t w e l v e

"Do you take Lady Juliet as the new Queen of Verona? " The priest asks the crowd.

The crowd erupts with a loud yes.

" With the Almighty God and the people as witness, I declare Juliet as the new Queen of Verona. May you receive power, knowledge and might to protect the kingdom and help it develop."

So yes. I've been crowned the Queen.

Few hours ago, King Esculas gave me the bracelet. I hid it in my long sleeves and covered it with my gloves. He also gave me the poison he informed me about.

As the prospective Queen, I was dressed in a long navy blue gown with full sleeves and boat neck embroidered by black and golden threads in the form of flowers. The best part, it has pockets! I wear short white gloves that reach just about the end of my sleeves. My jewelry is made out of pearls and diamonds. My hair is tied in a tight bun with few strands coming out.

The former Queen places her crown on my head.

"You'll be an incredible Queen." She says.

"I'll try." I lie.

The former Queen looks at both me and King Esculas and places her palm on both our cheeks.

"You will be an invincible duo. Take good care of each other and the kingdom. You have my blessings." She smiles.

I feel guilty for lying to such a trustful soul as hers. But it's important.

"You both already look like an invincible couple to me." The former King adds, coming by the former Queen's side.

I notice how similar my and King Esculas's dress are. He is wearing the same shade of blue as mine and has black boots black gloves to match them.

"Let's hold a toast for our new Queen!" My brother, Antonio announces and everyone raises their glasses.

"To the new King and Queen of Verona!"

Sounds of the glass clicking surround the halls. Many people come to visit us and give their blessings and congratulations. It is a political event afterall.

The night goes on with glamour. There are dances, music and clowns to keep us entertained.

"Spare me a dance, my queen? " Romeo offers his hand.

I look over at King Esculas and he nods.

So I take Romeo's hands.

The music begins slowly and we slow dance with other couples on the floor.

"You look ethereal." He comments.

"So do you." I smile.

We dance some more and I look up at him, eyes glimmering with happiness. I don't wish this night to ever end. We don't have to hide this time. It's just a Queen and a very important nobleman for the crowd.

But for me, it's my world.

"This night is flawless, isn't it?" I ask innocently.

He chuckles. "Sure it is. Unless you let it go."

"I won't."

The music stops and so do we. The farewell being harder than him going to exile.

My sisters approach me and I unwillingly excuse myself.

"How does it feel to be a Queen then?" Rosaline asks.

"Ofcourse amazing! Look at her dress, jewellery and how can we forget the crown!" Matilda chirps from my side.

"It's good." I lie.

"Don't stress about the responsibilities. I know you'll be the best. I'm here if you need help." Rosaline offers.

"Thank you, sister." I smile at her.

"And no thanks for me? I nominated you for the marriage. Show some gratitude lady." She jokes.

"Mind how you talk with the Queen. " King Esculas joins us.

"Your majesty." Both Rosaline and Matilda bow. I don't have to anymore.

"Don't the noble ladies know how to take a joke?" The King puts his arm around my waist. I squeeze my body tighter.

"Anyone would be scared if THE KING comes and tells such a controversial joke." I answer to which he gives a soft laugh.

And at that moment I realise why he's actually here.

I told him about Matilda few days back and he felt bad for me. He understood how my marriage was proposed without my consent.

And he's trying to show them their place.

"You don't have to, your majesty. They are my sisters." I whisper to him.

"But I loved that. I wanted to try some power." He answers.

Suddenly the King's demeanour shifts and I notice a couple walking towards us.

"Please excuse us, ladies. Enjoy the night." He takes me with him.

"We are pleased to give the stone to such a worthy couple." The man says and I don't even take a second to realise that it must be the King of Iran.

"Thank you for your presence tonight." King Esculas greets the King and Queen of Iran.

"You look stunning!" The Queen compliments me.

"So do you." I respond.

"The spiritual stones were discovered recently. They are mentioned in numerous ancient books of Asia. Each stone represents the continents. It is predicted that there are more continents than to our knowledge." The King explains.

"To maintain the balance of the energies all across the world, the stones need to be placed in their respective places. We have chosen your kingdom for Europe considering your safety and development. We expect the best." The Queen completes.

"We'll surely do our best." King Esculas affirms and I nod.

"Here." The Queen brings out a box and opens it.

Inside resides a small stone. Small is the only characteristic resembling a stone. It is blood red in colour, like a Ruby and reflects most of its light. From one look, it is evident that it possesses supernatural powers.

"It's beautiful." I lift my fingers to touch it but the Queen shifts the box.

"Let us give you the guidelines first." She says.

"The stone should not be touched with bare hands in normal circumstances. When touched, it radiated energy which can only be contained by a strong bond, such as a couple. Both of you need to keep this stone between your bare palms only when required. " King of Iran adds.

"Let me hold it then." King Esculas offers.

"There is a traditional mentioned in the historical text." The Queen stops his motion.

"What is it?" I ask curiously.

"Remember, curiosity killed the cat." The former Queen of Verona comes in view.

"Yes your majesty." I bow.

"You don't have to do that now. You are the Queen. Call me mother instead." She smiles.

"Yes, mother."

The word mother toiling on my tongue.

"We were talking about the ritual." King Esculas returns the conversation back.

"Oh yes! The ritual states that wife should hide the stone in their home and the husband needs to find it. If he fails, the stone remains in the wife's possession. But if the husband wins, he gets the stone." The Queen quenches my curiosity.

"Isn't that stupid? We are all adults, so why to play such a childish game?" King Esculas asks impatiently.

"If a man shows disinterest in the game, then it means his ego is more than the spirit. It fails the purpose of the stone. Spirit." The king answers this question.

"Shall we begin then?" Mother asks with excitement.

"Here, take the stone." Queen of Iran hands me the box. The reflecting Ruby shines with power, urging me to touch it. But I resist the temptation.

"Keep it somewhere nearb--" King Esculas is cut off by the King of Iran.

"No cheating! This ritual is solely based on your understanding as a couple, to balance each other's energies." He shushes the King.

"I hope now the mystery of your urgent marriage is clear." The Queen smiles.

"It is."