Chapter 149

* * *

“Dolores hasn’t come back?”

After a while, Juliet, who returned to the Count’s residence, was informed that Dolores hadn’t come to the mansion.

“Yes, I think she might have already escaped from the imperial palace.”

But to Juliet, this explanation was hard to accept.

There was no reason for Dolores to go through the trouble of escaping.

She wasn’t forcibly confined, and it was odd that she had disappeared from the palace.

Moreover, the way she had looked at Dahlia was concerning. Perhaps it was more of a disappearance than an escape.

‘I had a few more questions for Dolores.’

For example, about the method of stealing someone else’s spirit.

Juliet was lost in thought.

Dolores had said that Marquis Guinness had trained her in the method of stealing other people’s spirits.

It was also due to such training that they were certain they had stolen control of the butterfly creature from Juliet, who they believed was under hypnosis.

What a shame.

However, as soon as Juliet entered the house, she completely forgot about Dolores.

“…Grandfather?”

“Juliet.”

For some reason, things seemed hectic. The small yard of the Count’s house was filled with people packing.

With a stunned look on her face, Juliet blinked and asked:

“You’re leaving?”

“Yes, some urgent matters have come up.”

Upon returning home, Lionel Lebatan had finished preparing to leave and was waiting for Juliet.

Juliet hesitated and held onto her grandfather.

“But… all of a sudden?”

“I’m sorry.”

Only after hearing Lionel’s reply did Juliet recall that he was a wanted man. It was risky for him to have come here to see Juliet in secret.

‘I shouldn’t press him.’

Eshel was in the living room, waiting for Juliet with a stack of books.

“Don’t worry too much. It’s not like you’ll never see him again. Instead, you should read this with me.”

Saying this, he tapped on the stack of books on the table.

“What’s this?”

“The materials you requested.”

Without any further explanation, Juliet understood that this was the information about the artifact she had requested.

However, after briefly flipping through a book, Juliet tilted her head.

“Eshel.”

“Yes. Is there a problem?”

Eshel asked, looking rather cheeky.

From her expression, it was clear he knew what the problem was.

“This is a children’s storybook, isn’t it?”

It was either a children’s book or a simple fairy tale that Juliet could read.

“But neither of us can read ancient characters, can we? The translation will take another two months.”

So, during that time, they couldn’t just sit idly by. The idea was to at least read these storybooks.

Juliet sighed and opened a book.

It was full of old tales she had been familiar with since childhood.

* * *

Elizabeth Tillman became a celebrity overnight.

When rumors spread that the beautiful maid, who was favored by the Empress, publicly opposed Juliet from the first day. Rumors circulated, and those who disliked Juliet particularly welcomed this.

“Here, come this way, Miss Elizabeth!”

There was no reason to be engrossed. However, Elizabeth Tillman was closer to a healer than an official maid.

Moreover, the Empress often praised Elizabeth until she ran dry, and was close with ‘that’ Juliet Monad.

It was impossible not to be intrigued.

“After Elizabeth arrived, I was able to sleep peacefully. What a blessed ability!”

Thus, Elizabeth Tillman could easily blend in with people.

Thanks to this, Elizabeth knew everything.

For example, the public rumors circulating in the social world.

“Who is that person?”

“Countess Monad? Ah.”

A mocking laughter emerged.

Juliet Monad had been the favorite target of society people for the past few years.

“She’s quite a woman, really.”

“For several years, Juliet Monad has been tirelessly pursuing Duke Carlyle.”

“She was more persistent than other women.”

Elizabeth, who had been listening for a while, tilted her head.

“So are they broken up now?”

“Ah, that’s… a bit complicated.”

“I heard they broke up.”

“But at the last ballroom, everyone clearly saw.”

The aristocrats who were gossiping excitedly suddenly shut their mouths.

Many of the aristocrats present at the event had been present when Duke Carlyle had drawn his sword in anger.

“That’s right. That’s the strange part.”

“So, they haven’t broken up yet?”

“The Duke has never taken back a woman he’s broken up with, so perhaps…”

“That’s right. It was Juliet Monad who tirelessly chased the Duke for a whopping 7 years.”

“It was so embarrassing to watch. What kind of woman has no pride…”

Surrounded by people, Elizabeth suddenly glanced towards the entrance.

For a moment, everyone closed their mouths and looked in the same direction. Juliet Monad, whom they had just been discussing, had just entered.

“Oh, she’s so shameless.”

“She attended again today.”

Ignoring the murmuring people, Juliet dismounted from her horse.

It was customary to ride a horse instead of a carriage to the Lenten event.

Only the closest people to the imperial family or descendants of noble families with a long heritage were invited to today’s event.

It was a gathering to welcome the delegation from Lucerne in anticipation of Lent.

“Elizabeth has incredible healing powers.”

As soon as Juliet arrived at the riding track, the Empress began to sing praises about Elizabeth to the surrounding delegates.

“I happened to see Elizabeth taking care of the sick in Varen. She has such a kind heart.”

“You flatter me, Your Majesty. I merely did what I should.”

While it wasn’t particularly rare for non-priests to have healing abilities, Juliet recently revisited memories from the past.

Captured by the thought that her child might be taken away and, overwhelmed with fear, the one who extended a hand to the fleeing Juliet was none other than Dahlia.

– I’ll help you.

Kindly preparing even a plan for her escape.

Such suspicious kindness, but the naive past-Juliet couldn’t doubt her.

Rumor had it that the woman graciously situated in the eastern tower was unlike her, bright and pure, and a miraculous prophetic girl loved by the Pope.

Riding was one of Juliet’s few specialties. Ironically, on the day she tried to escape on a horse, she couldn’t control the frantic horse and fell before she even got out of the northern forest.

And the woman who gave her that horse was right in front of her.

Was it really a coincidence that such a woman brought up memories from Juliet’s unforgettable past?