“There’s absolutely no comparison between you and Ava. She’s the real heiress, while you’re nothing but a fake who clung to her position all this time before eventually getting kicked out!” Williams shouted, his voice dripping with anger.
A smug chuckle escaped his lips as he pulled out an elegant invitation card and waved it before Rose.
“Here,” he sneered.
“This is the invitation to Ava’s and my wedding.”
He took a step closer, his lips curling into a cruel smile.
“You really think any man would willingly settle down with a nobody like you? Someone who doesn’t even know who she truly is? Someone without an active beast within her? Someone who doesn’t even know which clan she belongs to? Someone who was merely pitied and taken in by the Hart family?”
He shook his head mockingly before letting out another laugh.
“How utterly pathetic.”
“Did you just say no one would settle down with her?”
Dylan, who had remained seated throughout Williams’ entire outburst, finally spoke.
His calm voice carried an unmistakable hint of anger as he slowly rose to his feet, his cold gaze locking onto Williams.
He had only stood up after noticing Rose’s patience reaching its limit.
Her fists were tightly clenched at her sides, and he knew she was only seconds away from punching Williams square in the face.
Without hesitation, Dylan reached over and gently held her hand.
The instant his fingers intertwined with hers, Rose’s tense body gradually relaxed.
Truthfully, Dylan would have loved to watch Rose knock Williams unconscious with a single punch.
However…
That would mean hurting her delicate hands and that was something he absolutely refused to allow.
“Sit down, pretty boy,” Williams scoffed dismissively, waving him off.
“No one is talking to you right now.”
His eyes narrowed with disdain.
“I know Rose hired you just to provoke me. There’s no need pretending to be her knight in shining armor. Just collect your payment after this little drama is over.”
He laughed arrogantly.
“And if she refuses to pay you…” he continued with a mocking grin, “…I can spare you some loose change. Hell, I might even introduce you to a few wealthy women who’ll appreciate a pretty face like yours.”
“I’m telling you that Rose is my wife.” Dylan’s voice remained calm, yet every single word echoed clearly throughout the restaurant.
“You said no man would ever choose her but I’m telling you right now that I chose her. She’s my wife.”
The declaration struck everyone present as well as Rose.
“…They’re… already married?No freaking way!”
“Seriously? I’m actually jealous.”
The whispers instantly erupted across the restaurant.
Williams remained silent for a brief second before a scoff escaped his lips.
“So…” he mocked, raising an eyebrow.
“The great Rose ended up marrying a weak little loser like you?”
He slowly placed both hands on his waist before shaking his head dramatically.
“What a perfect match.” His lips curved into a sarcastic smile.
“I suppose only nobodies deserve other nobodies.”
His gaze swept over Dylan from head to toe.
“At least you’re handsome,” he sneered.
“Even if you’re weak.”
“Weak?” Dylan repeated, raising an eyebrow as a cold scoff escaped his lips.
His hands slowly curled into fists beside him.
“If you truly think I’m weak…” He took a step forward.
“…then why don’t we settle this with a match?”
The moment those words left Dylan’s mouth, Rose’s heart nearly stopped.
What?
A match?!!
Then everyone will accuse me of dragging the prince into a duel once they find out about his real identity!
And if he gets injured because of me…
No, no, no…
This can’t happen!
“It’s okay, Dylan,” Rose hurriedly said, swallowing hard as she tugged gently on his sleeve.
“I can handle this myself.”
Unfortunately…Dylan completely ignored her.
Williams burst into loud laughter.
“She doesn’t want you getting yourself killed on the training field, pretty boy so stop embarrassing yourself and sit your ass back down, loser.” He added as he folded his hands confidently.
“If you’re truly brave enough…” Dylan interrupted coldly.
“…then let’s have that match.”
His piercing gaze remained fixed on Williams.
“Let’s find out which one of us is actually weak.” A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
“Or…” He titled his head slightly.
“..are you already scared?”
“Scared?” Williams repeated before bursting into another fit of laughter.
“Of you?” He added as he pointed at Dylan as though he had just heard the funniest joke in existence.
“I guess you’re tired of living.” His laughter finally subsided as a vicious grin spread across his face.
“Fine you want a match? You’ve got one. I’ll make sure everyone witnesses just how weak you really are.” He added as he cracked his knuckles loudly.
“Let’s go then.” Dylan’s expression remained completely indifferent.
“I only hope you’ll still be standing there looking this proud once everything is over.”
Williams let out another scoff before turning toward the crowd.
“Come on, everyone!” he shouted excitedly.
“Let’s head to the training field!”
A wicked grin spread across his face.
“Come and watch this pretty boy get beaten into the ground!”
The students instantly cheered in excitement before rushing after Williams as he confidently strode out of the restaurant.
Within moments, the once noisy restaurant had almost emptied.
Rose immediately grabbed Dylan’s hands, stopping him before he could follow.
“What the hell are you doing?” she asked, her voice filled with panic and worry as her grip around his hands tightened.
“Have you forgotten that you’re the prince?”
She glanced around nervously before lowering her voice.
“These idiots may not recognize you because you’ve already completed your training at the academy. Besides, your portrait isn’t displayed around the school like the current students’. It’s kept inside the royal museum alongside the other members of the royal family.”
She looked directly into his eyes, unable to hide the fear written all over her face.
“Are you… worried about me?” Dylan asked, raising an eyebrow as a faint smile spread across his handsome face.
“Or…” he continued teasingly, “you simply don’t believe in my abilities?”