Forgotten Juliet

The anomalies of Duke Carlyle were known throughout the North.

It wasn’t just mere rumors. In the North, magicians from the Eastern Mage Tower of Elaim were spotted, and Duke Carlyle had invested a significant amount of money and knights to search through the mines and frozen rivers.

There were rampant rumors that the Duke had gone mad searching for the body of his deceased lover.

No one knew exactly what happened, but the northern lords didn’t miss this opportunity.

“Isn’t that arrogant Duke not in a state to hold a sword?”

Duke Carlyle had ruled the North for a long time but wasn’t on good terms with the lords of the surrounding areas.

His northern territory was vast, and thanks to that, the Carlyle family shared borders with many families.

Lennox Carlyle, like the heads of the Carlyle family before him, suppressed the surrounding lords with a firm hand, and the northern lords begrudgingly bowed their heads while becoming increasingly displeased with the growing power of the Dukedom.

Now, seeing the Duke in a peculiar state, the northern lords who had been eyeing an opportunity began to subtly eye the Duke’s territory.

Furthermore, Lennox Carlyle had personally eradicated his direct bloodline, so, apart from distant relatives, there were no close relatives.

The neighboring nobles were excited.

“We mustn’t miss this opportunity.”

Greymore, Calhoun, Gallowell.

The first to cross the border of the Duke’s territory was the alliance of these three families.

The Duke was a subject of fear, but they believed they could manage somehow if the three families united.

“Moreover, we have a justification, right? Isn’t Count Greymore a distant relative of the Duke?”

Though indeed a very distant relative.

“And there’s also Viscount Gallowell.”

Viscount Gallowell was a famed knight who had earned honors in wars.

Count Greymore and Viscount Calhoun, who had served the Duke for a long time, were subtly pinning their hopes on the young Viscount Gallowell.

If Count Greymore provides the justification and military, and Viscount Calhoun provides the military funds, what they expected from Viscount Gallowell was the military strength and strategic tactics honed on the battlefield.

Though it was dirty to lead their armies and fight to snatch land from each other, they needed to be prepared for the Duke’s knight brigade even if Lennox Carlyle couldn’t hold a sword.

“Still, there’s no chance that the knights will engage in direct battle.”

“I’ve heard that those illustrious knights are also rummaging around the lower rivers.”

“Are they looking for the body? Ah, it’s unfortunate that those remarkable knights have met the wrong master.”

They were completely immersed in baseless optimism.

Of course, they didn’t dare to march directly into the Duke’s residence or attack Duke Carlyle.

“Hmm, but Viscount Gallowell is late.”

“Oh, here he comes!”

“!”

“Haha! This guy, always dawdling!”

Seeing the flag of Viscount Gallowell from afar, Count Greymore and Viscount Calhoun laughed cheerfully.

The flag of Viscount Gallowell flapped in the wind.

At the front, a man on a black horse was galloping towards them quickly, followed by a group of knights at a moderate speed.

“Ah, you! We thought you got scared and ran away or something!”

“Haha!”

Count Greymore and Viscount Calhoun exchanged jokes in relief as they saw the flag of Gallowell.

“If you’re not here, who would behead that insolent Duke? We were discussing that!”

However, while exchanging frivolous jokes waiting for Viscount Gallowell to approach, the two noticed something strange.

“…?”

The flag of Viscount Gallowell was white with a black stag horn emblem.

But as it came closer, the white flag seemed stained with red blood-like spots.

Moreover, as the man in the front slowed down to approach them, Count Greymore and Viscount Calhoun became even more puzzled.

“Who…?”

“Is he a messenger?”

The man at the front was not Viscount Gallowell.

Instead of armor, the man, dressed lightly as if he was a messenger meant to gallop quickly, seemed too modestly dressed for a commander.

The young man with black hair also looked remarkably young.

Did Viscount Gallowell send a messenger instead?

Count Greymore and Viscount Calhoun felt uneasy.

“No, where is Viscount Gallowell? Who are you…?”

“Are you looking for this?”

Clank.

The young man with black hair threw a silver helmet he had been holding in his left hand in front of them.

For a moment, Viscount Calhoun realized that the helmet was very similar to the one Viscount Gallowell cherished.

“…?”

The helmet rolled on the grass and stopped at their feet.

But on closer inspection, it wasn’t just an empty helmet.

“…Aaah!”

