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.'

the Duke's mind at that moment. Opening his

"Who are you?"

"His friend. "

Despite the fact that his

It irritated him.

"Hm?"

to twitch, and the Duke in front of him raised his head. Staring into the distance, all trace of expression vanished from his face,

him, and the duke cast a wary glance toward the entrance of the cave before turning his attention back to the hooded man and snatching his

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

man fell

"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

cast a glance into the distance

the reinforcements arrived on

happened

the one that

before him, she stopped and

"Let's have a talk."

***

enormous tract of land covered in vegetation, three figures appeared. It was none other than Duke Ukhan himself, accompanied by

on the plush grass. There was no sign of emotion

the guards behind him shuddered at

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

what to

was a simple question, but the two guards immediately understood what he meant. They

can about the people 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 flickered with a dangerous

myself. If there is

raised his head and looked at the two guards. A dangerous and oppressive aura erupted from his

head,

"Understood?"

without saying a word and disappeared

vanished before shifting to the distance. In the direction of the cave

his voice sounded

of envy, all variables need to

***

feels

like it's floating, yet at the

really explain

years have

Sometimes, I hear voices.

eat,

goes on and on

sure when was the last time that I slept

want to

***

had to deliver a letter. You

"No, have some tea."

as an emerald green substance poured into a

that it was

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

to finally thank

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

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."

the Duchess's mansion. At that moment, everyone

sat her

you, but you still saved my life. I'd like to express my gratitude at the very

"Oh? In what way?"

caressed my chin and pretended to fall

a bit low on

her direction from the corner

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

shameless, but

"Pretty straightforward, aren't you?"

"I indeed am."

She probably didn't see it, as the hood still covered

do you

can you

"Twenty Jor."

your life only

"Fifty."

"One hundred."

the cup and brought it to my lips. I didn't take a sip. I was just pretending to.

"Hmm."

a moment. Eventually,