Juliet read the letter while sitting in the carriage.
> *A girl named "Dahlia" could not be found in any temple.*
It was a report from the information guild Juliet had recently commissioned to locate Dahlia.
As a precaution, she had described the girl's appearance in meticulous detail and requested they determine whether any woman in the temple matched that description—since she might be using a different name.
But the result remained unchanged.
> *No one has ever seen a woman matching such a description.*
Juliet glanced out the window briefly, her brow furrowing slightly. The scenery beyond the carriage glass changed rapidly as they traveled.
*It wasn't some sort of ghost, was it?*
Juliet's thoughts on this matter were decidedly complicated.
She couldn't claim such a woman didn't exist—because she had encountered her not merely once, but *three* times.
And each time in an entirely different location.
*Who are you?*
The first meeting had been in an auction house in Carcassonne. The second in a banquet hall within the Terrarium. The third—not long ago—in the sacred temple of the capital.
The fact that every encounter occurred in a different place suggested only one conclusion.
*Doesn't it seem like she's following me? I'm not certain, but…*
As a precaution, Juliet had also contacted Father Gilliam, hoping he might possess some knowledge. But he remained furious at her for stealing Xenovia's soul stone, so he had merely replied curtly: *"There is no woman by that name in our temple."*
Gilliam could be lying, naturally—but the likelihood wasn't particularly high.
He had no compelling reason to do so.
*So she's neither a novice nor a priestess, but pretending to be one of the temple's servants? Then what was her situation in my first life?*
Juliet pondered this for a moment, then chuckled quietly to herself.
In her previous life, Dahlia had first appeared with the full backing of Bishop Sebastian.
*But Sebastian is imprisoned now… Is that why Dahlia cannot reveal herself?*
"Juliet, what did you see out there that's made you frown so terribly?"
"Ah—well…"
Juliet turned from the window and regarded the young lady who had spoken. A cheerful girl sat on the opposite bench, watching her with open curiosity.
"Nothing significant, Emma. I just became a bit lost in thought."
"Oh, I see! If you're worried we'll arrive late, don't be. We'll be there soon!"
---
Juliet and young Emma were traveling south.
"And soon I'll get to see my grandmother!" Emma exclaimed joyfully.
The "grandmother" Emma referenced was none other than the famous and formidable Ilena Lindberg.
The elderly lady—often called the godmother of society—had been acquainted with Juliet's late parents.
Not long ago, she had attended the blooming salon at Juliet's invitation and offered invaluable assistance.
Ilena had divorced her husband, who—according to widespread rumor—had been quite the philanderer. She now spent most of her time in comfortable seclusion, surrounded by close friends and doting grandchildren.
Recently, the godmother—who maintained an estate in the South—had invited Juliet to visit.
The letter had been quite brief, suggesting that Juliet travel south with her granddaughter when she embarked on her journey.
Juliet had accepted the offer without hesitation. She desperately wanted to distance herself from difficult matters for a while and take a proper rest.
Besides, after the harrowing events in the snowy forest, she still vividly remembered the bone-chilling cold. The warm South was precisely what she needed.
That was why she had departed for the South with Emma, Ilena's granddaughter, as soon as the invitation arrived.
Though the imperial capital was situated in the southwest of the Empire, Ilena's estate lay considerably farther south. The journey would be quite lengthy without utilizing a gate. But her godmother had been kind enough to provide her personal carriage for the trip—and had even paid for passage through the gate.
Ilena's granddaughter, Emma, was an exceptionally cheerful and vivacious girl who had only recently made her debut in high society. Time flew pleasantly while traveling in her company.
"Charlotte is due to give birth to her baby very soon!"
For the entire journey south, Emma spoke effusively about the unborn child of Charlotte, her elder sister.
Charlotte, Ilena Lindberg's eldest granddaughter, had remained at the southern family estate to deliver her child.
"And then I'll become an aunt!"
Emma looked positively radiant when discussing it.
*How sweet,* Juliet thought, watching her fondly.
"When my sister Charlotte has her baby, it will be the most beautiful child in the entire world!"
Juliet nodded at Emma with an indulgent smile.
Though she'd never had an aunt herself, she thought Emma would make an excellent one.
