Chapter 11:

Chapter 11:

* * *

It happened last summer when he took a few days off and they went on vacation to his summer residence in the northern territory.

A strange woman came to find him, accompanied by a boy who she claimed was his child.

My child?

The unfamiliar woman insisted.

Yes!

Under normal circumstances, she would have been stopped by the guards before reaching him.

However, the atmosphere at the palace was somewhat relaxed as they were there for their vacation.

When he asked Juliet what she wanted to do during the vacation, she expressed her desire to take a boat ride on the lake.

Having spent all three days in the bedroom, he nonchalantly agreed without much thought.

While Juliet, who rarely smiled brightly, was excitedly preparing for the outing, he momentarily left his seat unattended.

Coincidentally, an inexperienced rookie guard mistook the unfamiliar woman for Juliet and let her in.

He lay on the bed like a lazy black panther, encountering an uninvited guest.

Its the Dukes son. Look.

The woman, whose name and face he couldnt remember, claimed to be a maid of some actress or another.

Confidently, she presented the heavily adorned boy to him as if he were a decoration.

The boy, around ten years old, wore a blouse with a flashy brooch, shorts, and a hat.

For some reason, the boy trembled and couldnt even meet his gaze.

Lennox expressed his deep contemplation.

Hes quite big for a seven-year-old child.

W-Well, thats because hes the Dukes son! Eric will become an excellent knight, just like the Duke!

The momentarily bewildered woman pushed the boy forward again, her demeanor becoming more optimistic.

Then, she proudly removed the boys hat.

If you look at his hair and red eyes, youll understand, right? Eric is the Dukes son.

Lennox silently gazed at the visibly frightened boy.

It was a well-known fact among the people of the Empire.

The children of the Carlyle duchy all have black hair and ruby-red eyes, eerie like droplets of blood from a white dove.

That was also the reason why the legitimacy of their lineage remained intact, despite the long and bloody struggle for the northern region.

And the boy brought by the faint-faced woman indeed had red eyes and black hair.

My son.

Lennox muttered, at the same time rising from his seat.

At this time, his secretary Elliot, who had been absent for some time on another assignment, heard about this episode and hurried to him.

Your Highness!

Elliot turned pale at the sight of the woman and the boy.

Im sorry. It happened because I was away for a while

Dont worry about it.

Excuse me?

Lennox lightly touched the boys shoulder and grinned, speaking towards Elliot.

Rather than that, Elliot, come here and take a look. This child is supposed to be my son.

Y-Your Highness.

What do you think, does he resemble me in your eyes?

Lennox Carlyle lowered himself and locked eyes with the boy who was frozen in place.

Your name is Eric, right?

His voice was much gentler and softer than expected.

His handsome features had a positive effect on even young children. And when the tension eased, the young child followed his lead and smiled, nodding his head.

You just walked past her, didnt you?

Without asking for a reason to his words of going back, the woman quietly boarded the carriage.

When all the luggage was packed and it was time to leave, she just quietly climbed into the carriage, not even asking why they were returning.

And all the way until they drove back, Juliet sat next to him and silently looked out the window.

But even then, he didnt say anything.

Damn it.

Their relationship had been like that from the beginning.

He didnt explain anything, and Juliet didnt ask him for any reasons. And for too long, he had thought such a relationship was natural.

A relationship that would eventually end.

A woman who could be left at any moment with a word of insincere parting.

He believed that a brief and light kiss was enough rather than troublesome words.

But maybe thats why it didnt work out.

Even if she didnt ask, should he have held her and asked what she was thinking right now?

Lennox thought of a possibility too late.

Perhaps Juliet, who had come to find him, didnt witness the moment when the womans lies became apparent.

Juliet might have only seen the scene where he ordered them to bring out the crying child and the woman.

She might have only seen the man turning coldly, saying it wasnt his child.

After the man left without any explanation, Juliet had stayed there alone for a long time.

What could the woman, who hardly spoke, have been thinking while being left alone?

He thought about it while riding the horse that was running madly.

Please let me go.

Havent I been good enough all this time?

The faint smile on her lips and the obvious desire to end their relationship as soon as possible looked like she was hiding something.

He didnt think at all about what he would do, but one thing was clear.

He had to meet Juliet.

He had to meet her and ask.

He had to ask what she was so afraid of and ran away from.

He had to explain that whatever worst scenario she imagined, it wasnt the truth.

The black horse of good lineage arrived at the Carlyle Estate, covering a long distance at an astonishing speed.

Fearfully, Lennox dismounted the horse, breathing heavily, letting go of the reins of the panting horse.

As he had instructed, the front yard of the mansion was bustling with carriages and servants carrying luggage, preparing to leave for the north.

My lord?

The butler of the mansion recognized him and came running in surprise.

Where is Juliet?

Yes?

I asked where Juliet is.

Ah If its Miss Juliet, she was in the annex just a moment ago

Without waiting, Lennox headed towards the annex in quick strides.

My lord!

The knights who followed him a step late had just arrived at the courtyard of the mansion when he had already flung open the door to the annex and was bounding up the stairs leading to the second floor.

Thud.

Juliet?

However, when he opened the lit door of her room on the second floor, it was empty.

An empty room.

There was only one blue butterfly fluttering around, scattering a faint blur of light.