Chapter 18
Forgotten Juliet Episode 18
Episode 18
Even now, the key-shaped pendant was unbelievably detailed for its small size.
'Why did Quirie Monad tell me to keep this safe?'
Juliet pondered and then spoke.
"You know, when I was little, I used to play with this behind Dad's back and got scolded. Do you remember?"
Count Monad smiled gently. He vividly remembered his young daughter sneaking around the mansion with the necklace.
"I do."
Little Juliet thought there must be a tiny door somewhere in the mansion that this key perfectly fit.
So, she took the key and went around to every room in the house, trying to find the right door.
Her reasoning was simple.
The key was 300 years old, and the Monad County's mansion also had a 300-year history.
But, of course, no matter how much she searched the mansion, she couldn't find a small door that this key could open.
Still, even now, the design was so elaborate for just a piece of jewelry that it felt like there must be a door somewhere that it opened.
"Perhaps it wasn't made to open a door."
Juliet tilted her head.
"If it's not for opening a door, then what kind of key is it?"
"I wonder. Why don't you try to find out what it's for?"
Count Monad smiled warmly.
"It's yours now. I'm sure you'll be able to find out."
However, the next day was the first day of the summer ball, so both Juliet and Count Monad completely forgot about the necklace.
The Blue Deer Banquet, better known by the nickname 'Dear Bluebell,' was held in late summer.
Compared to the New Year's ball in winter and the debutante ball in autumn, it was smaller in scale, but the Blue Deer Banquet, hosted by the Empress Dowager every year, had a charming appeal.
The Blue Deer Banquet, which lasted for seven days, invited any man or woman who had passed their eighteenth birthday, and the person who received the most flowers at the banquet was awarded the Bluebell wreath.
In fact, this event was also an important occasion for parents attending as chaperones to scout out potential marriage partners for their children.
Juliet, too, was busy being called here and there from morning.
The Monad family's skilled maids braided Juliet's long, light brown hair with white flowers and secured it with pearl decorations.
Juliet altered her mother Lillian's dress, a light blue, airy material that accentuated her waistline and was perfect for the cool late summer weather.
Juliet loved the altered dress. Countess Monad, who had been secretly upset that Juliet insisted on not getting a new dress, was also pleased.
"Oh my, you look like a fairy!"
The dignified Count Monad smiled as he looked at his daughter in the light blue dress, offering the greatest praise by his standards.
"You look just like your mother."
The Count's carriage arrived at the banquet hall on time. The cool night air that blew in as soon as she got out of the carriage felt pleasant.
Although her nominal fiancé was supposed to meet her, Juliet didn't care and entered the banquet hall arm in arm with her parents, who were accompanying her as chaperones.
The banquet hall, decorated with garden trees trimmed into the shape of deer and dimly sparkling lights here and there, was magnificent.
Perhaps because the dress code was relatively free, there were many people in elaborate costumes, and quite a few people wore masks like a masquerade ball.
The early scent of silver osmanthus and the sounds of insects, unique to late summer nights, made people feel excited.
"Juliet, why aren't you coming over?"
"Come here and greet the adults."
But what made Juliet happiest was that her affectionate parents were alive and by her side.
Enjoying the cool air that tickled her cheeks, Juliet couldn't hide her smile.
The painful previous life felt distant, like a dream.
If the pain of her first life was the price she had to pay for today, Juliet thought it was worth enduring.
After dancing a couple of requested dances and returning to her seat, Juliet noticed a girl in a striking pink dress.
"Hello, Fatima!"
"Oh... Hello, Juliet?"
Even Fatima's surprised glance at Juliet's dress felt pleasant.
Juliet spent the evening mingling with people, laughing, chatting, and dancing lightly.
Watching her tall father and her mother, who had elegantly styled her red hair, dancing from afar, Juliet hoped that this peace would be remembered for a long time.
A pleasant happiness, as if everything would go smoothly, filled her from her heart to her toes.
That was until a man, who was said to be the Empress Dowager's nephew, stepped forward with a pompous air.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce a distinguished guest."
He tapped his glass with a silver spoon to draw people's attention, then introduced someone who was just walking into the banquet hall.
"This is Duke Carlisle."
Clang.
In that instant, Juliet's heart, along with the champagne glass in her hand, fell to the floor.
"Oh my, Miss Monad!"
Juliet, with a pale face, quickly bowed her head and apologized.
Of all people, she had drawn unnecessary attention right next to the Empress Dowager.
