Hearing Lynn’s sudden words, Ivyst, who was sitting at the desk, looked up.

She frowned.

"Have you grown tired of living?"

Lynn glanced at her and found the woman’s expression as cold and indifferent as usual, without any abnormalities.

Shouldn’t she be troubled by the unexpected mission by now?

Even if not troubled, she shouldn’t be acting as if nothing happened, right?

Though unaware of the specific content, only those of high status or even Saint Laurent VI himself could order her to stop her return to the Imperial Capital, Lynn thought of no other possibilities.

According to Miss Witch, this mission would take a very long time.

Although he didn’t know exactly how long, given that woman’s personality, she should have been annoyed by it.

Yet at the moment, Lynn detected no hint of this.

Could it be the duration was so long that Miss Witch’s memory was faulty?

But the deed was done, and there was no turning back now.

So, Lynn braced himself and repeated his earlier words in a different way, "Princess, I would like to invite you to go out with me tomorrow."

Ivyst paused for a second, then scoffed coldly, "For what reason?"

"I want to leave you with a precious memory."

Lynn continued to speak evasively, as if assembling a puzzle.

After all, he saw at first glance that she was wearing the lie-detecting ring on her finger.

Sure enough, Ivyst glanced at the ring.

Upon realizing the boy hadn’t lied, a trace of surprise flickered in her eyes, but she covered it up well.

The atmosphere suddenly fell silent.

As the one who had extended the invitation, Lynn averted his gaze, not daring to meet her ruby-like radiant eyes.

Ivyst silently looked at him, her thoughts inscrutable.

Time ticked by, second by second.

Feeling the pressure on his shoulders increase, Lynn was even prepared to ask her to fulfill her previous promise.

Just then, Ivyst’s cold, pleasant voice sounded again.

"Okay."

Upon hearing this, Lynn looked up in disbelief.

...

She actually agreed?

The next morning, as Lynn stood silently at the manor’s gate waiting for Ivyst, his mind was still contemplating the event of the previous day.

He had never imagined that she would agree to his request without him even using that wish.

Could it be that woman has fallen for me?

Quite likely.

Lynn touched his chin with a pensive expression, fretting over his own charm.

Just then, Glaya, who was eagerly joining in, suddenly said, "You’ve been looking all flirtatious since yesterday, who exactly are you planning to meet with?"

"Is it Miss Milani? I see you’re always running in her direction lately, tsk tsk, quite the unusual taste."

"Though that gal could be pretty if she dressed up, she’s just too young, not exciting at all."

Glaya rambled on, the onlooking crowd’s spokesperson.

Obviously, he too was very curious about Lynn’s date for the day.

Too bad the guy had been so secretive and wouldn’t tell him.

This only increased Glaya’s eagerness to learn more.

So he arrived here early in the morning, just to catch a glimpse of the woman.

"Tap, tap, tap..."

Along with the crisp sound of footsteps, Glaya’s heart leaped with delight, thinking he was about to catch Lynn’s weak spot.

But when he turned around and saw the woman walking up from behind, he was petrified.

"Princess, good morning."

Glaya paled, his legs shaking like a leaf.

Ivyst glanced at him casually, then turned to face Lynn without expression, "I was not aware that your idea of ’going out’ included a third party."

"I’m out of here!"

Before Lynn could speak, Glaya scrambled away, fleeing the scene.

Simultaneously, his opinion of Lynn soared to new heights.

Savage!

He was a man among men, masculinity personified!

Otherwise, how could it be explained that in just over half a month at the manor, he managed to conquer the so-called Evil Princess of the rumors?

Indeed, Lynn was no ordinary man, capable of things beyond others.

But should such gossip be spread at all?

He’d probably be killed if word got out?

His face went pale as he thought.

Lynn watched Glaya’s panicked retreat with glee but kept silent.

Then he turned his head to look at the Princess in front of him.

