Maliny spoke in a soft but clear voice from behind Druvok's back.
"He's my friend. Don't call him a monster again."
Druvok glanced at Maliny. She looked like a frightened little animal, but still found the courage to defend him. A strange warmth stirred in his chest — a protective instinct he thought had died on the battlefield years ago began to awaken for this fragile, blind girl.
Larau's expression darkened.
"Well, well… the duke's shame suddenly finds the courage to defend her little pet. You're a perfect match — both broken and useless."
Then she let out a cruel, mocking laugh.
"But let's be honest, Maliny. Even a monster like that wouldn't want a blind little girl like you. Didn't the Third Prince break off his engagement with you because no man wants a useless, broken thing?"
Maliny's eyes filled with tears at those words. She remembered it vividly — the humiliation, the heartbreak as the prince announced their broken engagement in front of everyone, and how she locked herself away for days to avoid their mockery and pity. She buried her face in Druvok's shirt, her tears soaking into the fabric.
Druvok felt the warmth of her tears against his back. His anger flared, his eyes narrowing on Larau as his voice dropped to a cold, venomous tone.
"At least she's sweet and beautiful… not a bitter witch with nothing better to do than insult others."
Larau's face twisted with fury.
"She's just a blind, useless girl! Even her family can't use her for political marriages because no man would take her. And yet — everyone pampers her, defends her, gives her things she doesn't deserve. Why should she live like a princess while I, who am prettier and stronger, am ignored?"
Then Larau laughed bitterly, her voice edged with madness.
"In the end, you'll pity her like everyone else. She's just a pathetic excuse for a noblewoman."
Druvok's expression darkened further. He glanced down at Maliny, clinging to him, her small body trembling with emotion.
For a former war general of the monsters armies the feared green Goblin, who had known nothing but conquest and bloodshed, these human things — heartbreak, jealousy, tender loyalty — were strange and frustrating.
But still… he spoke with steady confidence.
"I don't pity her. I'm just stating the truth. Maliny is pure, kind… and she deserves to be treated like a princess."
Larau's expression twisted with jealousy and hatred. She hissed at Maliny,
"Why do men always defend you? Why do they look at you like you're precious, while I — who am whole and flawless — get nothing?"
Druvok smirked mockingly.
"Maybe because you're not as desirable as you think."
Those words made Larau's face contort in rage. She spun on her heel and stormed out of the garden, her dress trailing behind her.
Druvok finally turned his attention back to Maliny. He wiped her tears with his rough, calloused hand.
"Don't worry. Didn't you say I'm your friend? And as your friend, I'll protect you."
Then, almost without thinking, Druvok leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. The gentle gesture made Maliny giggle — a sound so light and pure it tugged at something inside Druvok's chest.
A rare, unbidden smile crept onto his lips.
For moment he catch himself and gritted his teeth as he wiped her tears.
He didn't know why he'd stepped in — the humans were filthy, and yet Maliny felt different....
"Stupid girl," he muttered to himself.
But her soft giggle still echoed in his head, and that annoyed him more than Larau's insults ever could.
For a monster who once bathed in blood and ruled the battlefield, this… this was the most maddening war yet....continue in next chapter