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

Only that…

"Cough! Cough!"

face turned bright red, and she

soon started to fly out from her

You lied to

coughing

"Hahah."

let out a muffled chuckle. He already

are you laughing

subsequent change in expression

me on purpose,

'…Is this really her?'

seen glimpses before when she was talking with Ren, now that he was directly interacting with her, he found her new behavior to be a stark contrast from the one

hiding her

you dead or something?

different

a twitch of his

Try again, but

not be playing

fiercely. Then, bringing the

and Jin turned his

*Puff*

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 first

it burns

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

for an ensuing couple of

do I

She showed the butt.

at it before casting

"Throw it away."

"Mhm."

flick, it disappeared out of

then extended her hand

"What?"

strangely. He somewhat had an idea of what she wanted but found himself rather taken aback when

It couldn't be, right?

"…"

and bobbed her hand a

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

"More?"

Now, this…

and placed it on her

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

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

'Ah, whatever.'

his head and placed the pack

"Very generous of you."

'Motherf—'

***

Duke Velmout. I'd

Priscilla—]

"Interesting."

muttered while staring at the letter

there wearing a flawless black suit and holding a clear glass that was filled with a crimson liquid, his long black hair reached the

against the stone edge of the balcony,

couldn't

on the demon's face. Seemingly already having predicted

Duke Ukhan had played 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

resorted to an alliance. After all, by that point, the only thing on his mind would be

extremely advantageous for him as it would mean he could leverage as much as he could from Priscilla, granted

two birds

"Alright, then."

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

his suit, he mumbled

how much I can

*

you sure it's

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