---
The South was an extraordinarily popular holiday destination. Nearly every aristocratic family possessed a villa there—some owned several.
Bathed in the golden rays of the setting sun, the old mansions—situated at modest distances from one another—looked remarkably impressive, inspiring grudging respect for their ancient beauty. Every evening, the owners opened their doors and hosted intimate concerts or dance parties, inviting guests to dispel seasonal boredom.
The carriage bearing Juliet and Emma arrived at Ilena's mansion late in the evening. However, Juliet was unable to remain at her godmother's residence.
The place where the influential matron decided to house her turned out to be an entirely different villa.
"You'll need to travel a bit farther to reach your accommodations."
The residence to which the butler escorted her—with an air of distinct importance—was a charming villa situated on a secluded hilltop, some distance removed from Ilena's mansion.
"Oh, how *beautiful*!" Emma exclaimed in wonder.
Emma, who had followed along—puzzled by her grandmother's unexpected decision—appeared deeply impressed upon glimpsing the house.
"Grandmother bought this villa? How?! *When*?!"
The residence was so luxurious and spacious it seemed far too large for a single occupant. Moreover, the house boasted a magnificent, meticulously landscaped garden—and even featured a fountain nearby…
"I believe there's far too much space here for one person to occupy alone."
When Juliet attempted to decline, the butler replied politely:
"The lady of the house indicated it would be preferable for you to stay here, as it would prove inconvenient for you to encounter other guests."
Having received such an explanation from the butler, Juliet found herself with little choice but to nod in agreement.
"Very well. Please convey my sincere gratitude to Lady Ilena."
"Of course."
After the butler departed, Emma lingered with Juliet under the pretense of helping unpack luggage—but in reality, she desperately wanted to explore the house.
"Who would have imagined my grandmother would purchase this villa? I tried persuading her to acquire it for *ages*, but she always claimed it was far too expensive. Oh—there's even a fountain!"
As she slowly examined the villa, Juliet suddenly sensed some peculiar inconsistency.
"Hmm…"
It was a space where one could unmistakably feel that someone had wanted to care for her—and had done so wholeheartedly.
It was an ideal home no reasonable person would refuse.
A sun-drenched living room. Cozy bedrooms with plush furnishings. A garden overflowing with meticulously tended, blooming trees and flowers. There were even two large, friendly dogs.
Noticing all these carefully considered details, Juliet couldn't shake the sensation that somehow it all felt *familiar*. As though someone had climbed inside her head and brought her unspoken wishes to life.
Juliet noticed a silver platter heaped with fresh fruit resting on the living room table and walked toward it.
This season saw the ripening of many rare fruits found exclusively in the South.
Taking a large, sun-warmed peach in her hands, Juliet surveyed the house with a cool, analytical gaze.
---
With her silver-grey hair beautifully coiffed, Ilena Lindberg sat in her drawing room radiating quiet majesty.
Once regarded as the undisputed queen of high society, she now frequently resided at her southern estates—farther removed from the capital's ceaseless intrigues.
Especially during brutally cold winters like this year's, her favorite activity involved inviting close friends to stay and escape the season's harsh frosts.
However, at this particular moment, Ilena Lindberg—who had effortlessly commanded high society in her younger years—felt oddly nervous as she held a delicate teacup.
She studied the young man seated before her.
He was difficult to face directly. Moreover, in certain respects, he presented a more formidable opponent than the Emperor himself.
"I'm uncertain whether you'll enjoy this tea, Your Grace."
"Don't concern yourself. It's quite good," came the brief reply.
This was stated by a man who hadn't so much as touched his cup.
His posture as he lounged in the drawing room chair was as relaxed as though he were seated in his own private chambers.
To put it bluntly, it was conduct quite unbecoming of his age and station.
*Ho-ho. How intriguing,* Ilena Lindberg thought with private amusement, discreetly appraising him from head to toe.
She had heard countless rumors about him—but this marked the first occasion in living memory that the Duke of Carlisle had personally deigned to visit someone.
He was such a strikingly handsome man that no one could possibly forget him, even glimpsing him only once.
With those cold crimson eyes, a perfectly balanced physique, and sharply aristocratic features—he was genuinely, almost unfairly attractive.
And contrary to rumors regarding his supposed carelessness in dress, his current attire was impeccable.
