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.'

crossed the Duke's mind at that moment. Opening

"Who are you?"

"His friend. "

voice was just as composed as it had been before. Despite the fact

It irritated him.

"Hm?"

Duke in front of him raised his head. Staring into the distance, all trace of expression

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

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

masked man fell to the

"You're really lucky."

clearly understood what they meant. This was especially true for Priscilla, who

cast a glance into the distance and

the reinforcements arrived

happened had they

the one that had

before him, she

"Let's have a talk."

***

vegetation, three figures appeared. It was none other

no sign of emotion on

but the guards behind him shuddered at the

few deep breaths. After that,

know what to do,

was a simple question, but the two guards immediately understood

exposed, and don't

his eyes flickered with a dangerous

deal with, send me a report. I'll 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 World

head and looked at the two guards. A dangerous and oppressive aura

head, he

"Understood?"

without saying a

guards vanished before shifting to the distance. In the direction of

his mouth, his voice sounded

of envy, all variables

***

head feels like a

yet

can't really

years have

Sometimes, I hear voices.

my sleep, when I eat, when I walk,

on and on and

the last time

want to be

***

for my tardiness; I had to deliver a letter. You don't

"No, have some tea."

butler attire stood behind me as an emerald green substance poured into a

I determined that it was safe

my attention away from the cup, I looked ahead to where the Duchess sat.

finally thank you

me removed the teapot from the table and performed a

I reached for the cup of tea and took a sip from it. My tongue was flooded with a wave of bitterness, and the sensation almost caused my

set the tea

"It's nothing worth mentioning."

At that moment, everyone was standing behind me. For some strange reason, they didn't bother

sat her

saved my life. I'd like

"Oh? In what way?"

chin and pretended

a bit low on

a glance in her direction from the corner of

the start, so I

bit shameless, but I

"Pretty straightforward, aren't you?"

"I indeed am."

She probably didn't see it, as the hood still

much do

can

"Twenty Jor."

only

"Fifty."

"One hundred."

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

"Hmm."

brows furrowed for a moment. Eventually,