Chapter 216: Epilogue 6

Chapter 216: Epilogue 6

Juliet asked playfully with a gentle smile.

[Am I a toy?]

[Of course not.]

He denied hastily, grabbing her wrist.

If not, he had a hunch that Juliet would leave the room at any moment, and never come back.

For some reason, smiling Juliet felt strange. He couldnt figure out why she was smiling.

Over the past few months, she didnt seem like the person he knew.

Juliet Monad was an easy person to understand.

She couldnt hide her emotions, and it was fascinating how transparent she was. So, even though he knew she was continually observing him, he pretended not to notice.

She was starved for human warmth and affection, afraid of being abandoned.

Whenever their eyes met, she smiled brightly, and her face flushed with the slightest touch. It was easy to confirm her affection.

But what did he call such a woman?

A new hobby.

[I see.]

As if reading his momentary guilt and thoughts, the smile on Juliets face gradually faded.

It might be less painful to take a knife instead.

Lennox thought he would pay any amount if he could only fix this situation.

What should he say? That he would never get tired of her?

[Juliet.]

She lowered her head with a pale, bored face, looking like she was thinking deeply about something. He didnt like her expression.

[How can I become smarter even a little bit?]

[You dont need to.]

Knowing what kind of person he is and hearing it from her were entirely different.

All he could think of was not wanting to be hated by any means.

[Whatever you do, the things you worry about wont happen. Understand?]

Lennox didnt realize that he was almost begging.

Juliet stared blankly at the shaking man for a moment and then opened her mouth.

[Your Highness is a kind person.]

[]

Lennox flinched for a moment.

Apparently, the bar for kindness from a woman was ridiculously low.

As if she wanted to believe so, Juliet repeated.

[So Ill trust you.]

* * *

Ursula has been looking at his face painstakingly since the theater incident.

Lennox didnt kick her out immediately. Thanks to that, Ursula thought she got away without being held responsible.

Lennox didnt bother correcting Ursulas misconception.

[Its not her fault.]

Juliet defended her.

The reason he left Ursula alone was simply because Juliet needed her.

After the Night of Sponsorship, Juliet hardly went out.

Except for a few times he took her out with the excuse of teaching her horse riding, and stopping by high-end stores and greenhouses a few times.

Instead, Juliet spent more time in her bedroom.

She got tired easily as if spring fever had hit, falling asleep even when they were together.

However, Juliet flatly refused even the mention of calling a doctor.

[Im just tired.]

Juliet stayed holed up in her bedroom, not coming out.

The more she did so, the more anxious Lennox became.

He couldnt believe he was noticing her mood, but with spring, Juliet rarely looked at him and smiled brightly as before.

He couldnt be next to her all day to monitor what she was thinking.

[Dont talk nonsense and take good care of yourself.]

All he could do was to urgently ask Juliet, then rush to deal with his piled-up work and return to the castle as soon as possible.

The news from Baron Teer, who went east to find Dahlia, had been cut off, and due to not visiting the capital last winter, he inevitably had to travel to the capital once.

Of course, as soon as the Emperor heard that Duke Carlyle had entered the capital, he immediately called him in.

[Everyone was curious why you didnt attend the New Years ball, whats up?]

The reason he didnt attend the New Years ball was simple.

Crossing the garden, Juliet told him about what she had been doing while he was away.

[It was very cute.]

The group chatting with Juliet a while ago were said to be disciples of Madam Ursula.

One of the disciples who visited to meet Ursula had brought a young baby.

Juliet softly spoke about the cute things the baby did.

[Its so fascinating to see nails on such tiny hands.]

Is it fascinating?

Lennox thought it was something he didnt know. He couldnt understand why she was so fond of a baby that wasnt even hers.

Juliet, who was quick to notice, sneaked a look at him and cautiously asked:

[Do you dislike babies?]

Are you asking me if I dislike children now?

[I dont dislike. Just havent given much thought.]

[But someday, Your Highness will get married, and have children]

[That wont happen.]

At his firm response, Juliets blue eyes widened in surprise.

[Why?]

Lennox suddenly thought of the casually mentioned Emperor and became more alert.

[Its bothersome. Annoying.]

[]

Juliet seemed a bit taken aback.

He felt uncomfortable again.

[Lets go back.]

For a while, they walked side by side on a well-maintained rose bush path.

This spring was quite warm, and the colorful roses were blooming brilliantly, but all the while, Juliet seemed lost in thought.

Without realizing it, Lennox glanced sideways to check on her complexion.

Damn it.

It was clear that his answer had made Juliet uneasy.

Should he not have said that?

What does it matter whether he really likes children or not? He should have lied and said he liked them.

Lennox decided that he should calmly explain it to her.

[What I meant was]

But before he could say anything, Juliet suddenly spoke.

[But a child that looks like Your Highness would be really cute.]

He was momentarily speechless. Was she sincere?

If the child looked like her, maybe. A child with pale cheeks, light brown-colored hair, and round blue eyes would surely be adorable.

Even if not of his lineage.

[]

But children born to the Dukes family always have ominously red eyes.

Moreover, the first child of each generation devours its mother from inside the womb and is born. He suddenly stopped walking and realized.

[Such damned genes.]

[Why?]

He smirked just with the curve of his lips.

[My father didnt think so.]

Juliet blinked, not understanding his implication.

He didnt want to confess his bleak family history, nor did he want to terrify Juliet with tales of a curse passed down in his lineage.

[Still, I believe the Duke will be a good father.]

Juliet, who had been gazing at him intently, said a bit stubbornly.

[Because Your Highness is kind.]

[]

[Isnt it?]

As if she wanted to believe it.

Lennox looked into her eyes for a moment.

To want to believe means it might not be the truth.

He wasnt kind, he had no intention of giving Juliet a child, and he didnt believe hed be a good father.

However, those blue eyes, filled with trust and affection, looked at him. And he didnt want to lose that, whatever the cost, whatever lies he had to tell.

He smirked and pulled her close.

[Maybe I will be.]