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."

the cigarette to her

Only that…

"Cough! Cough!"

turned bright red, and she began coughing in

fly out from her

You lied to

started coughing even more

"Hahah."

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

fuck are you

subsequent change in expression

you trick me

'…Is this really her?'

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

she hiding her

you dead or something? Cant you fucking hear

no different

a twitch of his lips,

didn't inhale it properly. Try again, but this

better not be playing

at him fiercely. Then, bringing the cigarette

Jin turned his

*Puff*

hear her letting out a series of muffled coughs.

burns

her chest while staring at the cigarette. Then,

this manner for an ensuing couple of minutes, up until the point where there was

do I do

She showed the butt.

looked at it before casting his gaze

"Throw it away."

"Mhm."

light flick, it disappeared

then extended her

"What?"

she wanted but found himself

It couldn't be, right?

"…"

didn't reply and bobbed her hand a

Jin took out a cigarette and placed it on her hand. She glanced at it for

"More?"

Now, this…

another cigarette and placed it on

directly staring at

his mouth for the 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

"Very generous of you."

'Motherf—'

***

Duke Velmout. I'd like to discuss with you about

Priscilla—]

"Interesting."

demon muttered while staring at the letter in

holding a clear glass that was filled with a crimson liquid, his long black

back leaning against the stone edge of

she finally couldn't wait

on the demon's face. Seemingly

the day had already made its way to

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

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 also within his

two birds

"Alright, then."

the letter vanished into thin air, and he returned to

suit, he mumbled with

much I can squeeze from

*

sure it's

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255