Forgotten Juliet

Long ago, Juliet would ponder the meaning of loneliness each dawn, left alone in an empty bed.

The world was full of lovers who effortlessly enjoyed normalcy and peace, relishing in happiness.

Yet, why was it so hard for them?

It was a distant dream for Juliet to be happy like others. Throughout their relationship, only bearing the title of Duke Carlyle’s lover, they constantly found themselves at odds.

The man Juliet had loved long ago found it harder to honestly open up than conquering continents.

He found it easier to kill himself, offering his heart to reverse time, rather than utter a word of love.

‘He’s out of his mind.’

Juliet chuckled self-mockingly.

How did she come to fancy such a man?

The answer to the question she had pondered for a long time became vaguely clear when she reunited with the man who tirelessly chased after her fleeing self.

Although Juliet resented him, she couldn’t leave, just like he greedily clung onto her without understanding a shred of his emotions.

It was because they both were equally prideful, incapable of honesty, and twisted somewhere deep down.

“Lennox.”

Juliet calmly gazed at the shattered man.

“I won’t forgive you.”

“…Okay.”

“But you have to atone to me for the rest of your life.”

Juliet delightfully watched the arrogant man’s face shift between shock, embarrassment, and relief.

“Who knows? Maybe someday, I might forgive you even just a little bit.”

He might not remember, but Juliet could vividly recall the moment she met him as if it was yesterday.

In that moment, she instantly realized that he too was broken as much as her.

“Understand? Until then, you are mine.”

Juliet murmured solemnly.

Lennox Carlyle might never be able to earn her forgiveness, but Juliet had owned him for a lifetime.

“It will be quite painful from now on, but you should be prepared.”

Juliet couldn’t finish her words. Lennox could no longer hold back and tightly embraced Juliet.

“Yes. Don’t forgive me for a lifetime.”

The sound of Juliet’s laughter, with her head buried in his shoulder, tickled his ears.

Lennox Carlyle was determined never to let go of what he held in his embrace.

Juliet, who was faintly smiling, suddenly realized that the rain had stopped a while ago.

* * *

Rustle.

About a month ago, rare ancient magical creatures began to appear in the forest behind the ducal residence.

Swoosh.

A black dragon, quietly sitting on a tree, spread his wings and descended like an arrow.

-Peep!

The baby dragon was a born hunter.

Swiftly seizing a small rabbit by the throat, Onyx felt triumphant. But Onyx hesitated just before snuffing the life out of the rabbit.

-Good boy, Nix? You can’t just catch and eat anything when you’re hungry.

He remembered Juliet scolding him tightly, gripping his front paw.

-If you eat anything you pick up, it’s dangerous. If you’re hungry, just come to me. Understand?

-Peep…

The lucky rabbit didn’t miss this chance and hurriedly scurried away.

Watching the rabbit hop away into the distance, Nix realized he hadn’t eaten anything for three days now.

“Gruk.”

Since Juliet disappeared, Nix didn’t approach the people of the Duchy anymore.

Fortunately, he didn’t fly far away, but Nix circled around the Ducal residence where Juliet’s traces were strong.

Juliet had lived here for 7 years, so her traces were scattered all around the vicinity of the residence.

Initially, Nix thought Juliet was trapped underground. But when the humans broke the stone and opened the cave, Juliet wasn’t there.

‘Juliet must be angry.’

The baby dragon, unfamiliar with the concept of death, thought so. Juliet was hiding somewhere because she was mad at humans.

So Nix was mad at humans too.

The baby dragon ate tree fruits or mushrooms during the day, and slept on the trees at night, waiting for Juliet to return.

Growl.

But in the snow-covered northern forest, there were no more flowers or tree fruits left for Nix to eat.

In the end, the conflicted Nix headed towards a large green tree nearby.

‘Apples!’

The hungry baby dragon’s eyes lit up.

Beneath the green tree, there was some water and fruit left by the humans living in the residence.

Since Nix didn’t come close, humans gave up on capturing the dragon and periodically left food there.

It was the same today. Nix cautiously approached the food after glancing around for a while. However.

Thud.

“Gotcha!”

“Peep!”

The moment the baby dragon stepped forward, the ground beneath him gave way. Startled, Onyx realized he was caught in a net and couldn’t move.

Trapped, Nix was desperate. Men in black who were hiding in the bushes came pouring out.

He should never have trusted humans!

Nix was angry and thrashed about wildly, but the more he struggled, the more entangled he became in the net, hindering his movements.

Normally he wouldn’t have been caught so easily, but having starved for several days, Nix was considerably weakened.

“Nix, it’s me!”

As Nix fiercely struggled to escape the net, he stopped in surprise upon hearing the voice.

The baby dragon paused his resistance for a moment and glanced around.

“…Mya?”

“Good boy? It’s alright now.”

The desperate human woman’s voice was very comforting and familiar.

“Have you been good and obedient all this while?”

As their eyes met, Juliet burst into laughter and untied the net.

The round pumpkin-colored eyes of the Onyx lit up like lanterns.

“Peep!”

The baby dragon whimpered sadly and jumped into Juliet’s embrace.

* * *

Having fallen asleep on the couch, Juliet awoke to a sensation and opened her eyes.

“Lennox…?”

“Sleep some more.”

As Lennox whispered, almost habitually, he moved her onto the bed.

