Chapter 12:


    <b></b>Juliet?


    However, the room was empty.


    Lennoxs gaze, fixed on the empty room, rested on the chest of drawers. On ity a ne, gleaming faintly in the darkness.


    Then he saw a blue butterfly was fluttering around the room, scattering.


    The moment Lennox discovered Juliets butterfly, he understood the situation instantly.


    At the same time, his blood ran cold.


    Your Highness!


    The people who had btedly followed him gathered in front of the wide-open door.


    Without a word, Lennox picked up the paper knife that was on the table.


    <i>Crunch.</i>


    The knife that slipped from his hand pierced through the wings of the butterfly that had been fluttering around the vanity mirror.


    The blue butterfly, as if it were a living creature, shook its wings frantically, then scattered a burst of iridescent powder and disappeared without a trace.


    No, what is this?


    The servants who had hurriedly followed and confirmed the empty room still had bewildered expressions.


    But, my lord, we clearly saw the youngdy return to the mansion and get off the carriage.


    Yes, and we saw here up to this room on the second floor


    Oh no.


    As the butterfly vanished and the spell was broken, the servants, who were now aware of the situation btedly, fell into contemtion.


    They had definitely seen Juliet return home, but from the beginning, it had been under the influence of the magic. Juliets ability was something he knew best.


    An illusion created by summoning demons from another realm.


    It was a rare ability to make the chosen target see illusions, but Juliets skills were still limited when it came to freely manipting demons.


    As far as he knew, Juliet could only cast the spell on one or two targets at a time.


    Juliets ability was powerful enough to possess people, but using it openly in public ces consumed a lot of magical energy and had many restrictions.


    So, deceiving one servant wouldnt have been difficult, but it meant she couldnt deceive all the many servants in this dukes mansion at the same time.


    However, Juliet seeded and escaped smoothly.


    The implication was clear. Juliet had hidden the fact that her abilities had grown.


    She deceived him andughed falsely. Since when had she nned to escape?


    It seems she didnt go to the mansion of Count Monad.


    The butler reported quietly, perhaps having made contact in the meantime.


    Lennox looked down at the ne, neatly ced in a box on the vanity, with emotionless eyes.


    It was the ne he had sent to Juliet this morning.


    The abandoned ne left behind was significant.


    In addition to him, in the elegantly furnished room, there were also other jewelry and luxurious dresses that he had given her during the time that they were together.


    All these things looked intact, and to a person who didnt know that she had run away, at first nce it might seem that she was only absent for a while.


    Suddenly, a question popped into his mind.


    Even if she managed to fool the servants of the mansion, how could she trick Cain, who was the swordmaster?


    How did she deceive even Cains eyes?


    Cain.


    Yes


    Did you eat or drink anything with Juliet?


    What?


    Startled by the sudden question, Cain didnt understand the Dukes inquiry and had no idea how to respond.


    I had a drink with her during the day


    You took a potion.


    Heughed loudly.


    Lennox couldnt help butugh when he saw the amused look on his proud subordinates face.


    Among the guards assigned to Juliet, he was the only swordmaster.


    And Juliets abilities didnt work on swordmasters or high priests.


    For this reason, she gave medicine to someone on whom she couldnt use her butterfly. A correctly calcted dose of this drug helped her pass this barrier.


    Besides, the escort assigned to her was only to ensure her safety, not to prevent her from escaping.


    Moreover, the stoic Cain wasnt the type to ept and drink a beverage handed to him.


    This is uneptable. Such a mistake


    Cain, who understood the entire situation, shook his head.


    However, Lennoxs anger was directed solely at one person.


    You nned this very carefully.


    A sly smirk slipped through the cracks of his dark expression.


    He wasnt curious about why Juliet was engaging in such actions anymore.


    He couldnt even begin to guess when or where she had nned it.


    From buying silphium silently to skillfully manipting the butterfly, she had hidden everything, fueling his anger.


    No one dared to lift their heads in the face of Duke Carlyles icy wrath.


    Elliot, who was anxiously observing his mastersplexion, cautiously spoke up.


    Shall I contact the Capital Guard?


    No.


    It would be futile.


