Chapter 95
Chapter 95
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: The Fox Hunt
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*
“No.”
“Eek!”
The head maid of the Empress’s palace refused with a stern face. Elza made a dissatisfied expression.
“But I came to protect Juliet?”
“We cannot allow someone of uncertain status into the reception hall.”
The head maid blatantly scanned Elza from head to toe as she spoke.
“It’s strictly a gathering for the imperial family, after all.”
It seemed she had judged Elza not to be nobility based on her speech.
*If she knew Elza’s true identity, she’d faint.*
The head maid assigned them one of the guest rooms in the Empress’s palace.
“So I stay here?”
Elza, who had been downcast, brightened up at the sight of all the food in the guest room.
“Be careful, Juliet!”
“Yeah, I will.”
Leaving Elza behind, Juliet headed to the reception hall. And the moment the doors opened, she realized the head maid’s talk of family had been a lie.
The hall was filled not only with imperial family members but also with other nobles.
“Oh dear, what brings Lady Monad here?”
“Good heavens. Lady Monad!”
People who spotted Juliet swarmed over with gleaming eyes. Of course, it wasn’t a friendly welcome.
There were no ladies here to defend her like last time; they approached with attitudes like they’d been waiting for this chance.
“The Duke of Carlyle didn’t come with you, I take it?”
“No! Haven’t you heard yet?
The Duke…”
“Lady Monad.”
But just before Juliet could get caught up in the childish jabs, someone came to her rescue.
It was the Empress, appearing with a gentle smile.
“Come in. I’ve been waiting for you.”
“...May you be blessed with glory. I greet Your Imperial Majesty, the Empress.”
“Shall we chat over there?”
As Juliet curtsied, the Empress led her to a table suitable for a private conversation.
“We sent an invitation to the Duke of Carlyle as well, but there’s been no reply.”
Ah. As expected.
Juliet smiled brightly on the outside while sneering inwardly. It didn’t seem like the Empress had saved her earlier out of simple kindness.
Every year, the imperial family tirelessly invited Lennox to the fox hunt.
It appeared they’d gotten no response this year either.
*Lennox wouldn’t accept such a bothersome invitation.*
“Is the Duke’s health in poor condition?”
“Thanks to your concern, he’s in good health.”
Juliet gave an appropriate deflection.
The Empress couldn’t possibly be unaware of the rumors about the Duke’s breakup.
Yet she had called Juliet to such a place while pretending otherwise—it was clearly a probe.
Of course, Juliet had no interest in the Empress’s intentions. Without wasting time, she presented the box.
“Your Majesty, forgive me, but I came to return this.”
“What?”
“What is this? Oh my…”
The Empress’s expression darkened as she checked the contents of the box. She looked extremely displeased.
“This is what I gave to Lady Monad. Doesn’t it please you?”
“No, how could it not, Your Majesty.”
Juliet got straight to the point and explained.
“As you know, he notified me of our breakup. There won’t be a wedding either. So please withdraw your words…”
But the Empress cut her off without listening.
“Does that mean you have to do this?”
“Pardon?”
“Even if you don’t marry the Duke, couldn’t you still become part of our family?”
The Empress smiled kindly and gripped Juliet’s hand tightly.
“I’ve always wanted a daughter.”
Of course, Juliet wasn’t naive enough to take those words at face value.
Juliet suddenly noticed the large pair of sapphire earrings sparkling on the Empress’s ears.
*The gem embedded in the mirror was a sapphire too.*
“Your Majesty, did you perhaps receive a sapphire mine from the Duke?”
The Empress froze at Juliet’s words. She had hit the mark.
Only then did Juliet understand the situation. She knew well how the Duke of Carlyle handled things.
His philosophy was that the more money invested, the faster and smoother the resolution.
No wonder it had seemed too absurd. The imperial family wasn’t dealing with a child; why would they suddenly adopt a full-grown count’s daughter?
Unless there was a gain outweighing that.
It seemed the Emperor had accepted that near-absurd proposal because of the sapphire mine.
But with the adoption talk falling through, they were clearly worried about the mine being reclaimed.
Juliet let out a small sigh.
