Not your Romeo and Juliet

s e v e n

"How did it go ?" My mother rushes beside me when I come downstairs.

"I think it went pretty well." I fake smile.

"Is it a yes then ?!" My mother exclaims.

"I guess so." I shrug.

"I'm proud of you, my child." My mother pats my back.

"Thank you." I smile.

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"Tell me more about how the Prince looks." Matilda asks.

She has stayed the entire night in my room asking how the Prince looks, speaks and moves. I wonder why didn't she nominate herself for the Queen. She seems more interested in the Prince than me.

"I suppose I answered that question multiple times by now. You should go to sleep." I reply.

Romeo might be here anytime. Matilda shouldn't be here then.

"I will sleep here tonight. It'll be a 'to-be-bride' party! Let's call Rosaline aswell." She suggests.

"I'm tired. I need solace." I lie.

"Come on! Don't be so stubborn." She insists.

That's when I see a shadow on the balcony. I'm facing the balcony whereas Matilda is facing me and doesn't get the view as I do.

"Matilda I'm tired." I say loudly, praying that he'd hear me and won't talk.

"Why are you shouting? Is something wrong?" She comes by my side.

"Don't." I stop her. If she comes here, she'll see him.

"Fine. But I won't go. I don't want you to sneak out and run away with Romeo. He'll call it off soon."

"Matilda-" I observe Romeo's shadow moving down and slowly disappearing.

"I'm calling Rosaline." She goes out.

I won't be able to meet Romeo tonight.

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"Your wedding will be tomorrow!" Rosaline jumps with joy.

It's been three days since both of them have been sleeping in my chambers. I haven't met Romeo since our wedding day. I feel sorrow at the loss of time we couldn't spent after our wedding.

And then the King announced our wedding yesterday.

"We have a lot to prepare. We need a wedding gown for her and also more beautiful gowns for all the ladies of our house. We need to look beautiful and get the spotlight in front of those Montagues." Aunt Achilla says.

"And we need to pack your dresses. Though you will certainly hire a new designer when you become a Queen, but we can't let you go empty handed." My mother joins the conversation.

"Yes, Aunt dearest. I'll select the best of her dresses and we will go shopping today itself." Matilda cheers.

Everyone is happy except me. I haven't told Romeo about it. I don't want any misunderstandings. I've addressed to him in my drawers which I wish to give to Mercutio but we haven't met much.

Antonio rushes in.

"Tybal- Tybalt was murdered." He utters.

All the hands working in the house stop at the news.

"Wh-What?!" Rosaline springs up and rushes to Antonio.

"It's true, my sister." He answers.

"Who did it ?!!" Uncle Cynthius says with rage.

"That Romeo did." He stutters.

I shutter at the thought. Romeo promised not to use violence, especially not with my family.

"Mind explaining?" My father asks.

"Tybalt was having a conversation with Mercutio. An argument erupted in the middle. When Mercutio started a fight, Tybalt slipped a sword across his chest. Romeo got angry and killed Tybalt." Antonio answers.

Mercutio is dead. And so is Tybalt.

ROMEO killed my brother.

"But the Prince was visiting the market at the time. Upon hearing about the incident, he did justice. He exiled Romeo." He completes.

And now Romeo is exiled.

The prince knows about our affair. Why would he do that?

"I- I need to go." I hurry outside.

"I'll accompany." Matilda says.

"I need to go. Alone. " I erupt at her.

"She'll go with you. We don't know what Romeo might do next. He can cause harm to you as his revenge to the Prince." Rosaline expresses concern.

"I haven't learnt sword fight for fun. I know how to use one when required. Leave me alone." I leave when I complete my statement. No one dares to follow me.

I want to meet Romeo one last time. But I run into Benvolio mid street.

He grabs my arm and faces me when I almost move past him.

"He's gone." Are the only words that leave his mouth.

"No he's not. I need to meet him. Why did he have to kill my brother? He promis-"

"You don't know the whole truth so don't you dare accuse him." He points out with rage. He's a Montague aswell, Romeo's cousin. And Mercutio was his friend too.

"Tell me then." I try to stop the tears from flowing but they don't stop.

"Your brother insulted Mercutio in front of the entire city. He made fun of him for being our friend. He also called him a wild dog who is loyal to his master but whose master will leave him when he gets tired of it. That is a huge insult for a nobleman, Juliet." He pauses.

"And then he pulled out a sword to prove himself. But your brother slid the sword into his chest even before Mercutio could take out his. Mercutio died in front of us. And we couldn't do anything, Juliet. We didn't do anything." He wipes a tear dropping from his eyes.

"Romeo kept his promise. He didn't start a fight. He ended it instead. He defeated your brother in a fair match and killed him. He revenged Mercutio's death. You can't blame him. I would have done if he didn't." He completes.

"And the Prince exiled him? " I ask .

"He punished the only alive person in that fight." Benvolio confirms.

At this instant, tears don't stop coming from my eyes. I sob hard.

"But what's it anyways? You are going to marry that Prince. You will be the Queen of Verona but Romeo serves punishment for your love. It isn't fair."

"That's what you think? " I shout at him.

"That's what we both thought. Mercutio and me. Romeo stayed firm and said he trusted you. But you betrayed him."

"If Romeo thinks like this, we're doomed. I am not marrying the Prince. It's fake. I've made a deal with the Prince. Once he gets the crown, he will announce my marriage to Romeo so that no one can separate us. I'm not a traitor. My only husband will be Romeo." I complete.

"What?! "

"Yes. I need to inform Romeo. I didn't get the chance to tell him about this deal. He needs to know."

"I'll find him. Don't you worry. I'll explain it to him." He says seriously.

"Take this letter to him. It explains the deal with the Prince and few words of trust. Please do me this favour." I plead.

"I'll do anything to stop more deaths." He takes the letter from my hand and leaves.

Romeo, please keep your trust in me.