t h i r t e e n

As soon as I get out of the hall, I think of a place to hide the stone.

Should I hide it easy for the king or at an extremely difficult place for us.

The king couldn't even keep his promise. This is the only chance we get to stay in Verona and see the hatred between our families go away.

I've long wished for that.

I sense something strange. Before I turn, I notice five masked men encircling me.

I try to avoid them and run but they trap me in the centre.

"Let me leave." I say calmly.

"What makes you think we will?" One of them answers.

"It's an order by the Queen. " I answer with authority.

"What might this little Queen do?" Another one replies.

"Separate your head from your body." I shout back.

"Isn't she too bold for a lady?" The first one laughs at his own joke.

"Well I'm the Queen."

"You don't say that." One of them tries to come closer.

"What do you want?" I try to keep my voice sharp, but I cannot.

"Isn't it obvious? The spiritual stone, ofcourse." The man approaching me answers.

I try to think of an escape. It isn't easy. They are all surrounding me. That's when I notice a sword hanging on his waist.

Time to use some sword fighting I've learnt.

When he is closer in my proximity, I grasp the box containing stone hard near my chest and let out the sword.

"Too brave for a lady." Another one lunges towards me.

"Too talkative for a thief." I shout back.

I dodge the few strikes he makes and fight back.

"Defence is better than Attack."

I make that my strategy. I defend myself pretty well, much to my shock.

But suddenly, someone unexpectedly swings the sword behind me and the noise makes me lose my balance.

I compose myself after the Attack and swing back, holding the box with all my life.

"Give up already!" A man strikes so hard that the force vibrates through my hand. I don't let go but the push becomes harder with time.

"Is that how you're taught to behave infront of a lady ?" I hear a familiar voice.

Romeo.

The grip loosens as the man searches for the owner of the voice. Once he spots Romeo, I take my chance.

I turn him around and point my blade on his throat. The blood gushes out of him and reddens by blade.

"Distraction is a key to failure." I tell.

"Using my words then." Romeo smiles at the distance.

I push the man onto the ground and run towards Romeo.

I stand behind him for quite some time, hiding myself so that only my dress is visible from front as I face by back on Romeo's.

"First deadly duel. Ready for it?" He asks from behind.

"I was born ready." I answer turning around.

We both lunge forward and fight with our whole power. Few of them fall down, others fight more. By the end, I'm tired.

One push is all it takes for me to fall into the ground. The box leaves my hand and slides across the floor.

Before I can get up, the man who hit me reaches the box.

"Give it back, you bastard." I yell at him.

"Not when I've fought for it." The man pushes me but a strong hand grabs me from behind.

"Are you alright?" Romeo asks.

"They have the box." I reply.

He leaves me and runs towards the men who have already left.

And I run back to the hall.

.

.

.

"They stole it !" I rush out the words as soon as I reach the hall.

All eyes land on me. Few of them stare at me with wide eyes. Then do I realise that I have some blood on my gloves and gown. But I don't care anymore.

"What happened?" King Esculas runs to me with worry lingering in his voice.

"The-They sto-stole the ston-stone." I say with a sob leaving my mouth.

"Are you alright?" My mother comes to me.

"Yes. But they robbed me. I shouted for help. They had swo-swords but I fought the-them. I tried my bes-best. I couldn't save the stone." At this point, tears roll down my eyes.

"GUARDS ! CHECK OUT THE HALLWAYS AND BRING THOSE BASTARDS TO ME !" King Esculas commands.

"How many were there?" He asks.

"I assume five or six. They wore masks." I answer.

"You did great, Lady Juliet. Perhaps you should rest. I'll handle from here." He pats my back and I nod.

My mother accompanies me to my room.

"Honey, it is fine. The King has sent for guards to search for the thieves. You don't need to feel guilty. As a matter of fact, you tried to fight them. You were brave." She pats my back.

"I think I need some solace. Can you please ensure no one visits me?" I ask her politely.

"Ofcourse, my child. But if you need anything, call me. I'm here." She smiles. I return the gesture.

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"Help me." Comes a small voice from the balcony.

I run and see Romeo struggling to climb up. I hold his rope and pull it till his hands reach the top.

"You know it's dangerous ." I say.

"So is our love." He replies.

"Did you find the thieves?" I ask in turn.

"They escaped. I saw the guards coming so I knew they'd handle it. So I'm here for you." He smiles.

"Thank you for coming there in time."

"You were quite brave. Turns out my teaching paid."

"It did." I smile gently.

He pins me in a similar position like he did last time.

"Do you expect any visitor tonight?" He whispers making shivers go down my spine.

"I don't."

He leans closer and closer till our mouth are inches apart.

"Do I need a consent this time?" He speaks against my ears.

"You don't." I barely let my voice out against the butterflies in my stomach.

"This will be our first kiss since our marriage, wife. " He emphasises wife that makes my butterflies erupt more.

"Yes, my husband." I answer back with the same tone.

He doesn't wait another second before crashing his lips to mine, quenching all the thirst he had suffered all this time. I don't oppose.

My hands instinctively find their way to his neck and he pulls my waist closer, bringing me inside the room.

He pushes me to the wall and cages me with his hands, hovering his lips over mine.

"I was enchanted to meet you." He whispers before kissing me again, more harder, more passionate.

I reciprocate his fire. Our lips move in unison.

I take back when I said our dance was the best moment. This is the best moment. And no one to interrupt us this time.

"Why can't I hold you in the street?

Why can't I kiss you on the dance floor?" He asks, deepening the kiss.

"I wish that it could be like that, why can't it be like that?" I whisper.

"Trust me, I don't wanna live love this way, I don't wanna hide us away." He answers.

"Then I want to kiss you till the dawn, never let you go. Can we stay in this moment forever?" I speak between our kisses.

"As you wish, my queen ." He answers.

That was until someone knocks and I instantly push him away.

"Hide somewhere." I say in terror and he obeys.

After composing myself, I open the door.

MATILDA