Forgotten Juliet

* * *

“Look at this, Juliet!”

With sparkling eyes, Nix hurriedly ran to the terrace where Juliet was sitting, proudly showing off what he held in his hand.

“It’s a squirrel!”

Since the Festival, Nix had been able to use a bit of magic.

Nix, who wasn’t good with words, said something cryptic like, ‘The pumpkin pie granted my wish,’ but a magician told him that it was simply the baby dragon’s magic awakening.

Of course, being still a baby dragon, Nix would revert back to his original form whenever he felt hungry or tired.

Still, for a few hours a day, they could see Nix, who resembled Duke Carlyle in his childhood.

‘He instinctively chose to resemble the person he thought the lady liked the most. He wants to be adored.’

There were various rumors about the child that looked like Duke Carlyle, but Juliet simply let it be.

The unexpected reason Nix could transform was because of his portrait that Juliet had.

‘I wonder if he would’ve resembled me if I had carried my own portrait?’

Juliet felt somewhat peculiar.

“Yes, Juliet?”

“Hmm?”

“When will the Duke come?”

Juliet grinned.

“Do you want to show him the squirrel?”

Nix flinched.

“Um, no. I can show him later…”

“Come here, Nix.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Nix released the squirrel and scuttled over.

“Nix.”

“Yes?”

“Do you like the Duke?”

“Yes. But this is a secret…”

Nix, with the most serious face, whispered a confession to Juliet.

“I’m still a little scared of the Duke… but I like Juliet way more.”

“I like you too, Nix.”

Juliet smiled warmly and hugged Nix.

After babbling to Juliet for a while, Nix ran off towards the garden.

“Duke!”

The Duke and his knights had returned to the mansion.

Lennox scooped up young Nix.

“You know…”

Onyx, held by Duke Carlyle, whispered seriously.

Although the conversation wasn’t audible, Juliet found herself smiling.

“He may seem uninterested, but he actually plays along quite well.”

“He seems happy.”

At Juliet’s words, Helen chuckled.

Lennox looked surprisingly natural holding a child.

Moreover, whatever he did, young Nix, although scared, seemed to quite like the Duke.

“So, did you want a family because of that baby dragon?”

“No, not at all. I’ve never mentioned anything like that.”

Juliet gently shook her head.

Seeing the two of them get along well, she thought maybe adding one more child to that picturesque scene wouldn’t be so bad.

“Sometimes, Juliet, you should get the Duke drunk and have a heartfelt conversation. It might help.”

Juliet grinned.

“I’ve never seen him drunk or disheveled.”

“…You can’t be serious.”

That was exactly the case.

Of course, Juliet knew what he was worried about.

But seeing the baby dragon, who was indifferent to everyone else but followed Lennox around, she could tell that Lennox was inherently affectionate.

After all, no one’s a perfect parent from the start.

“So you don’t need to worry…”

Just as Juliet thought this, Lennox suddenly threw the child he was holding high into the air.

“Master!”

“Ahh! What are you doing!”

The knights who were watching with affectionate eyes rushed over in shock.

Nix, thrown high enough to touch the tree branches, just managed to land safely in the Duke’s arms.

“You can’t just throw a child like that!”

“Why?”

Lennox looked calm, as if questioning what the issue was.

“He seems to like it.”

“How could he? Children are so delicate!”

“If he gets scared and faints-“

“Hehehe!”

Instead of fainting, Nix burst into laughter.

Confused, Lennox frowned.

“Doesn’t he like it?”

“…”

It seemed they needed to discuss what ‘normal play’ meant.

* * *

However, they hardly found the time. The Duke’s mansion was bustling with parties for two days, and Lennox was kept busy being called to tedious meetings.

The unidentified gift arrived at the mansion during the peak of the evening party.

“Did Aunt Helen send this?”

“Yes. There was clearly a seal on top.”

It was a package sent by Helen, who had just left for the east two days ago.

‘It’s a gift, Juliet.’

The hastily written note sounded as lively as Helen’s voice.

Helen often sent Juliet various intriguing gifts.

Rustle.

But this kind of gift was a first, and as Juliet unwrapped it, she paused in surprise.

“Alcohol?”

“It’s alcohol?”

There were several bottles of champagne inside.

