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.'

thoughts crossed the Duke's mind at that moment.

"Who are you?"

"His friend. "

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

It irritated him.

"Hm?"

of him

glance toward the entrance of the cave before turning his attention back to the

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

man fell to the ground and heavily gasped

"You're really lucky."

heard his words clearly understood what they meant. This was especially true for Priscilla, who had a deep understanding

the distance

the reinforcements arrived on

dare guess what would've happened had they arrived a

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

him, she

"Let's have a talk."

***

figures appeared. It was none other than

on the plush grass. There was no sign of emotion

guards behind

himself back under control by taking a few deep breaths. After that, he smiled as he faced his

what to

immediately understood what he meant. They quickly nodded their

can. Leave their bodies exposed, and don't bother covering them up. Let the world understand what it means to ally

his eyes

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

two guards. A dangerous and oppressive

his head, he

"Understood?"

without saying a word and disappeared from

before shifting to the distance. In the direction of the cave

his mouth, his

of envy, all

***

head feels

yet

really explain

few years have numbed

Sometimes, I hear voices.

sleep, when I eat, when I walk, when I

goes on and on and

when was the last time

to be

***

to deliver a letter. You don't mind, do

"No, have some tea."

attire stood behind me as an emerald

I determined that it was safe for

my attention away from the cup, I looked ahead to where the Duchess sat. In her hand was the

finally thank you

to me removed the teapot from the table and performed

My tongue was flooded with a wave of bitterness, and

the tea cup

"It's nothing worth mentioning."

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

sat

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

"Oh? In what way?"

caressed my chin and pretended to fall

bit low on

glance in her direction from the

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

but

"Pretty straightforward, aren't you?"

"I indeed am."

didn't see it,

much do you

much can you give

"Twenty Jor."

life only worth

"Fifty."

"One hundred."

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

"Hmm."

furrowed for a moment. Eventually,