Translator: Nox

Chapter 1

Forgotten Juliet

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Episode 1.

0. Prologue.

Juliet, with the sheet pulled over her head, held her breath and gazed at the half-naked man.

As the man, standing with his back to the bed, removed his robe, his broad shoulders and firm back muscles were fully exposed in the dawn light.

A flawlessly balanced, knightly physique. A waist reminiscent of a lithe, carnivorous beast, and the beautiful curve of his profile, revealed at an angle.

Large and small sword scars were visible all over his body, but even those were perfect, like works of art.

Juliet was momentarily lost in admiration, gazing blankly at the man.

The man, having removed his robe, carefully put on a crisp, white shirt.

It was a habit unbecoming of a noble Duke, but the man, who had spent half his life on the battlefield, disliked being waited on and dressed himself.

Therefore, the only two types of people he brought into his bedroom were either one-night lovers or women of use.

Juliet belonged to the latter.

'Perhaps both...'

Thinking that, Juliet mocked herself.

Just then, Juliet, who was burying her face in the pillow in self-reproach, met the man's red eyes. The Duke's eyes narrowed as he fastened the cufflinks on his sleeves.

"Did I wake you?"

It was natural for him to be puzzled.

After being tormented by him all night, Juliet was usually so exhausted that she couldn't even lift a finger. So, far from waking up at dawn, she would sleep until midday.

"...No, Your Highness."

Juliet answered, swallowing a sigh.

She threw back the sheet and sat up. Now that she had been caught, pretending to be asleep was not a wise move.

Juliet hadn't slept at all last night. She had stayed awake all night, but she didn't feel tired because she was so nervous.

"I have something to tell you."

Juliet answered cautiously, getting out of bed barefoot.

She casually let her long hair, which was sure to be disheveled, fall to one side.

Juliet no longer cared how she looked.

No matter how carefully she dressed up, she always felt inferior when standing before her lover, who was like the sun.

Whether she wore a fancy dress or simple pajamas, it was all the same in his eyes.

"Do it later."

"Lennox."

Juliet urgently reached out and grabbed the man who was about to turn away indifferently.

There was no later for her. It had to be now, or never.

Lennox Carlisle.

The young powerhouse of the empire, Duke Carlisle, the ruler of the North, was Juliet's lover. And her lover was a very busy man.

He was always surrounded by people, so this was the only chance to be alone with him.

"It'll only take a moment. I won't take up much of your time."

The Duke stared down at the woman clinging to his arm.

Juliet flinched at the cold, ruthless red eyes, the emotionless, icy gaze, but she didn't let go of his arm, nor did she look away.

Finally, after a brief silence, permission was granted.

"If you must."

As Juliet breathed a sigh of relief, the Duke perched casually on the edge of the table.

His hand picked up a silver case from the bedside table. A cigarette was held between his long, well-shaped fingers.

"Speak."

"I…"

Juliet parted her lips with difficulty. She felt at a loss as soon as she tried to start the conversation.

How should she begin?

"So…"

"A gift?"

"Pardon?"

"Isn't this about a birthday gift anyway?"

"…Ah."

"Ah."

A birthday gift?

Juliet, momentarily flustered by the unexpected reaction, then realized. That her twenty-fifth birthday was only a few days away.

Duke Carlisle was an infinitely generous lover in terms of money, but he was by no means affectionate.

Having a wealthy but busy lover meant getting used to his indifference.

But her birthday was the only anniversary he never forgot.

One day a year.

The day Juliet Monad could ask him for something.

The next moment, Juliet quickly smiled brightly and nodded.

"Yes, that's right. It was about my birthday gift."

The Duke, instead of paying attention to her sudden change in expression, lightly swept back his hair.

He was starting to find this conversation tedious.

It was a simple gesture that betrayed his annoyance, but even that exuded a strangely dangerous atmosphere.

"Name what you want."

However, Juliet didn't answer immediately, but smiled slightly. Seven years ago, when they first met, this man had said the same thing.

"Name whatever you want. Except for marriage."

At one time, she had been spiteful of his arrogant attitude and deliberately made outrageous demands.

But Juliet's lover was truly a man who had everything.

No matter what she asked for, it was just a bothersome, troublesome whim in the man's eyes. Juliet was clever, and it didn't take her long to realize that.

That's right.

He wouldn't bat an eye no matter what Juliet asked for.

Juliet knew that better than anyone.

"This year, instead of a gift, I'd like you to grant me a favor."

"A favor?"

"Yes."

Juliet hesitated for a moment before adding a word.

"...Will you promise me first that you'll grant it?"

A smile appeared on Duke Carlisle's lips for the first time at Juliet's rather serious attitude.

His tightly closed lips drew a terribly attractive curve.

It was an open sneer. But no one could point out the arrogance of the young Duke Carlisle.

He was the Duke of the North, whom even the Emperor feared. Lennox Carlisle could have the throne if he wanted. Let alone a lover's birthday wish.

"Fine. I swear."

Lennox nodded casually.

It was obvious that he was just humoring a troublesome whim, but that was enough for Juliet.

"Thank you, Your Highness. Then…"

Juliet smiled quietly and deliberately blinked slowly.

To capture her lover's face for even a little longer.

And the request that flowed from her lips the next moment was far beyond Lennox Carlisle's expectations.

"Let's break up."

"…What?"

"Your Highness."

Juliet smiled brightly with an angelic face.

"Let's stop now, us."

Forgotten Juliet