognized the person in front of her, Ioan, the Vice Commander of the Cross Knights with whom she had a fight on her first day at the palace.

Speaking of which, he is also a big figure in the Cross Knights, and since Gawpht can come, it's not surprising that Ioan is here too.

"I didn't expect to encounter the guardian knight of Princess Tiran." Ioan bowed to Aya as a knight, and Aya quickly returned the gesture following what she learned about knight etiquette.

"Are you hiding from someone? You seemed in a hurry," Aya frowned.

"No, actually I was looking for Grand Knight Gawpht. We came together to attend the banquet, but he disappeared earlier. I've been looking for him for a long time," Ioan explained.

"Oh, Gawpht... " Aya smiled awkwardly and pointed to the door. "He got drunk, so I had the waiter take him back."

"Is that so? Thank you very much! But, isn't Grand Knight Gawpht someone who doesn't drink alcohol?" Ioan was puzzled and quickly left after expressing his gratitude to Aya.

After Ioan left, Aya let out a sigh of relief. Now I can finally eat in peace...

"Hey, who's that girl over there?"

"Lux, you know a lot of people, have you seen her before?"

"No, I don't know her, haven't seen her either, but she's really pretty, not any less than Princess Tiran. Hey, why did you hit me?"

"Hmph, I admit she's pretty, but I can't tolerate her being compared to my goddess."

"Forget about that, did you guys not notice? She's wearing the uniform of the Crusader Knights. Is she a newcomer to the Knights?"

"If she's a newcomer, would she have the qualification to attend the banquet? I remember on tonight's guest list, there are only the captain and vice-captain of the Crusader Knights, right?"

Io's collision with the two and their exchanged knighthood gestures have attracted the attention of the surrounding guests. Coupled with Aya's stunning appearance, many young aristocrats glanced over with great interest.

Oops, it's not good, we've been noticed?

Aya blushed, put down the steak that she had just picked up and placed the plate on the table before turning to leave. It felt awkward to eat in front of so many people's eyes.

"Excuse me, miss Knight, can you wait for a moment?" a voice called out to Aya from behind.

"Yes!" Aya's immediate reaction was to stand straight and turn around hesitantly. She saw a noble youth with linen-colored short hair, amber-colored eyes, and dressed in fancy clothing waving at her and walking towards her.

"Ha, don't be so nervous, I just want to chat with you out of curiosity." The smile on the noble youth's face was warm and it slightly eased Aya's anxiety.

"I didn't sneak in, I swear!"

The noble youth paused for a moment, then chuckled softly, "I didn't think you sneaked in, Miss Knight. I trust the palace guards, after all."

"... " Aya still looked at him cautiously.

"Let me introduce myself. I am Galoning, Galoning Angelou, currently working in the Kingdom's Treasury." The noble youth said, pressing his chest.

"Aya, the Princess's guardian knight." Aya said, slightly surprised in her heart, "Are you from the Angelou family? One of the four pillar families?"

"Ah, sort of. But I'm not the eldest son. With my older brother around, I won't inherit the family, so I'm not someone of noble status." Galoning shrugged nonchalantly, indifferent to his own status, "Rather, Aya, you surprised me. I've never heard about the Princess having a guardian knight... Oh, I heard a few days ago, an unnamed knight defeated the vice-captain of the Crusader Knights in the palace's arena. Could that have been you?"

"Is it Io? Ah...yes, it was." Aya had originally wanted to come up with an excuse, but in the end, she couldn't think of one and had to admit it.

"I didn't expect to meet the Princess's guardian knight tonight. It's really lucky."

"Weren't you all here for the Princess? What's lucky about meeting me..." Aya muttered.

"I don't think I have the ability to win Princess Tiran's favor. I actually came tonight just to spectate. It's fortunate to encounter such a beautiful young knight like you." Galoning shrugged.

Ah, being praised like this by another guy as a guy myself, it's so disgusting, I'm getting goosebumps all over.

At this moment, the lights in the banquet hall suddenly became dim, and then several high-power magic lamps simultaneously illuminated the second floor of the banquet hall.

Behind the railing, Tiran, dressed in a pure white long dress, stood quietly at the spot where the king had previously given a speech. The light shone on her, making the long dress seem to be enveloped in a layer of luminous white.

Soft music resounded throughout the hall as Tiran descended slowly along the staircase.

The delicate tailoring perfectly displayed every beautiful curve of the young girl. Her silver hair cascaded down like a waterfall, dazzling under the lights. The fishtail-style hem of her dress made her seem to walk in the dim light like a mermaid in a fairy tale.

Even Aya, who saw Tiran every day, couldn't help but stare in astonishment. Although she was accustomed to seeing her every day, in this moment, she still felt...that the princess is really cute when she's not crazy or scheming.

As for the young nobles, most of their gazes have been firmly attracted by Tiran.

Her snow-white and tender face, crystal clear and delicate skin, a straight and cute nose, rosy lips, especially those pair of sapphire-like eyes, charming and captivating like moonlight...

If I were to describe Princess Your Highness right now in a few words, it would probably be noble, exquisite, and beautiful, right?

"If you could see her in her usual state, you probably wouldn't think that way..." Aya muttered.

"Although I've already told myself it's impossible, I can't help but have the urge to try and seize the opportunity to dance the first dance with her at a time like this."

Garoning let out a slow breath and said somewhat regretfully.

Then, he glanced at Aya beside him and extended a hand to her, whispering with a low voice, "I wonder if Miss Aya would like to dance with me?"

"Huh?" Aya was momentarily stunned, but soon realized what he meant. This guy is quite shrewd, because tonight's dinner party is specifically arranged for a blind date for Titania, so most of the attendees are men. It would be difficult to find someone to dance with at the dance party later, unless someone is willing to dance with a man.

"Well...”

"Thank you all for coming tonight," Titania stood in the center of the dance floor, a smile playing at the corner of her lips, "I know that many of you are very interested in the first dance tonight..."

She took two steps forward and quickly found Aya in the crowd. Her eyes immediately gleamed with cunning as she continued, "Especially concerning my dance partner... I'm sure everyone is curious, right? So, next I am going to announce who will be my partner for this first dance."

As she spoke, Titania walked towards Aya's direction.

The crowd immediately stirred.

"Oh my goodness, am I dreaming? Princess Your Highness is coming over here?" Garoning couldn't believe his eyes as he stood beside Aya, watching Titania walk straight towards them.

"Heh... heh..." Aya had no energy left to make any other expression. Well, even though she already saw how this would end, she still couldn't help but feel the urge to complain at a time like this.

"Sorry, Garoning, you might have to find a new dance partner."

"What... do you mean?" Garoning was taken aback.

Before Garoning could understand the meaning of her words, Titania had already reached Aya and then...

Threw herself into Aya's arms!

"Darling, would you like to dance the first dance with me tonight?" Titania looked up at Aya, with a sweet smile on her face.

Ah, my teeth ache, they really do ache.