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 his mouth, he

"Who are you?"

"His friend. "

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

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, all trace

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

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

fell to the ground and heavily

"You're really lucky."

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

cast a glance into the distance and sighed in

reinforcements arrived on

would've happened

before walking up toward the one that had appeared before the Duke.

she stopped and

"Let's have a talk."

***

enormous tract of land covered in vegetation, three figures appeared. It was none other than Duke Ukhan

no sign of emotion on his

the guards behind him

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

two know what to

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

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

eyes flickered with

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

guards. A dangerous and oppressive aura erupted from

his head,

"Understood?"

two nodded without saying a

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

his

house of envy, all variables need to

***

feels like a

yet

really explain

years have numbed

Sometimes, I hear voices.

I eat, when I walk,

and on

when was the last time

want to be normal

***

deliver a letter. You don't mind, do

"No, have some tea."

emerald

examining it, I determined that it was safe

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

finally thank you for what

started. The butler next to me removed the teapot

I looked at her, 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 my face to change.

the tea cup

"It's nothing worth mentioning."

of the cave, my group was graciously escorted to the Duchess's mansion. At that moment,

sat her teacup

to you, but you still saved my

"Oh? In what way?"

chin and pretended to fall

a bit low on

cast a glance in her direction from

right from the start, so I didn't waste

bit shameless, but I didn't

"Pretty straightforward, aren't you?"

"I indeed am."

probably didn't see it, as the hood

do

much can you

"Twenty Jor."

life only

"Fifty."

"One hundred."

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

"Hmm."

a moment. Eventually, she nodded her