76: Dancing together, a duel

To Dean's invitation, Olivia merely said coldly:

"Sorry, I don't want to dance right now!"

Although Dean knew his chances were slim, when Olivia truly rejected him coldly, his self-proclaimed elegant face couldn't help but twitch. He then straightened up and said:

"Since Young Miss Olivia is not in the mood right now, then so be it!"

Arthur saw all of this. He was very satisfied with Olivia's performance, and the slight displeasure he felt because of Dean immediately eased. He then walked to Olivia's side with a smile.

Ignoring Dean, he also bent down and extended his hand, making an inviting gesture:

"Young Miss Olivia, may I have the honor of inviting you to dance the first dance of the evening!"

"Of course!"

Olivia had already tacitly accepted Arthur's identity as her future husband, so she naturally accepted the invitation cooperatively.

Upon hearing this, Arthur straightened up and took Olivia's soft, boneless small hand, leading her to the center of the spacious ballroom, preparing to dance to the music.

Leaving Dean, who had somewhat lost control of his expression and had a ashen face, standing in place.

If not for the thought that severely injuring or even killing Dean in public might attract his Family's Sky Knight later.

And that some of Arthur's methods would be overly exposed, Dean probably wouldn't have been able to leave the ballroom.

Arthur ignoring him now, Dean should be grateful, he could live for two more days.

Dean's somewhat uncontrolled expression was also seen by everyone in the ballroom.

However, since Dean was the legitimate son of a ducal Family, no one present showed any mocking expressions; instead, they looked at Arthur with worry and disapproval.

After all, in everyone's eyes, even if Arthur had several Earth Knights under his command, as soon as the Koruk Family's Sky Knight appeared, those few Earth Knights under Arthur would only be able to flee in disarray.

Even if that Sky Knight wouldn't casually make a move due to the kingdom's rules, simply spreading the word would make Arthur's situation in the kingdom quite difficult.

Given all this, how could anyone be optimistic about Arthur!

However, one thing struck everyone as strange: with such a powerful enemy as Dean, not only did Arthur himself show no unusual reaction, but even The Count and Countess of Mad Lion showed no signs of worry.

It was as if they weren't afraid of the Koruk Family's Sky Knight and power at all.

This left everyone completely puzzled!

...Arthur naturally didn't put Dean in his eyes; he was now only focused on dancing with Olivia.

As the pleasant music began, Arthur held Olivia's small hand with his left, and his right arm wrapped around Olivia's slender waist, dancing to the rhythm.

At this moment, the distance between them was only about thirty centimeters. This was, in fact, the first time Arthur had been so close to Olivia.

Smelling the faint fragrance and looking at Olivia's delicate face, Arthur smiled and said:

"Dean is the legitimate son of the Duke of Koruk. You rejected his invitation to dance and then immediately accepted mine. Aren't you afraid of offending him?"

Upon hearing this, Olivia showed no panic on her face, smiling faintly as she said:

"I never liked him as a person, so why should I accept his invitation?

Moreover, speaking of offending, the person he hates most right now should be you, shouldn't it?

Besides, looking at you, you don't care about the Koruk Family's power at all, and I will soon become your wife, so of course, I don't need to fear him either!"

Although Arthur truly wasn't afraid of the Koruk Family, he hadn't shown any evidence of this in front of Olivia. Curious as to why Olivia was so certain, he asked:

"Oh, how are you so sure I'm not afraid of the Koruk Family? What if it's just that I have a good mindset?"

"Hmm... if I had to say, it's the confidence in your eyes!

And in less than a year, you've gathered so many powerful individuals under your command. I don't believe you don't have an even greater trump card!"

Arthur saw that Olivia was clearly guessing, yet she was so certain, and he thought that his fiancée wasn't so simple after all.

The two then continued to dance to the soft music, conversing with smiles, until the music paused a few minutes later.

Meanwhile, Dean saw their intimate appearance, and his teeth were almost ground to dust.

However, due to noble etiquette, he did not step forward to interrupt them, otherwise, he would only be accused of being ill-mannered as a son of a ducal Family.

Now, seeing the music finally stop, he strode towards the two.

It was clear he still hadn't given up!

However, Dean's target had now shifted. Arriving in front of the two, he first subtly glanced at Arthur and Olivia's still-clasped hands, then pretended to be magnanimous and said to Arthur:

"Baron Arthur, I have heard many times in the kingdom about your valiant battles with the orcs. Your combat prowess must be extraordinary. May I have the honor of witnessing it and engaging in a spar with you!"

As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately attracted the attention of many people nearby, as this was equivalent to a knightly duel. If Arthur refused, he would be considered a coward by others.

His reputation would be ruined in the future.

Although Dean and Arthur were similar in age, Dean was the legitimate son of a ducal Family. After he began to Cultivate at fifteen, he continuously used magic potions to assist his Cultivation.

Now, just eighteen, he had reached the Late Stage of Silver, two minor stages higher than Arthur's Early Stage of Silver.

Because their ages were similar, even if Dean was much stronger than Arthur, Arthur couldn't really refuse such a 'bullying the weak' duel.

Thus, it seemed the current situation was very disadvantageous for Arthur. Agreeing to the duel would likely result in losing the duel, and he might even be severely injured by Dean taking advantage of the situation!

Death was unlikely, as the impact would be too great, but severe injury would be enough for Dean to vent his anger.

And not agreeing would greatly damage his reputation!

Even Olivia's gaze towards Arthur showed a hint of worry, because magical equipment could not be used in knightly duels.

For example, magic scrolls and guardian rings were not allowed; only knight armor and knight sword were permitted.

Thus, even if Arthur had many good items, he wouldn't be able to use them.

In response, Arthur first gave Olivia a reassuring look, then calmly replied:

"I can agree to a knightly duel, but I need to confirm that mounts are not prohibited in this duel, correct?"

Although mounts were usually implicitly allowed in past duels, after all, a knight is a knight, what kind of knight is it without a mount?

But Arthur was afraid that his mount would scare Dean, and then Dean would go back on his word and say, 'We don't need mounts today,' which would make Arthur's efforts in vain!

So, he had to block this path first!

And as Arthur spoke these words, the clever Olivia immediately recalled the news she heard from the steward last night, when she was with her parents, about Arthur possessing a Dragon mount.