Chapter 2 (Part 5)

‘The Enemy of the Family’ was indeed a painting worthy of being a Masterpiece. As the pamphlet described, the bold use of colors and brushstrokes was vividly felt even by someone as unacquainted with art as her. It was a painting that exuded an inexplicable power when viewed up close.

But regardless of the painting’s excellence, it didn’t seem like something her mother would like.

The painting, depicting a man stabbing a sword into a tombstone, was overall too heavy. The colors were bold but dark, and the rough brushstrokes conveyed the man’s anger vividly.

But this painting was essential for her plan. Her plan was straightforward. Neutralize the magic of ‘Friendship’ with the effect of ‘The Enemy of the Family.’

The magic of a Masterpiece cannot be broken. But what happens when two unbreakable magics collide? She couldn’t be 100% sure of success, but it was worth a try.

However, her mother was frowning in displeasure. That painting was not to her taste. She counted the money she had. If she was short, how much would her mother lend her? Her mind was a jumble.

“Please start the bidding.”

The auctioneer called out loudly, but few people made offers. Indeed, it was a risky painting to have at home. No one wanted to accidentally become enemies with a guest who visited their home.

It might be an opportunity.

“Yes, number 26 has doubled the bid!”

When she raised the double sign, the auctioneer announced in an exaggerated voice. His effort to change the passive atmosphere of the auction was apparent. His efforts seemed to bring some life back to the auction. The price was gradually rising. It was a tricky situation.

It wasn’t good to ride the wave of gradually increasing prices. She decided to make another bold move.

“Number 26 has doubled the bid again!”

It was a bet with some bluffing mixed in. It was close to her budget limit. If everyone backed down here, it would be fortunate, but if someone countered, it would be a losing game.

“Is there anyone else who wants to bid?”

The auctioneer urged for more bids. Those who had been raising the price gradually seemed to give up and didn’t raise the price further.

“Then, one, two!”

Please let it be.

She prayed earnestly.

“Yes, number 14 has also doubled the bid!”

Her earnest wish wasn’t fulfilled. It wasn’t just an increase; it was a double. She had to give up. She looked around to see who number 14 was.

“Huh!”

At that moment, she heard her mother’s incredulous laugh. Her mother was glaring fiercely at someone. She turned her head to where her mother’s gaze was directed.

The person her mother was looking at was participant number 14. More precisely, it was the head of the Montague family.

Having confirmed the opponent, her mother raised her auction sign.

“Here comes a new bid from number 27! Another double!”

The auctioneer shouted enthusiastically. The auction, which had been going passively, was completely overturned.

“Number 14 doubles again!”

“I can’t lose to Montague.”

Her mother muttered through gritted teeth. She was holding the auction panels she had put down.

A green light was beginning to shine on her plan again.

“Anyway, Montague is incredibly cunning.”

Her mother muttered in displeasure. She followed her mother dejectedly.

The winner of the bidding war was the head of the Montague family. It was only natural. Her mother was the Countess Capulet, but he was the head of the Montague family. The authority to spend was different.

Moreover, her mother had already won ‘The Lovely Person.’ No matter how wealthy the Capulet family was, winning two consecutive bidding wars was unrealistic. Her mother seemed quite upset about it.

“If Montague had intervened from the start when I won ‘The Lovely Person,’ Capulet would never have lost.”

If Montague intended to win only ‘The Enemy of the Family’ from the start, her mother’s resentment was unfounded. But she had no intention of siding with Montague now.

Her plan absolutely needed ‘The Enemy of the Family.’ In fact, that painting was the entire plan. 

Would I have to give up the plan as it was?

She tried to organize her thoughts, which had become complicated. No, it was too early to give up the plan. She didn’t necessarily need to own ‘The Enemy of the Family.’ As long as William and Romeo saw the painting somehow, that was enough. Thinking that way, it was somewhat fortunate that the head of the Montague family won the painting.

The Montague family’s house was ultimately Romeo’s house. It might be much easier to get William to visit the house of his dear friend, Romeo, than to bring him to her house, which he avoided.