He had thought Ivyst would dress up for the occasion, but found her wearing her usual black long dress, stepping in matching high heels, with her long hair tied into a high ponytail that fell to her waist—a simple and efficient look.

Fortunately, she was naturally so beautiful, and with her aura of untouchable majesty, she still managed to momentarily dazzle Lynn.

Seeing his reaction, Princess Ivyst frowned, "So, what are we supposed to do on this ’date’ you mentioned?"

Regaining his composure, Lynn averted his gaze somewhat subconsciously, "Just...walk around, take a stroll, have a meal together, look at the scenery, and then chat."

"Boring," Ivyst said blandly.

But the next second, she walked ahead on her own.

Shaking his head, Lynn quickly followed after her, "Uh, Princess, generally speaking, on a date... cough, you’re supposed to hold hands."

"Hold hands?" Princess Ivyst scoffed. "You’ve got quite the nerve."

No good, huh?

Lynn felt disheartened but not downcast.

A moment later, however, Ivyst slowed her pace, "Nevertheless... since I’ve already agreed to it, it doesn’t matter."

"Also, I don’t like that phrase," she added.

As she slowly turned around to face Lynn behind her.

Under his gaze, a malicious smile crept onto Ivyst’s lips, and then she extended her delicate, fair right hand toward him.

"Shake hands."

Lynn took a deep breath, wondering why this woman could always provoke him with just one sentence.

Keep cool!

This was all part of the plan to secure an early return to the Imperial Capital!

After a fierce inner debate (which, in reality, lasted just 0.5 seconds), he earnestly placed his hand in Ivyst’s palm.

Feeling her soft skin and the faint cool touch, for some reason, Lynn’s heartbeat skipped.

Something wasn’t right.

This woman was off her game today.

...

Their first stop was a high-end women’s clothing store.

"This is where you bring me?"

Surrounded by all sorts of luxurious-looking clothes, Ivyst seemed unimpressed and even a bit miffed.

Any one of these items could easily cost a lifetime’s income for an ordinary family.

Yet, being a pampered Imperial Princess, it was normal for her not to care for these clothes catering to the average nobility and citizens.

"Princess, a date is about doing ordinary things," Lynn explained in a low voice.

Ivyst’s expression was listless. Then she ordered the clueless female shop assistants around her, "Bring out the most expensive clothes and shoes you have."

The assistants exchanged puzzled glances before dispersing, spurred on by Lynn’s intense eye signals. After all, they couldn’t afford to offend such evidently wealthy customers.

A moment later, Ivyst quickly skimmed through the neatly arrayed assortment of hats and shoes.

"You—pick out the nicest set," she commanded Lynn.

Lynn paused for a second before earnestly turning around to choose an outfit that met his own aesthetic.

"Do you want to embarrass me?" Ivyst declared coldly, "These clothes were ugly to begin with, and yet you chose the ugliest combination conceivable. It’s truly aggravating."

Lynn fell silent, looking over the wide-brimmed sun hat, the white wavy long dress, and the crystal high heels embellished with rhinestones in his hand.

Was his taste really that appalling?

All he wanted was for the Imperial Princess, who always carried herself with a sharp, cutting-edge presence, to try out a new style.

Like something pure and innocent.

He hadn’t expected such a scathing critique.

Just as he hesitated about choosing another outfit, Ivyst’s voice rang out again.

"Bring them here."

Lynn looked up and saw her emotionless expression as she glanced at the crystal high heels in his hand.

Getting the hint, he hurriedly walked over and offered the shoes to her.

Unexpectedly, Ivyst frowned as she looked at his actions, her tone icy, "Do you think the Imperial Princess is accustomed to bending over to put on her own shoes?"

As Lynn observed the beautiful, fair legs revealed beneath the hem of her skirt and the black high heels on her dainty feet, he hesitated for a few seconds.

Feeling the odd stares from the shop assistants around them, he took a deep breath and slowly bent down.

Keep calm.

This was all part of the plan.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com