Forgotten Juliet

* * *

Archbishop Solon seemed to enjoy roaming around the banquet hall and making a fuss.

“Special thanks to the royal family of Katia for gracing this occasion!”

He seemed keen to personally approach and become familiar with the high-ranking guests.

However, the concept of royalty among humans and that of Lycanthropes is different.

Roy didn’t particularly point that out.

“Roy, you were a prince?”

“Yes?”

When Juliet asked, Roy looked slightly flustered.

Juliet tilted her head.

So, will Roy ever become the Lord of Lycanthropes?

No, he did mention he had a brother, so probably not.

Behind Roy stood Nathan and Elsa, whom she knew, and three other unknown members of their tribe.

Are all of Lycanthropes tall, strikingly handsome, and beautiful?

She had thought so even when she saw them in the dark forest, but under the bright lights, they looked even more stunning.

Especially Elsa, with her curly golden hair falling like a mane and wearing a halter-neck dress, was dazzlingly beautiful.

“Hello, Juliet!”

“Hello, Elsa.”

Elsa greeted cheerfully, and Juliet responded in kind.

Come to think of it, didn’t Elsa have to leave in a hurry on the night of Algiero’s moon festival two weeks ago?

Juliet sneakily glanced at Roy beside her.

‘Was that issue resolved?’

She had been worried as Elsa, who always was with Nathan, wasn’t around. Fortunately, Elsa seemed fine now.

“Hehe.”

“Why are you laughing, Elsa?”

“I smell something delicious from Juliet.”

“…The smell of wild strawberries?”

“Huh? How did you know!”

“You mentioned it last time.”

“Elsa…!”

Nathan gritted his teeth and dragged Elsa out.

Elsa had already emptied a bottle of wine and was pretty drunk.

Watching the two, Juliet, who had been briefly amused, froze when she spotted someone.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Juliet asked Roy for permission and quickly followed that person outside.

In the well-maintained maze garden, impatient lovers were already having secret meetings. The person Juliet was looking for wasn’t easily spotted.

But Juliet had clearly seen.

‘That face…’

A small figure in a white priest’s outfit with orange-hued hair.

It was definitely Dahlia.

“Ah…!”

Walking around without watching her step, Juliet tripped over something.

A rose vine stretched out before her eyes.

Although falling on the rose vine might only result in some bruises, Juliet closed her eyes in anticipation of the impending pain.

‘…?’

But no matter how much time passed, the expected shock didn’t come.

Then, Juliet realized she had fallen onto someone’s chest.

“Juliet.”

“…Your Highness.”

And it was the one person she least wanted to see right now.

“…My apologies- ah.”

Juliet thought that Helen’s perfect dress choice for tonight was a mistake.

Due to the corset that cinched her waist, and skipping a meal, she felt a light-headed dizziness.

She wanted to use something to help herself up, but the only thing within Juliet’s reach was the chest of the man in front of her.

Every time Juliet tried to get up, Lennox easily stopped her and asked casually:

“Is that wolf pup ‘Roy’?”

He seemed to remember the name from a few weeks ago by the lake in Algiero.

“Yes, that’s right!”

Juliet responded irritably.

“Do you like that pup?”

“Lennox!”

“Tell me, Juliet.”

“Has that wolf pup promised you the queen’s position?”

Juliet pondered.

The position of the queen? What does he mean?

Had this man always been this persistent?

“Answer me, Juliet.”

* * *

“…What are you doing here?”

Juliet didn’t answer and asked Lennox.

“You said so yourself.”

Lennox, without any intention of getting up, remained immovable. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he gave a cold smile.

“You said you’d do as you please.”

“…”

“So, I thought I’d try doing things my way too.”

“…Your Highness.”

Juliet wondered why Lennox was behaving this way here.

Even though he doesn’t love me anyway.

“Roy is just… a friend.”

At that, Lennox sneered coldly.

“Well, do you think that wolf thinks the same?”

His fingertips brushed Juliet’s cheek. It was a delicate touch, as if handling something fragile.

“I’ve thought about it. Why you’re acting like this.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Juliet, did you want to hurt me?”

Juliet tightly closed her mouth.

Did she want to hurt him?

She wanted to hurt him.

Even when she decided to leave him, who didn’t love her, and at that moment, she hoped to leave even a slight memory in his mind. She hoped to remain in his heart, even if the emotion was anger.

“Answer me. Did you ever like me?”

Did she ever like him?

What a foolish question.

Juliet laughed bitterly.

If she hadn’t liked him, she wouldn’t have stayed by his side for 7 years. Especially beside the man who killed her in a previous life.

“Your face.”

“What?”

“I liked your face.”

Because he was handsome.

Juliet teased with a sly smile.

“That was it.”

It seemed she was saying she wouldn’t have stayed otherwise.

For some reason, Lennox Carlyle looked hurt and remained still for a while.

“…Still soft.”

Then he muttered a word.

Juliet placed her hand on the ground, gathering strength to get up.

But Lennox pulled her arm, making her sit back down.

“What are you…!”

She tried to yell at him, but Carlyle suddenly leaned closer.

And their fingers intertwined.

“I told you, Juliet.”

“…!”

“When there’s a chance, cut off the air.”

Juliet flinched at his incomprehensible words, trying to escape, but was firmly held by his hand.

“Stab me.”

With one hand, Lennox brushed Juliet’s loose hair, and with the other, he pulled her waist closer.

“We’re going to kiss now.”

So if you don’t like it, stab me.

Upon hearing such a straightforward remark, Juliet came to her senses.

Suddenly, a sharp dagger was forcefully placed in Juliet’s hand.

“I taught you.”

Upon hearing that, she remembered.

During their time in the North, Lennox taught Juliet various things.

The Carlyle family had many enemies, and she was his official lover for 7 years.

So she needed to be prepared for any situation.

“If there’s a chance, don’t hesitate, stab. That’s how you’ll live.”

Among other things, he taught her self-defense techniques, including where to stab for the quickest and most efficient kill.

So, Juliet couldn’t move easily now.

Because she knew if she even wavered a little in this posture, there could truly be bloodshed.

“…!”

Suddenly, she pushed Lennox away.

But he firmly placed the dagger in Juliet’s hand and held her close.

Then he thrust his own neck against the blade.

They were so close they could count each other’s eyelashes.

“What are you doing…!”

Juliet was startled.

She couldn’t even let go of the dagger, fearing he might really get hurt.

His threatening gaze seemed to warn her.

Surprised, Juliet could hardly breathe as he slowly moved to kiss her.

He seemed unconcerned about the blade.

With a slight touch on her lips, Juliet reflexively tried to push him away but hesitated at the familiar scent.

As she didn’t resist, the kiss deepened. Unknowingly, Juliet closed her eyes.

A moment later.

Their lips parted.

Juliet took deep breaths, looking dazedly at Lennox.

Lennox smirked.

“Trading my life for a single kiss with you seems like a profitable deal, doesn’t it?”