Chapter 178:

Chapter 178:

Rondas brother was Ansel Hauser, the aide to the Second Prince Cloff.

Everything had gone according to the plan informed by her brother so far.

Its boring, isnt it, Ronda?

No, its fine.

Well, you cant even dance and just watching, it must be boring.

Marina, the maid who followed Juliet with Ronda, muttered.

Its fun to watch, so its okay. Thanks to the head maid, I got to see this.

Ronda believed that she was able to enter the palace with Juliet today because the head maid had arranged it in advance.

Eh? No?

However, Marina told her the truth.

What?

You coming here today, it wasnt directed by the head maid, but Miss Juliet wanted you.

That woman I mean, Miss did?

Didnt you know?

Ronda blinked blankly.

What happened?

According to the plan, by now, Juliet Monad should have been suspecting the relationship between Ronda and the Duke.

Could it be that she didnt notice?

Even going to the extent of using the expensive perfume known to be used by Duke Carlyle to give a hint?

She didnt seem to be that oblivious

If Juliet Monad is oblivious and didnt notice anything, it would be a disgrace.

-For the spell to work effectively, that woman must not trust the Duke and be anxious.

Therefore, Ansel, her brother, had instructed that it was important to sow discord between Duke Carlyle and Juliet Monad.

It was then.

Juliet seemed to have overheard the conversation between the two maids and looked back at them.

And when her eyes met with Ronda, she smiled sweetly beyond her mask.

Chills.

Ronda awkwardly smiled back, yet a certain uneasiness engulfed her.

To regain her composure, Ronda placed her hand into the pocket of her dress.

The crimson vial hidden inside the pocket provided her some relief.

Well, if Juliet Monad was so oblivious that she didnt notice even after giving such hints

It doesnt matter anyway

The plan for today was perfect.

As soon as Juliet enters the labyrinth garden, she will be kidnapped by Ansel Hauser, Rondas brother, and she

While trying to maintain her facial expression, Ronda held onto the small vial dearly.

* * *

Although Juliet Monad didnt dance with anyone, she attracted attention just by walking around the hall.

Up until now, people thought it was a fun happening.

However, what happened next was shocking.

Isnt that Duke Carlyle?

While Juliet was seemingly drawing attention, everyones gaze turned towards the entrance of the banquet hall.

The one who had just arrived at the banquet hall from the carriage was Duke Carlyle.

It was a rather peculiar scene.

At the Purification Festival banquet, the two individuals known as lovers arrived at the banquet hall separately with a time difference, which was quite significant.

Did you just see that?

Countess Monad turned back the way he came as it seemed like she would run into Duke Carlyle?

Or did Duke Carlyle not even glance at Juliet Monad and went straight to His Majesty the Emperor?

The unexpected spectacle got people quite excited, and they openly discussed these rude conjectures.

Elliot, the secretary following Duke Carlyle, was pissed off by the frivolous remarks.

Elliot alternately looked at the maze garden and the direction where Lennox disappeared just now.

He was torn between chasing after Juliet or going after Duke Carlyle first.

To make matters worse, sir Hadin, who always stuck to the Duke like a shadow, was nowhere to be seen, and the two maids who followed Juliet also disappeared without a trace.

Just then, a familiar figure of a woman caught Elliots eye.

Huh?

A white mask and brown hair. And the color of the dress was familiar.

That was the outdoor uniform worn by the Duchys maids!

Elliots face brightened in an instant.

Surely one of the maids who followed Juliet from the mansion was definitely there.

This is a good timing!

Elliot intended to catch the maid and ask her to follow Juliet.

Then he himself would go after Duke Carlyle.

Hey, hey!

But before Elliot could stop the maid, she quickly entered the star palace building.

Huh?

That direction led to the mens rest room?

It was the exact direction Lennox had staggered towards a moment ago.

Oh no. Shes going to collapse.

Then, a vulgar joke from behind made Elliot flinch.

He saw the back of Juliet heading towards the maze garden in a mask.

Indeed.

Just as the vulgar onlookers said, the woman in the black dress was staggering towards the maze.

Her dress hem was dragging on the floor, and her steps wobbled unsteadily.

It seemed that Juliet also had heavily enjoyed some alcoholic festivities while Elliot wasnt watching.

What day is it?

While Elliot was stamping his feet, Juliet, supported by the court servants, entered the maze.

Oh dear, I dont know!

Anyway, since there were court servants and other onlookers attached to Juliet heading towards the maze, he thought nothing wrong would happen.

Your Highness!

Having made up his mind, Elliot rushed into the dark corridors of the star palace.

Not here.

But inside the dark star palace, there were not just one or two rooms, and the maid who entered the star palace ahead of Elliot disappeared like a ghost with swift steps.

What maid has such fast Ah!

He remembered!

The complaining Elliot suddenly realized.

The maid bringing the tea!

Today, two maids came to the banquet with Juliet, but Elliot could bet that the maid who followed the Duke just now was that Ronda maid.

Did that maid do something bad after all!?

Elliot bit his tongue.

A maid disguised too similarly to someone else and Duke Carlyle, unusually swaying after a few light drinks.

Surely, something was done to that tea!

Elliot marveled at his deduction while resenting himself for not realizing it sooner.

Its one thing with Juliet, but once Duke Carlyle sober up from the drugged state, who knew what retribution he would exact on the maid who drugged him.

Thinking about cleaning up after that made Elliot feel dizzy.

Your Highness! Where are you!

Its easier to make amends the sooner he finds them. The startled Elliot started running.

Whats going on?

Elliot muttered while searching through the star palace, filled with a myriad of complicated emotions.

He needed to quickly find Duke Carlyle and sort out the unexpected situation.