Chapter 3

The Duke's carriage in which Juliet was riding soon drove up to the large capital temple.

It was early morning, but in front of the temple there were already rows of colorful crews. Today was the last day of this year. In addition, it was on this day that the temple received the most donations.

Juliet deliberately moved away from the carriage for a certain distance.

- I'll be back soon.

Few people recognized Juliet walking alone without a maid. Thanks to this, she was able to visit the temple without hindrance.

Those who made generous donations to the temple could write a wish on a piece of paper, and the priest lit a candle on their behalf. What's more, the more donation was, the more and more magnificent the candle was.

It was a cunning move that made aristocrats in need of luck open their wallets.

There were already quite a few candles burning around the altar, as if many had already made wishes for New Year's Eve. Because of this, the white marble statue standing right under the dome ceiling looked like it had a halo on it.

It wasn't until Juliet took the gold coins out of her purse that she realized that she had no special desire to do it.

- What's my wish to ask?

While Juliet was looking at the goddess's statue absent-mindedly, she heard a whisper from behind.

- Really?

- Is this woman?

- Is this Duke Carlisle's mistress...?

She didn't even need to look back to see who they were talking about, she felt their insightful views on herself.

Lennox Carlisle was completely indifferent to secular gatherings and the like, but the nobles of the empire were extremely interested in him.

Unmarried young Duke.

Rich and powerful ruler.

Only once a year did the Duke appear in the capital. It was only for a New Year's banquet at the Royal Palace.

He always appeared at a banquet with beautiful women, and every year it was a new representative of the fair sex. Despite the fact that his relationship with them never lasted more than three months, these women were known as "Carlyle's lovers".

His short-term mistresses received a lot of attention from people.

To tell the truth, Duke Carlisle's taste and indifference also played a role. All the Duke's mistresses were beautiful, but had surprisingly low status.

Dazzling beauties, low in status and somewhat deprived of culture, were the ideal prey for the aristocrats of society to plunge their teeth into them.

People were busy laughing at the Duke's new mistress, his superficial taste and naivety of those women.

However, the most popular gossip topic was quite different. Everyone wondered what happened to them after their relationship with the Duke ended?

- But isn't that Miss Montagu?

Of course.

As Juliet asked the young priest to light a candle after donating gold coins to the temple, people came up to greet her.

- Miss Montagu, when did you arrive in the capital?

- Are you okay?

- The other day I sent you an invitation to a tea party, but I'm not sure you received it.

- I'll be terribly upset if you keep refusing.

Taking a deep breath, Juliet smiled and replied restrained:

- I'm a little busy. Thank you for the invitation, but I have to refuse.

She gave them a polite smile, but drew a clear line. Their words still didn't mean anything. Juliet knew very well what they were talking about her behind her back.

"Pety."

"Do you really believe you'll become a Duchess?"

A few years ago, people were shocked when Juliet Montagu first appeared as Duke Carlyle's mistress.

And the reason for that was simple - she didn't look like the Duke's previous mistresses at all.

Juliet Montagu was the only daughter of an ancient count family. Although the Montagu family boasted nothing but their significant contribution to the creation of the country's society, its status was significantly higher than that of the Duke's previous mistresses.

Moreover, before her, all the Duke of Carlisle's mistresses were of a certain type. They were all gorgeous beauties with their eyes wide open. On the other hand, Juliet was an elegant and sophisticated beauty, with calm eyes, like a brush.

Those who remembered the tastes of Duke Carlisle were puzzled.

The late Countess and Countess Montagu and their only daughter Juliet rarely became gossip. And Lennox Carlisle...

He was the Duke of the North, the center of all kinds of rumors and gossip.

For a woman from such a family, it was just an incredible act to show up at the dance while holding Duke Carlisle's hand... and a dazzlingly beautiful woman.

- Maybe the Duke's tastes have changed.

- And how long will it last this time?

Their embarrassment was only a short-lived phenomenon, and soon people began to discuss this topic lively again.

Even if the topic of the conversation has changed, in reality everything remains the same. At the moment when she foolishly took the Duke of Carlyle's hand, Juliet Montagu's end was predetermined.

The higher the status, the heavier the fall. Juliet was the perfect prey for socialites, into which teeth could be plunged.

- It's a pity you're overwhelmed with such dreams.

- The death of the Count and the Countess has become a pretty interesting topic.

Ridication under the mask of sympathy.

People bet on how many months it would take Juliet Montagu to be abandoned by the Duke. Everyone laughed at the stupid countess waiting for her to fall.

But a month passed, and then the second one. However, even after the season and year changed, no news was heard.

Juliet Montagu still lived in the north, and she was still the Duke's mistress.

People were disappointed.

Of course, no one believed that the Duke really fell in love.

The only Duke of the Empire not belonging to the royal family and... the fallen Countess of Montagu, who was not good enough to become a duchess.

Moreover, the Duke of Carlyle treated her the same way as his previous mistresses.

