"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."
the cigarette
Only that…
"Cough! Cough!"
red, and she began coughing
fly
lied
coughing
"Hahah."
composure, let out a muffled chuckle. He already knew that this was going
are you laughing
her subsequent change in expression
you trick me on purpose,
'…Is this really her?'
he was directly interacting with her, he found her new behavior to be a stark contrast from
she hiding her true
or something?
looked no different
twitch of his
didn't inhale it properly. Try again, but
not be playing
fiercely. Then, bringing the cigarette close to her
chest heaved up, and Jin turned
*Puff*
hear her letting out a series of muffled coughs. Nevertheless, it was a marked improvement over the first attempt she had
burns
massaged her chest while staring at the cigarette. Then, bringing it
manner for an ensuing couple
do I
She showed the butt.
at it before casting
"Throw it away."
"Mhm."
it disappeared out
Duchess then extended her hand
"What?"
of what she wanted but found himself rather taken
It couldn't be, right?
"…"
bobbed
Jin took out a cigarette and placed it on her hand. She glanced at it for a
"More?"
Now, this…
and placed it
time, she didn't even bother looking at her hand before directly staring at
his mouth for the first time in a long time, Jin was
'Ah, whatever.'
and cons, he shook his head and placed the pack in her hand, which she graciously
"Very generous of you."
'Motherf—'
***
Velmout. I'd like to discuss with you
Priscilla—]
"Interesting."
while staring at the letter in
glass that was filled with a crimson liquid, his long black hair reached
stone edge of the balcony, he twirled
finally couldn't wait
smirk formed on the demon's face.
Ukhan had played on her earlier in the day had already made its way to his
resorted to an alliance. After all, by that point, the only thing on his mind would be revenge rather
was extremely advantageous for him as it would mean he could leverage as much as he could from Priscilla, granted that he would help her get revenge which was
was essentially two birds with one
"Alright, then."
a flick of his finger, the letter vanished into thin air,
his suit, he mumbled with
see just how much I can
*
sure
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C72d9J7Jd+X4nELfmarXEVbvdlSeK9C88x/iE1W4qniFUySlXQ01EQNpgdiS59gHOHsS7dgQy1h9zKt0NLF1MtyN+LYhI86OvfHQCHrkXlYbj0XARvckptkbKH3sAo/JwcsC+amAdTSxEe0fvxv8inS3zsXGjP/a1MMBMDjHWBbZHf7b6sHNxHEnj1hrHi9CoDfxI+YRq5B4TDE+i6YhpKEZ7h4cKYfQTDI7D9ja8ODTEEWp440K3FiQA9P5cDL+BgH45KPMC/v8jjGPPnM2MdOVX7cgLdUWpIZ4U4EALfogENZziDG9OKwoKoDebey3x4pv9Nk6GL6m1/Qrg1Ba4v9vZVxNj8uxf8KDIH5eEQ+2Dfn6jXpsmL/dIn4oJ6XpV8W29LUgzwec0CqC9dkqENlWOVVfvGQf4RUl4NX6aU+/Fth36cd0AgqAFVkmp4Ae9ijbm05SJ+kN17+N8SyMoyxpBvD/KkEdr47zUArBip9dJR+8r28D9dK2UKeIBJw4ZBlOtSSxtWiHnwgcZAydo/6fZsIhSRT7diPTXsPyuk7I2WKxreLZIDDJL4lSIbTBbr1F
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