Chapter 2

Lennox Carlisle was born into a very famous family with a rich historical past and was the only heir.

The Duke of Carlisle, who ruled in the north, boasted great wealth and power, but his family's story was stained with blood.

And the boy born in this family was no exception.

He was nine years old when he first killed a man.

When his father, the former duke, died, his greedy relatives sent a young heir to the battlefield.

The opposing army quickly fled the battlefield, and the 9-year-old boy disappeared with it. Since no one else saw him after that, everyone decided that he was dead.

Well, at least that's what everyone thought.

Ten years later, a red-eyed man appeared behind his back, who was standing by an invincible army. He was the same boy who left the duchy ten years ago, but he returned as a war hero.

His army, unfamiliar with the term "mercy", quickly recaptured the northern duchy. After that, no one dared doubt the legitimacy or qualification of Lennox Carlisle.

And it was not only about the Duke's characteristic black hair and red eyes, but also that all relatives who dared to doubt his authority were cut off their hands.

From that day on, no one else dared to insult or anger the young Duke of Carlyle.

- What did you say?

- I asked you to break up with me.

It's been a long time since he was so annoyed.

Lennox stared frowning at the woman standing in front of him.

She had long, wavy, brown hair and shiny blue eyes. And although she was now only wearing a translucent dressing gown, her posture was still straight, like the Queen's.

After a short silence, Carlisle smiled gently at her.

- Juliet Montagu.

She was the official mistress of the Duke of Carlyle.

- Are you kidding me?

Despite being scared, Juliet smiled and tilted her head instead of succumbing to fear. She even blinked innocently, as if she didn't understand what outraged him so much.

- It's impossible, Your Serene Highness.

- Then start over. Ask for something more believable this time.

- But I already told you. That's all I need.

Juliet's expression was as calm and carefree as usual when she carelessly answered him. Her words flowed out of her mouth like a gentle stream.

Lennox's look, on the same time, became furious. Just three days later, they left the Duke's castle in the northern territory and arrived at the mansion in the capital.

As it happened every year, they were supposed to attend a New Year's banquet in the palace.

During the trip, they had to drive through only two main checkpoints, but it was quite a difficult task for the servants and knights following them.

Juliet, known as the mistress of the Duke of Carlyle, also visited the capital with him.

- I don't want to disturb your Serenity.

In fulfilling her promise made seven years ago, Juliet never bothered him. She never prayed for affection or attention, and never clung to him or shed tears.

It was the Juliet Montagu he knew.

Juliet never demanded what he couldn't give her.

Until now.

However, it was now dangerous to leave the northern territory.

- Please part with me.

- Will you dare leave?

Lennox couldn't determine the exact reason, but he felt a huge feeling of displeasure. As a person who was indifferent to his own feelings as well as to the emotions of others, he was not interested in the reason for his anger.

However, he felt the need to find out why Juliet changed so suddenly, so he had to voice his question out loud.

- For what reason?

- Should I explain to you why?

- Juliet.

- You promised. You said you'd listen to me.

- That's exactly what I'm doing now...

Lennox couldn't stand it and grabbed Juliet by the hand. But suddenly they were interrupted.

Knock knock.

- Your Serene Highness, it's Elliot.

Their conversation interrupted a slight knock on the door.

- I'm sorry, but a guest is waiting for you downstairs.

Elliot, the Duke's secretary, knocked on the bedroom door. Juliet quickly got free from his hug without losing a second.

When Lennox turned her head again, she stood far from him.

As a mischievous child, Juliet stepped back and smiled at him, putting her hands behind her back.

- You...

- Go. They're already waiting for you.

Lennox looked at her coldly, but only for a moment.

The journey to the capital from the northern territory will be long and time-consuming, so much work remains to be done. He had to be busy all day.

In the end, Lennox reluctantly said:

- ... In the afternoon, let's talk again.

- Yes, later.

Juliet accompanied the Duke with an unwavering smile on her lips until the very end.

But the very moment the Duke left the bedroom, rumbled with the door behind him, her smile disappeared without a trace. Juliet collapsed on the floor like she was shaved.

- ... It's okay, it's okay. It worked great.

Left alone, Juliet covered her pale face with her hands.

She was so nervous that even her fingertips trembled. Tears came out at the base of her eyelashes, shining dangerously in the light. But now even sentimentality was a luxury it couldn't afford.

