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

"Who are you?"

"His friend. "

answered, his tone of voice was just as composed as it had been before. Despite the fact

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

two bodyguards quickly appeared behind him, and the duke cast a wary glance toward the entrance of the cave

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

masked man fell

"You're really lucky."

Duke disappeared without elaborating any further, but everyone who'd heard his words clearly understood what they meant.

into the distance and sighed in

the reinforcements

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

at the hooded duo before walking up toward the one that had appeared

before him, she stopped

"Let's have a talk."

***

appeared. It was none other than Duke Ukhan

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

the guards behind him shuddered at

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

what

a simple question, but the two guards immediately understood

if you can. Leave their bodies exposed, and don't bother covering them up. Let the world understand

paused, and his eyes

report. I'll personally get rid of them myself. If there is a time to

two guards.

his head,

"Understood?"

nodded without saying a word and disappeared

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

his mouth, his voice

of envy, all variables

***

feels

floating, yet at

really

past few years

Sometimes, I hear voices.

sleep, when I eat, when I walk, when

on and on and

last time that I

want to

***

tardiness; I had to deliver

"No, have some tea."

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

examining it, I determined that it was safe for

the Duchess sat.

finally thank you

teapot from the

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. But I didn't let it show on the

set the tea

"It's nothing worth mentioning."

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

Duchess sat

may be nothing worth mentioning to you, but you still saved

"Oh? In what way?"

pretended to fall

a bit low

glance in her direction from the

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

but

"Pretty straightforward, aren't you?"

"I indeed am."

didn't see it, as the hood still covered

do

much can

"Twenty Jor."

only worth

"Fifty."

"One hundred."

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

"Hmm."

brows furrowed for a moment. Eventually, she nodded her