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.'

mind at that moment. Opening his mouth, he

"Who are you?"

"His friend. "

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

It irritated him.

"Hm?"

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

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

thump, the masked man fell to the ground and

"You're really lucky."

disappeared without elaborating any further, but everyone who'd heard his words clearly understood what they meant. This was especially true for Priscilla, who had a deep understanding

the

the reinforcements arrived

couldn't dare guess what would've happened had they arrived

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

him, she

"Let's have a talk."

***

It was none

plush grass. There was no sign of emotion on

the guards behind

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

what to do,

question, but the two guards immediately understood

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 the wrong

and his eyes

them myself. If there is a time to act, it's now.

looked at the two guards. A dangerous and oppressive

his head,

"Understood?"

saying a word and disappeared from

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

his mouth, his voice

the house of envy, all variables need to be

***

head feels

like it's floating, yet at

can't really

past few years have numbed

Sometimes, I hear voices.

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

goes on and on

was the last time that I

to

***

my tardiness; I had to deliver a

"No, have some tea."

butler attire stood behind me as an emerald green

I determined that it was safe for

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

to finally thank

to me removed the teapot from the table and performed a single bow

a wave of bitterness, and the sensation almost caused my face to change.

the tea

"It's nothing worth mentioning."

events of 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 bother

sat her

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

"Oh? In what way?"

caressed my chin and pretended to fall

bit

a glance in her direction from

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

shameless, but

"Pretty straightforward, aren't you?"

"I indeed am."

didn't see it, as the hood still covered

much do you

much can you give

"Twenty Jor."

your life only worth

"Fifty."

"One hundred."

cup and brought it to my lips. I didn't take a sip. I

"Hmm."

for a moment. Eventually, she nodded her