Chapter 189:


    [One day, as the mischief of the butterflies were getting more severe, the wise Lord came after hearing rumors about the mischievous butterflies.


    The wise Lord asked first:


    Is it true that there is nowhere you cant go?


    We can go anywhere!


    Even the deep prison from which you can never escape?


    Of course!


    A desert with no exit?


    We can go!


    Then how about this small jar from which you can never escape?


    !


    Obviously!?


    At that moment, the arrogant butterflies were trapped forever.


    Only then did the butterflies realize their mistake and regretted it, but it was already toote.]


    Is this the end?


    The end?


    The story ended there.


    Juliet was disappointed and flicked through the next pages, but it was a different story from then on.


    Juliet quietly mulled over the story.


    Mischievous butterflies. It was a mild expression, but if they were deceived in this way and trapped themselves, it was understandable that the butterflies were filled with rage.


    Humans always spin stories to their advantage.


    Suddenly, a familiar voice sounded beside her, and Juliet looked up.


    Inside therge four-horse carriage, there was arge ck panther seated, making the space feel cramped.


    Seeing the ck panther, Juliet was slightly happy.


    Hello, Meow.


    (Thats rude.)


    The ck panther discreetly flicked its tongue, but unlike before, there were no golden chains binding the ck panthers reflection in the mirror.


    Could it have something to do with the snake getting injured and fleeing? Perhaps the snakes power weakened, reducing the restraint on the ck panther.


    <i>So it wasnt apletely futile effort.</i>


    Juliet felt a bit proud, but the ck panther asked haughtily.


    (Where did thise from?)


    A friend gave it to me.


    (Its quite different from the story I know.)


    In what part?


    (The part where your ancestor appears as the wise lord.)


    Juliet frowned. In this context, only one ancestor came to mind.


    Quirien Monad?


    (It seems that was the name.)


    Quirien Monad was her ancestor, and the first Count Monad. For Juliet, he was about a great-great-grandfather.


    He was also a national founding meritocrat who received the title of Guardian from the first Emperor of the Empire, and he bequeathed a mysterious key to the Count family.


    (That guy was a fraud.)


    The ck panther scoffed harshly.


    (He exploited those foolish butterflies to satisfy his desires, and instead of keeping his promise, he trapped them forever.)


    What was the promise?


    (He promised to give them freedom if they let him do his wish.)


    Juliet blinked for a moment.


    She had a vague idea that Quirien Monad used the power of evil spirits to achieve his goals.


    What Juliet couldnt understand was the next part.


    Letting them free?


    (Instead of being bound to the artifact and being used as human ves, he promised to break the bondage and let them return to their original world.)


    Was that even possible?


    (But whether your ancestor was skilled in deceit or was a coward, instead of fulfilling the contract, he deceived the butterflies and trapped them inside a field.)


    Field?


    (I dont know what its called in humannguage, but youve seen it, havent you? The butterflies took you to the door many times.)


    Ah.


    Juliet remembered the time when she lost consciousness and faced her past through arge door.


    <i>(We can go anywhere!)</i>


    Indeed, when the underground prison copsed, they found a door to let her out.


    She felt like she was on the verge of understanding something.


    <i>So, this field is not just a space but also includes rifling through a persons memories?</i>


    Certainly, she had heard simr words before.


    <i>A monster that freely cleanses negative energy while traversing dimensions.</i>


    Juliet sank into thought for a moment.


    So my ancestor Quirien Monad promised to release the butterflies from the artifact but didnt keep the promise?


    (Yes.)


    Juliet was more ufortable with the fact that the butterflies were naively deceived and trapped for hundreds of years than her ancestors fraudulent actions.


    Theres a saying that the two things needed to catch a demon are arrogance and deceit.


    Once, her maternal grandfather Lionel Lebatan had told her so.


    Is that such an important thing? Getting out of the artifact and returning to the original world?


    (Of course. It must be painful to be tied to one ce, even with the ability to go anywhere.)


    How is that done?


