Chapter 12:

Chapter 12:

Juliet?

However, the room was empty.

Lennoxs gaze, fixed on the empty room, rested on the chest of drawers. On it lay a necklace, gleaming faintly in the darkness.

Then he saw a blue butterfly was fluttering around the room, scattering.

The moment Lennox discovered Juliets butterfly, he understood the situation instantly.

At the same time, his blood ran cold.

Your Highness!

The people who had belatedly followed him gathered in front of the wide-open door.

Without a word, Lennox picked up the paper knife that was on the table.

Crunch.

The knife that slipped from his hand pierced through the wings of the butterfly that had been fluttering around the vanity mirror.

The blue butterfly, as if it were a living creature, shook its wings frantically, then scattered a burst of iridescent powder and disappeared without a trace.

No, what is this?

The servants who had hurriedly followed and confirmed the empty room still had bewildered expressions.

But, my lord, we clearly saw the young lady return to the mansion and get off the carriage.

Yes, and we saw her come up to this room on the second floor

Oh no.

As the butterfly vanished and the spell was broken, the servants, who were now aware of the situation belatedly, fell into contemplation.

They had definitely seen Juliet return home, but from the beginning, it had been under the influence of the magic. Juliets ability was something he knew best.

An illusion created by summoning demons from another realm.

It was a rare ability to make the chosen target see illusions, but Juliets skills were still limited when it came to freely manipulating demons.

As far as he knew, Juliet could only cast the spell on one or two targets at a time.

Juliets ability was powerful enough to possess people, but using it openly in public places consumed a lot of magical energy and had many restrictions.

So, deceiving one servant wouldnt have been difficult, but it meant she couldnt deceive all the many servants in this dukes mansion at the same time.

However, Juliet succeeded and escaped smoothly.

The implication was clear. Juliet had hidden the fact that her abilities had grown.

She deceived him and laughed falsely. Since when had she planned to escape?

It seems she didnt go to the mansion of Count Monad.

The butler reported quietly, perhaps having made contact in the meantime.

Lennox looked down at the necklace, neatly placed in a box on the vanity, with emotionless eyes.

It was the necklace he had sent to Juliet this morning.

The abandoned necklace left behind was significant.

In addition to him, in the elegantly furnished room, there were also other jewelry and luxurious dresses that he had given her during the time that they were together.ViiSiit novelbi/n(.)c/(o)m for latest novels

All these things looked intact, and to a person who didnt know that she had run away, at first glance it might seem that she was only absent for a while.

Suddenly, a question popped into his mind.

Even if she managed to fool the servants of the mansion, how could she trick Cain, who was the swordmaster?

How did she deceive even Cains eyes?

Cain.

Yes

Lennox clenched the necklace she had left behind in his hand.

A gentle click sound echoed as the diamonds collided within his grasp.

Then the corners of his lips turned up and a predatory smile appeared on his face.

Well deal with the consequences later. For now, find her.

He intended to let Juliet know.

That he was just as relentless as she was.

Search without hesitation, using any means necessary. Find her, every single strand of her hair intact.

He would never let her go, even if that was what she wanted.

* * *

Thud!

The appearance of uninvited guests who dared to break into the sacred temple in the middle of the night was quite noisy. The armed men in black armor didnt even seem to have any intention of hiding the identities behind this blasphemous invasion.

Upon hearing the commotion, the High Priest of the capital rushed out.

What does it mean, Duke? The High Priest, who confronted the intruders head-on, shouted angrily.

He had rushed so hastily that the crown on his head was crooked.

How dare you, within the sacred place, bear weapons!

The preamble is unnecessary.

When the High Priest arrived, the leader of these intruders sat indifferently on the altar, appearing disrespectful.

He was none other than Duke Carlyle, who didnt need to prove his identity.

In this urgent situation, it was unfitting that Duke Carlyle, sitting on the marble altar, possessed a skill that made the plain altar without any adornments appear like a throne.

I will contact the Emperor immediately

You know its useless.

Hush.

The High Priest fell silent.

Of course, the High Priest was well aware. The imperial court, already nervous about Duke Carlyles vigilance, was reluctant to respond to any request from the temple.

If they sought assistance from the temple, there was a high possibility that the Emperor would silently ignore the request.

The Carlyle family, including the Duke, had a strained relationship with the temple, unlike other noble families.

In fact, the temple held great interest in the Duke of the northern region, who owned the largest territory in the Empire.

Vast land. And immense wealth.

However, the northerners, including the Carlyle family, were irreverent unbelievers, despised for their lack of respect for religion.

They had no interest in the faith and could not comprehend building opulent temples or collecting substantial donations.

Moreover, the relationship between the Carlyle family and the temple had completely deteriorated since Lennox Carlyle ascended to the dukes position.

Lennox Carlyle, who had ruthlessly slaughtered his uncles at a young age and seized the family seat, closed all the temples in the north shortly after his ascension.

Naturally, the temple fiercely resisted and condemned Duke Carlyle.

Being condemned by the temple meant being officially barred from receiving the blessings of the priests for a proper marriage.

Furthermore, there was a threat that they would not grant the blessings of the temple to any future heir of the dukedom.

Of course, Duke Carlyle pretended not to hear. After all, he hadnt engaged in a married life, let alone a virtuous one.

As the Duke of the Empire, feared even by the Emperor himself, there was nothing the temple could do against him.

Facing such an impudent opponent, the High Priest gave up his protest and cautiously asked about the matter.

Very well. What is it that you desire, Duke?