Lately, Juliet would doze off the moment she felt a bit clear-headed. It seemed like she was catching up on the two months’ worth of sleep she had missed. The doctor said it was a part of the recovery process and not to worry…

But Juliet would fall asleep just about anywhere, which was a little concerning.

And what was stranger was that every time she woke up, Lennox was right beside her.

“It’s like you’re keeping a watch over me.”

“That’s right.”

Juliet muttered in protest, but he didn’t even smile, simply affirming her statement.

Lately, not only did Lennox become more fluid with his words, but he also became much kinder.

-However, be a little kinder to others. No getting angry, lying, or saying harsh words.

Juliet was making up rules, but it seemed he was sincerely abiding by them.

Even after a big accident, when Lennox didn’t lose his temper, she suspiciously looked at him as if doubting he was the same person.

Lennox’s gentle attitude was comforting, yet Juliet wondered how long this demeanor would last.

“…?”

However, the moment Juliet came to her senses and saw his attire, sleepiness fled her mind.

Instead of his usual simple clothes, Lennox was dressed in familiar armor.

Juliet instantly understood the situation.

“Are you going to patrol the territory?”

“Yes.”

Lennox obediently affirmed, but Juliet frowned slightly.

Thanks to Elliot briefing her, she was aware of the situation.

-During His Highness’s absence, discord has arisen among the northern lords. Hence, the border areas have become quite tumultuous.

Elliot called it a discord, but the situation was quite serious.

The nobles near the North had largely split into two factions.

Those who saw the shaky state of the Duchy as an opportunity to strike against the House of Carlyle, and those who chose to wait for a better moment. In any case, every noble around was waiting for a chance to pick at the Duchy like vultures.

The saying, in a tiger’s absence, a fox reigns, seemed apt.

There were already rumors of some quietly moving troops across the Duchy borders, unlawfully occupying the forest areas within the territory.

Juliet frowned.

“It’s like a swarm of sharks.”

“Sharks?”

“Mm… Large fish in the sea with lots of teeth. Like wolves.”

“More like hyenas, actually.”

Lennox smiled lightly.

“They’re ready to pounce to tear apart my corpse.”

Despite his words, Lennox’s tone remained gentle.

Juliet thought it was quite a skill to speak such words with such a face and sighed softly.

“Why has two months passed?”

So much had happened in the time since Juliet had disappeared.

Lennox quietly looked at her while leaning against the bed headboard.

With her hair sprawled haphazardly, staring at the ceiling, Juliet seemed lost in deep thoughts.

Lately, very often in fact, Lennox found himself uneasy not knowing what Juliet was thinking. Perhaps she would continue to worry like this. Yet, he was content with that.

Lennox, struggling to suppress the urge to kiss her, smiled softly.

“Should I not go?”

“Uh…?”

Thinking it was a joke, Juliet chuckled. His thumb was gently brushing against Juliet’s lower lip.

“If I tell you not to go, you won’t?”

“If you wish.”

‘Really…?’

No, what do you mean? What will happen if you don’t go?

“You must be crazy.”

Juliet was startled and quickly pushed him away as she got up.

“Take care and come back safely.”

* * *

After Lennox left for the estate inspection, Juliet felt a little more relaxed.

Coincidentally, her maternal grandfather, who had come to see Juliet, brought along magicians from the Mage Tower, so the people of the estate were focused on the castle’s maintenance.

Elliot was very pleased that they got high-quality workforce for free.

“The greenhouse is in good condition. However, the magicians say that the exterior walls need to be replaced…”

But she was half-listening, half-gazing out of the window for some reason.

Milan cautiously called her.

“Miss?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Why are you like this?”

After a moment of hesitation, Juliet suddenly spoke.

“Will it be okay?”

Although Juliet omitted the subject, Milan understood right away.

“…Are you talking about the Duke?”

“Yes.”

Normally she wouldn’t worry, but Juliet was curious and a bit worried about the now-obedient Lennox.

‘It was Juliet who advised to act kindly.’

“His Highness Lennox’s recent soft demeanor is not bad, but he’s a Duke after all.”

The expressions of the knights nearby became subtle. They quickly exchanged glances without Juliet noticing.

‘Soft? Has the meaning of being soft changed these days?’

‘Does it now mean merciless and malicious?’

But Juliet seemed genuinely worried.

“What if there are problems dealing with the lords?”

Milan realized what Juliet was worried about.

For the past few months, Duke Carlyle had been obsessively chasing after her like a madman. As a result, rumors began to circulate that the Duke was mad, or that the Duke’s house was going to collapse, though of course it wasn’t Juliet’s fault.

But to a third party, Lennox was acting like a tongue in his mouth around Juliet. Juliet’s anxiety stemmed from there.

She seemed to worry whether the traditionally hard-line Duke Carlyle might change his stance to a moderate one, which could potentially harm his house or himself.

‘A moderate Duke Carlyle. Sounds like a hot ice.’

Milan was conflicted whether to tell Juliet the truth.

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

Choosing a white lie over conscience, Milan said.

“The possibility of a territory war is low. It will be resolved wisely through dialogue without shedding blood.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Milan couldn’t dare to say.

The fact that Duke Carlyle acted like a crazed mother bird was only towards Juliet, and his notorious temperament was still intact.