The Author's POV

Duke Ukhan licked his lips as he grasped the hooded figure by the throat. Raising his hand, he reached out for the hood and lowered it.

When he did so, something unexpected caught his attention.

"Interesting..."

His voice bordered on amusement and annoyance.

Presented in front of him was what seemed to be a male wearing a white mask. It covered his entire face, only exposing his blonde hair.

The Duke opened his mouth and made sure his voice was loud enough for everyone to hear.

"I wonder what gave you the confidence to attack a noble in front of everyone?"

While everyone present was a 'noble', the term could also signify a purer bloodline as compared to the others, with the seven houses placing more emphasis on them.

At this very moment, Duke Ukhan was using this pretext to find trouble with the person who had just saved Priscilla.

Had it not been for him...

"Tsk."

He clicked his tongue and grasped more tightly.

"Ukh."

"What are you doing?"

Priscilla was unable to maintain her silence at this very moment. She did not know the hooded figure, but he had indeed saved her life moments earlier. She was not the type to repay a debt with ungratefulness.

"Let him go."

She took a step forward. This time, her words were not empty threats, and she was truly determined to take action. While she may not have died, he had indeed saved her a lot of trouble. If she did not save him, she'd look like someone who didn't care about those on her side.

Duke Ukhan looked at her.

"What's this? I'm sure he hit you. Why are you defending him? Does your pride only amount to this much?"

"It does."

She smiled, and her eyes turned hazy.

"I'm from the Sloth clan. What do I need pride for?"

"Hah."

The Duke lightly laughed at her words.

"You set a very bad example, Duchess..."

As he tightened his hold on the individual wearing the mask, ruthlessness began to spread across his eyes at that very instant. He was prepared to break his neck.

Priscilla's face quickly changed when she noticed this, and her figure blurred.

"Don't you dare!"

"Sorry, bu―"

Grip

The Duke was about to clench his fist when he was suddenly grabbed by the wrist by an unseen hand.

"Let's settle this peacefully."

A calm voice sounded not long after.

"Uh?"

At that very instant, the entire vibe shifted, and everyone's attention turned to the one responsible for all of this.

It was another hooded figure.

"Insolent!"

A loud shout echoed within the perimeter of the cave.

Almost immediately after that, the guards that were standing behind the Duke moved. Within a split second, they stood behind the masked figure with their weapons drawn and ready to attack at any moment.

"Wait."

They were stopped before they could take action.

Looking at the hooded figure, Duke Ukhan's eyes glossed over their body.

'How did he get near me without me noticing? Furthermore, my guards too... He only looks to be a Marquis ranked individual.'

the Duke's mind at that moment.

"Who are you?"

"His friend. "

composed as it had been before. Despite

It irritated him.

"Hm?"

of him raised his head. Staring into the distance, all trace of expression vanished from his face, and he quickly let go of his

him, and the duke cast a wary glance toward the entrance of the cave before turning his attention back to the hooded man and snatching his

"Haaugh...haaa...haaa..."

masked man fell to the ground and heavily gasped

"You're really lucky."

words clearly understood what

into the distance

reinforcements arrived on

what would've happened had they arrived a

the hooded duo before walking up toward the one that had appeared

him, she stopped and

"Let's have a talk."

***

in vegetation, three figures appeared. It was none other than Duke Ukhan himself, accompanied by two of

remained unfazed as he touched down on the plush grass. There was no sign of emotion on his face, and

appeared harmless, but the guards behind him shuddered at the

brought himself back under control by taking a few deep breaths. After that, he smiled as he faced his two

two know what

simple question, but the two guards immediately understood

cave and kill them if you can. Leave their bodies exposed, and don't bother covering them up. Let the world understand what it means to

eyes

them myself. If there is a time to act, it's now. Especially since the

head and looked at the two guards. A dangerous

head, he

"Understood?"

nodded without saying a word and disappeared from

shifting to the distance. In the direction of the cave where he

his mouth, his

the house of envy, all variables need

***

head feels

yet at the same time

can't really

past few years have

Sometimes, I hear voices.

my sleep, when I eat, when I walk, when

goes on and

the last

want to be

***

to deliver

"No, have some tea."

behind me as an emerald green substance poured into

determined that it was safe for

Duchess sat. In her hand was the same cup of tea,

to finally thank

the teapot from the table and performed a single

it. My tongue was flooded with a wave of bitterness, and the sensation almost caused my face to change. But I didn't let

set the tea

"It's nothing worth mentioning."

At that moment, everyone

Duchess sat her teacup

may be nothing worth mentioning to you, but you still saved my life. I'd like to express my gratitude at the

"Oh? In what way?"

pretended to fall

a bit low on

cast a glance in her direction from

from the start, so I didn't waste any time and

shameless, but I

"Pretty straightforward, aren't you?"

"I indeed am."

probably didn't see it, as the hood

much do

can you give

"Twenty Jor."

life only

"Fifty."

"One hundred."

and brought it to my lips. I didn't take a sip. I was just pretending to. It tasted horrible, but I had

"Hmm."

furrowed for a moment.