Chapter 41

Cayman was delighted that he was able to attract the attention of the young duke, although he did not quite understand why this topic aroused him such interest.

Having taken an important look to hide the excitement, he spoke with a slight indulgence in his voice.

- Yes, according to my subordinate, this woman is the owner of a demon.

He didn't know if it was because of the alcohol that hit the head, or he just decided to teach this handsome young man from the North.

But obviously, Viscount Cayman himself did not understand that he was doing what he would then bitterly regret.

- I was also informed that this pretty chick has an unusual demon in the form of a butterfly. It's pretty funny, don't you think so? After all, butterflies are quite gentle creatures that pose no danger. So, it will be as easy to kill her as a small fly, am I wrong?

- .... Funny.

For the first time in a banquet, a smile appeared in the corners of Lennox Carlisle's lips, who was sitting in a rather relaxed position. However, there was no hint of fun, it was a pretty tough smile.

- I'm also looking for a woman.

"!"

With these words, Cayman could not hide his excitement. He didn't expect to hear that.

In fact, those gathered at the feast were those who lined up for Lord Arkitas to gain power in the East.

In other words, they all paid Robert by buying a seat at this table.

Robert hinted at it all before summoning everyone together. He also said that Duke Carlisle seemed to be looking for someone in the East.

So Cayman didn't know exactly what kind of relationship he had with the person he was looking for. So he just assumed that he either pursued the escaped slave or his blood relative.

And although he disliked the impudent duke at first sight, if he had helped this guy, he could have gained the favor of the ruler of the North.

Moreover, this story aroused the greatest interest among Cayman, because if he finds the woman the Duke was looking for, the reward promises to be high.

- Tell me, who are you looking for? Maybe I'll be able to help you at least a little. - Cayman asked, trying not to show off too much.

At that moment, the expression of the faces of the two knights sitting next to Lennox Carlisle was frozen to death.

But Cayman didn't notice it.

Duke Carlisle ruined some wine and slightly licked his lips before putting the cup he was holding in his hand on the table.

Lord Akitas' white wine was once the pride of the East. But a long time has passed since then and now these lands have changed, and their former glory and pride have sunk into oblivion.

The aroma was good, but too mature wine was not to his taste.

- Or, if you're not looking for a specific person, I can introduce you. There are a lot of beauties in the East.

Robert Aquitas, who was watching the situation from the outside, also supported him.

- Tell him, Duke. He is the one who can find anyone you want.

- Well, since you insist. ... - Lennox spoke slowly. - Then I want to know how long it will take you to find the woman I want?

- A week is enough!

- Hmm, weeks. Does this mean that if you can't find it, you'll hesitate to lose your head?

- Of all... What?

Cayman, unsure whether it was a joke or not, fell stunned. Meanwhile, Duke Carlisle continued.

- It's a pretty easy task. The woman I'm looking for is the owner of a Butterfly demon.

- Oh, I... Well, it kind of looks like...

The next moment, Cayman's face turned pale, and of course, there was no need for words.

Bams!

The metal cup fell to the floor and a metal gnashing was heard.

It was Cayman who dropped his cup. The reason why this happened was that he suddenly found himself on the floor, kneeling.

Tears flowed down Cayman's face.

- I am... a duke that you...

- You said, in a week.

- Yes. Yes...?...

- Then you'd better take good care of your throat.

Wuh!

All those present in the banquet hall witnessed it. Duke Carlisle pulled his sword out of the empty air.

The sword black as pitch was directed directly into Cayman's throat.

- If at least one hair from Juliet's head is not intact, I'll take your head.

*****

- Oh!

Juliet frowned, wiping her hair.

For a moment, she felt a painful tingling. She looked at the towel and found long hair on it. It looks like when she dried them thoroughly with a towel, they got confused.

Juliet lowered the towel with a sigh, feeling unhappy.

- Huff.

Long hair dries for a very long time. Moreover, caring for them requires a lot of effort.

Juliet took another dry towel and wrapped it around her head so as not to catch a cold.

Beautiful, silky hair is not so easy to achieve.

"This beauty is the result of hard work."

Her hair was beautiful in color, like a good light bourbon, but had a fine texture and grew quickly. She remembered with regret the days in the Duke's house when the maids gathered twice a day in her bedroom and carefully combed and rubbed expensive oils into her hair to make it soft and silky.

Looking in the mirror, Juliet giggled.

If the Duke of Carlyle had seen her in its current state, he probably wouldn't even have recognized her as his exquisite mistress.

Since Juliet herself never took care of her hair personally, and she didn't have much time to do it now, it was quite natural that her appearance had changed the worse side.

Juliet looked in the mirror and muffled:

- Maybe it's better to cut them off?

