Amp ran over upon hearing Saranta’s words. “Your Highness, allow me to take the lead! I’ve been taking dance lessons since young!”
She hated seeing Zong Yanxi getting all the attention, and she took Saranta’s new request as yet another opportunity for Zong Yanxi to impress the guests.
She decided to seize it before Zong Yanxi could.
Saranta, however, was not very happy about it. Is she crazy?
Amp was completely ignorant of her true intentions, and Saranta’s displeased look merely convinced her that her request was meant for Zong Yanxi to prove herself worthy. “I’m not lying, Your Highness! I’m better than her!” she protested, pointing at Zong Yanxi.
“I agree with Amp,” Tawan said.
However, Saranta simply smiled. “I would prefer if she did the dance instead.”
“She hurt her foot not too long ago, so I don’t think she’s fit for the dance,” Tawan said. “Amp is the child of a marquis, so I think she’s more suited to lead the dance.”
Saranta fell silent.
Seeing her reaction, Amp nodded vehemently. “That’s right! Besides, why are we letting a foreigner dance for the Princess?”
“Let Amp dance,” a voice rang from behind them. They turned around to see the princess walking towards them, clad in a bright yellow gown and with Pongsom by her side.
Saranta glanced at Pongsom and frowned. “Greetings, Your Highness,” she said, bowing politely.
In terms of status, the children of the Queen, including the Princess standing before them, ranked higher than the royal consorts.
Just like any aristocratic family, the royal consorts did not have much say in royal matters, and neither were they regarded as important members of the royal family.
As such, Saranta was not in a position to suggest otherwise when the Princess herself requested for Amp to lead the dance.
With that, it was decided that Amp was to lead the dance for that night.
Saranta had a word with the Princess before taking her leave.
The Princess walked over to Tawan to ask about Zong Yanxi’s identity, to which he merely answered, “We’re just friends.”
The Princess smiled. “Don’t worry. I won’t pick you.”
The Princess was more cute than pretty, with slightly tanned skin and an intelligent mind. She knew exactly why Tawan brought Zong Yanxi along for the party.
She turned around and glanced at Pongsom. “My father will satisfy him for sure.”
After all, the King liked Pongsom, and he would approve of his marriage to the Princess as long as she raised the matter to him.
Pongsom and the Princess have had feelings for each other for some time already, so they made a tacit agreement way before the party was announced.
“You’ll still be my wonderful big brother!” the Princess said, grinning cheekily at Tawan.
The Queen and Tawan’s mother had been the best of friends, which meant that the Princess and Tawan met each other frequently for play dates when they were kids. The amount of time they spent with each other decreased after Tawan’s mother’s death, but the Princess treasured the fond memories of her play dates with Tawan as kids.
“She’s a great girl. Treat her well,” the Princess said before turning around and walking away.
Pongsom glared at his sister, who was completely ignorant of the fact that she had messed up Saranta’s plans.
He dragged her away by the arm to stop her from creating even more trouble for Tawan and Zong Yanxi.
“By the way, what event is this?” Zong Yanxi asked. She could not understand what everyone was saying, but she could tell from their body language that it was no laughing matter.
“The Princess’ birthday party,” Tawan answered.
“So…why did you take me along?” Zong Yanxi asked without bothering to be tactful. “Are you scared of the Princess taking an interest in you?”
“That’s right,” Tawan confessed. “Apologies for that.”
Zong Yanxi smiled. “It’s fine.”
She walked over to the table and picked up a glass of fruit juice.
Tawan followed her over. “Aren’t you mad?”
Zong Yanxi shook her head. “Take it as a favor.”
As the dance party commenced and the guests flocked to the dance floor, Tawan took Zong Yanxi to a quiet corner of the palace.
He had never talked about his private matters with Zong Yanxi before, but he figured that he was about time he came clean with her.
