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 her mouth and took a

Only that…

"Cough! Cough!"

face turned bright red, and she began coughing

fly out

lied to m—Cough!

started coughing even

"Hahah."

out a muffled chuckle. He already knew

are you laughing

her subsequent change in expression

trick me

'…Is this really her?'

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

she hiding

dead or something?

different than

his lips,

but this time try inhaling with

better not be playing with

the cigarette close to

turned his head.

*Puff*

cloud of smoke to float in the air, and Jin could very clearly hear her letting out a series of muffled coughs. Nevertheless,

burns a

staring at the cigarette. Then,

cigarette in this manner for an ensuing couple of minutes, up

I

She showed the butt.

it before casting his

"Throw it away."

"Mhm."

a light flick, it

extended her

"What?"

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

It couldn't be, right?

"…"

didn't reply and bobbed

cigarette and placed it on her hand. She glanced at

"More?"

Now, this…

another cigarette and

hand before directly staring at Jin. Her gaze

long time, Jin was left speechless. Was this seriously the same

'Ah, whatever.'

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

"Very generous of you."

'Motherf—'

***

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

Priscilla—]

"Interesting."

staring at the letter in

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

the stone edge of the balcony, he twirled

finally couldn't wait any

demon's face.

played on her earlier in the day had already made its way to his ears,

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

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

two birds

"Alright, then."

letter vanished

suit, he mumbled

just how much

*

are you sure it's

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