“My lady!”
“You.” Jupiter always showed his dislike for Pi. And of course, Pi didn’t like him either.
It’s weird that they don’t get along. However, Juno was pleased to see them together. Jupiter usually doesn’t express his emotions like this.
She smiled as the two of them bickered, then clapped her hands as she remembered something. “Oh, we can use Pi!”
“Excuse me?”
“Since I’m worried about you being in another country, Pi can accompany you in my stead.”
In dismay, Jupiter glanced at Pi. “What can she do?”
Pi was furious. “Whatever you can do, I can do better!”
“Pi has a lot of functions. She’s the only doll I’ve ever made who can speak. Ah… I hope it won’t be too bothersome.”
While Peter devoted himself to making dolls that looked indistinguishable from humans, Juno made dolls that looked indistinguishable from animals and insects. After all, my teacher already succeeded in making human-like dolls. Aside from being the only doll of hers that could speak, Pi knew of the concept of trust and trusted Jupiter. Juno saw Jupiter’s exasperated expression; she knew he would never refuse her requests.
“It’s all right, Pi can join me.” His answer was as expected.
Juno grinned. “Pi, will you go to John to get some medicine?”
“Medicine?”
It was a medicine Juno made that had an instantaneous effect on humans and dolls. It can heal most wounds.
“Yes, one for you and one for Jupiter,” Juno said.
“I’ll be right back!”
“Thank you.”
“I’m happy if my lady is happy.” Pi quickly turned to Jupiter and spoke in a monotone voice. “We’ll be together from now on.”
“…I already feel exhausted.”
Juno chuckled at his expression. Ignoring Jupiter, Pi flew out, then appeared with the medicine before leaving through the window. Juno’s room was quiet again.
Looking at Jupiter, she asked, “When will you be leaving?”
“Tomorrow.”
Juno sighed. “That’s why you visited me today?”
She continued to grumble as Jupiter laughed. The gentle smile on his face made his face almost radiant. He gently patted her head. Juno’s heart skipped a beat, and Jupiter kissed her on the lips.
“Mm.”
Slowly, Jupiter’s tongue sneaked into her mouth. With his body close to hers, Juno could feel his loudly beating heart. A soft laugh leaked out from Jupiter’s lips as Juno smiled at their slow, gentle, yet passionate kisses.
Smiling, Jupiter pulled away. “I was only told of this yesterday.”
“I’m quite tired of the marquis.” Frowning, Juno suppressed her sorrow. She didn’t want to waste time complaining since she wouldn’t see him for a while. “Are you going to stay here for the rest of the day?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Won’t you get in trouble?” She was worried he was busy since he had to leave tomorrow.
“No. Besides, you’ll be in the public’s eye soon, correct?”
Juno nodded.
“There’s been a lot of talk about it.”
“I have to fix dolls again.” Letters were pouring into the mansion. Most, of course, asked about whether there were any dolls left to buy. “They don’t expect a new type of doll to be created.”
“Your teacher will help, won’t he?” Jupiter asked.
“No, I’m doing this by myself.”
“Is that so?”
Juno laughed as she remembered Peter who had slammed the door after she told him. “He’s sulking right now.”
After they talked about trivial matters, Jupiter sighed. “We won’t see each other for two months.”
“Indeed, but won’t it be interesting to see what I’ll be like in those two months?” Two months from now, Juno will debut as an alchemist.
Jupiter tucked some of Juno’s hair behind her ear. “I look forward to it.”
They decided to leave behind their woes and enjoy the time they had left. They held each other’s hands and talked. It wasn’t enough to compensate for the two years they weren’t together; they got to know each other better by discussing the time they didn’t share.
Time flies for lovers saddened by their inevitable parting.
The next day, Jupiter left for the Kingdom of Darnan.
***
Juno hadn’t slept properly for the past few days. She looked at John, who was holding a letter in his hand.
“My lady…” John tried to console her, but it wasn’t easy.
Juno snatched the paper from John. She heard the delegates headed to the Kingdom of Darnan were attacked. Pi is with him. She ignored the worst possibility happening and used the insect dolls to find out what exactly happened. This paper contained their findings. Juno’s hand shook as she read the letter. No, her whole body was shaking.
Juno fell to the floor. It hurt, but it also didn’t at the same time. She covered her face with her hands. Impossible. This can’t be happening.
It wasn’t real. It wasn’t real.
“My lady!” John tried to calm her down. “Argh!”
Because of Juno’s state of mind, some of the objects in the room attacked him. However, he didn’t let Juno go. Peter and Hebe ran into the workshop. Juno couldn’t feel anything despite the situation.
No, it was because her emotions were in turmoil that she couldn’t focus on anything else. It hurts. Her whole body was in pain. “Aaaaah!”
It wasn’t real. Jupiter, please. Please. Jupiter?
The scream of losing one’s beloved reverberated in the mansion of House Sergien.
***
Juno took a deep breath. She hadn’t slept or eaten properly. Looking back, she regretted what she did. She should’ve been greedier. She shouldn’t have let him go to the kingdom. She should’ve expressed her feelings more.
All she had were a pile of regrets that helped no one. But now wasn’t the time.
I can do this. No, I must. Despite Peter’s advice, Juno decided “that” would represent her. She knew the consequences of revealing it to the world; however, this was for Jupiter who was caught in the confrontation between the empire and the Kingdom of Darnan. He and several other high-ranking nobles were killed. Not a single body was found. War was bound to break out between the two countries.
Of course, there will be a war once this becomes public. Juno was going to take this opportunity. She would lay the groundwork so that the empire never lost. In this way, she’d avenge Jupiter and increase her own worth. I have to stay calm. This isn’t the past. It’s the present and for the future. She repeated the thought to herself to give herself the strength to look forward.
Knock, knock.
“My lady, it’s time.”
“I know.” Juno rose from her seat and checked her appearance in the mirror. She looked neat and elegant.
“…You don’t have to do it today,” John said.
“No, I have a plan.”
After one last glance at the mirror, Juno and John went down to the dining room on the first floor. Today was the day she would tell everyone the future of House Sergien. Of course, there are people here who want to take a piece of Peter’s legacy. Juno gave a nod to John. When the door to the dining room opened, high-ranking officials rose from their seats to welcome her. She greeted them before sitting at the head of the table. The dinner began with typical pleasantries.
“The food is quite delicious.”
“The wine is of the highest quality.”
Everyone smiled and spoke to Juno who showed the utmost respect. How funny. On the outside, they were polite to her, but in reality, they were throwing curses at her in their minds. A clueless, twenty-year-old woman who was sold to the alchemist Count Peter Sergien was lucky enough to take his place. It was an easy task to keep an eye on them with the insect dolls. Juno looked at the nobles who were beginning to exchange glances with one another. They wanted her to talk about Peter Sergien’s legacy. Juno put down her fork.
“Allow me to make an announcement,” she said. Originally, she was going to take her time, but with what happened, there wasn’t enough time to prove her worth. This is the only way.
She was going to show the value of her inventions in a splendid manner today.
One of the nobles laughed. “Hahaha, what is it do you want to say?”
“As you know, my husband was an alchemist. John.”
“Yes, my lady.” He brought forth a tray.
“What’s that?” asked one of the officials.
“It’s a new tool, finished before the count passed away.”
On the tray was a black box. Inside was a rectangular object, smaller than a person’s hand.
“The shape is unique, isn’t it?”
Those who once were excited to see Peter’s work had a look of dismay as they stared at the item.