Taking a deep breath, Juliet ran straight into the dressing room without waiting for the maid.

After escorting the guest, the Duke Elliott's secretary returned and accidentally ran into Juliet leaving the main building of the mansion.

Dressed in a neat dress for a walk, Juliet was about to sit in the Duke's carriage.

Did she get ready somewhere at such an early hour?

- Are you going somewhere, miss?

- Yes, I want to visit the temple. I'll pray for your luck, Elliot, in the new year.

- Thank you. I hope the trip will be safe.

He never told anyone about it, but Elliot really respected this calm lady. Juliet Montagu was smart and intelligent, but at the same time restrained and careful.

To tell the truth, the very fact that she devoted so many years to becoming the Duke's mistress was amazing in itself.

She was the only exception to the Duke's rules, who usually changed his partner daily.

But instead of getting in the carriage, Juliet pointed to the flower pot Elliott held and asked:

- What is this?

- Oh, this? This is a gift that the visitor brought.

Marquis Roman, who visited the mansion at dawn, presented the pot as a gift, saying that it was rude to invade here so early in the morning.

It was a simple gift, but Marquis Roman was known for loving gardening.

Somehow Juliet caught herself looking at the purple flowers Elliot was holding.

Suddenly surprised why she looked at the flowers so closely, Elliot looked at the pot and realized his mistake.

- ...Oh.

Juliet Montagu has never been a cause for concern. Her behavior was rather calm and quiet.

There was only one circumstance.

For some reason, she hated purple georgines.

Georgin, known for his survivability, was an ordinary flower in the north. However, the purple georgines were taboo in the northern castle because Juliet hated these flowers.

Elliot immediately apologized.

- I'm very sorry, miss. I'll get rid of them right away.

- No, leave everything as it is.

- But...

- He'll look good in your office.

- Yes...?

Elliot doubted his hearing.

But after saying that, Juliet just laughed and left the estate, sitting in the crew. Elliot stared stupidly at the departing crew, but suddenly came to his senses.

- Miss Montagu is a little strange today.

But there was something else Elliot hadn't guessed yet. Juliet wasn't the only one who behaved strangely today.

Knock knock.

- Your Serene Highness, it's Elliot.

- Come in.

In addition to the Duke, there were two more knights in the office. The faces of both knights froze a serious expression, and they greeted Elliot with only a cursory look.

- What's going on here?

In addition, the documents were randomly scattered around the table, but on one side of the table some papers were held with something that resembled a jewelry box.

Elliot, feeling the unusual atmosphere, quietly put a pot of plant on the table. And indeed, Duke Carlisle didn't even look at the pot Elliot brought.

Having fallen into the chair, the Duke stared at something outside his office window.

When Elliot looked out the window, he saw that the Duke's carriage was leaving the park.

It was the same crew Juliet left in.

- Elliot.

- Yes, Your Serene Highness.

Elliot answered politely and quickly made a schedule for today in his mind. Because, of course, he expected to be interrogated about it.

Because of his visit to the capital, he had a lot of things to deal with. But the Duke asked a completely unexpected question:

- Who's accompanying Juliet?

- Hmm... Kane.

- Then call Kane.

- Yes.

Although Elliot responded reflexively, he was still a little surprised.

Why did he suddenly ask about her escort? Maybe something's wrong?

- And we need to investigate Juliet's whereabouts over the past 3 months. Report it to me by lunch.

- ... Yeah.

- Where she was, who she dated. All about correspondence sent and received. Did you understand me?

- But, Your Grace, it's...

Elliot raised his head embarrassedly.

This time it was a really strange order.

- Do you want me to find out where Miss Montagu was? Why not ask her about it herself?

But when those red eyes stared coldly at him, Elliot shook his head quickly.

- Do I have to repeat myself?

- Oh, no.

- You have three hours. Get started.

In an instant, Elliot was thrown out of the office.

Elliot gradually recovered and looked at the tightly closed door in confusion.

A Duke who hates wasting time will never give meaningless orders. But Elliot couldn't believe the Duke was asking him to investigate her past. Maybe Miss Montagu did something terrible?

- If I knew it would happen, I'd stay away from Miss Montagu when I saw her earlier.

By clicking his tongue inside, Elliot speeded up the step.

It seemed that the joyful expectation of the upcoming New Year's celebrations disappeared without a trace.