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.

"Who are you?"

"His friend. "

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

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 distance,

entrance of the cave before turning his attention back to the hooded man and snatching

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

a low sounding thump, the masked man fell to

"You're really lucky."

without elaborating any further, but everyone who'd heard his words clearly understood what they meant. This was especially

into the distance

the reinforcements arrived

dare guess what would've happened had they arrived a tad bit

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

before him, she stopped and

"Let's have a talk."

***

in vegetation, three figures appeared. It was none other than Duke Ukhan himself, accompanied by two of

was no sign of emotion on his face, and it appeared as though he

appeared harmless, but the guards behind him shuddered at

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

know what

immediately understood what he meant. They quickly nodded their

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

eyes flickered

get rid of them myself. If there is a

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

head, he

"Understood?"

nodded without saying a

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

mouth, his

the house of envy, all

***

head feels like a

yet at the same time

can't really explain

past few years have numbed

Sometimes, I hear voices.

my sleep, when I eat, when I walk,

on and on and

last time that

to

***

for my tardiness; 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 that

that it was

ahead to where the Duchess sat. In her hand was the same cup

to finally thank you for what

to me removed the teapot from the table and performed a

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

set 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 some strange reason, they didn't

Duchess sat her teacup

saved my life. I'd like to express my gratitude at

"Oh? In what way?"

pretended to fall

a bit low on

cast a glance in her direction from the

start, so I didn't waste any time

bit shameless, but

"Pretty straightforward, aren't you?"

"I indeed am."

She probably didn't see it, as the

much do

can

"Twenty Jor."

life only worth

"Fifty."

"One hundred."

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

"Hmm."

furrowed for a moment. Eventually,