They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System

Chapter 374: Just Got The Gift He Didn’t Know He Needed

And why did it bother her?

It was just a dance, she reminded herself. A symbolic gesture. Nothing more. The prince wasn’t married, nor formally engaged. With the entire world watching, he had to choose someone, and, well, she was available, noble, and already dressed for the occasion.

That had to be why.

Right?

She bit her lower lip and glanced down at her hand, the one he had held just moments ago. She remembered the warmth of his fingers, the way he looked at her as if she was the only one in the room.

A weird guilt started to creep up on her. He hadn’t demanded anything. He hadn’t pressured her. And when she refused… he had respected it.

She sighed.

Maybe I overreacted.

Maybe it really was just a dance. He could have gone to their mother. Or even Ebere, who was just as beloved and refined. But he didn’t. He came to her.

And she turned away.

The moment the musicians quietly packed up the instruments for the first dance, a wave of confused disappointment washed over the crowd like an unspoken question.

Guests glanced around, waiting, unsure if there had been a change in the program. A few noblewomen whispered behind their fans. Courtiers muttered into their wine glasses.

The cancellation of the first dance, the symbolic act that marked the prince’s rise, was like pulling the spark from a firework show just before launch.

Even the livestream exploded with reactions:

@RoyalTeaSpiller: Wait, did they just CANCEL the first dance?? No way. My popcorn is unfinished. Refund please.

@GlitzNGlory2025: Why would he cancel? WHO was supposed to dance with him? But then he could have danced with his mother or one of his sisters right?

@ChaChaChariot: Maybe his dance partner bailed? Oop, tea’s hot tonight.

@NnennaNation: Wait y’all… you don’t think—?

Princess late? Or

was tradition, tho. It’s never been

see the comments, she felt the

disappointment written on the faces of

Prince Ankhbayar. Even King Vladimir of Haran blinked slowly, murmuring something to

She could imagine their confusion, their excitement fizzling into

was his big

Who didn’t

And she…

even grant him

No.

inhaled deeply, squared her shoulders, and began walking through the crowd, weaving past nobles and heads of

with his back turned, speaking in low tones with one of his advisors, his posture calm, but

gently, boldly, tapped

He turned, mid sentence.

lifted slightly as he laid eyes on her. His surprise wasn’t masked, not even a little.

soft smile, just enough to be sincere without giving too much

dance, Eldest Brother?” she said clearly,

was calm, but her heart pounded louder than the

her for a breath

heads turned in near

rippled like a wave on

the first dance just

now, the Second Princess, who had earlier been the center of a scandalous commotion,

The prince was the one to offer the hand.

wildfire through

“She’s overstepping—”

she not hear

she’s his sister, that was

not the type to let this

making it worse for

the sharp rejection that would surely follow. For the air to freeze over. For the Second Princess to be gently, or not