Chapter 159:
How Why is Roy here?
As she asked, she heard another presence from behind.
Have you seen the handmaid of the Crown Princess?
Yes, she was around here
What to do.
Upon seeing Juliets perplexed expression, Roy nced behind her.
You seem busy.
Roy, with a calm expression, didnt even ask Juliet what she was doing.
This way.
Quick-witted Roy swiftly led Juliet away.
!
The direction they headed to ended in a dead-end corridor, with arge window in front being the problem.
Excuse me for a moment.
Before Juliet could scream or refuse, Roy lifted her and jumped lightly.
Were on the second floor! Juliet couldnt shout out loud and bit her lip tightly.
<i>Thud.</i>
However, contrary to Juliets worries, when she opened her eyes, they hadnded in the backyard of Amber Pce.
It was a soft and stablending.
Thank you.
She indeed overcame the crisis because of him.
Gratefully and nervously, Juliet smiled.
Alright now, let me down.
But even after setting Juliet down, Roy did not let go of her waist. Juliets forehead creased.
Roy?
Juliet.
Roy looked somewhat gloomy.
Are you mad at me? Right?
Roy asked cautiously.
Was I mad at Roy?
After some thought, Juliet remembered thest time they met.
It was at the wedding banquet of the Second Prince and princess.
That day, Roy exposed the secret of Duke Carlyle to her, suggesting they go to Katias forest together.
Im not mad.
Really?
Yes.
In reality, Juliet was mad at Roy. He acted as if he could swing her around just because he had revealed that secret.
However, Juliet was more upset with Lennox, who hid such an important fact from her.
But why are you here, Roy?
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Juliet changed the subject.
The Emperor sent people to the forest for help.
What for?
To interpret the prophecy.
Oh, the prophecy.
Juliet had heard about it recently, forgetting who told her. They had unearthed a prophecy in the temple.
And the Lycanthropes was the n that could interpret ancient texts.
<i>Thats too obvious.</i>
Juliet thought to herself.
It felt like the Emperor was very interested in the prophecy, with even the archbishop and the Pope attending the Lent event.
Ill take you.
Roy, who looked a bit downcast, silently took Juliets wrist and started walking.
Although Juliet didnt exin anything, Roy acted as if he knew they shouldnt be seen by others.
He skillfully guided her through a secluded path in the Amber Pce.
Entering through the back door, they would arrive undetected at the first-floor reception room where Fatima was waiting.
Did you fall into theke on purpose?
Roy, who had been leading silently, suddenly asked.
Excuse me?
Rumors have spread all over the pce. They say Juliet lost her precious ne and fell into theke after arguing with the princess.
Juliet felt a bit embarrassed realizing how big the ident had be.
<i>Lennox would be in the pce by now.</i>
Of course, Lennox would be attending to the Emperor, so even though they were in the same pce, they would be far apart. Juliet wondered if Lennox had heard about her causing amotion.
About that ne, Juliet.
Yes.
Did that human man give it to you?
Excuse me?
Roy, who had been leading the way, stopped and looked at Juliet.
Although Juliet was confused, the ne thrown into theke was a gift from Duke Carlyle. But why would he be curious about it?
However, Roys next words were even more baffling.
Would you like me to buy you another ne like that?
While asking, Roys gaze wasnt on Juliet, but over her shoulder, looking at something behind.
Whats he looking at?
Juliet followed his gaze, but all she could see was thekeside scenery. Maybe the vision of this other race saw something else.
No, thats not necessary.
Juliet wasnt too worried.
It was one of a kind.
The diamond ne thrown into theke was valuable, but the information obtained was worth the loss.
And the Duke wouldnt remember each ne he gifted to his lover.
Lennox probably wouldnt even know it was the ne he gave her. Even if he did, he wouldnt care. Juliet shrugged it off.
Thank you for helping.
Thanks to Roy, Juliet safely reached the side door without being detected.
Be careful, Juliet.
Roy, for longer than usual, delicately kissed the back of Juliets hand. He also smirked while ncing over her shoulder.
This should be enough for a while.
Juliet didnt understand the cryptic smile and words of Roy.
She also didnt know if Roys words and actions were targeting someone standing far away by thekeside.
Juliet safely returned to the reception room where Fatima was waiting. She feigned unconsciousness once again until the pce guard ran up.
Im sorry, Countess Monad. We couldnt find the ne.
It cant be helped. It seems I dropped it in theke.
Juliet replied somewhat sullenly, as if she had had a quarrel with Fatima.
Weve got people looking for it, so we should find it soon
No, its fine. Its just a ne.