Thoughts on how to get William to visit Romeo’s house and how to make the two of them see a painting like ‘The Enemy of the Family’ came to mind in succession, but she cleared her mind neatly. First, think positively. In the ongoing tangled situation, she needed to do so to muster the strength to do something.

She decided on the first thing to do: visit William’s house at dawn tomorrow.

* * *

“Please go back.”

It was already the third time she had been turned away. Perhaps because of the last incident, they didn’t even open the door this time. She could only sigh at the situation she couldn’t do anything about.

“William, I have something to say.”

“Please call me Shakespeare, Miss Capulet.”

His guard was even stronger. It was time to lower her head and go in.

“Mr. Shakespeare, are you planning not to see me anymore?”

There was no answer from beyond the door.

“Then I’ll be on my way.”

“Today…”

As she was about to give up and turn away, a hurried voice stopped her. She halted her steps. It wasn’t intentional, but perhaps the saying “if pushing doesn’t work, try pulling” wasn’t just a saying.

“Today, I’m planning to visit the Montague residence.”

“Then can I come back tomorrow?”

She pierced the opening he showed without hesitation. William remained silent again. It seemed that stopping her was the most he could express.

“I’ll come back tomorrow.”

“…”

“I’ll come back tomorrow, William.”

She drove the wedge in during his silence. She left the Shakespeare residence before he could say words of rejection. It wouldn’t be good to let him think for long. He would likely torture himself with guilt over Romeo and eventually say something like “it’s impossible.” It was truly pitiful to think about the friendship between him and Romeo being created emotions.

“The Montague residence…”

William said he was planning to visit the Montague residence. 

If I waited quietly, would they naturally view ‘The Enemy of the Family’… probably not.

It would be nice if she could somehow infiltrate the Montague family. Since both of them would be in the place where the painting was, if she could just join them, she would be much closer to success. But if the Montagues disliked the Capulets as much as her mother disliked the Montagues, she wouldn’t even be able to cross the threshold of their mansion.

“Come on in, Juliet.”

While pondering how to infiltrate the Montague residence, she found herself back home. Her mother’s face, greeting her, was unusually bright.

“I’m back. Is something good happening?”

“It’s nothing special.”

Despite her answer, her mother’s face couldn’t hide her smile. Seeing her brightened demeanor after being so upset yesterday made her feel good.

“Oh, it seems like something good happened.”

“Yesterday, we won the bid for the ‘The Lovely Person’, right?”

Her mother, unable to resist her prodding, opened her mouth. When she nodded as if to continue, her mother spoke.

“I tried it before meeting your father today. If it went wrong, it would have been better not to check, but curiosity is human nature.”

“That’s right. But seeing you in such a good mood…”

“Yes, your father called my name as usual. Oh my, it made me so happy.”

Her mother blushed like a young girl. Seeing her usually prickly mother with such an expression filled her heart.

“But it’s a bit sad that neither of you saw me.  Isn’t that a bit disappointing?”

“Oh, the second most beloved person is, of course, you. I promise.”

Her mother laughed at her playful complaint. Then she added.

“Soon, you’ll meet the man who loves you the most.”

Her face showed both excitement and a hint of sadness. The man who would love her the most. For now, only the foolish Romeo, who was being swayed by magic, came to mind. Even those were fake emotions. Excluding those fabricated feelings, it seemed like no one would see her as herself after spraying the perfume. It made her a little gloomy.

Wait, what if no one recognizes me? 

Suddenly, a thought popped into her mind. Perhaps this perfume could solve her problem all at once.

Maybe I could infiltrate the Montague family while wearing perfume?

She quickly moved to the room where the Masterpieces were gathered. As expected, her mother’s perfume was there.

“Why is the door open?”

Just as she was about to grab the perfume, her mother’s voice came from outside. Startled, she sprayed the perfume without realizing it.

“Dear?”

Her mother said upon seeing her. Thanks to the perfume, she appeared as her father to her mother.

“What brings you here?”

Her mother asked again. She had no choice but to imitate her father.

“I wanted to try spraying the perfume myself.”

As soon as she uttered the made-up excuse, she was surprised. Her mother widened her eyes in surprise.

“Juliet! It’s you, Juliet!”