Chapter 9
“Oh, Your Highness.”
She welcomed him with a kind smile, it was as though she had just noticed his presence.
“You have come.”
Such an innocent smile for a person who has stood him up all day.
“………. Let’s talk.”
Lennox grabbed her and moved towards the balcony outside. She let herself be pulled by him without struggling.
Juliet’s deep blue dress showing off her shoulders and back was not suitable at all for this kind of chilly weather, and that too, just added to Lennox’s annoyance.
A thought suddenly popped in his head.
That dress surely came with a white fur coat, why did she come out without it, and where did she leave it?
Unconsciously, his eyes wandered on to her neck. A shiny necklace adorning Juliet’s neck caught his eye. It was a fairly luxurious necklace with two long rows of diamonds intertwining.
He’s seen that necklace several times and it suited her dress, however, he couldn’t help but frown.
Wasn’t the necklace that he sent Juliet today the Sun’s tears’?
He never once cared how his lovers dealt with the gifts he gave them. They could sell the gifts or give it to someone else, he couldn’t care less. However, strangely today, he felt that it was important for him to know.
Juliet sent it back to the mansion without touching the necklace, let alone wear it.
“I sent you a necklace today morning. Did you not receive it?”
Lennox asked, deliberately pretending not to know.
“I received it.”
“And?”
Juliet slightly tilted her head to the side instead of replying, as if she didn’t understand why he was asking such a question.
The Lennox Karlyle she knew wasn’t a man who was delicate nor leisurely enough to care about his lover’s gifts.
“I’m asking why you’re not wearing the necklace.”
After he spoke, he realized just how ridiculous it sounded. Lennox Karlyle never asked such questions, and it dawned on him just how strange it sounded. Was he behaving childishly?
Lennox suddenly became nervous.
In their relationship, he always had the upper-hand since he’s never been inferior in any human relationship, but now Lennox was doubtful. Has there ever been a hegemony in this
relationship?
The woman who made him strange suddenly smiled.
“The necklace was very pretty. Thank you for the gift.”
It was as though she was trying to sooth a sulky child.
“But it was so expensive and precious, and I feared that I might lose it so I returned it back to the mansion. Also, the dress and accessories for today’s banquet were already chosen a few weeks ago.”
Juliet’s answer made sense, and Lennox could not find any fault in what she had said. Nevertheless, her calm attitude and demeanor agitated him.
Lennox recalled the handkerchief that Juliet gave him a few years ago, the one that had his initials embroidered. The handkerchief that is still being kept in the corner of his office drawer.
Juliet said that he could throw it, but he did not. So, shouldn’t she do the same and cherish the gift he gave her? Lennox wanted to ask her that.
TL/N: brb going to look for Lennox’s logic…
“Your Highness.”
Juliet, hesitating, opened her mouth first.
“I’d like to ask you a question.”
“Speak.”
“Do you remember what you gifted me last year on my birthday?”
The winter of last year?
Lennox could not understand why Juliet was so hesitant asking such a simple question like that.
“Algiers’s Azurite stone.”
To be exact, a whole Azurite mine.
“………..That’s right. You remember.”
Juliet smiled softly.
However, Lennox felt that that wasn’t the answer she wanted to hear.
“I have something for you as well.”
Juliet grabbed the small silk pouch that was attached to her wrist, which was used to hold things like a folding fan and pulled out something.
“I’m returning this back to you.”
“What is this?”
What Juliet pulled out was a thinly rolled scroll.
Lennox was a little surprised after unfolding the scroll. It’s something that he remembers.
It was the contract they both wrote, 7 years ago.
Though writing a premarital contract was a common thing, Juliet demanded a contract should be written before she became his lover.
“It might be of no use to Your Highness, but it’s useful to me.”
He didn’t care if she wanted financial compensation after breaking up, but that was not what Juliet wanted to request.
It was a strange condition.
[If either party no longer wishes the continuation of the relationship, after amicable agreement, they can part ways.]
“If in case you or I found someone else or want to break up for other reasons, then I want us to part ways. That’s my condition.”
Amicable agreement
It was a bit of a hassle, but what she was demanding was a
neat breakup for both. Though somewhat dumbfounded, Lennox had signed the contract without much thought since it was beneficial to him.
However, what didn’t cross his mind was the possibility that she would abandon him first.
“……….Juliet Monad.”
“Are you angry?”
Juliet smiled.
She was smiling, but she looked tired.
“I thought that Your Highness has forgotten.”
Lennox could not understand. He was the one holding on to her, and she was the one who was asking to end it.
She was the one who wanted to leave him, but why did she look more resigned and hurt?
“What’s your reason?”
“Just. Please allow me to leave.”
“Juliet.”
“Wasn’t I good throughout all this time?”
“What?”
“I didn’t do anything that Your Highness didn’t like. Ah…I did use the butterflies without permission sometimes but…..”
“I tried really, really hard. I tried not to cry or cause annoyance to you. I will be 25 a week from now.”
Juliet smiled quietly while fidgeting with her necklace. Her thin white neckline still bothered Lennox.
“So, I also want to start living a quiet, normal life just like other people.”
“……….. normal life?”
“Yes.”
That word annoyed him. It was as though she was saying that she was unhappy because she couldn’t be normal being next to him.
“So, isn’t this normal?”
Juliet looked at him blankly for a moment then burst into laughter.
You’re laughing?
Seeing his cold expression, Juliet’s laughter died down.
“I apologize if I’ve offended you. But you aren’t normal, Your Highness.”
After saying that, her face seemed a little sorrowful.
“You’ve never done that before.”
The lights from the banquet hall fell slightly upon her face casting a shadow.
Lennox recalled how Juliet was watching the young ladies of her age a while ago at the banquet. The lady Juliet was looking at was the soon-to-be bride and future princess.
It was only then that Lennox realized why Juliet, who was standing alone there earlier, had that expression on her face. It was a look of envy for something she cannot have.
“Is that what you want?”
“Pardon?” Ordinarily getting married and having children like the other people?
Lennox let out a cold sneer.
Such a ridiculous thing to want.
He sharply pulled his tie.
“I can’t listen to this anymore.”
Wrapping his hand around her shoulders, Lennox headed straight for the exit.
Juliet, who was being dragged out by him, had a puzzled look. Not until she saw the Duke’s carriage waiting there did she force herself to stop.
“Your Highness!”
“The party’s done.”
“Lennox! Hold on, I still have something to….”
Of course he didn’t listen.
Once Juliet was in the carriage, he shut the door and spoke to the guard.
“Take her back.”
“Lennox!”
The surprised Juliet shouted inside the carriage, but he completely ignored her. Turning to the horseman he ordered.
“As soon as you arrive at the mansion, inform everybody to get ready to leave for the North.”
“Leave? Today?”
“That’s right.”
Glancing to the side, the Wolves had arrived and were waiting for him silently.
“Take Juliet back and have everybody ready, we’ll leave as soon as I’m done here.”
“Understood.”
It was only after the carriage that Juliet was in had taken off that the leader of the Wolves spoke.
“Sire.”
“Where are you keeping him?”
“In a safe house in the 8th District.”
“Lead the way.”