    (What do you mean, how is it done?)


    What needs to be done to free them from the artifact?


    (Why, are you trying to free them on your ancestors behalf?)


    The ck panther snickered.


    (Rather, it would be better to hope that those foolish butterflies are still breathing.)


    Ah.


    Juliet felt a sting of truth.


    She had thought that if she caught the snake, the butterflies would automatically return, but she was uneasy about what happened to her butterfly spirits after she missed the snake disappointingly.


    <i>Rumble.</i>


    The sound of the carriage wheels stopping was heard, and the knights shouted from the front of the procession.


    Weve just crossed the border!


    It meant that they were now in the northern territory.


    <i>Knock knock.</i>


    Lets take a break.


    A knight knocked on the door from outside.


    At the same time, the ck panther disappeared without a trace.


    Instead, the baby dragon opened his eyes sharply.


    Grrrruk?


    As soon as the carriage door was opened, Onyx was the first to hop outside.


    The dragon didnt seem to mind the cold, but thanks to the maids adoration, a small hooded cape was made for Onyx.


    The baby dragon, wearing a light sky-blue cape, rolled around excitedly on the snow, as if intrigued by the sight of snow for the first time.


    <i>Crunch.</i>


    Onyx took arge bite of a big snowball and leapt with surprise.


    Mew?


    <i>Echh.</i>


    The pure white snow was cold and tasteless.


    The baby dragon shivered his head with dissatisfaction, making the onlookers burst intoughter.


    From now on, its the Duchy.


    The knight said, offering his hand to help Juliet out of the carriage.


    Looking at the snow-covered scenery, Juliet was momentarily absorbed in contemtion.


    Ive finally returned.


    It had been several months since she left the North.


    Though the season had changed, an unexpected winter made it seem no different from when she left.


    The North, thend favored by winter.


    Looking up, Juliet noticed a ck-haired man approaching her on horseback.


    <i>I thought Id never return.</i>


    Juliet.


    Holding the reins, Lennox naturally asked for her hand as he approached.


    Come here.


    Juliet obediently approached therge ck horse.


    Lennox seated Juliet beside him on the saddle, then slowly walked the horse holding the reins.


    Moving on the snowy path with a carriage and horse was never easy.


    While the knights were arranging the formation with the horses and carriages, they walked slowly towards the snow-covered forest.


    <i>Thud.</i>


    The noble ck horse, despite its fierce appearance, was well-mannered. Carrying Juliet after a long time, it walked gently across the snowy field.


    Holding the reins, Lennox walked towards the forest, stopping at a distance where the carriage procession was visible.


    Though it wasnt a situation to enjoy leisurely, viewing the snowfall over the ins was quite pleasant.


    Are you worried?


    Huh?


    Youve been fidgeting with your hands.


    Oh


    Juliet looked down at her hands. She had lost one of her gloves, and was twisting the remaining one absent-mindedly. Juliet tucked the remaining glove into her pocket without a second thought.


    Whats bothering you?


    Just various thoughts. I wonder if the snow piled up at the Dukes residence, if the greenhouse roof and the bridge will be alright, and the snow falling in the backyard


    Are you worried the snow foxes will starve to death?


    Huh?


    Juliet looked at Lennox with a surprised expression, then nodded.


    Yes, that.


    His reaction was as if he had read her mind.


    And that snake.


    Juliet said cautiously.


    Ive heard its lived for a very long time, I dont understand how it can live with such hatred.


    The ck panther had said that the snake was driven mad by its hatred towards the humans of the Carlyle family.


    But Juliet couldnt easily ept that exnation.


    Well.


    Without asking, Lennox put a ck leather glove on Juliets hand.


    The mens gloves were exceedinglyrge for her.


    Juliet silently watched his big, well-shaped hands move slowly and delicately.


    Hundreds of years may not be a long time to love or hate someone.


    Somehow, it was an unexpectedly sentimental remark, and Juliet smiled faintly.


    Maybe it was because of the warmth remaining in the glove.