Lynn was about to say it was simple, but the latter half of the statement shut him up.
If Ivyst wasn't counted, then the nature of the matter would be completely different.
Who said this adventure was easy? This adventure was incredibly difficult!
He hadn't expected Hillena to start by stepping into a minefield, the ace of aces.
These preconditions were simply like having "come praise me" written across her face.
After all, at the dinner party, aside from Hillena and Ivyst, Lynn didn't know anyone else.
But if he truly were to praise Hillena in front of Ivyst, even if it were just a single sentence, he could imagine just how disastrous the aftermath would be.
So, this was actually a deadly proposition.
Sensing the somewhat tense atmosphere, Ivyst, who stood nearby, remained very calm, "Don't mind me, just do what you want to do."
So confident, so generous... not!
For women, especially ones like Ivyst, you really must interpret their words in reverse.
The calmer she appeared at the moment, the more it meant she didn't want to be seen as inferior in front of Hillena.
With this thought in mind, Lynn took a deep breath.
"Let me just confirm..." he glanced at Hillena, "anyone present is acceptable, right?"
"Of course," Hillena nodded, "but as I said earlier, it must be someone you know."
"In that case, I'm prepared."
At the same time, Ivyst also inadvertently cast him a glance.
Though she appeared calm, at that moment she was nearly going crazy.
If her adorable little dog really did betray her, she would be very, very heartbroken.
Besides, even the future woman he'd wrongfully favor wouldn't tolerate this kind of behavior.
Hence once Lynn publicly praised Hillena, in a sense, it was like Ivyst and the Doomsday Witch had temporarily formed a united front.
For those greedy little dogs that covet the grass on the other side, punishment was necessary.
With these thoughts, Ivyst watched Lynn without uttering a word.
"The person I want to praise is... myself."
Hillena was stunned for a moment, then shook her head, "You're being tricky here."
"Princess Hillena, you didn't specify that 'it can't be oneself'."
Lynn quickly retorted.
Hearing this, Hillena smiled gently, "That's true, but... let it be."
Seeing Lynn dodge the punishment in such a manner, everyone found it quite novel.
Ivyst, on the other hand, breathed a sigh of relief.
This answer was safe and standard. It neither fulfilled Hillena's wishes nor provoked her anger.
Yet compared to Lynn's previous way of handling things, the always surprising and deft approach, Ivyst felt a faint sense of loss.
But you can't have your cake and eat it too, and she understood that.
As long as he hadn't embarrassed her in front of Hillena and so many others, he had passed her test.
Just as this thought crossed her mind, she saw Lynn speak again, "Hold on before you go."
"Don't you want to hear what I am going to praise about myself?"
Upon hearing this, Hillena paused in her steps.
For some reason, she suddenly had a bad feeling.
"As you can see, I have a pair of very beautiful eyes," Lynn said with a gentle smile, surveying the crowd, "Their color is like the limpid blue of the ocean, their shape like exquisitely carved gems, if you look carefully, you might even see reflections of mountains, birds, sun, and moon in them."
Hearing these words, the people stared at Lynn, barely able to contain their mirth.
Who would've thought this guy could be so entertaining?
Just praising himself, he could wax lyrical to such an extent.
Only Hillena looked solemn.
Knowing this boy as she did, things definitely wouldn't end so easily.
The next second, meeting everyone's gaze, Lynn suddenly turned around, bending down to gaze intently at Ivyst.
"However, none of this is the point," his voice suddenly turned soft, "to me, there's only one reason they are beautiful."
"Because my eyes have you in them, dear princess."
In an instant, a strange sense of sourness welled up inside.
Watching the scene unfold before her, Hillena thought gloomily.