Chapter 142:
Chapter 142:
Chapter 142:
Why, why are you doing this, Miss?
The woman with purple eyes was choked up.
For a moment, Juliet remained frozen, clutching the girls sleeve.
It was unmistakably Dahlia.
Although Juliet had previously thought her memory of the girls appearance was vague, now, as if proven wrong, she could clearly recall the moments when she had encountered Dahlia several times.
Before Juliet could even ask or say anything to Dahlia, people gathered at the sound of Dahlias scream.
Oh my God, whats happening?
However, Dahlia acted as if she was seeing Juliet for the first time.
Did I do something wrong to Miss Juliet?
Ah, it hurts! Lady Monad!
Although Juliet had only grabbed her sleeve, the girl acted as if her wrist was twisted, crying out in perfect timing.
Countess Monad! What is this commotion all of a sudden?
Alarmed by Dahlias scream, the Empress rose from her seat, and palace maids quickly gathered around.
Let go of her hand, Countess Monad!
At the Empresss shout, the chamberlain hastily pulled Juliet by the shoulder, causing her to stagger a bit.
Juliets mind went blank, and she couldnt utter a word.
Elizabeth, are you alright?
Elizabeth?
Juliet stared at the girl with a pale and disgusted face.
Isnt it Dahlia?
Juliets gaze sharpened.
Yes, her name is Elizabeth Tillman.
Seizing the moment, the Empress, who had been held back by Juliets strange force, interjected.
Elizabeth is a girl I met in Varen. She has exceptional healing abilities, so I proposed she become one of my maids.
So, I mistook the person?
Juliet silently stared at the woman called Elizabeth.
That cant be.
Although she didnt know why she was using that name, she was undoubtedly Dahlia.
Viscount Tillman family, from which Elizabeth hails, is also a prestigious one.
The Empress spoke reproachfully.
Not as prestigious as the Monad family, but Elizabeth is still from a noble lineage!
The Empress seemed entirely on Dahlias side no, Elizabeths. She was treating Juliet as if she were a villain bullying a lowly palace maid.
So, what happened? Elizabeth, tell it from your mouth.
The Empress soothingly addressed the trembling Elizabeth.
I I was just trying to bring medicine to Your Majesty but this lady here.
Juliet chuckled for a moment. Perhaps it was because the sound of the dropped tray was so loud, or because they were in the middle of the palace hall.
Before she knew it, a crowd of onlookers had gathered.
Juliet realized how the situation must look.
A palace maid carrying a tray of medicine.
And a notorious Dukes mistress picking a fight with a young, innocent maid.
It must be a rare spectacle.
Surrounded by supportive maids, Elizabeth, with an innocent expression, inquired:
Did I offend Miss Monad? If so, please forgive me
You dont recognize me?
Pardon?
Youve been acting like you dont know me.
With a neutral expression, Juliet asked the woman called Elizabeth again:
Have we never met before?
No?
With the most innocent face imaginable, Elizabeth widened her eyes.
That seemed to be a sufficient indirect admission: they hadnt met before.
Enough, Countess Monad!
The Empress quickly intervened.
I dont know what this is about, but Elizabeth is now my maid and healer. I wont tolerate any more rudeness.
The Empress spoke with authority.
Did Countess Monad mistake her for someone else?
Passing nobles and even servants, from a distance, craned their necks to watch.
Juliet smirked.
Yes, I suppose I did, Your Majesty.
Contrary to her earlier aggression towards the Empresss maid, Juliet now readily admitted her mistake.
Unexpectedly, when Juliet backed down amicably, the Empress, though slightly taken aback, commanded with dignity,
Well, then apologize to Elizabeth.
Im sorry for showing such a disgraceful side, Your Majesty.
When Juliet gracefully curtsied to the Empress, the Empress looked a bit smug.
Then, Juliet turned and bowed to the surrounded Dahlia, or rather, Elizabeth.
I apologize for my rudeness, Miss Elizabeth Tillman.
Im fine
However.
Raising her head swiftly, Juliet asked with a tilt of her head:
Do you really not recognize me?
Countess Monad!
The Empress shouted in exasperation.
The spectators, who were amused by Juliets apologetic gesture, began to chuckle at the unexpected turn of events.
Countess, if Ive done something wrong, please tell me and Ill correct it
Tears welled up in Elizabeths big purple eyes.
