Forgotten Juliet

* * *

The restaurant car was quiet after the commotion from the previous day.

The other passengers seemed terrified by what had happened and locked themselves in their compartments, so Angie had to deliver food to them right in their compartment.

“Eat this too.”

Juliet watched Roy empty his plate with a good appetite and pushed a dish containing her share of egg dishes towards him.

Roy, as if it was only natural, sat across from Juliet, and the restaurant car remained empty until they finished their meal and enjoyed some tea.

Thanks to that, they were the only ones leisurely enjoying their breakfast.

“What happened to those people?”

“Those people?”

“The ones who kidnapped Roy.”

“Ah.”

Roy pondered for a moment before responding.

“Well… I’m not sure.”

He grinned mischievously.

“Some fierce-looking guys took them and tied them up. I don’t know what happened after that.”

Well, there was nowhere to escape on a moving train, after all.

Juliet wasn’t particularly interested in other people’s affairs, but she was quite curious why this man had been kidnapped.

“Then, where did the others go?”

“The others?”

Instead of elaborating, Juliet lightly shrugged her shoulders.

At that moment, Roy seemed to understand and wore a slightly embarrassed expression.

“Ah… Kitan got angry.”

Juliet immediately understood.

Among the men who had come to take Roy yesterday, there was a big guy named Kitan who had a bear-like appearance.

Every time he looked at Juliet, he would make a terrifying and unpleasant expression, making her quite uncomfortable.

“Why?”

“He was upset that I wouldn’t go back.”

It was a heavily condensed explanation, but Juliet understood once again. And she felt a bit amused, so she looked him up and down again.

‘Ah, I see. So, you’re a runaway boy?’

As she thought about it, everything fell into place.

‘Master Roy’, the name reminded her of Kitan and his group, who were searching for him and causing a commotion. Despite their first impression, it seemed that he was a valuable noble’s son.

“Why don’t you want to go back?”

“I broke my third brother’s neck.”

“…You have siblings?”

Juliet was slightly taken aback by the casual answer but managed to maintain her composure.

So he’s the youngest noble son of a large family, it seems.

Nodding, Roy subtly observed Juliet’s reaction, but Juliet was too preoccupied with her surprise to notice.

‘Wait, how old is he? Twenty years old?’

Why didn’t I realize it sooner? I was too focused on his face, but Roy had a boyish side to him.

“Well, wouldn’t it be better to go back home? Your parents must be worried…”

Perhaps his parents are strict. Juliet spoke tactfully about other people’s affairs.

“Juliet.”

“Yes?”

“You want me to… go back?”

‘Why is he asking me that?’

Juliet was momentarily perplexed.

She knew that she wasn’t usually affectionate towards others.

In the first place, she could barely handle her own life.

‘But he’s just a kid.’

But he found her hairpin, he had captivating eyes, and he seemed like a good-natured boy. Although the first impression wasn’t great.

So, there was nothing wrong with saying something kind for a change, something he wanted to hear.

“Well, why did you fight with your brother?”

“There’s something I want… something I couldn’t have, so he teased me about it.”

“If you want something, can’t you just have it?”

“…Do you really think so?”

“Yes, and you have to go back home too.”

After all, there was only one thing to say to a runaway teenager.

‘Go back home and reconcile with your brother, young master, without worrying your parents.’

Juliet replied kindly, using her social skills. And at that moment, Roy, who had been observing her intently from across the table, burst into a big smile.

“Yes, then I’ll do that.”

Juliet didn’t yet realize what consequences her casual remark would bring.

* * *

The final stop of the train was Aquitaine, the largest castle in the East.

Originally, Aquitaine was Juliet’s destination as well. When people referred to the Eastern Gateway, it commonly meant Aquitaine.

However, among the passengers who had experienced the chaos, many didn’t want to stay on this train for a moment longer.

When the train arrived at the intermediate station, Roadel, weary-faced passengers and injured individuals hurriedly got off.

Juliet, too, was amidst the crowd.

