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

"Who are you?"

"His friend. "

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

It irritated him.

"Hm?"

him began to twitch, and the Duke in front of him raised his head. Staring into the distance, all trace of

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

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

man fell to the ground and heavily gasped

"You're really lucky."

but everyone who'd heard his words clearly understood what they meant. This was especially true

into the distance and sighed

the reinforcements arrived

would've happened had they arrived a tad

the one that had appeared before the Duke. He seemed to be

him, she stopped and

"Let's have a talk."

***

covered in vegetation, three figures appeared. It was none other than Duke

sign of emotion on his face, and

the guards behind him shuddered at

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

two know what to do,

a simple question, but the two guards immediately

the cave and kill them if you can. Leave their bodies exposed, and don't bother

his eyes

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

and looked at the two guards. A dangerous

head,

"Understood?"

two nodded without saying a word and disappeared from the

to the distance.

his voice sounded especially

the house of envy, all variables need to

***

head feels like a

yet at

can't really

past few years

Sometimes, I hear voices.

eat, when

and

last

want to

***

deliver a letter. You

"No, have some tea."

stood behind me as an emerald

it, I determined that it was safe

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

to finally thank you

started. The butler next to me removed the teapot from

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

set the

"It's nothing worth mentioning."

of the cave, my group was graciously escorted to the Duchess's mansion. At that moment, everyone was standing behind me. For some

Duchess sat

you still saved my life. I'd like to express my

"Oh? In what way?"

chin and pretended

bit low

glance in her direction from the corner

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

bit shameless, but

"Pretty straightforward, aren't you?"

"I indeed am."

it, as the hood still

do

can you

"Twenty Jor."

life only worth that

"Fifty."

"One hundred."

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

"Hmm."

Duchess's brows furrowed for a moment. Eventually,