The Author's POV

Chapter 709

"Has he always been like that?"

The Duchess inquired as she turned her head and faced the window of the room she was in, admiring the view outside.

Sitting opposite from her was Jin. Similarly looking at the window, he inwardly sighed.

"Yeah…"

They were currently talking about Ren.

He may have changed a little over the years, but thinking back at all the times he had been with him, he couldn't find a way to deny her words.

"Must've been tough."

"Tell me about it."

Thankfully, the Duchess was quite hospitable. Else he really would've been cursing Ren till the end of his life.

He reached out for his pocket and took out a cigarette.

…It was a habit he picked up due to all the stress he'd been facing recently. It wasn't harmful to him anyways, so it didn't really matter.

"What's that?"

"This?"

He lifted the cigarette.

"Yeah."

The Duchess nodded, her eyes carrying a hint of interest.

After noticing how interested the Duchess was, he lifted his index finger to light the cigarette and then took a brief drag from it.

*Puff*

The Duchess's gaze followed the smoke that raised in the air.

"It's called a cigarette, and it's something that helps me manage my stress."

"…There's such a thing?"

"Mhm"

He took another puff before handing the Duchess his pack.

"Want to have a go?"

"Can I?"

"Yeah. Go ahead."

She reached out with caution. Sliding the cigarette out with the tips of her slim fingers, she brought it in close to her mouth and placed it in between her lips before taking it out.

For a good minute, she examined it with wonder.

"What do I do now?"

"Light the tip."

He pointed at the white side.

A blue flame flickered over the Duchess's finger.

Alternating her gaze between Jin and the stick, she brought the finger close to the tip.

"Like this?"

"Yuh."

The cigarette lit, and an orange ring formed.

"Bring it to your mouth and inhale."

Jin explained before she could ask further.

"…Okay."

cigarette

Only that…

"Cough! Cough!"

face turned bright red, and she

started to fly out from

lied

started coughing

"Hahah."

a muffled chuckle. He already knew

are you

in expression and her

you trick me

'…Is this really her?'

before when she was talking with Ren, now that he was directly interacting with her, he found her new behavior to be a stark

she hiding

you dead or something? Cant

looked no different than a

twitch of his lips, Jin

but this time

be

him fiercely. Then, bringing the cigarette close to

up, and Jin turned his head. They

*Puff*

hear her letting out a series of muffled coughs. Nevertheless, it was a marked improvement over the first attempt

it burns

chest while staring at the cigarette. Then, bringing it to her

manner for an ensuing couple of minutes, up until the point where there was nothing

I do

She showed the butt.

at it before casting his

"Throw it away."

"Mhm."

a light flick, it disappeared out of

her

"What?"

looked at her strangely. He somewhat had an idea of what she wanted but found himself

It couldn't be, right?

"…"

didn't reply and bobbed

lips, Jin took out a cigarette and placed it on her hand. She glanced

"More?"

Now, this…

took another cigarette and placed it on

staring at Jin. Her gaze and expression were clear.

a long time, Jin was left

'Ah, whatever.'

his head and placed the pack

"Very generous of you."

'Motherf—'

***

Peak, Duke Velmout. I'd like to discuss with you about a possible

Priscilla—]

"Interesting."

at

a clear glass that was filled with a crimson liquid, his long black hair reached the back of

stone edge of the balcony,

finally couldn't wait

face. Seemingly already having

on her earlier in the day had already made its way to his ears, so the letter did not come as a surprise to him when he

to an alliance. After all, by that point,

leverage as much as he could from Priscilla, granted that he would help

two

"Alright, then."

vanished into thin air, and he returned to his

suit, he mumbled with

how much

*

are you sure it's not a

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