Unexpectedly, the pce steward promised to search theke for the ne, but Juliet was no longer interested in such things.
Having safely left the pce and returned to the Dukes mansion, Juliet immediately sought Lennox, but he had not yet returned.
Where is he?
It seems he will bete.
Miss, what happened at the imperial pce?
It seemed the incident Juliet caused was now known at the Dukes mansion as well.
After a moment of thought, Juliet looked at the attendants of the Dukes house.
More importantly, Sir Mn, Elliot. I have something to discuss.
Juliet requested a conversation with the Dukes two most trusted aides.
The two looked puzzled for a moment but responded to her call. Juliet closed and locked the door and shared everything she had seen and heard at the pce.
The Second Prince is plotting against the Dukes house.
Ha.
From the secret meetings to the smoke bombs engraved with the Dukes crest.
The expressions on the faces of Mn and Elliot, who had been listening quietly to her story, became grave.
Thats typical of the Second Prince.
But it makes sense.
They knew very well how long prince Cloff, who was the same age as Duke Carlyle, had harbored feelings of inferiority towards him.
Ive also heard that the Second Prince is coveting the Crown Princes position.
I didnt know hed resort to such measures, though.
A cornered rat will even bite a cat.
Elliot grunted.
Their tactics were crude, but both men sensed they could be damaging to the Dukes house.
In this situation, if the Second Prince presents the smoke bomb with the Dukes crest as evidence, it will cause amotion.
The Second Princes intentions were clear.
He will surely use the Dukes house of being behind this incident in a public setting.
Perhaps he would point fingers at the Dukes house in front of the Emperor and the nobles.
The other nobles will also join in.
But our master doesnt care about such things What should we do?
Mn sighed.
The Duke Carlyle they knew wouldnt bat an eyelid even if he knew about this trap.
Carlyle Duke was a legendary figure, known for his many achievements, and wouldnt shy away from military conflict.
Lennoxs way was straightforward. Though it would involve huge sacrifices.
But whyplicate things?
Juliet tilted her head, and Elliot proposed an idea.
We could avoid the conflict.
Avoiding conflict?
We dont show up on the stage set by the Second Prince. For example, we return to the North now and n for the future.
Thats like running away.
But it would buy us time to prepare our defense.
Elliot shrugged.
And then, gathering evidence that the Second Prince is the real culprit
Yes, but our master will never allow it.
Mn coldly retorted.
Juliet chuckled softly.
I dont like running away either.
When Juliet spoke, both men focused on her.
Do you have a n?
Kind of.
Juliet hesitated for a moment.
Right now, the truth isnt that important. It will be hard to prove that this is the Second Princes doing.
In the power struggles of the central region, it wasnt about physical battles, but they were just as fierce.
In the battle of public opinion, the first strike is crucial, and the Second Prince currently had the upper hand.
So, we do it the masters way
Mn murmured darkly.
If they went with the northern armys reputation, there would be casualties.
Mn, the vice-captain of the Knights, had a heavy responsibility.
But Juliet shook her head again.
No, well avoid a full-on confrontation.
How?
Juliet smiled thinly.
Well exploit the Second Princes arrogance.
Arrogance?
He wont know were onto his game.
The Second Prince believed he could topple Duke Carlyles house at any time.
But now that Juliet had uncovered his cards, she could devise a strategy against him.
Its not a big deal. Its just a bitplicated.
What do you mean?
Juliet shared her simple yet effective n with them.
The strategy wasnt sophisticated.
Its a simple idea anyone could think of.
The two attendants of the Dukes house nodded slowly after listening to Juliets words.
That makes sense.
If done right, not only can we neutralize the Second Prince, but we could potentially end the factions backing him!
Elliot, the Dukes secretary, was enthusiastic.
But the execution is the problem
The remaining issue was when and how to approach the prince.
The most important thing is that we need to infiltrate the residence of the Second Prince.
Juliet hadnt figured out how to do that either. Sneaking in like she did at Amber Pce today, making all sorts of excuses, was impossible. Instead of eavesdropping, she needed to specifically ess the evidence prepared by the Second Prince.
In the northern Dukes estate, there were ck knights who blindly served the Duke and moved in secret.
However, they wouldnt obey Juliets orders.
Even if they were skilled, it was uncertain if they could sneak into the ce where the Second Prince had hidden the smoke bombs.
Even highly trained assassins might find it easier to assassinate the Second Prince openly.
Dont worry. I will find a way somehow.
Mn reassured her with a determined expression.
At least it will be easier than a war.
Yes, I believe in you.
Juliet chuckled and nodded her head.