“Even if Your Majesty doesn’t adopt me, the Duke of Carlyle won’t reclaim the mine he already gave.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Please trust me, Your Majesty. The Duke knows me well.”
Rather than reclaim the mine, he’d use it as leverage for another proposal.
But Juliet didn’t bother relaying that to the Empress.
The Empress narrowed her eyes and scanned Juliet for a moment. Her thoughts were plain to see.
If the sapphire mine stayed as is, it wouldn’t be a losing deal.
“Very well.”
After a brief consideration, the Empress released Juliet’s hand she had been holding so tightly, her expression now completely different from before.
“But Lady Monad, you must convey it to His Majesty yourself.”
* * *
And so, Juliet ended up participating in the fox hunt.
“She must be desperate to catch the Empress’s eye.”
“After being dumped by the Duke, she’s scheming to impress Their Majesties.”
Juliet wasn’t joining the fox hunt out of desperation for attention. Nor was it the prize money that tempted her.
It was simply due to the Empress’s petty assignment. To go directly to the Emperor and reject the proposal herself.
“Ahem!”
She didn’t know how the Empress had relayed the situation, but whenever their eyes met, the Emperor turned his head away with a displeased expression.
“After today’s hunt schedule ends, His Majesty will grant you a private audience.”
The chamberlain sneaked over and informed her of the plan.
“Additionally, His Majesty commanded that Lady Monad must attend the hunt.”
Juliet sighed.
It seemed a fallen noble like her had dared to refuse an overly exalted position as adopted daughter, offending the highborns.
Wandering the hunting grounds for a day was fine, but even if the Emperor circled the grounds, it would be evening at the earliest. It looked impossible to settle the matter and return home today.
Good thing she’d brought riding clothes just in case.
Juliet changed into a sleek blazer, form-fitting pants, and well-broken-in leather boots.
It was one of the outfits Helena had made for her, saying, “You’ll find a use for them eventually.” She hadn’t expected to use it like this.
Juliet braided her hair neatly for ease of movement as she thought.
Then, suddenly, Elza—who had been asleep—opened her eyes and spoke.
“Juliet.”
“Yeah?”
“Something’s weird. I keep smelling a familiar scent.”
Having devoured four bottles of sherry and three boxes of liqueur chocolates, Elza mumbled slowly from where she lay sprawled on the bed.
“What’s this smell…?”
She drifted back to sleep with a mutter. It must have been sleep-talk.
Juliet smiled and pulled the blanket over Elza.
“Got it. I’ll come back as soon as possible.”
But with the butterflies gone, she didn’t want to wander the hunting grounds empty-handed, so she asked for a crossbow.
“Are you sure that’s alright?”
A noble lady with a crossbow.
The chamberlain looked puzzled at the mismatched combination but soon brought several.
Juliet selected the lightest one that fit her hand best.
The snow-covered hunting grounds were magnificent but cold.
*I want to go home.*
Not even ten minutes outside, and she already missed the warm indoors.
As she stared at the clock’s second hand, an unwelcome voice came from behind.
“Well, if it isn’t Lady Juliet.”
It was the Second Prince Cloph and his friends.
“You’ve chosen a difficult weapon.”
Cloph swaggered over, acting friendly with Juliet.
“Crossbows may look flashy and pretty, but they’re more dangerous than they seem.”
“Exactly. Goodness, fooling around with one could lead to disaster.”
“Wouldn’t a weapon more suited to a lady’s delicate hands be better? Like an embroidery needle, for instance.”
Laughter erupted.
Juliet listened coldly, wondering how far they’d go.
“Why not sit quietly and cheer instead of showing off?”
“If you really want to carry it, I could teach you how to…”
Clunk.
Juliet, who had been holding the crossbow pointed downward, pulled and released the bolt without hesitation.
Bang!
The bolt sliced through the air and flew into the distant woods in the blink of an eye.
Passing right over the Second Prince’s head.
Thud.
The Second Prince and his entourage collapsed, legs giving out, faces pale.
“Oh my.”
Juliet smiled sweetly at them and opened her mouth.
“Sorry. What did you just say?”