‘This is a bubbly fermented drink called Airach. It’s a delightful drink to share with loved ones. I hope you use it for a precious party.’

“Airach?”

“This is Airach!”

“It is also called ‘The Drink of Truth’. It’s a very premium drink.”

“I heard it’s a precious champagne made only from the fruit of the World Tree!”

Several knights, who were knowledgeable about drinks, gathered around to comment.

“There are no suspicious substances mixed in.”

After the magician confirmed its quality, the servants began to pour the drink.

At first glance, it looked just like ordinary champagne.

However, when taken a sip, a fragrant floral scent was felt.

Admiring sounds were heard from the guests in the banquet hall after tasting this surprisingly smooth and soft champagne. Juliet smirked.

“But why is it named ‘The Drink of Truth’?”

“Ah, it’s said that because it’s such a rare and potent drink, if you drink more than three glasses, you’ll spill any secret.”

Sir Milan laughed and explained.

“The first one or two glasses feel very sweet and smooth, but the third glass is so strong that one can’t help but tell the truth. Especially since the World Tree fruit is also called ‘The Fruit of Wisdom’.”

Pause.

“Sir Milan, what did you just say?”

“Huh? The fruit of the World Tree is the fruit of wisdom…”

“No, not that.”

“…If you drink more than three glasses, you’ll spill any secret?”

Bang.

Before Sir Milan could finish, a sound of someone collapsing was heard from the other side of the banquet hall.

“Oh, miss. There was a postscript in the letter!”

‘P.S. Three glasses can even knock down a Lycanthrope, so be careful.’

…Aunt!

Why would you write that in such small letters!

This is a big problem.

Elliot, who had gone to see Duke Carlyle, returned.

“Elliot? Where have you been?”

“I was delivering a drink to His Highness at the banquet.”

Juliet blinked.

“But the champagne is here, isn’t it?”

“…”

Realizing the situation, Juliet and Elliot hurriedly headed to the banquet hall.

“Lennox!”

“Master!”

When the two found Duke Carlyle, the envoys from the Empire seemed already heavily intoxicated.

“I need a moment. Excuse me.”

Juliet swiftly took the glass from Lennox’s hand.

“Did you drink this?”

“And?”

“How many glasses?”

“It’s my fourth.”

“And you… are you okay?”

“Yeah. What if I’m not?”

Juliet looked at Lennox worriedly, but he didn’t seem intoxicated. He wasn’t staggering or talking nonsense.

At least that was a relief.

“It’s a drink called Airach.”

“Made from the World Tree fruit?”

Lennox tilted his head.

“I’ve heard of it. Is it bad?”

“It’s not that…”

Juliet quickly explained everything she knew.

“It feels smooth for the first one or two glasses, but it becomes a very potent drink after three.”

“Um, Your Highness, how many fingers am I holding up?”

“Get your hands off me, Elliot.”

Juliet was relieved by the peculiar constitution of the Carlyle family. They have resistance to alcohol and most poisons…

“It’s a good thing it’s not poison.”

After ensuring he was safe, Elliot hurriedly sent the guests away.

Thanks to that, the banquet at the Duke’s mansion ended earlier than expected.

However, Juliet was puzzled.

Why did the wise Helen suddenly send such an expensive gift? She must have known this chaos would ensue.

Fortunately, the important meeting with the lords went smoothly because of it.

After all the guests left, Juliet, who was sitting on the couch in the empty hall, suddenly recalled Helen’s words.

-Sometimes, getting the Duke to drink and talk can help.

“…”

“Why?”

Juliet stared at the man, who smiled when their eyes met.

The moonlight made Duke Carlyle look mischievously seductive.

His messy bowtie and black hair caught her eye.

“Your Highness, are you okay?”

“Yeah. I’m fine.”

While answering, Lennox affectionately kissed Juliet’s hand and wrist.

And Juliet suddenly realized a certain fact.

No one has ever seen Lennox Carlyle drunk, including the Duke himself.

‘How does a man who’s never been drunk know he’s drunk?’

“Juliet.”

“…What?”

Suddenly at a dangerously close distance, the man with shining red eyes innocently asked:

“Can I kiss you?”

“…”

Juliet was speechless. This man never asks for things like this. What does he mean he’s okay?

…He’s clearly drunk!