Not your Romeo and Juliet

e l e v e n

My new balcony is quite big and has some plants in the surroundings. It also has a small table centred beside a chair.

"You shouldn't have chosen this room." He says.

"Pardon me, why?"

"I couldn't find a ladder to reach so high. I had to use a rope. Dodging the guards of the palace wasn't easy aswell. I could have fallen down midway and--"

"You're here. For me." I smile at him.

"I am." He gives a sad laugh.

"A rose for a secret?" I ask him.

"I figured that out." He takes out a rose from his pocket and gives it to me. I accept it.

"It's a misunderstanding. Didn't you get my letter through Benvolio?"

"A letter? I didn't get no letters from you. Not did Benvolio visit me. He isn't even in Verona. I heard he went to Paris." He asks in surprise.

"He did. He was supposed to meet you after that. But since the ceremony began early, I assume he couldn't." I answer.

"So what's the issue with the Prince?"

"He needs the spiritual stone. In return, he'll declare our marriage official. I just need to pretend till he owns that stone."

"So you haven't married him?"

"I'm loyal to you and only you, Romeo."

"Then," He creeps closer to me, pinning me to the balcony with both his hands on my opposite sides. "This is the first time we meet as a married couple." He chimes in my ears.

"It is." I whisper.

He looks at my lips and then in my eyes.

"Do I need to kiss you right now?" He whispers making shivers go down my spine.

"You may." I answer.

He leans closer and dips his head till his nose touches mine.

"You looked like a Goddess tonight. I wish I could kiss you when you were dressed in the prettiest of all. I wish I could claim you infront of the entire town." He mutters before he creeps closer and closer till our lips are inches apart.

I speak when he is just about to kiss me.
"Even I don't want to keep secrets just to keep you."

"Not once all this is over."

Then we hear a noise and I look instantly at the door. From behind the curtains of the balcony, I see King Esculas turn away seeing our position.

"I didn't mean to interrupt, but I assumed you wanted an explanation." He says.

I push Romeo away and he snickers at my effort. Then he releases me.

"My king." I bow. After my greeting, he turns around and finally enters the balcony.

"Congratulations on your marriage." The new King greets us.

"Thank you, your majesty." Both of us bow.

"I see you've done quite a job climbing up." He smiles.

"Yes I have." Romeo smiles.

That's when we hear footsteps approaching my room.

"I should leave." Romeo pecks on my lips before going down.

Before I can react, King Esculas pulls me and pins me in the exact way Romeo did but keeps some distance from me.

He dips his head closer and just when I'm about to push him, the door creeps open.

"Oh my God!" The door closes immediately.

After the remark, King Esculas retreats and nudges his head down the balcony.

"Thought he needed some time to reach down." He smiles.

"Thank you King." A voice comes from below.

Only after ensuring Romeo safely returns to the ground do we go to check who was at the door.

It is the former Queen.

"I did not mean to interrupt you both. " She gives an accusing smile. "I thought I could have a talk with you. Did not expect our new King here." She emphasises the word 'King'.

"I'll take my leave then." King Esculas leaves.

"Apologies." The Queen yells down the hallway.

"Please come in." I offer the Queen.

"Yes my child. You were absolutely amazing tonight." She praises.

"Thank you, your majesty." I reply.

"How long do you wish to postpone your coronation?" She asks.

"Till I --"

"Please have it sooner. We need the stone to remain in power."

"How is my coronation connected to the stone?" I ask curiously.

"Well, King and Queen of Iran will give the stone only after the coronation of the new Queen of Verona."

"Why is it necessary for me to get coronated?"

"Because, the stone can only be activated by the powerful love of a couple - such as you both. A married couple." She answers.

"I understand, your majesty. I'll discuss this matter with the King." I answer.

"You will, surely no doubt do more than just talking." She chuckles and leaves.

Right. I need to talk with the KING.

.
.
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"I was told otherwise. Had I known about the process to activate the stone, I wouldn't have made the deal." The King says.

"And what about it now? How do you plan to modify the deal?" I ask.

"I cannot promise the announcement of your marriage. Neither can I marry the woman I love." He pulls his hair and then sits on a chair.

"No announcement? So am I supposed to pretend to be your wife my entire life? No."

"I have an alternative." He stands up.
"You can run away with Romeo. I'll handle the matters here." He offers.

"And allow people to question my loyalty? Not that option either." I huff.

"Fine. One more option. I have a not-so-deadly poison. Anyone who drinks it appears to be dead. But in reality, the person is not. It just reduces the speed of breath and makes you unconscious for a while. Take it. We'll act as if you died and then I can't marry anyone else because I loved you. Then I'll bring the lady I love and they won't be able to object it." He completes.

"And then I can run away with Romeo to another place as he is exiled too." It started to make sense.

"Yes. But the plan should take place after the coronation. Otherwise I won't be able to receive the stone till I remarry." He adds.

"But won't me getting crowned violate the holiness as I'm not your wife." I ask.

"There is a bracelet I've heard of. If someone wears it, the vows they make are not accepted by the almighty. I can arrange one for you."

"So I'm getting fake crowned aswell?"

"Sadly, yes."

I nod and the King leaves.