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."

Jin instructed, she brought the cigarette to her mouth and

Only that…

"Cough! Cough!"

red, and she began coughing in an uncontrollable

to fly out from her

lied

started coughing even more

"Hahah."

keeping his composure, let out a muffled chuckle. He already knew that

fuck are

her subsequent change in expression and her words

trick me on purpose,

'…Is this really her?'

glimpses before when she was talking with Ren, now that he was directly interacting with her, he found her new

hiding her true

you dead or something?

looked no different

of his lips, Jin maintained his

Try again, but this time try

be playing with

the cigarette

up, and Jin turned his

*Puff*

hear her letting out a series

it burns

the cigarette. Then, bringing it to her mouth, she

ensuing couple of minutes, up until

do I do

She showed the butt.

at it before casting his

"Throw it away."

"Mhm."

it disappeared

Duchess then extended her hand

"What?"

what she wanted but found himself rather

It couldn't be, right?

"…"

didn't reply and bobbed her hand a

cigarette and placed it on her hand. She glanced at it for a moment before

"More?"

Now, this…

another cigarette and placed it

even bother looking at her hand before directly staring at Jin. Her gaze and expression were clear. She wanted the

his mouth for the first time in a long time, Jin was left speechless. Was this seriously the same girl

'Ah, whatever.'

head and placed the pack in

"Very generous of you."

'Motherf—'

***

the Red Peak, Duke Velmout. I'd

Priscilla—]

"Interesting."

while staring at the letter

wearing a flawless black suit and holding a clear glass that was filled with a crimson liquid,

back leaning against the stone edge of the

couldn't wait any

face. Seemingly already having predicted such a

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

he too would've resorted to an alliance. After all, by that point, the only thing on his mind would be revenge rather than the

as he could from Priscilla, granted that he would help her get revenge which was also within his interest

was essentially two birds

"Alright, then."

a flick of his finger, the letter vanished into

suit, he mumbled

much I can squeeze

*

sure it's

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