Chapter 22: Laughter_2

The faint smell of smoke filled the air.

Alfred remained kneeling, as did Miss Molly.

"Ah..."

Alfred's body shivered slightly, and he instinctively wanted to raise his head but restrained himself.

Karen pursed his bitter lips.

Then he took out another cigarette.

With great self-control, he suppressed his trembling hand and asked Alfred,

"Smoke?"

Is he 

asking me?

Alfred hesitated for a moment, and finally, with great courage, raised his head.

He saw the divine envoy standing by the window, raising a cigarette and handing it toward him. The moon's radiance shone on him as if he were framed in gold, inviolable and divine.

"Hm?"

"I..."

Alfred slowly stood up, carefully walked to Karen, took the cigarette in his hand, and put it in his mouth.

Next moment,

"Snap!"

Karen lit the flame with a lighter.