Translator: asuramaru
Proofreader: asuramaru
Chapter 1
Wearing a sheet over his head, Juliet observed the topless man with bated breath[1]. When the man took off his gown, with his back to the bed, his broad shoulders and solid back muscles were revealed by the dawn’s light.
An impeccable, well balanced knightley physique. A waist reminiscent of the sleek body of a carnivore, and an attractive, angular face. Wounds both large and small were scattered across his body, but even those were a work of art. Juliet seemed to lose her mind for a moment as she gazed at the man.
After taking off his robe, the man donned a white and clean cut shirt.
Although it was a habit unbecoming of a noble Duke of high status, the man who’d spent half his life on the battlefield hated the look of his body and chose to dress himself.
So, there were only two types of women he would bring to his bedroom. A woman who was an overnight lover, or a woman worth using.
Juliet was the latter.
‘…Maybe both.’
Pondering that thought, Juliet laughed at herself.
In that moment, Juliet’s gaze met the man’s red eyes as she rested her head upon the pillow. The Duke’s eyes narrowed as he attached his cufflinks.
“Did I wake you?”
It was only natural for him to wonder.
The day after, Juliet was normally so tired that she couldn’t even lift so much as a finger. Instead of opening her eyes at dawn, she used to sleep until it was broad daylight.
“…….No, Your Highness.”
Juliet replied with a sigh.
She peeled back the sheet and stood up. Now that he’d noticed, pretending to be asleep wasn’t very wise.
Juliet couldn’t sleep at all last night. She’d stayed awake all night with her eyes open, but was so nervous and tense that she didn’t even feel tired.
“I have something to tell you.”
Juliet, who spoke carefully, came down from the bed barefoot.
Her long hair, which she could tell was clearly matted, was roughly draped to one side. But Juliet no longer cared what she looked like.
No matter how hard she tried to dress elaborately, Juliet always looked shabby standing in front of her lover who radiated like the sun. Colourful summer dresses were nothing more than modest pyjamas in comparison to him.
“Say it later.”
“Lennox,” Juliet hurriedly reached out to catch the arm of the man as he tried to turn away with indifference.
There was no future, not for her. It had to be now.
Lennox Carlisle.
The youngest ruler in the Empire, the Northern Duke of Carlisle, was Juliet’s lover. And her lover was a very busy man.
They were always surrounded by people, so this was the only opportunity for them to be alone.
“It’ll only be a minute. It won’t take up your time.”
The Duke glanced down at the woman hanging from his arm.
Cold and heartless red eyes. Juliet jumped at his indifferent and chilly gaze, but neither let go nor avoided his eyes.
Eventually, after a short silence, permission was given.
“Go ahead.”
As Juliet breathed a sigh of relief, the Duke perched on the table. His hand picked up the silver cigar box on the table, and his long finger picked up a cigarette from its case.
“Speak.”
“That…….”
Juliet strained her lips with difficulty. She was at a loss for how to approach the subject.
How should I start?
“So….”
“A gift?”
“Yes?”
“This is about a birthday present, is it not?”
“…….Ah.”
Birthday present?
Juliet, who was briefly embarrassed by his unexpected interjection, only just realised it. There were only a few days left until her 25th birthday.
The Duke of Carlisle was never a friendly lover, but he was an infinitely financially generous one. Having a rich, busy lover meant getting used to his indifferent attitude.
But her birthday was the only anniversary of theirs he remembered.
Only 1 day a year. The one day Juliet Montagu could ask him for something.
In the next moment, Juliet smiled broadly and nodded.
“Yes, that’s right. It was about my birthday present.”
Instead of paying attention to her sudden change in expression, the Duke swept his hair lightly. He was gradually becoming disinterested in the conversation.
It was a simple gesture of annoyance, but even that gave off a strangely dangerous atmosphere.
“Tell me what you want.”
Instead of answering straightaway, Juliet laughed a little in spite of herself. Seven years ago, when they first met, this man said the same thing.
“Tell me what you want, except for marriage.”
At that time, disgusted with his arrogant attitude, she’d made unreasonable demands. But Juliet’s lover was a man completely out of her reach.
To him, she was nothing but annoying and troublesome, along with her demands. Juliet was clever, so it didn’t take her that long to realise it.
Yes.
She knew he wouldn’t so much as bat an eye. Juliet knew that fact better than anyone.
“I’d like you to do me a favour this year, not get me a gift.”
“A favour?”
“Yes.”
After hesitating a little, Juliet continued.
“…Will you promise that you’ll listen to me?”
Juliet’s attitude was so serious that laughter came from the lips of the Duke of Carlisle for the first time. His typically stern mouth twisted into an attractive smirk.
It was a blatant sneer. But no one would dare to point out the arrogance of the young Duke of Carlisle. He was reluctant to even fear the Emperor. Lennox Carlisle’s position could have even provided him with a throne, should he have wished so.
But this was just a lover’s birthday wish.
“Alright. I swear,” Lennox nodded dryly.
It seemed like he was just playing along to mock her, but that was enough for Juliet.
“Thank you, Your Highness. Then……….”
Juliet smiled quietly and deliberately blinked a little slowly. All to keep up a lover’s facade for a little longer.
But in the next moment, the demand that left her lips was far beyond Lennox Carlisle’s expectations.
“Please break up with me.”
“……What?”
“Your Highness.”
Juliet simply smiled brightly with an angelic face.
“Let’s end it, this thing between us.”
[1] bated breath=holding one’s breath with tension/fear.
New novel! I hope you enjoy it (my back certainly did not).
At first, it’ll seem similar to To Help You Understand, but I assure you, the stories are very different :>