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 mouth,

"Who are you?"

"His friend. "

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

It irritated him.

"Hm?"

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

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

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

low sounding thump, the masked man fell to the

"You're really lucky."

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

into the distance and

reinforcements arrived on

couldn't dare guess what would've happened had

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

before him, she stopped and

"Let's have a talk."

***

figures appeared. It

sign

the guards behind him shuddered at the

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

know what

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

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

his eyes flickered

deal 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

two guards. A dangerous and

head, he

"Understood?"

nodded without saying a word

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

his

all variables need

***

feels like a

like it's floating, yet

can't really explain

years have numbed

Sometimes, I hear voices.

sleep, when I eat,

on and on and

when was the last time

want to be normal

***

I had to deliver a letter. You

"No, have some tea."

as an emerald green substance poured into a

determined that it

to where the Duchess sat. In her hand was the same cup

finally thank you for what

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

My tongue was flooded with a wave of bitterness, and

set the tea

"It's nothing worth mentioning."

graciously escorted to the Duchess's mansion. At that moment, everyone was standing

sat her

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

"Oh? In what way?"

caressed my chin and pretended to fall in deep

bit low

cast a glance in her direction

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

but I didn't

"Pretty straightforward, aren't you?"

"I indeed am."

smiled. She probably didn't see it, as

do

much can you give

"Twenty Jor."

life only worth that

"Fifty."

"One hundred."

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

"Hmm."

a moment.