* * *
“Not allowed.”
“Huh!”
The steward of the Empress’s Palace flatly refused with a stern face. Elsa showed a displeased expression.
“But I came to protect Juliet?”
“We cannot allow someone of unclear status into the banquet hall.”
The steward blatantly looked Elsa up and down as he spoke.
“The banquet is specifically for the imperial family.”
Clearly, from Elsa’s manner of speaking, he assumed she wasn’t nobility.
‘If he knew Elsa’s identity, he’d be shocked.’
The steward gave them a guest room in the Empress’s Palace.
“Then, I’ll stay here?”
Elsa, who looked downtrodden, brightened up seeing the abundance of food in the guest room.
“Be careful, Juliet!”
“Okay.”
With Elsa behind, Juliet headed to the banquet hall. As the door opened, she realized that the steward’s talk about it being exclusively for family was false.
The banquet hall was filled not just with the imperial family, but also with other nobles.
“Why, what’s Lady Monad doing here?”
“My goodness. Lady Monad!”
People who spotted Juliet flocked to her with excitement. Their greeting, however, wasn’t friendly.
There wouldn’t be any noblewomen here to hear Juliet out, as they had last time; they seemed rather pleased to have run into her.
“Did the Duke of Carlyle not come with you?”
“No! Haven’t you heard? The Duke is….”
“Countess Monad.”
But just as Juliet was about to get entangled in petty quarrels, someone saved her.
It was the gentle-faced Empress.
“Come here, I’ve been waiting for you.”
“…I’m honored to see you, Your Majesty.”
“Well, shall we chat over there?”
As Juliet bowed in greeting, the Empress led Juliet to a table where they could talk privately.
“I sent an invitation to the Duke of Carlyle, but he didn’t respond.”
Ah, as expected.
Externally, Juliet smiled brightly, but internally, she sneered. The Empress saving her seemed to have an ulterior motive.
Every year, the imperial family tirelessly invited Lennox to a fox hunt.
It seemed they didn’t get a response this year either.
‘As if Lennox would accept such an annoying invitation.’
“Is the Duke not feeling well?”
“Thanks to your concern, he’s in good health.”
Juliet dodged the question.
The Empress surely knew about the rumors of the Duke’s breakup.
Still pretending not to know and inviting Juliet here seemed like a way to show off. Of course, Juliet didn’t care about the Empress’s intentions. She promptly presented a box.
“Your Majesty, I regret to say, but I’ve come to return this.”
“What?”
“What is this? Oh my…”
The Empress’s face darkened when she saw the item in the box. She looked quite displeased.
“Isn’t this what I gave to Countess Monad? Didn’t you like it?”
“No, it’s not that, Your Majesty.”
Juliet explained directly.
“As you know, he has notified me of our breakup. There won’t be a wedding either. Therefore, I’d appreciate it if…”
But the Empress didn’t let Juliet finish.
“Is there really a need to do this?”
“Pardon?”
“Even if you don’t marry the Duke, couldn’t you still become part of our family?”
The Empress smiled warmly, firmly holding Juliet’s hand.
“I’ve always wanted a daughter.”
Of course, Juliet wasn’t naive enough to take that statement at face value.
Suddenly, Juliet noticed the large sapphire earrings shining from the Empress’s ears.
‘The jewel in the mirror was also a sapphire.’
“Your Majesty, did you receive a sapphire mine from the Duke?”
“…”
The Empress hesitated at Juliet’s question. It was right on the mark.
Only then did Juliet understand the situation. She knew well how the Duke of Carlyle handled matters.
The more money involved, the faster and smoother problems got resolved – that was his philosophy.
It seemed like such a ridiculous story. Why would the imperial family want to adopt an already-grown Countess?
Unless there was a profit substantial enough to laugh off.
The apparent reason the Emperor accepted this absurd proposition was because of the sapphire mine.
And now, with the adoption talk seemingly off, the Empress probably feared he would reclaim the mine.
