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."

instructed, she brought the cigarette to

Only that…

"Cough! Cough!"

bright red, and she began coughing in an uncontrollable

started to fly out from

lied

started coughing even

"Hahah."

a muffled chuckle. He already knew that

are

expression and her words

trick me on purpose,

'…Is this really her?'

now that he was directly interacting with her, he found her new behavior to be a stark contrast from the one from

she hiding her

something? Cant

looked no different than a

twitch of his lips, Jin maintained his

inhale it properly. Try again, but

be

at him fiercely. Then, bringing the cigarette

Jin turned his head. They were quite

*Puff*

exhalations caused a cloud of smoke to float in the air, and Jin could very clearly hear her letting out a series of muffled coughs. Nevertheless, it was a marked improvement over the

it burns a

her chest while staring at the cigarette. Then, bringing it to her mouth, she took another

draw on the cigarette in this manner for an ensuing couple of minutes,

do I do

She showed the butt.

at it before casting his

"Throw it away."

"Mhm."

light flick, it disappeared out

Duchess then extended her

"What?"

somewhat had an idea of what she wanted but found himself rather taken aback when he thought

It couldn't be, right?

"…"

and bobbed her hand

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

"More?"

Now, this…

and placed it on

time, she didn't even bother looking at her hand before directly staring at Jin. Her gaze and expression were clear.

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

'Ah, whatever.'

the pros and cons, he shook his head and placed the pack in her hand, which she

"Very generous of you."

'Motherf—'

***

Red Peak, Duke Velmout. I'd like to discuss with

Priscilla—]

"Interesting."

while staring at the letter in his

glass that was filled with

stone edge of the balcony, he twirled his

she finally couldn't

on the demon's face. Seemingly already having predicted

the day had already made its way to his ears,

to an alliance. After all, by that point, the only thing on his mind would be revenge rather than the benefits coming from

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

was essentially two

"Alright, then."

of his finger, the letter vanished into thin air, and he returned to his

he mumbled with

how much I can squeeze from

*

you sure it's not

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