s i x

I've been waiting for Romeo the entire night. He didn't come. I lost all hope and went back to my bed to cherish some sleep before the dawn.

Just before the Sun rose, I heard a knock on my window. With sleepy eyes, I looked up and noticed a silhouette which I instantly recognised as Romeo's.

I heard the knock again. I rose up and checked my appearance before opening the window to my balcony.

"Apologies for being late, my love. I had some matters to attend to. I received your note a bit late into the night by Mercutio." He explains.

Only Mercutio and Benvolio know about our love. And now, much to my dismay, Matilda does too.

"What happened?" I ask.

"A fight broke in one of the taverns. I went there to sort it out."

"Or to engage in the fight?" I take a closer look and slightly touch the bruise near his eyebrows which the darkness of the night hid. He flinches at my touch.

"I've promised you I won't fight anymore, my love. And because I didn't fight back, I got hurt."

"I told you not to begin a fight. You can always use self defence. At this rate you might get killed!"

"You never mentioned it that way."

"Now I did." I answer.

"Well, why did you summon me, darling."

I blush at his remark. He has never called me darling before.

"Ah-uhm." I stammer and try to recompose myself.

"Matilda found out about us." I begin.

"What?" All the colours fade out of his face.

"Yes, she did. And she warned me about the consequences."

"What are those 'consequences' ?" He asks with utter curiosity.

"Sh- she convinced my father to send," I pause, hesitant to continue. "- to send a marriage proposal to the-" I sigh deeply.

Romeo urges me to continue through his gaze.

"To the Prince. And I've received the reply today. He wants to meet me. I've made it to his final list of prospective brides. I don't wish to marry him, Romeo. Please find a solution. I've always loved you." I complete breathlessly.

Instead of answering immediately and showing displeasure, Romeo thinks for a while, analysing the situation.

"You can explain it to him." He says after a while.

"Are you out of your mind? If he finds out about our affair, he'll inform it to our parents."

"No, my love. Not if you marry me." He replies.

"What are you trying to say?" I ask him.

"We'll get married tomorrow. Then you can put our case in front of him when you meet him. If we get married, he can't break our bond. He's a considerate person. He'll understand and support us. Our marriage will end the hatred crept into our families' heart since many years." He completes.

"But we can't marry so soon. How will we convince our parents?"

"We won't. We'll inform them after our marriage. Then, they won't be able to separate us, ever." He replies.

"Who will marry us?" I ask.

"My friend, Friar Laurence." He answers.

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"I need to go to the market, mother dear. I'll be back soon." I inform my mother.

"Why don't you ask one of the servants?" She asks.

"I haven't been out since a long time. It'll help me feel fresh before meeting Prince Esculas." I lie.

"Alright my child. Atleast let one of the servants accompany you." She insists.

"I'll be fine on my own, mother. I'll return before lunch." I stay firm.

"If you insist. Don't be late." She smiles.

"I won't."

.

.

.

I sneak into the church from behind. Romeo and Friar await me. Romeo hands me a white veil to wear during our ceremony and also gives me a bouquet.

"I wished for the best marriage for you, my love. But under these circumstances, this is the best I can do." His eyes are guilty.

"The best part being you marrying me."

"It certainly is." He smiles back.

"Shall we begin the ceremony?" The priest asks.

.

.

.

"In the name of God, do you, Sir Romeo Montague, take Lady Juliet Capulet, to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until parted by death." Friar asks Romeo.

"I do. " He answers smiling at me.

"In the name of God, do you, Lady Juliet Capulet, take Sir Romeo Montague, to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until parted by death." The Friar's question is directed to me this time.

" I do." I smile at Romeo.

"Lady Juliet Capulet and Sir Romeo Montague, bear witness to the love of God in this world, so that those to whom love is a stranger will find in you good and generous friends. By the power vested in me by God and man, I pronounce you wife and husband. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. You may now kiss the bride." Friar announces to the empty hall accompanied by only the three of us and Romeo's friends, Mercutio and Benvolio.

Awaited for this moment since last three months, we finally kiss and sound of hands clapping, although small, surrounds us.

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The city of Verona doesn't change much after our marriage. But us being married changes a lot of things.

After our ceremony, I leave Romeo to return back to my house. Rosaline helps me get ready for my acquaintance with the Prince.

Nobody knows about my marriage, but I do. I feel like I'm betraying my husband.

Husband. Directing the title to Romeo gives me butterflies. I try my best to appear composed in front of everyone.

Once I reach the palace gate, I get a strange feeling.

I've sneaked here many times with Romeo. But this is the second time I'll be visiting it officially. The first time was when Prince Esculas was declared as the next heir.

"Prove your worth. You are the best among all noblewomen, my child. Act like a lady - elegant, calm and smart. Show him that you are worth being his Queen." My mother instructs me as I make my way towards the entry hall.

Once we reach the end, we are greeted by the Queen of Verona. My mother and I bow to pay our respect. Father went to greet the King personally.

"I've heard rumours about your beauty." The Queen smiles. "But now I'm sure they are no rumours. You are incarnation of Goddess Aphrodite herself, Juliet dear."

I courtesy at her remark. "Having gotten a compliment from the infamous beauty as yourself, my Queen, I take it as my honour."

"You're well versed, I see. My son Esculas awaits your presence."

She guides me towards the staircase. Then she urges me to go alone. I do.

I open the door to see the back of the Prince as he watches out of his window. I creep into the room.

"Your highness." I courtesy.

He turns around to face me. I've seen him plenty of times. He solves most of the fights between the Capulets and the Montagues. He smiles at me.

"Lady Juliet." He says with a lingering curiosity as if he wishes a confirmation.

"Yes, your highness." I reply.

"You may rise."

I stand in front of him. He looks at me and I suppose he wonders how to begin the conversation.

"My Prince," I begin. "Pardon my behaviour. The land has heard numerous stories of your justice. I come to plead my case."

"Interesting."

"Uhm- Your highness, I request your intelligence. I may seem like a perfect Queen for you but I don't desire to be one. I've loved only one man my entire life, and I don't wish to betray him." I pause. "I might have aswell got married to him today." I finish.

"Pardon? You mean you have already married without the knowledge of your family?" He asks with curiosity.

"Yes, your highness." I affirm.

"That's news to me. May I know who your husband is?" He asks.

"Romeo Montague, your highness."

"Romeo Montague!" He asks in shock. "You know how it may affect your life when your father finds out?" He eyes me.

"Trust me, I know. That's the reason it's a secret till now." I answer.

"So you want me to keep it a secret aswell and to decline your father's offer of marriage?" He rubs his chin, thinking.

"Yes, I do."

"I have a deal, lady Juliet." He looks up to meet my eyes. " Let's get married."

"Pardon? I think I just told you my story. I'm already married!"

"Exactly. So another marriage will remain invalid."

"Why don't you find yourself a real Queen?"

"Because I can't. As you have dedicated your life to your lover, so have I. But my lady doesn't belong to a noble class. Our marriage would be impossible with the current laws. Once we get fake married, I will be crowned the King and get the spiritual stone . I can change the laws then. I get to marry my lover. In return, I'll declare your marriage and become a witness. If a King witnesses your marriage, it will be invincible. It's a win-win." He answers.

"Can I trust you?" I crease my brows.

"I'll give it in written with my stamp."

Prince Esculas brings a sheet of paper and writes the words he had spoken. Then he puts his stamp and hands the document to me. After reading it thrice, I put my signature on it.

It's official. I'll be marrying the Prince.