Chapter 122:

Chapter 122:

* * *

Miss!

Miss Juliet!

In a dim underground. As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw many people with worried expressions.

Juliet understood the situation.

No matter how much we tried to wake you up

Do you know how worried we were?

Im fine.

Juliet sighed and reached out her hand.

Please help me up.

Despite the darkness, the knights who helped her up thought her necklace shone brightly.

Wheres the exit?

Ah, about that

Twinkle twinkle.

While staring at the butterflies emitting light, Juliet abruptly said,

Its that way.

Huh?

Juliet calmly led them to a spot. There was a door that looked like it was blown off by an explosion.

Ah, that door.

We tried pushing it, but it wouldnt budge

Surprisingly, the doorknob turned.

The knights all watched with stunned expressions as the door opened.

It seems weve found the exit.

The ever-calm Juliet spoke.

Indeed, the door led to the first floor of the castle.

(We. Could have. Gone anywhere.)

(Not now.)

(Bad. Humans. Trapped us.)

I see.

Even while inside the carriage after escaping the underground, the butterflies constantly buzzed.

Long ago, Juliets ancestor, the first Count Monad, apparently locked up the demon using this key.

As Juliet fiddled with the key, she took a brief look outside the carriage.

She thought it was just a silver ornament

According to the chattering butterflies, it can open and close doors.

Juliet didnt know what that meant, but she was grateful it helped them escape.

The Dukes knights didnt ask how she precisely found the door leading outside.

Although they seemed eager to ask, once they reached the surface, it didnt seem to matter.

What do you mean?

Sir Milan urgently inquired.

So, is the Duke safe or not?

Its strange.

Elliot, the Dukes secretary, gave them that vague response, which was unlike him.

Youll understand when you see for yourself.

He hurriedly grasped her wrist, but she didnt resist.

* * *

The woman who appeared in the ballroom wearing a pure white dress was stunningly beautiful. Her presence captured the attention of everyone in the room.

The dress, which revealed her neck and back, made it evident that she had been harshly whipped. Yet, she seemed unaffected by the murmurs and stares of the crowd.

[Hello, Lennox.]

Contrary to her previously lifeless state, she was vibrant.

But he was still clearly upset.

Despite blatant flattery, she laughed heartily surrounded by people, dancing gracefully among them.

He just watched her in silence.

Then, someone asked her for a toast, and he reluctantly handed Juliet a silver cup filled with wine.

As he handed her the cup, he felt an ominous foreboding.

What was it?

The woman who received the cup from him remained silent for a long moment.

She stared blankly into the silver cup, and suddenly, a tear dropped.

But just for a moment, she raised her cup with a bright smile.

[Thank you, Your Highness.]

Before anyone could comprehend her cryptic words, she downed the poisonous drink in one gulp and dropped the cup.

Clank.

Krrrrrrrr.

The clang echoed as the cup rolled away.

Before he could grasp what was happening, he found himself holding the staggering woman. Her long hair, once neatly tied, came loose.

She coughed violently in his arms.

[Juliet?]

Her once white dress began to stain red with blood.

It was a surreal sight.

Lennox Carlyle. Or the man who once was, couldnt understand the significance of the womans closing eyes or what was happening.

He held the dying woman, trying to suppress his breath.

Why? Since when?

All questions seemed meaningless.

The surrounding screams and murmurs became irrelevant.

The only thing that mattered was the womans cooling body. He was captivated by her pale, silent face.

Your Highness.

A calm voice brought him back from the never-ending nightmare.

(Such a thing.)

The black panther-shaped demon, who had been watching over him, clicked its tongue in annoyance.

Shes here.

The intruder is still

The mumbling panther, seemingly regretful, turned away and disappeared. And with that, his long nightmare ended.

Lennox.

In the midst of the enveloping darkness, the image of the woman who had awakened him remained clear.

Her pale cheeks, delicate features, and soft blue eyes glistened with moisture.

Juliet.

He wasnt even aware of the tears streaming down his face, lit by the torches around them.

With only half his senses present, Lennox instinctively reached out to the woman before him.

The only reassurance he felt was from Juliets usual calm expression and the steady pulse he felt from her wrist he was gripping.