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.'

at that moment. Opening his mouth,

"Who are you?"

"His friend. "

as it had been before. Despite the fact that

It irritated him.

"Hm?"

he was about to say something, the guards in front of him began to twitch, and the Duke in front of him raised his head. Staring into the

duke cast a wary glance toward the entrance of the cave before turning his attention back to the hooded man and snatching his hand away from

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

man fell to

"You're really lucky."

Duke disappeared without elaborating any further, but everyone who'd heard his words clearly understood what they meant. This was especially true for Priscilla, who had a deep understanding of his

a glance into the

the reinforcements

would've happened had they arrived a tad bit

stared at the hooded duo before walking up toward the one that had appeared before the Duke. He seemed to be

him, she stopped and

"Let's have a talk."

***

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

was no sign

appeared harmless, but the guards behind him shuddered at the

deep breaths. After

what

simple question, but the two guards immediately understood what he meant. They

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

paused, and his eyes flickered with a

deal with, send me a report. I'll personally get rid of them myself. If there is a time to act, it's

at the two guards. A dangerous and oppressive

his head, he

"Understood?"

nodded without saying a

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

mouth, his voice sounded

envy, all

***

head feels like a

floating, yet

can't really explain

years have

Sometimes, I hear voices.

my sleep, when I eat,

on and

sure when was the last time that I slept

to be

***

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

"No, have some tea."

me as an emerald green substance poured into a teacup

examining it, I determined that

ahead to where the Duchess sat.

thank

teapot from the

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

the tea

"It's nothing worth mentioning."

Duchess's mansion. At that moment,

Duchess sat her teacup

nothing worth mentioning to you, but you still saved my life. I'd like to express my gratitude at the very

"Oh? In what way?"

caressed my chin and pretended

bit low on

cast a glance in her direction from the corner of my

so I didn't waste any time and simply told her

bit shameless, but

"Pretty straightforward, aren't you?"

"I indeed am."

smiled. She probably didn't see it, as

do you

much can you give

"Twenty Jor."

your life only

"Fifty."

"One hundred."

cup and brought it to my lips. I didn't take a sip. I was just pretending to. It tasted horrible,

"Hmm."

a