"I'm sorry... Forgive me, Your Highness. Please forgive my rudeness."
The Empress Dowager was displeased by the rudeness of the young lady who had broken the atmosphere, but distinguished guests were looking this way.
"Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
Startled servants rushed over to clean up the broken glass.
"I'm sorry. My hand slipped."
As she bowed her head and repeatedly apologized, the Empress Dowager couldn't scold Juliet any further.
Reproaching the frightened-looking young lady of the Count's family would not have been a good look.
"Miss Monad doesn't seem to be feeling well, so it would be best not to overdo it."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Juliet, who had left the scene as if fleeing, raised her head only after she was far enough away to feel safe.
He couldn't have seen me, he couldn't have.
The young Duke with black hair, who was the center of everyone's attention, was now being held by the Empress Dowager.
"Y-Your Grace. I will explain the rules of the ball."
The servant, urged by the Empress Dowager, trembled as he explained the rules, which was quite pitiful.
"This bouquet..."
The servant, who had been giving a lengthy explanation, inadvertently handed him a small bouquet.
"What am I supposed to do with this?"
The handsome man, as if doubting his ears, asked back, looking bored. Watching him from afar, Juliet calmed herself.
In the brief moment when their eyes met, the memories of the past, which she had miraculously forgotten, were revived.
The voice that had laughed softly and kissed her playfully, and even the memory of being pushed into the abyss overnight.
But as Juliet blankly stared at the tall man's back from a distance where she couldn't even see his face properly, she found a difference from her memories.
In her previous life, Juliet was twenty-five years old when they met, but now she was eighteen.
So Lennox Carlisle should also be about seven years younger than she remembered.
The hair as dark as if black water would stain it and the handsome features were the same, but the subtly less refined, raw atmosphere was a little unfamiliar to Juliet.
'...It's an overreaction.'
The red eyes, devoid of any emotion, flashed past in an instant.
'But why? What's changed?'
The capital, located in the southwestern part of the continent, and the Carlisle territory were far enough apart to require passing through two Gates. The Duke of the North only visited the capital for the New Year's ball.
The man, a great lord of the North, was so busy that Juliet could easily avoid him by staying away from the New Year's ball.
That had been the case until now. Why, of all days, today? What's changed?
"Juliet?"
"Mom."
"Why are you sweating so much... Honey, are you alright?"
The Countess had followed Juliet, who had suddenly left the banquet hall, outside.
"You don't look well. Are you feeling unwell?"
"I'm fine. I just need to rest a little..."
Juliet tried to smile and say she was alright. But before that, Juliet noticed a familiar carriage parked near the entrance of the banquet hall.
"Father?"
"Juliet."
The person standing in front of the carriage with the Count's family crest was her father, Count Monad, and next to him was a servant from the Count's residence.
"Dear? What's wrong? Why is our servant here?"
"It's nothing, Lillian."
"Madam, Miss! Something terrible has happened. The residence has been burglarized!"
Count Monad was trying to reassure his wife and daughter with a smile, but the servant, looking distressed, interrupted and then closed his mouth under Count Monad's angry glare.
"Cassius, what are you saying? A burglary?"
"It's probably nothing. Juliet, you stay here with your mother."
"No, I'm going too. I want to go home."
Count Monad didn't want to ruin his daughter's first summer ball, but Juliet was relieved.
Anything was fine as an excuse to get out of here.
Before Count Monad could say anything more, Juliet quickly got into the carriage.
The carriage carrying the family quickly left the Imperial Palace.
Rumble.
The weather, which had been clear until a moment ago, suddenly turned dark. The looming dark clouds were ominous.
How far had they gone?
The Monad County's residence was located on the outskirts of the capital, and the carriage had entered a sparsely populated forest path leading to the residence.
"A burglary all of a sudden."
"I've contacted the capital's guard, so people will be here soon. And they say nothing's missing."
The Count and Countess exchanged worried words, but Juliet sat with a pale face, listening quietly.
"Still, just in case, it would be best for you and Juliet to stay somewhere else for a few days."
"I understand. Did they say anyone was hurt?"
"I don't know. Let's check the situation once we arrive-"
That was the moment.
Neigh!
Like a desperate scream, the horses pulling the carriage sharply neighed and pawed the ground.
There was no time to feel that something was wrong from the jolting impact.
Bang!
The carriage completely overturned, and Juliet hit her head hard. And then she lost consciousness.
