Forgotten Juliet

* * *

[It seems to be poisoned.]

The two-year-old horse, that was running wildly, fell and broke its leg.

It was in great pain as the poison had already spread throughout its body. Ending its life swiftly was the only way to ease its suffering.

Lennox showed mercy to the suffering beast.

The gentle horse, which once was Juliets pet, twitched for a moment, and then ceased to move.

[And this is just a guess.]

The knight standing beside him opened his mouth, glancing at Lennoxs reaction.

[It seems that Miss was able to break through the barrier because of the baby in her womb.]

Lennoxs grip tightened on the blood-stained sword.

All this while, he wondered how Juliet could freely roam around the East Tower, which was even hard for high priests to penetrate, and around the castle.

However, since the moment of conception, their first child was nothing less than a crystal of pure magic.

If left alone, it would have drained Juliets life force and killed her, but ironically, thanks to the baby, Juliet had a chance to escape.

He was deflated by such a simple answer, it was disheartening.

[Other injuries are not severe.]

Compared to falling from a rampaging horse, Juliet was unharmed, with barely any bruises.

The physician awkwardly consoled him.

[Once her body recovers, Miss will regain her strength soon. Its a great relief.]

A relief.

Although not in the way he thought, the eyesore of a child had disappeared forever.

Just as he feared, Juliet would not die giving birth.

But could he really call it a relief?

His steps halted in front of the bedroom door as he walked along the castle corridor.

Startled.

He ran into a maid exiting the bedroom. She held a tray with untouched, neat morning meal.

[She wont eat no matter how much I coax]

The maid nervously excused herself, stepping aside at the door.

[]

Leaving the spacious bedroom vacant, Juliet was crouched in a corner.

Somehow, her figure overlapped with that of the young horse with a broken leg.

Awakened from a long sleep, Juliet was half-listening to the physician explaining that she had miscarried.

The only reaction from Juliet came when she discovered Lennox standing by the door.

She knew exactly who to be angry at.

[After all, you never wanted it! It was my baby]

[I just asked you to listen. You promised you wouldnt ask for anything, remember?]

[But why, why did you have to do so]

As Juliet poured out her resentment and curses, all he could do was hold her in his arms until her crying and yelling subsided.

Juliet bit and scratched him fiercely, but eventually, she exhausted herself and leaned on him.

[Why did I have to fall for someone like you]

From that day on, Juliet blatantly showed her annoyance towards him.

The more she did, the more anxious Lennox became. He desperately wanted to confirm if there was even a shred of emotion left for him in Juliet.

[Juliet.]

Juliet only moved her gaze slightly, as if it was bothersome to even turn her head.

What he laid on the table was a blue cornflower Juliet used to like.

[You liked these flowers.]

All winter he wandered around the greenhouse, and it was Juliet who taught him the names of wildflowers.

But Juliet snapped off the flower stem with a bland expression.

And then she muttered softly, like a sigh.

[I dont need it.]

[What.]

[You dont have to do this.]

Lifting her head, Juliet gave something akin to a smile.

But it was very different from the smile he was familiar with.

[Dont pretend to be sorry, or concerned.]

Pretending to be concerned?

[I may not know much, and have nothing, but now I know a little about you.]

[]

[You easily use and discard people. But its me who carelessly got pregnant.]

Juliet elegantly looked down. A foreign expression appeared on her pale and shadowed face. It was a sneer.

[You dont need to pretend to care for a toy youre tired of.]

He felt choked. At the same time, he somehow found the situation ridiculous.

He remembered how mean and vile a person he was.

[You know nothing.]

He chuckled dryly.

He was the kind of person who wouldnt give a second glance even if his ex-lover threatened suicide.

Juliet probably couldnt imagine. How desperately he had trembled in front of her.

[Your Highness is a kind person.]

Perhaps Juliet just wanted to believe that, but because of her saying so, he really tried to be a good person.

He had tried very hard to mimic a kind lover, something he had never done before in his life.

Every habit of checking Juliets expressions, always carrying her outerwear because she was cold, matching his steps with hers, were all taught by her.

Yet, he was always anxious that Juliet might discover his true nature.

[So, theres no need to show sympathy.]

But the woman who tried to win his heart by doing so pushed him away quietly, but firmly.