Juliet sighed softly.
“Even if Your Majesties don’t adopt me, Duke Carlyle won’t take back the mine he already gave.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Please trust me, Your Majesty. I know the Duke well.”
If he retrieves the mine, he might make another proposal using it as an excuse.
But Juliet didn’t relay this to the Empress.
The Empress narrowed her eyes, observing Juliet for a moment. Her thoughts were transparent.
If the Sapphire mine remains, it wouldn’t be a losing business.
“Very well.”
After pondering for a moment, the Empress, with a completely different demeanor from before, abruptly let go of Juliet’s hand she was holding tightly.
“But you will have to personally tell His Majesty, Countess Monad.”
* * *
And so, Juliet ended up participating in the fox hunt.
“You seem eager to please Her Majesty.”
“It’s probably a plan to look good in front of both monarchs since the Duke has rejected her.”
Juliet’s participation in the fox hunt wasn’t due to her eagerness to be noticed. And she certainly wasn’t greedy for the reward.
It was merely due to the Empress’s malicious homework. To personally reject the proposal to the Emperor.
“Ahem!”
Though she didn’t know how the Emperor heard about the situation, every time he made eye contact with Juliet, he turned away with a displeased expression.
“After today’s hunting schedule, he will grant you a private audience.”
A servant discreetly approached her and relayed the schedule.
“Additionally, Countess Monad was ordered to attend the hunt.”
Juliet sighed.
It seemed she had offended the high-ups by refusing to be an adopted daughter despite being a fallen noble.
The Emperor would take at least until evening to complete a round of the hunting grounds. She doubted she could settle her affairs and return home today.
It was fortunate she had brought her riding outfit.
Taking off her dress without the help of a maid was a little inconvenient, but Juliet was already used to doing without help, so changing clothes didn’t take long.
Juliet changed into a fitting blazer, tight pants, and well-worn leather boots.
She hadn’t expected to use the outfit Helena once said, ‘If you buy it, there will be an occasion to wear it.’
Juliet tied her hair neatly, contemplating her situation.
Suddenly, Elsa, who had been sleeping, spoke.
“Juliet.”
“Yes?”
“It’s strange. I keep smelling something familiar.”
Having consumed four bottles of sherry and three boxes of alcohol-filled chocolates, Elsa murmured lazily on the bed.
“What is this smell…?”
Mumbling, Elsa fell back asleep. She was sleep-talking.
Juliet smiled warmly and covered Elsa with a blanket.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
She didn’t want to wander around the hunting grounds empty-handed, so she asked for a crossbow.
“Are you sure?”
It was unusual for a noble lady to carry a crossbow.
The servant looked puzzled but brought a few for her.
Choosing the lightest and best-fitting one, Juliet ventured out. The snow-covered hunting grounds were beautiful but cold.
‘I want to go home.’
Just ten minutes outside and she already missed the warmth of indoors.
As she watched the second hand on her watch, an unwelcome voice sounded from behind.
“Oh, Lady Juliet.”
It was the 2nd Prince, Cloff, and his friends.
“You’ve chosen a difficult weapon.”
Cloff condescendingly tried to get friendly with Juliet.
“Crossbows might look fancy and beautiful, but they’re more dangerous than you think.”
“That’s right. If you play around with it carelessly, it might cause harm.”
“Why not choose a weapon more fitting for a lady’s delicate hands? Like a sewing needle?”
There was mocking laughter.
Juliet listened, her face cold and indifferent.
“Instead of standing around, why not sit and cheer?”
“If you really want to carry that, I can show you how…”
Suddenly.
Juliet, who had been aiming the crossbow downwards, swiftly pulled the trigger.
Bang!
The arrow shot out, whizzing just above the 2nd Prince’s head.
Thud.
The Prince and his entourage seemed to lose strength in their legs and plopped down, their faces pale.
“Oh my.”
With a mischievous smile, Juliet spoke.
“I’m sorry. What were you saying just now?”