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.'

mind at that moment. Opening his

"Who are you?"

"His friend. "

answered, his tone of voice was just as composed as it had been before. Despite the fact that his face was hidden, the duke could

It irritated him.

"Hm?"

Duke in front of him raised his head. Staring into

wary glance toward the entrance of the cave before turning his attention

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

masked man fell to the ground and heavily

"You're really lucky."

further, but everyone who'd heard his words clearly understood what they meant. This was especially true for Priscilla, who had a deep

glance into the distance

reinforcements arrived on

couldn't dare guess what would've happened had they arrived

at the hooded duo before walking up toward the one that had appeared before the Duke. He seemed to be the

him, she

"Let's have a talk."

***

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

was no sign of emotion on his face, and it appeared as though he was deep in his

but the guards behind him shuddered

himself back under control by taking a few deep breaths. After that,

know what to

immediately understood what he meant. They

kill them if you can. Leave their bodies exposed,

eyes flickered with a dangerous

you can't deal with, send me a report. I'll personally get rid of them myself. If there is a time to act, it's now.

guards. A dangerous and oppressive aura

his head,

"Understood?"

nodded without saying a word and disappeared from

shifting to the distance. In the

his voice sounded

all variables need

***

head feels

like it's floating, yet at

really explain

few years have

Sometimes, I hear voices.

I eat, when I

and

last

to be normal

***

tardiness; I had to deliver a letter. You don't mind, do

"No, have some tea."

dressed in butler attire stood behind me as an emerald green substance poured

I determined that it was

the cup, I looked ahead to where the Duchess sat. In her hand was the same cup

to finally thank you for what

to me removed the teapot from the table

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

set the tea cup

"It's nothing worth mentioning."

to the Duchess's mansion. At that moment, everyone was standing behind

Duchess sat her teacup

saved my life. I'd like

"Oh? In what way?"

pretended to fall in deep

bit low on

direction from the corner

the start, so I didn't waste

bit shameless, but

"Pretty straightforward, aren't you?"

"I indeed am."

probably didn't see it, as the

do you

much can you give

"Twenty Jor."

life only worth

"Fifty."

"One hundred."

to my lips. I didn't take a sip.

"Hmm."

a moment.