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.'

Duke's mind at that moment. Opening

"Who are you?"

"His friend. "

had been before. Despite the fact that his face was hidden, the duke could

It irritated him.

"Hm?"

him raised his head. Staring into the distance, all trace of expression vanished from his

bodyguards quickly appeared behind him, and the duke cast a wary glance toward the entrance of the cave before turning his attention back to the hooded

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

thump, the masked man fell to the ground

"You're really lucky."

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

cast a glance into the distance

reinforcements

happened had they arrived a

before walking up toward the

before him, she stopped and

"Let's have a talk."

***

figures appeared. It was none

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

harmless, but the guards behind

control by taking a few deep breaths. After that, he smiled as he faced

what

but the two guards immediately understood what he meant.

Leave their bodies exposed, and don't bother covering them

his eyes

personally get rid of them myself. If there is a time to act, it's now. Especially since the Patriarchs are away dealing with the

looked at the two guards. A

his head,

"Understood?"

saying a word

vanished before shifting to the distance.

his mouth, his voice sounded

the house of envy, all variables need

***

feels

yet at the same

really

past few years have

Sometimes, I hear voices.

my sleep, when I eat,

and

when was the last time

want to

***

for my tardiness; I had to deliver a

"No, have some tea."

stood behind me as an emerald green substance poured into a teacup that was in front of

it, I determined that it was

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

thank you

butler next to me removed the teapot from the table and performed a

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

the tea

"It's nothing worth mentioning."

my group was graciously escorted to the Duchess's mansion. At that moment, everyone was standing

Duchess sat

you, but you still saved my

"Oh? In what way?"

and pretended to fall in deep

bit low on

direction from

primary objective right from the start, so I didn't waste any time and simply told

shameless, but I

"Pretty straightforward, aren't you?"

"I indeed am."

didn't see it, as the hood still

much do

can

"Twenty Jor."

life only

"Fifty."

"One hundred."

the cup and brought it to my lips. I didn't take a sip. I was just

"Hmm."

a moment. Eventually, she