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. Opening his mouth, he

"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

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 his face, and he quickly let go of

duke cast a wary glance toward the entrance of the cave before turning his

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

thump, the masked man fell to the ground and heavily gasped for

"You're really lucky."

everyone who'd heard his words clearly understood what they meant. This was especially true for Priscilla, who

a glance into the

the reinforcements arrived on

happened had they arrived a tad

the one that had appeared

she stopped and

"Let's have a talk."

***

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

expression remained unfazed as he touched down on the plush grass. There was no sign of emotion on

guards

by taking a few deep breaths. After that, he smiled as

what

immediately understood what he meant. They quickly nodded their

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

paused, and his eyes flickered with a dangerous

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

two guards. A dangerous and

head, he

"Understood?"

without saying a word

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

his mouth, his voice

all variables need to

***

feels like

floating, yet at the same time

really explain

years have numbed me

Sometimes, I hear voices.

my sleep, when I eat, when I

and on and

when was the last time that

want to be normal

***

deliver a letter. You don't mind,

"No, have some tea."

in butler attire stood behind me as an emerald green substance poured into a teacup that was

that

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

finally thank you for what

butler next to me removed the teapot from the

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.

set the tea

"It's nothing worth mentioning."

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

Duchess sat

nothing worth mentioning to you, but you still saved

"Oh? In what way?"

pretended to fall in deep

bit low on

glance in her direction from the corner

the start, so I didn't waste any time and simply

shameless, but I didn't

"Pretty straightforward, aren't you?"

"I indeed am."

didn't see it, as the hood

do

can you give

"Twenty Jor."

only

"Fifty."

"One hundred."

sip. I

"Hmm."

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