But please refrain from speaking harshly in front of Her Majesty the Empress. It undermines her authority.
Elizabeth
Despite Elizabeths plea, Juliet coldly looked down on her with an unapologetic face.
To any observer, the one in the wrong in this situation was Juliet Monad, who was harassing the pitiable maid over a trivial matter.
Excuse me, Countess Monad
The situation got so out of hand that the noblewomen who had been kind to her tried to stop Juliet by pulling on her arm.
However, Juliet didnt care how malevolent she appeared.
So youre saying youve neither met nor known me before?
For as long as she could remember, Juliet never cared about such things.
Thats indeed strange.
Juliets red lips drew a picturesque curve.
Yes?
You, Miss Elizabeth Tillman, called me Miss Juliet the moment you recognized me. And also referred to me as Countess Monad.
Whats your point?
The Empress, who was previously angry, asked in confusion.
Oh, its very strange, Your Majesty.
Juliet replied with a cheeky smile.
I heard that Miss Elizabeth is from Varen and its her first time in the imperial social circle. Is that correct?
Yes, so what?
So its strange that a lady, who claims to have never met or known me, recognized my face and name instantly amidst all these noblewomen.
Now that you mention it, it does seem peculiar.
Certainly, youve been calling her that way even before Her Majesty the Empress announced Countess Monads real name?
How did you know Countess Monads name?
One by one, the noblewomen began to nod in agreement. As the audience started murmuring, the most flustered was the Empress.
Elizabeth, the maid in question, just gazed at Juliet with an inscrutable expression.
Wheres the proof, Countess Monad? Perhaps she heard it somewhere. Isnt that right?
Juliet nonchalantly shrugged towards the panicked Empress. After all, Juliet had no intention of troubling the Empress.
Dahlias stern glare at Juliet was enough of an answer for her.
Of course, Your Majesty. Your point is valid.
With a sly smile, Juliet gracefully bowed again.
I apologize for causing a scene. I will take my leave now.
Her departure was flawlessly elegant. Although she had no attendants with her, no one dared to stop her.
Once outside the palace, an engrossed Juliet climbed into a waiting carriage.
Dahlia is a healer?
It was something that hadnt happened in her previous life.
In her past life, many rumors surrounded Dahlia, the most famous of which was that she was a girl who performed miracles.
Priests with strong healing powers were always valuable. However, Dahlia, even without being a priest, had strong holy powers and thus received strong support from the Pope.
Does Dahlia indeed have healing powers?
Inside the carriage, Juliet was engrossed in this thought.
Pope Sebastian, who supported Dahlia, was exposed as a fraud and was exiled.
So, Dahlia had been hiding all this while, and now, under the protection of the Empress, she re-emerged?
After Marquis Guinness, its the Empress?
Juliet let out a soft sigh.
Elizabeth Tillman
Since she appeared with a new identity and name, Dahlia was sure to deny her connection to the Marquis Guinness.
We have arrived, Countess.
Ah.
After the carriage stopped, Juliet looked up and suddenly realized her mistake.
Because the destination wasnt properly stated, the coachman habitually guided her to the Dukes residence rather than the Counts residence.
Juliet thought about telling the carriage to turn around, but when she saw the knight who recognized the carriage and was running towards her, she got out of the carriage.
Sir Jude.
Yes, Miss Juliet.
Juliet looked at Jude who came to meet her and asked.
Do you know Viscount Tillman?
Then Jude asked back as if he was puzzled.
Well, isnt the Tillman a knights family from the central region?
Thats right?
Having confirmed her memory, Juliet nodded.
Ive heard of it too.
Elizabeth Tillman.
Dahlias current alias, the name Tillman, was at least real.
Can you find out if Viscount Tillman has a daughter named Elizabeth?
Yes, they do.
Jude responded somewhat dryly. Just as Juliet was about to ask him what was wrong, she noticed that the Dukes residence seemed strangely bustling.
Miss Juliet!
Jude awkwardly blocked Juliets path.
I will escort you to the Counts residence.
?
Juliet narrowed her eyes.
Whats going on?
Ah Its nothing.
Jude tried to dismiss it, but he wasnt a good liar.
Sir Jude.
They said not to inform Miss Juliet!
Juliet paused.
Did something happen to Lennox His Highness?
Unable to hold back any longer, especially seeing Juliets deepening frown, Jude finally spilled.
His Highness has had an accident.