Chapter 157:
* * *
After finishing her meeting with the Pope, Juliet emerged outside to find Fatima waiting for her by a small boat.
Did you enjoy your audience?
Fatima greeted her with a formal greeting.
Yes, thanks to you, Princess.
Lets head back then.
Seemingly half-listening to Juliets response, Fatima climbed into the boat first.
As they crossed theke in the small boat, Juliet took in her surroundings.
Thanks to the Pope, she had the chance to see the violetke, and she somehow felt reluctant to leave it so soon.
As she looked around, she noticed a small building set up on thekeside.
It was a pavilion with a pumpkin-like yellow roof.
As Juliet leisurely admired the exterior of the pavilion, she suddenly noticed a group of people entering the building.
From their extravagant clothing, they seemed to be nobles with permission to enter. And the person in the front was
<i>Huh?</i>
It was Cloff, Fatimas husband and the Second Prince.
<i>Cloff with nobles in the secludedkeside pavilion</i>
Recalling a rumor shed heard from the nobility, Juliet blinked a few times.
The Second Prince volunteered to investigate the incident.
Hadnt she heard that Cloff, along with a few nobles, had formed an investigation team to look into the sudden disturbance caused by the beasts?
It was suspicious that the Second Prince, who usually had no interest in other peoples affairs, had volunteered for this task.
Juliet asked one of the pce guards casually.
Is that the Amber Pce?
Yes, it is.
<i>It would be good to know what theyre discussing inside</i>
Moreover, if the Second Prince was coborating with Dahlia, she would have to be even more suspicious.
Ahem, we will soon arrive at the shore. Please get ready to disembark.
Perhaps noticing Juliets intent gaze on the Amber Pce, the pce guard spoke in a cautious tone.
The Amber Pce, like the sacredke, was in a controlled area.
Only direct descendants of the Emperor or previously approved nobles could enter.
<i>Isnt there any way?</i>
As Juliet pondered, she alternated her gaze between the clearke and her outfit.
The ne made of small diamonds immediately caught her eye.
She hesitated for a moment.
This ne, one of the gifts from Duke Carlyle, was too valuable to use as bait.
But she felt like this might be her only opportunity.
<i>I have no choice.</i>
Otherwise, the only thing she had left on her was a silver key.
Juliet sighed softly and discreetly hid the silver key, making sure she wouldnt lose it.
She then discreetly dropped the ne into theke.
After confirming that the diamond ne had sunk below the surface of theke, Juliet quietly approached Fatima, who was on the opposite side.
Princess Fatima.
W-What is it, all of a sudden?
Remember you owe me?
H-Huh? I dont recall
Fatima flinched and avoided Juliets gaze. It was clear that she felt guilty about something.
Both Juliet and Fatima knew. In their youth, Fatima had done something unforgivable to Juliet, which had been a longstanding grudge between them.
Fatima.
Juliet grabbed Fatimas wrist, forcing her to meet her gaze.
Im about to do something crazy
There was an irresistible force in Juliets smooth voice.
You need to y along.
What do you mean?
Fatima saw the mischievous glint in Juliets eyes.
Momentster.
Ah!
<i>Ssh!</i>
Soon after, amotion erupted on the tranquilkeshore.
Those present were witnesses.
Suddenly, Princess Fatima and Countess Monad had an argument. It was well-known that the two didnt get along, so that was not unusual.
The real issue happened next.
Juliet Monad fell into theke.
Countess!
Fortunately, they were near the shore, so the water wasnt very deep, and the shocked onlookers quickly rescued Juliet.
Princess, what happened?
I-I dont know! Suddenly, Countess Monad said her ne was stolen. And then she started the quarrel!
Fatima, the Crown Princess, also looked greatly surprised and seemed nervous.
For some reason, Juliet Monad couldnt regain consciousness.
And at thekeside, her knight escorts, who had been waiting, became furiously angry. They insisted that Juliet needed to be taken to the nearby pce and that a doctor must be called.
Hold on!
As they tried to hurriedly enter the Amber Pce with the copsed Juliet, the guards blocked their way.
Only the royals can stay in Amber Pce! Without His Majestys permission
No, the Countess has fainted!
Jude, who hade as Juliets escorting knight, faithfully performed his role.
A person has copsed, and youre saying this? If something happens to Countess Monad, will you take responsibility?
Jude shouted vehemently.
The pce guards then remembered that thisdy was the lover of Duke Carlyle.
Well, then move her somewhere else quickly
What? Dont you know that you shouldnt carelessly move an unconscious patient? Are you even a doctor?
Im not a doctor.
What? You havent called a doctor yet? Ourdy has fainted!
Then quickly call a doctor!
The situation was chaotic.
And how far is it to the Empresss pce? Where exactly do you suggest we go?
Calm down, lets first bring Countess Monad inside!
Due to the rage of the Dukes knights, the unconscious Juliet was safely able to enter the Amber Pce.
However, other than Fatima and her maids, the other knights were denied entry.
Shortly after, the maids left to call the doctors from the pce.
<i>Thud.</i>
The door closed, leaving only Fatima and the unconscious Juliet in the room.
Everyones gone.
Fatima, looking around with a frightened expression, whispered softly.
I did as you said. But
Fatima left Juliet, who was lying on the bed, and rushed to close the curtains tightly.
Really is this okay?
Blocking all outside views, Fatima turned around to see Juliet, who had been unconscious, now blinking her eyes.
Yes. You did very well, Your Highness.
As if nothing had happened, Juliet, now fully awake, smiled sweetly at Fatima.
* * *
Meanwhile,
So the princess and Countess Monad were arguing, and the Countess fell into theke?
Sitting in the real world, the Emperor asked incredulously.
The incident at the sacredke had reached the Emperors ears in less than an hour.
So why did the two of them fight?
In response to the Emperors question, the chambein looked ufortable.
It seems the valuable ne that Countess Monad had is missing.
A ne?
Yes. The Countess imed she lost the ne, and the princess started an argument, suspecting her maids
Justpensate her for the damn ne!
The Emperor was visibly annoyed.
It was shameful for the imperial family to get involved in such a petty dispute between youngdies.
It was unprecedented to admit non-royals into the Amber Pce.
This is such a disgrace.
However, Your Majesty, the ne that Countess Monad lost it was a gifted diamond ne. She was very adamant about its importance.
Just send the guards to find it!
After a brief contemtion, the Emperor shouted in frustration. He couldnt waste time on such trivial matters.
Yes, Your Majesty.
The guards then left with bowed heads.
The chambein cautiously said to the Emperor:
Your Majesty. ording to thew, outsiders without permission shouldnt be allowed into the Amber Pce
Is that the most important thing right now? Just do as Countess Monad wishes!
The Emperor responded angrily, and the chambein quickly nodded in agreement.
But just as he seemed to be leaving, he suddenly called out to the Emperor again.
Uh Your Majesty.
What now?
When the Emperor turned his gaze, he froze in ce, recognizing a man standing at the entrance.
A handsome man with ck hair, who looked like he stepped out of a painting, stood there.
Duke Carlyle has arrived.
The chambein announced with a slight dy.
Du Duke
Your Majesty the Emperor.
There was just one small issue; the painting seemed to depict the king of hell.
What did you just say?
With a voice as cold as the biting northern wind, Duke Carlyle inquired.