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. "

just as composed as it had been before. Despite

It irritated him.

"Hm?"

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

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

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

a low sounding thump, the masked man fell to the ground and

"You're really lucky."

understood what they meant. This was especially true for

cast a glance into the

the reinforcements

guess what would've happened had they arrived

hair, she stared at the hooded duo before walking up toward the one that had appeared

him, she stopped

"Let's have a talk."

***

appeared. It was none other

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

appeared harmless, but the guards

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

two know what to

guards immediately understood what he meant. They quickly nodded

exposed,

paused, and his eyes flickered with

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. Especially

looked at the two guards. A dangerous and oppressive aura erupted from his

his head,

"Understood?"

two nodded without saying a word and disappeared

spot where the two guards vanished before shifting to the distance. In the direction of

mouth, his voice sounded

envy, all variables need to

***

feels like

yet at the same time

really explain

past few years have

Sometimes, I hear voices.

my sleep, when I eat, when I walk,

goes on and on

the last time that I

want to be normal

***

I had to deliver a letter. You don't

"No, have some tea."

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

determined that it

sat. In her hand was the same cup

like to finally thank you for

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

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

the tea

"It's nothing worth mentioning."

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

sat her teacup

worth mentioning to you, but you still saved my life. I'd like to

"Oh? In what way?"

my chin and pretended

bit low on

her direction from

I didn't waste any time and simply told

but I didn't

"Pretty straightforward, aren't you?"

"I indeed am."

see it, as the hood

do

much can

"Twenty Jor."

life only worth

"Fifty."

"One hundred."

lips. I didn't take a sip. I was just pretending to. It

"Hmm."

brows furrowed for a moment. Eventually,