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.

"Who are you?"

"His friend. "

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

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 of expression vanished from his

entrance of the cave before turning his attention

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

the masked man fell to the ground and heavily gasped

"You're really lucky."

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

the

the reinforcements

happened had they arrived a tad

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

she stopped

"Let's have a talk."

***

It was none other than Duke Ukhan

on the plush grass. There was no sign of emotion on his face, and it appeared as

guards behind him shuddered at

few deep breaths. After

know what to

was a simple question, but the two guards immediately understood what

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

his eyes

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

the two guards. A dangerous and oppressive aura erupted

his head,

"Understood?"

a word and disappeared from the

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

his voice sounded especially

the house of envy, all variables need to be

***

feels

yet

really

past few years have numbed

Sometimes, I hear voices.

my sleep, when I eat, when I

and on and

sure when was the last

want to be normal

***

deliver a letter. You don't mind,

"No, have some tea."

demon dressed in butler attire stood behind me as an emerald green substance poured into a teacup

I determined that it was safe for

ahead to where the Duchess sat.

to finally thank you for what happened

The butler next to me removed the teapot from

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. But I didn't

the tea

"It's nothing worth mentioning."

graciously escorted to the Duchess's mansion. At that moment, everyone was standing behind me. For some strange reason, they

Duchess sat

be nothing worth mentioning to you, but you still saved my life. I'd

"Oh? In what way?"

and pretended to

bit low

cast a glance in her direction from

was the primary objective right from the start, so I didn't

shameless, but I

"Pretty straightforward, aren't you?"

"I indeed am."

see it, as the

do you

much can you give

"Twenty Jor."

your life only

"Fifty."

"One hundred."

it to my lips. I didn't take a sip. I was

"Hmm."

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