Chapter 17

"Would you allow me to dance with you?"

Orig's voice was smooth, yet commanding, as if the entire world had ceased to exist, and it was just the two of them in the room. Taya stole a glance at the guests, still stunned by the audacity of his request. She could feel their eyes on her, and the whispers that followed. "It's an honor, my love," she replied, extending her hand to him, though her gaze still smoldered with intensity.

In all their years of marriage, Orig had never once asked her to dance. He always took Meral to the balls instead of her, leaving Taya to train alone, dreaming of the day when he would invite her. That day never came. But now, here he was, asking her to dance in front of all their guests.

As the musicians began to play, whispers filled the hall. "Will they start dancing before we even acknowledge her?" one person murmured.

"He's such a Lucy man," another said, referring to Orig's reputation, before adding, "I heard she's the most beautiful girl in the capital, known as the 'beauty of the Rose Kingdom.'"

"Have you seen how he looked at her? Maybe he's in love with her," a third voice suggested.

"What happens to Prince Orig? How could he be deceived by a simple lady?" someone else commented, seemingly in disbelief.

Taya's heart clenched as she heard these words, but she kept her composure. She had no intention of letting anyone see the turmoil inside her. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Orig's voice, "She's not mean, and she's excellent at cooking…"

One of Orig's men on the second floor laughed, then remarked, "If he had married the princess from the Land of Jasmine, we'd be in a better position today."

Orig held her tightly as he twirled her around the dance floor. Each of his movements was deliberate and exaggerated—spinning, bending, his every action designed to impress the audience. His steps were so grandiose that Taya could barely keep up.

"So, am I still not good at dancing, Your Grace?" Taya teased, her voice barely above a whisper. Orig almost kissed her right cheek as they continued to glide across the floor, but she turned her face away, avoiding his closeness.

"Some rolls and full rotations don't mean you're a good dancer," she whispered back, finishing the dance. The guests erupted in applause, their approval of the performance echoing throughout the room.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Orig said, his voice cutting through the applause. "Thank you for attending my wife's welcome party. The Princess Taya Orig Dessman."

Taya smiled graciously at the guests, but inside, she was filled with conflicting emotions. Well, maybe I've overjoyed at him treating me kindly in exchange for the information I've shared, the information that might help him, she thought to herself, keeping the smile fixed on her face.

Orig, just bear with it a little longer. You're only doing this to get the damn key. After that, you'll say goodbye to me. Her mind raced as she caught a glimpse of the cunning smile on Orig's face. He was staring at her, but Taya could see the underlying calculation in his eyes.

As they walked to the chairs set aside for them, they began greeting the guests and accepting their gifts. "Taya, this is my stepmother, the Queen," Orig said, gesturing to a regal woman surrounded by other ladies. "My younger brother, Dollyo Dessman, and my sister, Loayan Dessman, who's sitting alone in the corner over there."

Orig's voice trailed off as he observed the conversations between his family members and the guests. He had completely forgotten about his stepmother's feelings from yesterday, and now, he realized she might be upset with him.

Taya, however, wasn't paying much attention to Orig's introductions. Instead, her attention was drawn to a man standing at the edge of the room—a noble with striking green eyes and long blond hair. His gaze held a strange intensity that Taya couldn't quite place. She glanced at Orig, but his eyes were already fixed on the man, and he gestured to one of his guards to investigate him.

"He's...hot," Taya heard a woman whisper nearby, but the words seemed to fade away as Taya's attention shifted to the nobleman. When she turned back to Orig, she noticed his eyes fixed on someone in the western corner of the room. The woman standing there had blonde hair that shimmered like sunlight, and her skin was as pale as porcelain. Taya recognized her immediately—it was Meral. The woman who had torn her marriage apart.

"Orig," Taya said, her voice strained. "Your wife is still here; who are you looking for?" She raised his chin slowly, hoping to draw his attention away from Meral. But he didn't answer her. He simply shook his head, his gaze never leaving Meral.

Taya's heart dropped as a bitter thought entered her mind. Am I imagining things, or did Meral attend my wife's welcome party? Why is she here?

When Orig saw the tears glistening in Meral's eyes, the same eyes that tried to hold his gaze earlier, he couldn't contain himself any longer. He rose from his seat and walked toward her, his steps quick, his eyes locked on the woman who had always held his heart. Taya stood frozen, her mouth agape in shock.

She's here again, because of her, Taya thought bitterly. My marriage failed because of her. Orig is ignoring me because of her. I lived in hell because of her. I've been yearning for a kind word from him, but all he does is run to her.

Her thoughts spiraled, and before she even realized it, her feet were moving, following Orig toward the woman who had ruined her life. But just as she neared them, a figure stepped in front of her.

It was Dollyo, Orig's brother. He looked her up and down, his gaze lingering on every part of her body, as if she were a painting meant to be admired. He leaned in close, his voice a whisper in her ear. "Don't worry, sister-in-law," he said with a sly smile. "This is just my brother's temper. He'll always leave everything for Meral. It doesn't matter when or where, but he always returns to her arms. I don't mean to offend, Your Highness, but this is the truth. My brother is in love with Meral."

Taya's anger flared, and before she could stop herself, she slapped him across the face. The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to her. Without missing a beat, she slapped him again. "This is what I'll do to you if you don't leave me alone," she shouted, her breath coming in sharp gasps. "You're nothing but a superficial man, and I won't walk the same path as you."

Taya stood there, her fists clenched at her sides, her heart racing. The anger that had been building inside her for so long finally spilled over. It wasn't easy for her to stand up to Dollyo, but she had had enough.