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!"

and she began coughing in an uncontrollable

soon started to fly out from

You lied to m—Cough!

started coughing even

"Hahah."

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

fuck are

subsequent change in expression and her words left him

you trick me on

'…Is this really her?'

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

she hiding her

something? Cant you fucking

no different than a

his lips, Jin

Try again, but this time

not be playing with

the cigarette close to her mouth,

Jin turned his

*Puff*

could very clearly hear her letting out a series

it burns

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

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

I do with

She showed the butt.

at it before casting his gaze

"Throw it away."

"Mhm."

light flick, it disappeared out

Duchess then extended her hand

"What?"

what she wanted but

It couldn't be, right?

"…"

didn't reply and bobbed her hand

on her

"More?"

Now, this…

another cigarette and placed

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

mouth for the first time in a long time, Jin was left

'Ah, whatever.'

his head and placed the pack in

"Very generous of you."

'Motherf—'

***

at the Red Peak, Duke Velmout. I'd like to discuss with you about

Priscilla—]

"Interesting."

while staring at the letter

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

against the stone edge of

finally couldn't wait

on the demon's face. Seemingly already having predicted such

its way to his ears, so the letter did not come as a surprise

he been in her portion, he too would've resorted to an alliance. After all, by that point, the only

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

essentially two

"Alright, then."

letter vanished into

his suit, he mumbled

how much I can

*

are you sure it's

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