It will ruin the royal's reputation if she declined that hand infront of WHOLE NOBLES. If you read too many novels or manwhas like this...it is a hidden rule that a princess should never turned down a man's invitation who has saved the empire or if that man is currently famous and a big help to the empire. She can turn that down and she will but doing it in front of the nobles knowing it's a royal ball, can adhere the royalty reputation (?)
I've already read there is to read and it's pretty obvious.... But her reputation is already in tatters.... What more could rejecting him do anything to change it.... And it would also make him realize that SHE DOESN'T WANT HIM!!!
The deal she made with her brother only says he become her partner not dance with him??!
Now, this scene is just the author trying to dramatize the plot more than it's intended...
Besides, it's basically her fault for not seeking Kylo herself... Way to go of her being "his fangirl"... She even planned on leaving him alone by "bowing out" so he could mingle with so-called nobles...
Ghaadd that made me so frustrated...
She can't even turn that down???
She even confidently said that she read the book over and over, and even has Agnes' knowledge on high society so she knows the ins and outs; so why couldn't she turn him down???
Ghaaad, she's just being selfish at this point...
She's not even considering Kylo's feelings...