[I dont like you anymore.]

Kururung.

Suddenly awakened from sleep, the man was still intoxicated. For a moment, he couldnt distinguish whether it was a dream or reality.

It felt like he had a very long dream, despite waking up after a long sleep, his head ached terribly.

Gradually, consciousness returned with the familiar scenery.

The familiar bedroom of the Northern Dukedom. Unseasonably, the fireplace was burning, and heavy rain was falling outside the window.

As he got up from the bed, a wet towel fell with a plop.

Ah, thats right.

It seemed that he fell asleep after taking medicine for the fever he caught right after returning from the capital.

The red fever flowers, a symptom of scarlet fever, were half left on the chest exposed by the loosely opened indoor gown.

Casually wetting his lips with a cup of water, he discovered the woman who had fallen asleep leaning on the bed.

Soft flowing hair, slightly parted lips and lively white cheeks.

Juliet?

It seemed that she came to check on him sleeping and fell asleep in turn.

Her mere presence relieved him. Juliet disliked thunder and lightning, so it was rather fortunate that she was sleeping.

However, he was bothered by her uncomfortable sleeping position, and the moment he grasped Juliets arm to lay her down properly, he froze.

A jumbled, horrific image flashed before his eyes.

Tattered hem soaked in blood, red stained sheets and the drooping woman. For a moment, his blood ran cold.

Before realizing what he was doing, he was desperately holding the sleeping Juliet.

Juliets wrist was smooth without a single scratch contrary to his memory, but he faintly recalled what he had been afraid of.

Peep!

Suddenly, something black popped the head out from under the bed.

It was the baby dragon that always followed Juliet around. Thanks to him, Lennox was awakened from the horrific imagery and gazed at the young dragon for a moment.

All the while he laid Juliet back on the bed, the baby dragon grumbled, showing his cute fangs.

Be quiet.

Gruk.

Quite fierce for such a small thing.

When their eyes met, Onyx flinched and slowly moved to Juliets feet.

They say dragons eat bad dreams, it seemed to be limited to Juliet.

Knock knock.

Someone knocked quietly from outside the door.

Come in.

Ah, Your Highness, you are awake.

The doctor came in with a tray of medicine, seemingly very pleased.

However, Lennox didnt want to wake up Juliet who was sleeping deeply on the bed, and he glanced at her.

Go to the next room.

They moved to a small study connected to the bedroom.

Carefully closing the door of the study, the doctor who followed asked about his condition.

Lennox suddenly asked.

How long have I slept?

Its been about three days.

Lennox remembered the doctor saying at most three days.

Then its time to stop lying down.

Oh, you cant. The fever flower still remains, and you must rest until the fever completely subsides.

Jumping, the doctor handed him a cup of medicine. Instead of drinking, he scowled.

The medicine to bring down the fever, but whenever he drank it, sleep poured like crazy.

Is there any other discomfort?

Does the medicine have side effects like hallucinations or causing strange dreams?

The doctor asked back with a puzzled expression.

Did you have a nightmare?

No.

Somehow, it didnt seem right to call it a nightmare.

It felt more like he had glimpsed something he shouldnt have.

Scarlet fever causes a fever due to the collision of magic inside the body. I have heard of cases seeing hallucinations.

You need to rest for another day or two. Until the fever is completely gone.

It wasnt a satisfactory explanation.

What he saw was neither a mere nightmare nor a trivial hallucination.

Your Highness, are you alright?

Im fine.

Overwhelmed by the approaching drowsiness and headache, he gritted his teeth.

He had been harboring doubts all along.

-It was you. You were the one who turned back time.

Juliet had said so, but if he had paid the price to turn back time, then Lennox himself should be the only one remembering the past.

However, somehow, he had cleanly forgotten the memories of the woman who was precious enough to risk his life for, and that brought doubts to him.

Juliet was the most precious existence he had. Lennox was sure that no matter what happened, he would never give up his memories of Juliet.

But in the glimpse of the past, he had done something terrible to Juliet.

Was it my will to give up the memories?

After committing a horrific act against Juliet, driving her to death, tormented by guilt, had he chosen to forget everything?

Lennoxs eyes darkened.

Then he might be a more miserable person than he thought.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