This Life, I Will Save The Duke (20 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 34

A glint of gold flashed between the open flaps of the bag.

The very money—intended to repay Kaius for the humiliation Ariel had inflicted upon him, so that she would not deceive him—now lay between the two of them.

“This is the exact amount stated on the invoice.”

Kaius silently chuckled as he gazed indifferently at the bag stuffed full of gold coins. Ariel’s body stiffened at his mocking demeanor.

In the thick, heavy silence, Kaius pulled out a cigar, lit it, and quietly rose to his feet. Opening the terrace door, he leaned against the wall, thin trails of smoke curling from between his lips.

She had strayed perfectly from the path he had intended.

Kaius gave a quiet, amused snort and stared at the beautifully tinted forest, exhaling a long stream of smoke. The crisp wind carried the fresh scent of the woods and birdsong. Occasionally, the distant voices of servants from the garden reminded him of the approaching wedding.

The suffocating, frozen air began to stir as the terrace door opened. Only then did Ariel let out a quiet sigh of relief.

She had almost asked whether he’d blocked her access to the Tris vault, but decided it was unnecessary. Whether or not it was true, she’d already achieved her goal. Concluding there was no further reason to stay, Ariel rose from her seat.

At the sound of her movement, Kaius turned his gaze from the forest toward her.

“I’ll be going now.”

Ariel gave a slight bow and turned to leave.

“Wait.”

After that single word, Kaius turned his head back outside and resumed smoking his cigar. Ariel let out a small sigh and sat back down on the sofa. The breeze carried the faint scent of tobacco and his presence.

After a while longer, Kaius finally returned to the sofa and sat down. He stubbed out his cigar in the ashtray and lazily leaned back, resting both arms along the sofa’s backrest.

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