    Just as Juliet knew him well, Lennox Carlyle also knew Juliet Monad.


    If she set her mind to it, she could easily disappear without a trace.


    Whats more, today is New Years Day, so the search will not be easy due to the crowds of people outside who have gathered to watch the fireworks.


    Juliet seems to have been nning this escape y for a very long time. She must have timed it very carefully.


    Departure from the North to the capital to attend the New Years banquet, this is an ideal time, because during this period arge number of people gather in the city to watch the celebration.


    However, she was still in the capital. He was certain of it.


    In such a chaotic time, it was good to hide one person, but there were limited means to secretly escape outside.


    Though its only a matter of time before Juliet tries to sneak out of the capital.


    There was a way to block all the routes to the capital and prevent her escape, but if they acted rashly and made a mistake, Juliet would hide even deeper.


    There was a way to block all the routes to the capital and prevent her escape, but if they acted rashly and made a mistake, Juliet would hide even deeper.


    Juliet had made up her mind to disappear.


    They might lose her forever. She had the ability topletely erase her tracks and hide if she wanted to.


    What should we do, Your Highness? Elliot cautiously asked.


    Lennox Carlyle lifted his head.


    Perhaps she has not yet left the capital.


    Lennox clenched the ne she had left behind in his hand.


    A gentle click sound echoed as the diamonds collided within his grasp.


    Then the corners of his lips turned up and a predatory smile appeared on his face.


    Well deal with the consequencester. For now, find her.


    He intended to let Juliet know.


    That he was just as relentless as she was.


    Search without hesitation, using any means necessary. Find her, every single strand of her hair intact.


    He would never let her go, even if that was what she wanted.


    * * *


    <i>Thud!</i>


    The appearance of uninvited guests who dared to break into the sacred temple in the middle of the night was quite noisy. The armed men in ck armor didnt even seem to have any intention of hiding the identities behind this sphemous invasion.


    Upon hearing themotion, the High Priest of the capital rushed out.


    What does it mean, Duke? The High Priest, who confronted the intruders head-on, shouted angrily.


    He had rushed so hastily that the crown on his head was crooked.


    How dare you, within the sacred ce, bear weapons!


    The preamble is unnecessary.


    When the High Priest arrived, the leader of these intruders sat indifferently on the altar, appearing disrespectful.


    He was none other than Duke Carlyle, who didnt need to prove his identity.


    In this urgent situation, it was unfitting that Duke Carlyle, sitting on the marble altar, possessed a skill that made the in altar without any adornments appear like a throne.


    I will contact the Emperor immediately


    You know its useless.


    <i>Hush.</i>


    The High Priest fell silent.


    Of course, the High Priest was well aware. The imperial court, already nervous about Duke Carlyles vignce, was reluctant to respond to any request from the temple.


    If they sought assistance from the temple, there was a high possibility that the Emperor would silently ignore the request.


    The Carlyle family, including the Duke, had a strained rtionship with the temple, unlike other noble families.


    In fact, the temple held great interest in the Duke of the northern region, who owned thergest territory in the Empire.


    Vastnd. And immense wealth.


    However, the northerners, including the Carlyle family, were irreverent unbelievers, despised for theirck of respect for religion.


    They had no interest in the faith and could notprehend building opulent temples or collecting substantial donations.


    Moreover, the rtionship between the Carlyle family and the temple hadpletely deteriorated since Lennox Carlyle ascended to the dukes position.


    Lennox Carlyle, who had ruthlessly ughtered his uncles at a young age and seized the family seat, closed all the temples in the north shortly after his ascension.


    Naturally, the temple fiercely resisted and condemned Duke Carlyle.


    Being condemned by the temple meant being officially barred from receiving the blessings of the priests for a proper marriage.


    Furthermore, there was a threat that they would not grant the blessings of the temple to any future heir of the dukedom.


    Of course, Duke Carlyle pretended not to hear. After all, he hadnt engaged in a married life, let alone a virtuous one.


    As the Duke of the Empire, feared even by the Emperor himself, there was nothing the temple could do against him.


    Facing such an impudent opponent, the High Priest gave up his protest and cautiously asked about the matter.


    Very well. What is it that you desire, Duke?