Seeing the head of Viscount Gallowell, the two screamed and then realized who the young messenger in front of them was.

The young man with black hair smiled very gently and drew his sword.

“When you had their eyes on mine, you must have prepared at least an extra life, right?”

* * *

Rumors quickly spread that Duke Carlyle was touring the northern territories under the plausible guise of a domain inspection.

The ambitious lords of each house, who had eagerly deployed troops while coveting the Duchy of the Duke, hurriedly returned to their domains, their fervor faded.

The domain inspection was but an excuse, and Lennox Carlyle ruthlessly eradicated three northern lord families, showcasing the Duchy’s strength. It was a kind of show of force.

Meanwhile, Juliet spent the late spring bustling with visitors.

Her cousins Gray and Theo, and now the freeborn Lionel Lebatan, frequented the Duke’s residence almost daily.

‘Have the East and North joined hands?’

‘What common ground could there be between the Red King and Duke Carlyle?’

There were many puzzled gazes in the society wondering what sort of alliance this was, but Juliet, the only one who could answer these questions, let people remain curious.

Surrounded by family and friends, Juliet enjoyed busy and joyful times.

As time flew, the season swiftly transitioned into early summer.

Juliet loved the summers in the North. It was a lively season, full of cheer and vitality.

And every year around this time, the people of the Duke’s residence would prepare to depart for their summer retreat.

“By the way, Juliet.”

“Yes?”

On a peaceful afternoon when the bustling guests had almost all returned and the people of the Duke’s residence were preparing for the retreat. Juliet was sitting in the reception room, where the sunlight was pouring in, having tea with her maternal aunt, Helen.

“I heard that the Carlyle family purchased a ring a few days ago.”

“A ring?”

“Yes. It was an auction mediated by Rexler… I heard it’s a splendid item?”

Helen’s voice was shining as she asked.

A peaceful moment, but eyes full of meaningful gaze.

“A product crafted with sapphire and diamonds together, it’s part of a set with a necklace and earrings too?”

Juliet gently placed down her tea cup with a picturesque smile.

“It’s the fifth time.”

“Huh?”

“That question you asked. It’s the fifth time I heard it, aunt.”

Juliet’s response seemed unrelated at a glance.

However, as Helen soon understood the meaning, her eyes widened.

“Oh my.”

“Yes, ‘oh my’.”

Juliet smiled sweetly and nodded.

It wasn’t the first time in the past few days that someone rushed to Juliet upon hearing the Duke had purchased jewelry like rings and necklaces, possibly for a marriage proposal.

It must have reached Helen’s ears much earlier.

Compared to her hot-tempered cousin Theo who burst in asking ‘Hey, are you getting married?!’, Helen had inquired with much more decorum.

“I don’t even know what it looks like.”

But truly, Juliet had never even seen the shadow of the said splendid ring.

She was bewildered the first few times, but as it repeated over time, Juliet was slightly annoyed.

“When people ask ‘Did Duke Carlyle buy some amazing jewelry somewhere?’ or ‘Did you hire a famous jewelry craftsman?’, what should I say?”

Juliet grumbled a bit to Helen.

“I can’t say ‘Yes, it’s very beautiful and eye-poppingly expensive and splendid.’ about a ring I haven’t even seen.”

“Haha.”

As Juliet sighed deeply, Helen burst into laughter.

The variety was so diverse that Juliet could almost make a list of the supposedly purchased gifts that Duke Carlyle had bought.

Juliet spent all day with the people of the Duke’s house, yet the only ones to mention this were all outsiders.

“Try this as well, Lady.”

At a perfect timing, Elliot, the Duke’s secretary, appeared in the reception room carrying the tea food himself.

“It’s made from fruits that are only available in this season. Miss enjoys it too.”

Elliot was very polite to Helen, the major lady.

“Thank you, Elliot.”

But Helen looked very interested. She looked alternately at Elliot and Juliet with a curious expression.

“And I just like the present situation.”

Clatter.

At Juliet’s words, Elliot flinched and asked.

“Yes? What do you mean?”

“I was just telling my aunt that I like the current state and don’t want to change anything.”

Elliot looked back with a startled face, but what does it matter? Juliet smiled sweetly.

“I… For a moment….”

Juliet watched Elliot rush out, smiling mischievously.

However, Helen wasn’t the last guest to visit Juliet that day.