Of course, she was sorry to cut them off, because she had been growing them for so long, but it was very difficult for her to cope with them.

However, she soon abandoned this idea, as she realized that she did not have the courage to cut them off.

As a result, she again began to fight her worst opponent - water.

After Juliet dried her hair dry, she went to the city.

Going down the stairs to the square, Juliet was a little excited.

The day before, Zachary's lawyer offered her several places where she could work for a while.

She did not expect much because it was a small town, but contrary to her expectations, the citizens willingly agreed to give her a job.

Although sewing or cooking was an impossible task for her, fortunately, Juliet could read and write.

"Well, I'm lucky."

Although Lobell was a small town, there were still several places where you could get a job for a while.

So Juliet was now in a somewhat excited standing.

Although so far she has easily paid all the travel expenses during the trip, her savings may not be enough for a further comfortable journey. And if she finds a job soon, then she will have to stay in this city longer than she planned.

- ...?

But Juliet's joyful excitement did not last long, and soon turned into amazement.

The residents of the town, who readily promised to give her a job the day before, were embarrassed and refused her, saying: "Now we can't give you any work.

"A little bit, why don't they all behave like yesterday?"

Librarian Veronica also said that they do not need a new librarian.

- I'm sorry, but I promised you without talking to the director... and when I told him about it, he said he couldn't afford a new librarian.

Juliet smiled at her and said that everything was fine, after which she returned to the square. Unlike the previous cheerful gait, Juliet's steps were now heavy.

She also visited the merchants who gave her a ride recently, but for some reason they also looked embarrassed and pretended to be very busy when they refused her.

"Is it because I'm a stranger?" Juliat thought darkened.

It was already around late lunchtime when she returned to the city center.

Juliet sat down at a table standing under an umbrella near an open-air cafe.

"What should I do now?"

She didn't even imagine such an unexpected failure.

"Apparently, I'll have to go to the place where I originally planned to get."

Juliet's destination was not far from this city. And she still had quite a lot of time to explore all the surroundings here before she was going to go there.

"Oh, I wanted to stay here a little longer..."

Juliet liked this small peaceful town. People here were very kind to her, and she liked the small cozy house where she stayed and the food here.

There were also some historical places that she had not seen yet. And she wanted to see the festival of the dead in Carcassonne, which was near this city.

Juliet sadly poked her fork into the sandwich, plunging into her thoughts.

Although she rented a house, she didn't have enough money to hire people.

So Juliet quickly realized how limited she was in finances, so she made a moderate compromise.

She decided to buy some food in a cafe, and do cleaning and laundry alone.

But despite the fact that she tried to do it alone, Mrs. Rhonda, the mistress of the house, still came to her every two days to help clean the house and take the laundry.

Suddenly, a plate with an appetizing pie appeared in front of Juliet's thoughtful eyes.

Juliet raised her head in surprise.

- I didn't order it.

- Um, I was just practicing cooking it, so try it instead of dessert.

Mrs. Riley, a good-natured cafe owner, smiled softly and offered her to taste raspberry pie.

- Thank you. I'd love to answer it.

After thanking the owner of the cafe, Juliet, looking at the pie, admired its shape.

Ah, is there a place on this continent where you can enjoy such a dessert for only 8 couplers?

"If it were the capital, she would have to pay two, no, three silver coins for it."

The people here were really very kind and generous.

Juliet, looking at a raspberry pie with a joyful smile, suddenly felt some incompatibility.

- ...

Exactly. The people here were too generous and friendly.

Perhaps Lovell was the friendliest city on the entire continent.

When she lost one of her gloves and was about to buy new ones, Mrs. Rhonda gave her a pair of her lace gloves, saying that her niece used to use them.

And after half a day she was looking for what kind of hair clip to buy, she received a brand new one as a gift from Mrs. Riley.

Even yesterday, when she was going to go on the crew to her rented house after a walk, Bollen, a consumer goods merchant, gave her a ride, saying that she was going in the same direction.

For some reason, it was much more comfortable for her to go with him than before with traders from the guild.

Juliet averted her eyes and turned her head slightly.

There was a bouquet with fresh flowers on the table.

"The first prtoe flowers this season."

On the way to the main street, the owner of the Gelazni flower shop gave them to her, saying that one of the visitors ordered these flowers, but did not come for them.

And now also this pie.

Juliet cut off a piece of cake with a fork. Crispy crust outside and soft inner texture. And from its sweet smell, saliva involuntarily flowed. When it gently melted in her mouth, she clearly felt the perfect combination of delicious oil and sugar.

And is this a pie that the owner of a cafe in the eastern countryside prepared for a sample?

If so, then all the cooks in the imperial palace must die.

Juliet, with grace worthy of royal persons, put the fork on a plate.