Forgotten Juliet

Chapter 173

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There’s a potion that can make one fall passionately in love just by secretly feeding it to them.

As the season for lovers approached, such a rumor was swirling around the capital.

“It’s not just a rumor. I experienced it firsthand.”

Juliet was sitting in a boutique selling men’s accessories.

Even among the luxurious shopping street filled with high-end stores, this members-only boutique located to the north was distinguished by its sign.

Customers could sit at a table, enjoy tea, peruse the catalog, and then the staff would bring the selected item over. It was a good place to have a discreet conversation away from prying eyes.

In this luxurious place, Juliet, through her friend Emma, was able to meet the protagonist of the rumors that were stirring the social circles.

“Just three days is enough.”

The young lady, Eunice, who had used the potion and got engaged to her crush, shared her story.

“At first, I was doubtful, but on the third day, I received a marriage proposal,” she shared as she took off her gloves to show her engagement ring.T/his chapter is updated by

With rosy cheeks and eyes filled with excitement, Eunice looked like a young lady who had won the heart of her lover and was brimming with happiness.

“Where did you get the potion?”

“The maids from the imperial palace introduced me to Count Jermang.”

“Count Jermang?”

“Yes.”

In fact, Juliet was more interested in the source of the potion than the potion itself.

“Count Jermang is really an amazing person,” Eunice said, blushing shyly.

However, Juliet was more curious about the ‘Count Jermang’ who was anonymously selling this mysterious potion than Eunice’s love story.

In reality, Juliet suspected Elizabeth, the snake disguised as a maid in the imperial palace, as the mastermind distributing the potion. But now, unexpectedly, the name Count Jermang popped up.

‘After all, evil spirits don’t have a gender.’

Moreover, one of the snake’s specialties was to devour humans, steal their appearance, and disguise itself.

Creating a new identity would be a piece of cake for such a creature.

If the potion is indeed part of the snake’s scheme as Juliet speculated, what could be its hidden agenda?

“He’s a very fine gentleman...”

Eunice’s dreamy expression was a bit concerning.

Nonetheless, Juliet wished Eunice well.

“It was nice meeting you, Miss Eunice.”

“Me too. See you at the ball.”

After Eunice and Emma left, Juliet stayed at the boutique, fiddling with her cooled down teacup, deep in thought.

‘Count Jermang.’

That snake had a ghastly ability to sense human desires.

And its exceptional ability to manipulate humans by exploiting their weaknesses came into play.

Lost in thought, Juliet was fidgeting with a silver accessory next to her teacup.

It was a men’s brooch, a boutonniere.

The giving of gifts had a long tradition in Yuno Purification Festival, with the type of gifts also being fairly standardized.

Usually, women would gift a boutonniere to pin on the lapel of men’s jackets, and the men’s boutonniere that Juliet bought today was for that very purpose.

It wasn’t an expensive item, but it was a modest, neat accessory that would easily attach to a jacket lapel.

It wasn’t meant for anyone in particular.

“Excuse me, Miss.”

Just then, someone entered, interrupting Juliet’s contemplation.

“Ah, yes. I’m done, you can take it away.”

Juliet, without looking, tried to hand over the catalog, intending to get up and leave.

The boutique, separated by a sign, handled quite expensive items, and it seemed they were running short on catalogs due to the high volume of customers that day.

But as Juliet looked up, she was startled.

“Could that someone be that bastard? Could Eleanor be that woman?”

“No? No! It’s not that.”

Juliet denied it hastily.

“It’s about someone else.”

Technically, that snake wasn’t even a human, but Lionel Lebatan, looking suspicious, was lost in thought for a moment.

“Usually, there’s only one reason to harbor such deep resentment.”

It was a question thrown without much expectation, but Juliet was intrigued.

“What is it?”

“It’s jealousy.”

“...Jealousy? A love feud?”

Juliet felt deflated.

“Are you teasing me?”

However, Lionel Lebatan, seeing his granddaughter’s disappointed expression, only chuckled.

“That’s how the world is. It seems to have some significant meaning, but once you know the truth, haven’t there been times when it was mundane?”

“Yes.”

“See. Life is like that.”

Juliet still seemed unconvinced, shaking her head.

“But why are you so sure? Is it simply because Eleanor is a woman’s name?”

“It’s more about emotions.”

Lionel Lebatan shrugged.

“You said the hatred has been going on for a long time, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I don’t know why, but they seemed to hate obsessively for a very long time.”

“It’s not easy to hate someone to the extent of pouring out one’s emotions and energy. Usually, such obsessive behavior is associated with deep emotions, and the hatred itself could be a result of opposite actions.”

“Opposite actions...? What do you mean?”

Lionel Lebatan smiled broadly.

“What’s the opposite of hatred?”

“Ah.”

Juliet finally realized what Lionel meant by jealousy.

Lionel Lebatan lightly commented as he passed by, but Juliet’s expression chewing over his answer was quite serious.

‘Was that hatred rooted in affection?’

“Heh, there’s no need to take it too seriously. It’s just an old man’s nonsense...”

Thump.

“Hmm?”

Juliet suddenly kicked the rug, stood up, and moved with an urgent motion.

“Grandfather, I need to go.”

“All of a sudden?”

“I just remembered something urgent!”

Lionel Lebatan rose from his seat with a puzzled expression.

Then Juliet gave him a big hug and placed something in his hand.

It was a silver button that had been on the table.

Juliet looked him straight in the eyes and said firmly:

“You are the wisest person I know!”

Then she ran out of the boutique.

“...Hey, Juliet!”

Lionel Lebatan seemed to caution her not to run from behind, but all Juliet had in mind was to rush back to the mansion.