“Injured passengers! This way for the injured!”

Other passengers were busy unloading their luggage or taking care of patients, completely disregarding surroundings.

With only a lightweight travel bag as her luggage, Juliet leisurely made her way out of the crowded station.

She threw away the tattered veil and walked for a while before glancing back.

She saw the train just leaving.

She stood still, raising her hand in farewell, murmuring to herself.

“Somehow, I feel a little sorry.”

It was a parting without any greetings.

But come to think of it, weren’t they not on familiar terms anyway?

Ah, but those golden eyes were truly beautiful. If you stared into them for too long, you might stumble and fall, as if a powerful force would sweep you away.

But instincts shouldn’t be ignored.

‘Perhaps he’s a werebeast.’

That feeling came to her.

Of course, he always pretended to be docile and kind to Juliet, like a puppy wagging its tail in front of its owner.

But it was hard to break down the guard against a giant man.

Juliet furrowed her brow slightly.

The most annoying thing was precisely that. An opponent with whom her illusions wouldn’t work.

(That man. I feel bad.)

Usually, when butterflies got excited, it was difficult to understand their words. But in this exceptional case, the butterflies expressed a clear sense of discomfort.

Regrettably, Juliet agreed with their opinion.

Moreover, there were more than just a couple of suspicious corners.

‘Clearly, there were no restrictions when he was a wolf.’

So, she could summon the butterflies and go through the process of releasing him.

However, right after that, when he was in human form, it was impossible. The butterflies were forcibly summoned, and they showed such strong resistance.

‘So it just confuses things for no reason.’

Juliet muttered inwardly.

At first, she couldn’t easily connect the dots between the giant wolf and the suspicious man.

Lycanthropes, also commonly known as werewolves, were famous for their ferocity, and Juliet had never personally seen them during her two lifetimes.

Whether he was a swordmaster or a high priest, she wasn’t exactly sure, but that alone made him a formidable opponent.

So, let’s avoid getting involved in troublesome matters.

‘Well, he’s not a young child who can’t find his way home on his own.’

There were plenty of others who came to rescue him. Juliet turned her footsteps.

With a shrug of her shoulders, she turned again.

* * *

Creak.

Roy gripped the door handle and looked into the empty room.

Apart from the slightly open window, it was in such an orderly state that it was hard to believe someone had been using it just a few hours ago.

“Sir Roy.”

Kitan, who appeared from behind, interrupted his reverie.

“We should leave now.”

Kitan’s respectful tone was somewhat urgent, but Roy didn’t blame him.

It was impressive enough that Kitan didn’t wrinkle his nose at the stench.

Kitan belonged to the great forest clan, with senses dozens of times more sensitive than humans. It must have been unbearable for them to endure the stench that permeated this place any longer.

Humans were like that.

Wherever they go, they leave behind a stench and invoke the hatred of the merciful and great races.

Truly, they were a despicable and foolish race that didn’t deserve even a bit of sympathy.

Until yesterday, Romeo Pascal agreed with that thought. There was no value in showing mercy, and there was no reason to spare anyone’s life.

However, just a few hours ago, he encountered a human who didn’t disgust him for the first time.

Certainly, she was human, but instead of a repugnant scent, there was a fragrance so soft and sweet that it was unbearable.

It was a seductive scent that tempted him to plunge his fangs into her white neck without hesitation.

He knew the significance of it.

If you belong to the Forest, anyone would understand the meaning of this phenomenon.

Roy looked down at his empty palm and lightly clenched and unclenched his hand.

Within the clan, he was treated as incomplete because he hadn’t undergone the transformation. He was the youngest and the strongest among his siblings, who feared him, and his father rejected him.

By undergoing the transformation, one could meet a mate. Encountering a bonded partner was a cherished moment for anyone in the clan.

Until now, Roy had only thought of it as foolishness. Transformation, bonding, and all those things were unnecessary.

But…

“So, this is what it feels like.”

Roy smiled wryly.