Chapter 6 (Part 2)

In front of Rosaline’s mansion, she took a deep breath. Today, she was going to do something unreasonable here. She felt her fingertips getting cold. She calmed her breath once more and called the mansion’s servant. The servant seemed surprised at the unexpected visitor but soon guided her inside the mansion.

“Miss Juliet?”

Rosaline greeted her, who had suddenly come. Her eyes widened in surprise, but she soon regained her composure and seated her in the parlor chair, calling a maid to serve tea. She was slightly impressed by her natural demeanor. She was indeed a woman too good for Romeo.

“What brings you here?”

When the maid brought tea, Rosaline cautiously opened her mouth. Her face showed a hint of discomfort that she couldn’t hide. She bit her inner lip lightly.

“I have a favor to ask.”

Even she thought it was a brazen request. It was already generous of her to let her into her house, and now she was asking for a favor.

“What kind of favor?”

Rosaline asked indifferently. Her discomfort in seeing her was no different, but at least she didn’t reject her outright or get angry. Considering her forced smile and dignified speech, she seemed to be trying her best to treat her with courtesy. She swallowed and opened her mouth.

“Please marry Romeo.”

For a moment, the temperature in the room seemed to drop. Rosaline’s smile had disappeared from her face.

“That’s rude.”

She said in a cold voice. Her face felt hot. She knew well how rude her actions were. But Rosaline was the only one who could solve this situation.

“I believe Romeo loves you. Are you trying to toy with his feelings? Even if not, you don’t have the right to interfere with my marriage.”

There was nothing to criticize about her words. At her calm words, she steadied her trembling heart once more. What she was about to say was far more rude than what she had said before.

“I’ve already rejected Romeo. He’s just under a delusion right now.”

She took out the item she had prepared. It was a small perfume bottle.

“If you spray this perfume, Romeo will see the image of the person he loves most in you. So he won’t hesitate to walk down the aisle with you.”

“Are you telling me to deceive him by pretending to be you and marry him?”

Rosaline’s voice trembled. Anger rose on her face, breaking her cold mask.

“Please leave.”

“Miss Rosaline, please hear me out.”

Rosaline glared at her. Tears filled her eyes, which were filled with intense hatred.

“Are you trying to insult me?”

She shook her head. She had to persuade her somehow.

“That’s not it, Rosaline. Romeo doesn’t love me. He’s under some sort of curse.”

“You’re talking nonsense. Do you find me amusing?”

The story of the Masterpiece still didn’t come out of her mouth. Since she could talk to William about the Masterpiece, she had hoped, but apparently, she still couldn’t tell those who hadn’t realized the magic themselves. Since she couldn’t tell the most important story, the conversation kept skirting around the issue.

“Miss Rosaline, I can’t tell you everything right now, but I promise you this one thing. Once the wedding is over, Romeo won’t love me anymore. He’ll forget he ever approached me and return to being your Romeo. It’s true.”

Rosaline still looked at her with doubtful eyes. But soon, hesitating, she opened her mouth and asked.

“Can you swear on that?”

“Of course.”

She nodded firmly. If this went well, everything would return to how it was. Rosaline took a deep breath and then faced her directly.

“If this turns out to be a lie, I will make sure you pay the price, no matter what. Your proposal is really insulting, and following it is extremely humiliating.”

She declared. She nodded. It was really an unreasonable proposal, even she thought so. Rosaline looked away for a moment and then continued.

“But if I endure the humiliation and insult once and he becomes mine, I think it’s a worthwhile exchange.”

Her eyes trembled pitifully. It was truly a terrible thing to do. She bowed her head sincerely to her.

“Miss Rosaline, thank you so much. And I’m truly sorry for making such rude remarks. Once everything is over, Romeo will wake from the illusion. He’ll return to you, forgetting he ever liked me.”

“It better be.”

Rosaline said coldly, still finding it hard to trust her. She nodded with a bitter smile.

“I’ll contact you again once the schedule is set. I’ll leave this bottle here.”

She placed the perfume bottle on the table. The contents were, of course, ‘The Lovely Person.’

Leaving Rosaline’s mansion, she headed straight to William’s house. Having cast the most difficult actor, she now had to coordinate the remaining tasks.

“Welcome, Miss Juliet.”

William naturally greeted her. Even though she had come back shortly after parting, he wasn’t surprised. Well, it was no longer unfamiliar for her to meet him several times a day.

“Did things go well?”

“Yes, the biggest task is now resolved. All that’s left is to coordinate minor issues.”

“Minor issues?”

William asked with a curious face. She nodded and answered.

“Yes. I’d like to ask for your help with that.”

“What is it?”

“Please tell Romeo that I want a secret wedding with him.”

William’s eyes widened. She continued without hesitation.

“And I’d like you to officiate it. Any excuse will do. Since I met Friar Lawrence recently, I can say I’m still embarrassed to see him because of our conversation. If I say I’m ashamed of being so capricious, he’ll understand.”

At her continued words, William looked at her as if he couldn’t understand.

“Are you thinking of marrying Romeo?”

“Of course not.”

At her firm answer, William looked puzzled. She opened her mouth with a smile.

“William, isn’t a probability of 100 percent truly amazing?”

“Are you talking about the church matter? It’s indeed an unbelievably high figure.”

Even with the sudden change of topic, he answered diligently. She nodded.

“Yes. That’s why I choose not to believe it. A probability of 100 percent cannot exist.”

“Sorry?”

“If 100 percent exists, then it’s no longer a probability. It’s magic.”

“The Masterpiece…!”

William finally seemed to grasp what she was saying, his eyes widening in realization.

Before visiting Rosaline, she had asked William to conduct an investigation. Among the couples married at the church on the outskirts of town over the past 50 years, how many were still living together without separating? William investigated the marriage register kept at the church as she requested. And surprisingly, the result was 100 percent. Her suspicion turned into certainty.

“That’s right. The statue of the Virgin at the church is definitely a Masterpiece.”

Watching Rosaline pray beneath the statue, she recalled something Friar Lawrence had once said.

“No couple who married before that statue of the Virgin Mary has ever parted, sharing eternal happiness.”

If it wasn’t just a simple legend, it was strange. The statue had been in the church for 50 years. It might not seem like a long time, but even if only five couples married each month, that would be 60 couples a year, 600 in ten years, and 3,000 in fifty years. Even without personal intention, there were countless variables that could separate couples, such as family downfall or business relocation. Weren’t she and Romeo also almost torn apart by their families? The fact that not one of these 3,000 couples had separated was truly an unbelievable probability.

“I will marry Romeo and Miss Rosaline in front of that statue.”

“You’re aiming for the same effect as with ‘Friendship,’ aren’t you?”

William spoke in a somewhat excited voice. He was right.

“The ‘Romeo and Juliet’ that makes him love me, the statue of the Virgin Mary that makes him love Miss Rosaline. When these two Masterpieces collide, they will surely break the magic. I just got Miss Rosaline’s cooperation. Disguised as me, Miss Rosaline will pledge eternal love with Romeo. In front of that Virgin Mary statue.”

The plan was perfect. William’s sparkling eyes proved it. He was the greatest playwright of his time. He wouldn’t get excited over just any scenario.

“Can you now arrange a meeting with Romeo? I need to escape from this Masterpiece quickly.”