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.'

crossed the Duke's mind at that moment. Opening

"Who are you?"

"His friend. "

been before. Despite the fact that his face was hidden, the duke could

It irritated him.

"Hm?"

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 distance, all trace of expression vanished from

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

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

man fell

"You're really lucky."

what they meant. This was especially true for

into the

the reinforcements arrived on

would've happened had they arrived a tad bit

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

him, she stopped and

"Let's have a talk."

***

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

sign of emotion on his face, and it appeared

harmless, but the guards behind him

few deep breaths. After that, he smiled as he faced his

two know what to

guards immediately understood what he meant. They quickly

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 the

paused, and his eyes

rid of them myself. If there is a time to act, it's now. Especially since

looked at the two guards. A

his head,

"Understood?"

saying a word and disappeared from

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

his mouth, his voice

envy, all variables

***

feels like a

yet at the same time

really explain

few years have numbed

Sometimes, I hear voices.

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

goes on and

when was the last time that I slept

to be

***

for my tardiness; I had to deliver a

"No, have some tea."

an emerald green substance poured into a teacup that was in front of

I determined that it was safe for

away from the cup, I looked ahead to where the Duchess sat.

thank

me removed the teapot

I reached for the cup of tea and took a sip from it. My tongue was flooded with a wave of bitterness, and the

the tea

"It's nothing worth mentioning."

mansion. At that moment, everyone was standing behind me.

sat her

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

"Oh? In what way?"

pretended to fall in

bit low on

her direction from the corner of

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

but I didn't

"Pretty straightforward, aren't you?"

"I indeed am."

it, as

do

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

"Hmm."

Duchess's brows furrowed for a moment. Eventually, she nodded