Forgotten Juliet

* * *

From the moment the Duke of Carlyle appeared, the Empress seemed to have decided to change his course.

She began to take care of Juliet as if she was a loving adoptive parent.

“You should stay in my palace until you recover.”

The Empress generously offered, even providing a luxurious guest room.

This kindness felt somewhat burdensome. After all, Juliet had some responsibility for the intrusion of a wolf into the palace.

Fortunately, the Emperor and Empress didn’t seem to think that far.

Roy and his party caught Graham and left. However, many had witnessed the intimate conversation between Juliet and Roy.

Juliet decided to behave obediently, following the Empress’s instructions for now. It was best to make a good impression, not knowing how things would turn out later.

Juliet sat in the ballroom, dressed in a dress chosen by the Empress.

Due to the earlier commotion, people glanced at her from a distance with wary eyes.

If their eyes met, they would either be startled and look away or force an awkward smile.

Well, it wasn’t so bad.

Juliet shrugged.

“Excuse me, Countess Monad.”

A slightly different group of people started to approach her.

“Yes?”

Juliet didn’t know the name of the refined-looking noblewoman who addressed her, so she responded vaguely.

When she came to her senses, demure young ladies surrounded her.

“Excuse my boldness, but what is your relationship with the gentleman who approached you this morning?”

The young ladies, with their sparkling eyes, seemed burdensome, but they didn’t appear malicious.

What’s there to hide?

“He’s a friend.”

“Oh my, really!”

“Being friends with Lycanthrope is impressive!”

Juliet glanced over the young ladies.

They were types she hadn’t encountered much over the past few years, so they seemed younger than her.

Juliet thought the curious-looking noble young ladies were quite cute. So, she obediently answered their various questions.

“Yes, we met while traveling.”

“Oh my.”

The reactions were as expected.

“So, have you promised a future with him…?”

“No, not at all…”

The conversation seemed to be heading in an unexpected direction.

“Isn’t that so?”

Recognizing the familiar voice, Juliet turned around. A decidedly handsome man looked down at her with a cold gaze.

“Duke.”

Juliet responded with a polite, thin smile.

“Excuse us…”

The young ladies who had been chattering around Juliet scattered like herbivores that had encountered a predator.

“Do you have business with me?”

“I simply wish to dance with you.”

Juliet looked at him in surprise.

‘Lennox Carlyle wants to dance?’

It was unbelievable. If the nobility heard, they would be shocked.

But Juliet noticed that he was impeccably dressed.

Aside from the bandage wrapped around his left hand, he looked perfect, truly fitting for the ball.

‘What’s he up to…?’

“And if I refuse?”

“If I were a you, I wouldn’t.”

He said without a smile.

It wasn’t a threat. His tone was rather polite, but Juliet felt a sudden unease.

“…Alright.”

It had been ages since she last danced with him.

As Juliet took the floor, she wondered if pretending to accidentally step hard on his foot would be a good idea.

Lennox didn’t enjoy dancing in front of others, but Juliet had danced with him a few times.

In fact, he was good at anything physical.

As they walked to the floor, the dance music shifted to a slower tempo. From the moment he spoke to Juliet, the surroundings grew quiet.

Under the weight of so many eyes, her skin felt hot.

Juliet wondered how strange this scene must look to others.

“Answer me, Juliet.”

However, as soon as the dance began and they took their first step, she regretted following her curiosity and taking his hand.

“Did that wolf pup promise you the queen’s position?”

With his hand on her waist and her hand in his, there was no escaping the man’s piercing gaze.

Juliet replied coldly.

“That’s none of your business, Your Highness. You have no right to ask.”

“Oh really.”

However, Lennox didn’t laugh as he spoke.

“That’s not something you should say to someone who saved your life.”

“Saved?”

“You owe me a debt.”

Juliet pondered for a moment and then realized.

“Ah.”

He seemed to be referring to the incident at the hunting grounds.

If it hadn’t been for him, who knows what could have happened to her in the snow-covered forest. She heard that the palace officials only started searching for her after Duke Carlyle arrived.

Reluctantly, Juliet asked:

“What do you want in return?”

“An extension of the contract.”

Juliet doubted her ears and then chuckled softly.

“Did you ask me to dance just to discuss this?”

If she hadn’t been held by him, she would’ve already left the scene. It was a conversation not worth listening to.

“Listen until the end.”

However, Lennox pulled her waist closer and whispered:

“Extend the contract you brought with you for three more months, and after that, I’ll let you go cleanly.”

“Why should I?”

“Because after that, you’ll get what you desire.”

Juliet scoffed coldly.

“There’s nothing you can offer me.”

“That might not be the case. Think about it.”

Juliet was puzzled.

What was he offering? A clean break?

“What if I refuse?”

“You won’t.”

Lennox spoke softly.

“Because you wouldn’t want to lose something precious to you.”

Juliet brushed off his hand and stood still. Her porcelain-smooth forehead wrinkled.

“Why are you acting out of character?”

She whispered, as if sighing.

“You got the sequence wrong.”

Lennox smiled faintly and brushed it off.

“You keep making me act childish.”

Juliet looked incredulous, but that was the most honest thing he could say.

Lennox Carlyle thought he knew Juliet Monad well. When and how she laughed. Or how sweetly she sobbed.

Seven years was a long time.

Enough to become accustomed to someone and lose interest. So he thought he knew her thoroughly.

But his pride was easily shattered.

The woman who deceived him and ran away seemed like a completely different person from the Juliet he had known for seven years.

When Juliet first ran away from him, the emotion he felt was closer to fear than betrayal.

He finally admitted that he hardly knew anything about Juliet Monad.

At that moment, the short dance ended, and applause erupted.

“Your Highness.”

Juliet, exhaling a shallow breath, spoke as if consoling a child.

“I have nothing to give either, even if you say so. I don’t know what you want from me.”

Juliet tried to softly persuade him.

“You said it, Your Highness. A contract is established when there’s something to give and take, so”

“I have it.”

Lennox spoke forcefully, holding the back of Juliet’s hand.

Juliet sent a slightly confused look. Sometimes, she had an inscrutable expression.

“Have what?”

There were times when she stared at him with those precarious blue eyes.

Then he would become anxious, as if she would disappear from his sight.

He felt so restless that he needed to immediately hold her to confirm her presence.

“You owe me.”

However, suppressing his urge, Lennox bent down and pressed his lips to the back of her hand.

It was an utmost courteous gesture.

“Your Highness.”

“It’s better not to make me wait too long.”

However, the red eyes that looked up at her while kissing her hand were nothing but rude and intimidating.

“You know, Juliet.”

While escorting Juliet back to her place with impeccable manners, he whispered softly:

“I’m not very patient.”