Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: Butterflies at the Races
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Juliet gripped the railing and leaned out over the edge of the stands.
She peered down below through her opera glasses. They were now seated in the stands of the largest racetrack in the south.
If anyone saw her, they would think she was just taking in the sights of the racetrack.
But Juliet's gaze was fixed on a couple of small butterflies fluttering toward the spectator seats.
The butterflies, which emitted a bluish glow, were so tiny that they were hard to spot amid the crowd unless you paid close attention.
Some people did glance at the sparkling butterflies, but they soon dismissed it as a trick of the light and looked away.
"It's dangerous, so sit down."
Lennox pulled her waist from behind.
Juliet obediently sat back in her seat and shot him a sidelong glance.
It was he who had told her that starving the butterflies made them dangerous.
And a place gathered with so many excited people was practically a banquet hall for the butterflies.
They could devour emotions bit by bit.
Even though mobilizing the entire intelligence guild had turned up nothing on 'Snowdrop', Juliet had her own plan.
Watching the sleek horses dashing across the track, Juliet exclaimed in admiration.
"The horses in the south really are different."
Lennox, who had been resting his chin on his hand beside her, asked casually.
"Want one?"
"No. Don't even dream of it."
At her firm refusal, Lennox's eyes sparkled for a moment before a hint of disappointment crossed his face.
Juliet gave him a quick sidelong glance.
He certainly seemed much more at ease here than at the theater.
Even so, Lennox's expression was dark. Ever since their trip to the lake, he had been lost in thought.
"Is it because of the magic stone mine?"
When Juliet asked directly, Lennox's brows furrowed.
"Did Elliot tell you?"
"?"
"No."
She didn't need to ask his secretary to know something like that.
It was something that had happened in her previous life, after all.
Marquis Guinness of the south was clashing with the north over the rights to the magic stones. That was why the retainers of the Carlyle ducal house were run off their feet.
"Why, are you worried?"
Still propping his chin up crookedly, Lennox met her eyes and asked.
Juliet had the feeling he was hoping for a particular answer.
But before she could respond, he turned his head away with a light sigh.
"Don't worry. I won't let you live in want."
"I'm not worried about that."
Juliet already knew who would win this war anyway.
Besides, even if they lost the rights to the magic stone business, it wouldn't be enough to shake the ducal house.
Lennox didn't care about the marquis's house or the magic stones at all, and he gazed silently at the profile of the woman watching the track below.
With her emotions swinging wildly dozens of times a day, it was a serious problem.
The southern horses were mostly glossy bays or breeds with reddish coats.
"Milady, which horse will you bet on?"
But Juliet was more interested in the horses' owners.
She smiled brightly and made an odd request.
"Could you bring me the list of owners?"
Lennox just watched quietly as she did her thing.
Juliet kept betting without even glancing at the race outcomes.
Out of five races, she won twice and lost three.
And in the fifth race, when the horse Juliet bet on came in a close second, Lennox flicked a gold coin.
"I win."
Neigh.
Only then did Juliet realize he had also been betting on the horses. It was the black horse that had come in first just moments ago.
"So?"
"You lost, so answer my question."
Juliet looked puzzled, as if wondering when this had turned into a bet, but Lennox ignored it.
"What are you curious about?"
Finally unable to hold back, Lennox asked.
"Who is it, that guy."
"What?"
"The man who said you don't need kids."
"Oh... You heard that?"
Juliet didn't seem particularly surprised.
"How much did you hear?"
"Does your answer change depending on how much I heard?"
For a moment, they exchanged silent stares like a staring contest. They knew each other too well.
There was something nagging at him from the words of Juliet he had overheard by chance.
"It was a man who said I didn't need kids."
Ever since hearing that, his nerves had been on edge.
"That man is someone I can never meet again."
Lennox couldn't tell which was worse.
Whether Juliet didn't want kids because of that, or if it was truly because of some damned first love who no longer existed.
Either way, it looked like he had no future. At least a dead first love seemed marginally better.
"You don't want kids."
But Juliet had clearly said that to him. It still bothered him.
Lennox Carlyle reflected on his past words and actions.
He could say with certainty that he had never once told Juliet not to have kids or that they weren't necessary.
He had hammered home countless times that he wouldn't marry, and he had chased out all the con artists claiming to carry his child.
Lennox irritably ran a hand through his hair.
"Could it be that I... you..."
It felt utterly pathetic to outright ask if he was that damned bastard who spouted nonsense about not needing kids.
But Juliet smiled brightly and denied it outright.
"No."
Whatever answer he had been hoping for, who knew.
At her response, Lennox felt a sudden emptiness.
"Were you thinking Your Highness might be my first love?"
"......."
The conclusion came so easily it made his all-night brooding seem pointless. Toward the dead first love—Lennox let out a hollow sigh and replied curtly.
"...What did that bastard say."
"Just what you heard."
Juliet said calmly.
"He said kids aren't necessary, and even if I got pregnant, he wouldn't let me have it."
"What a piece of trash."
As he spat it out, Juliet let out a small giggle.
"Is he?"
"Yeah."
Juliet somehow looked amused.
But Lennox couldn't laugh.
His heart felt even heavier than before he had pressed her. It wasn't just that he had no memory of saying such a thing—he knew full well he wasn't any better than that trash himself.
Meanwhile, the anger he had been suppressing surged up.
'No wonder she hates marriage or whatever after hearing that.'
It was only natural that Juliet wouldn't blink even if offered the world.
A man she could never see again, who no longer existed.
'Damn it.'
He couldn't even chase him down and kill him.
His head was a mess when Juliet smoothly changed the subject.
"Are you heading to the ducal residence when we get back to the capital?"
"Yeah."
Lennox added absently.
"If you need anything, just say so."
"There's nothing I particularly need. Or lack..."
Juliet tilted her head.
"Can I bring Nix?"
Only after a moment's thought did Lennox recall that it was the name of the suspicious magic beast she was raising.
"I'll buy you a puppy instead."
A flicker of hurt crossed Juliet's face, and Lennox felt that familiar sinking sensation in his chest again.
"It's fine. I don't need a puppy."
But before he could take it back, Juliet refused nonchalantly. Then, as if it had just occurred to her, she said.
"Oh, but you should change the maid in charge of the bedroom."
"The maid?"
"Yes. My hair comb went missing."
Frowning, Lennox was about to ask for more details.
A hair comb was too trivial an item for it to be mere sticky fingers.
The bedroom was full of expensive ornaments besides the comb—what reason could there be for stealing that?
But before he could ask, an uninvited guest arrived.
Forgotten Juliet