If Duke Carlisle had really treated her seriously or at least taken care of her, he would have sanctified this love by marriage, as they were both of majority.

However, those who were dissatisfied have now begun to frankly criticize Juliet.

- Did you hear? This miss has a pretty strong predisposition to magic.

- Oh, my God, how vulgar it is!

- Pretending to be well-educated, maybe that's how she got the Duke's favor.

People didn't think she'd become the northern Duchess. And Juliet agreed with them.

Contrary to the misconceptions of many people, Juliet never thought she would marry him. After all, it was she who knew Lennox Carlisle best.

Whenever it wasn't needed, it was easily thrown aside.

- Oh, who is that?

Suddenly, the entrance to the temple was filled with noise, and soon a woman with a group of people walking behind her appeared.

She had a fun greeting with Juliet.

- It's been a long time since we saw each other, Miss Juliet.

- ... Princess Priscilla.

Although she felt obvious hostility, Juliet bowed politely, pretending not to notice anything.

It was Princess Priscilla, the emperor's niece.

The imperial family had no daughters, and she monopolized the Emperor's affection. As a result, Priscilla enjoyed the status of a princess in society.

She was also famous in a different sense, as she was the first person to dance with Lennox Carlisle when he first attended a banquet 10 years ago.

Princess Priscilla was only 15 years old at the time.

Anyway, after that day, the princess fell in love with the Duke of the North and begged the emperor to send an offer of hand and heart to the Duke of Carlyle.

The emperor was concerned about it for a while. If Lennox Carlyle had married the emperor's niece, it would be like giving wings to an already dangerous threat*.

* (Giving the Duke with such power would jeopardize the position of the emperor.)

At the same time, if their proposal had been rejected, it would have been a shame for the imperial family. However, due to Priscilla's stubbornness, rumors crawled that the offer was made on behalf of the royal family.

I...

- I was a little late, but congratulations on your engagement, Princess.

- It's okay. Since you live in the countryside, it's natural that you found out later.

There were thorns in her words, but Juliet only smiled slightly. There's a limit to being charming.

Six months ago, Priscilla finally got engaged to Count Caspera, a relative of the imperial family.

Juliet met with a look at a young man standing next to Princess Priscilla when she noticed that he was looking openly at her. Judging by his disapproving look and bizarre clothes, it was Count Casper.

Not a bad choice for a princess.

The Count of Casper was the adopted son of the Marquis of Guinness, and when his father dies, he will become the Marquess.

The Marquess of Guinness was an influential nobleman who ruled the southern territories of the empire.

- It's just wonderful. It seems that fate itself has brought us together once we met in such a place, so let's make a wish together!

Suddenly Priscilla grabbed Juliet by the hand. Then she squeezed her hand as if she were a close friend, and led her altar.

- We haven't seen each other in so long, so I want to light a candle for Miss Montagu.

With a friendly expression, Priscilla took out a gold coin.

The bell.

The gold coin fell out of Priscilla's hand on the floor.

- Oh, my God!

It was clearly a thoughtful step.

- Oh, what a pity. She slipped out of my hand. Juliet, could you pick her up for me?

Saying this, Priscilla stepped on a fallen coin.

- You don't mind, Juliet, don't you? We're so old friends.

Only then did people burst into laughter, understanding the intentions of Princess Priscilla. The audience folded their hands on their chests, as if wondering how Juliet would react.

Juliet looked at Priscilla's shoes when she stepped on a gold coin.

It was a technique she often used to humiliate the Duke's mistresses. A small trick asking for something that ended up bowing to Priscilla's feet.

Juliet didn't blush or panic.

Perhaps Princess Priscilla forgot who Juliet Montagu is.

Although the Montagu family was now considered to be fallen, they were still one of the founders of the empire. And although she has lived in the north for the past few years, Juliet grew up in the capital. She's already used to these children's antics.

Everyone wanted to see her embarrassed and disgraced, but even if she chose the wrong partner then, she was far from stupid.

Juliet smiled calmly instead of blushing with indignation.

She wasn't a naive little girl chasing lovers.

"I'm not so naive to burst into tears because of something like that."

And most importantly, Juliet Montagu was in a bad mood today.

- What are you worth? Come on, pick her up Juliet," Priscilla hurried her again.

She wouldn't usually pay attention to it because of her dislike of such low actions...

Juliet just smiled again, looking at Priscilla, who seemed to be glowing in her eyes.

- I have a better idea, Princess.

- What, is there a better idea?

It was at this point that a confused expression appeared on Priscilla's face.

The bell. Lyaz.

With a cheerful sound, a lot of gold coins fell out of Juliet's hands. Priscilla watched what was happening in confusion.

After pouring all her gold coins on the floor, Juliet said:

- I completely forgot about the gift for you.

- What is it...

- Congratulations on your engagement, Princess," Juliet added with a sincere smile.

And then she repeated Priscilla's own words a few minutes ago.

- Oh, they slipped off my hand. But we're friends. You won't be angry about that, will you?

In an instant, there was a dead silence inside the temple.