The sole flaw in his ensemble was the bandage wrapped around his left hand—though this detail inspired more curiosity than concern.
All the capital's nobility delighted in gossiping about the Duke of Carlisle's fleeting romantic affairs—but Ilena herself held a somewhat different opinion on such matters.
*"A man blessed with exceptional appearance considers his handsome face sufficient reward for intimacy."* That was Ilena's firmly held theory. The same principle had applied to her ex-husband.
"You possess better character than my former husband. And you appear more impressive than rumors suggested."
"I'm flattered."
He responded with complete courtesy, despite the obvious provocation from Ilena.
Perhaps he simply wished to demonstrate respect toward his elders?
With more politeness than anticipated, Ilena—albeit reluctantly—raised her internal assessment of him slightly.
In truth, she had been quite close to the late Montague couple, so she harbored no particular fondness for the Duke of Carlisle.
Even overlooking the fact that he had essentially claimed their young daughter Juliet immediately after she became an orphan, what Ilena found most unacceptable was his decision to live openly with her for *years* without once considering marriage.
*You should have released her long ago.*
Though she herself had left her philandering ex-husband, Ilena remained a woman of conservative convictions.
*If you had done so, I would have helped her establish a proper relationship with a man from a respectable family,* Ilena thought, clicking her tongue softly.
But judging by recent rumors, the relationship between these two—even following their supposed separation—continued developing in decidedly peculiar ways.
As the old saying went, walls possessed ears. News of what transpired in the imperial palace had spread throughout the capital and beyond within mere hours. It had even reached the farthest corners of the Empire. Now, one couldn't locate a single person ignorant of how the Duke of Carlisle had drawn a guard's sword in the banquet hall and challenged an entire contingent of aristocrats to duels.
Ilena, who had already departed for the South by that point, had laughed heartily upon hearing the tale.
*You've spent years pretending not to notice this woman—so where did this sudden change of heart originate?*
Regardless, it was precisely because of this incident that Ilena had reconsidered and accepted the Duke of Carlisle's highly irregular request.
"I heard you were quite close with the late Earl and Countess of Montague."
When the Duke of Carlisle had arrived unexpectedly for a visit, Ilena had been genuinely surprised. And the request he presented had been thoroughly inappropriate.
"This is the certificate of title to a villa I purchased recently."
He had acquired a villa in the South—a region notorious for exorbitant property prices—renovated it within mere days, and now wished to invite Juliet to reside there.
"I would like you to present this to Juliet at an opportune moment."
Placing an envelope upon the table, he continued:
"You may do so under the pretense that the late Earl of Montague entrusted you with the documents during his lifetime."
*Well, just look at him… He's even devised the perfect excuse.*
Ilena found herself increasingly intrigued by this unexpected petition.
"Why not give it to her yourself?"
"Juliet…"
The Duke paused after uttering her name. Simultaneously, Ilena didn't miss the fact that the man who had seemed so unshakeable and stern was hesitating for the first time.
"…She won't accept anything I wish to give her."
Unexpectedly, he had grasped the crux of the matter with perfect accuracy.
When their conversation concluded, Ilena generously offered the Duke lodging in her residence before his departure.
"You're welcome to remain in my mansion while you're in the South, if you wish."
But the Duke of Carlisle shook his head. Before departing the drawing room, he offered one final remark:
"Thank you for your kindness."
When he thanked her for her "kindness," he meant it as acknowledgment of the favor—not her generous hospitality offer. Though he didn't elaborate, Ilena understood perfectly.
"Hmmm."
After the Duke departed, Ilena clicked her tongue with a sly expression dawning across her features.
"What a foolish man."
By engaging in useless gestures, he had missed the proper timing entirely.
So what precisely did he intend to do *now*?
*What scheme has formed in that cold, calculating mind of yours?*
Deriving genuine pleasure from her position as an outside observer, Ilena turned to her maid.
"Darling, bring me the guest list. We need to determine who remains unmarried."
Though Ilena had agreed to honor the Duke's request, she had no intention of assisting him quite so easily.
"Hoo-ho. Let's add a bit of fuel to the fire."
As soon as Ilena finished speaking, a meaningful laugh echoed through the walls of the drawing room.
---