Romeo and Rosaline - 14

After spending time at the temple, Rosaline did not meet Romeo. Just as she had requested for time to contemplate, he did not show up or send any letters of his own accord. But his words about impatience lingered like a lingering wound.

It was hard to find a way to avoid abandonment in a week’s time. After a lifetime of trying, Juliet had sent her away, and her mother hated her.

As she pondered over this, the day of the banquet arrived.

The central hall of the lavish Capulet mansion had transformed into a ballroom. Beautifully colored flowers adorned every corner, and dozens of servants were bustling around in preparation for the evening banquet.

Fortunately or unfortunately, only the Montague couple and their daughter Angela, who was veiled, participated in the banquet.

In other words, Romeo did not come.

‘Is he just going to let it go like this?’

After the banquet, Juliet would leave with her fiancé, and then it would be Romeo’s turn to be called to the Montague mansion. He claimed to have no patience, but had he already grown tired of her?

It would be nice if he truly grew tired of her, but the lingering unease warned her instinctively. As long as Romeo Montague existed, each day would be as precarious as the frozen surface of a winter lake.

To be honest, he had a knack for making not only her, but others as well, uneasy. It is because Montague’s eldest son, by not attending the dinner, he was being disrespectful to both the Capulets and the royal family who accepted the invitation.

“That guy has always been like this, so don’t be disappointed, Capulet.”

But the prince himself chuckled and spoke.

“He had no manners even on the battlefield. No, in front of him, even a dog would be considered an excellent knight.”

The prince, who seemed to be a hundred times more generous than Romeo, was none other than the younger brother of the crown prince, the fourth prince. He was one of the closest aides to the prince. Having fought alongside Romeo, he skillfully led the dinner of Montague and Capulet with perfect sociability and etiquette.

“I had hoped for a union between the two families through marriage, but thank goodness it didn’t happen. It’s such a waste for Capulet’s daughter, really. He falls short even as a pillar of support, that guy.”

At the prince’s teasing jest, Angela, Romeo’s sister, laughed the loudest and seemed pleased. Even Montague and his wife, Monique, burst into laughter. It seemed that Romeo and the prince had quite a close relationship, and rather than feeling insulted, they seemed to be showing their friendship. Thanks to the prince, the dinner proceeded smoothly.

“But hey, Your Highness. Why is my brother considered lacking even as a pillar of support? I don’t want to admit it, but he stands out in terms of appearance at least.”

Suddenly, a thought occurred to her, Angela raised her eyebrows and asked. In response, the prince shrugged his shoulders.

“Well, if you’re going to be a pillar of support, you should have some skill, but that guy is all talk. He’s even worse than Benvolio.”

“…All talk?”

“What good is it if one has an angelic appearance? They don’t know how to speak kindly and only know how to kill brutally. He even went around searching for perfume, wondering if there was a strange smell coming from him. And when I finally bring it back and give it to him, he got angry, saying things like, ‘This is what you gave me?'”

“Oh my goodness… Could it be that my brother has a woman?”

The prince chuckled softly. His gaze glanced over Rosaline, who was standing in the corner among other attendants.

“Well, Tybalt, why don’t you tell us.”

The prince smiled and called out to Tybalt, who was sitting across from him. The reason he called him so amiably was that Tybalt had also fought alongside them in the past religious war. Beyond being acquaintances, Tybalt, the prince, and Romeo seemed to have a shared history of fighting together.

“It’s hard to imagine that he has a woman. Oh, Lord Montague, I don’t mean to insult the son of a lord. He is an excellent knight, more so than anyone else.”

In response to Tybalt’s cautious words, Lord Montague smiled as if to say it was fine and tilted his glass. Then the prince intervened and raised his glass as well.

“Tybalt is right. He is indeed an excellent knight. So much so that it drives me to envy! That’s why I’ve come all the way here.”

Despite his excessively wide smile, Lord Montague maintained his humble demeanor. Tybalt, who had been quietly observing them, lifted his empty glass and spoke softly.

“Rosaline?”

Rosaline, who had been standing behind them, stepped forward and poured the wine. She felt his gaze brush against her cheek but deliberately avoided making eye contact. Tybalt, dispersing the laughter, offered a small greeting.

“It’s been a while. How have you been?”

“Very well, my lord.”

Now and then, Rosaline resembled Juliet, emanating a gentle aura. He suddenly lowered his head and met Rosaline’s gaze.

“I heard you became a full-fledged priest, and yet you’re here pouring drinks.”

“I haven’t been assigned yet.”

“Juliet says you’re going somewhere nice.”

“Yes, it’s a place so good that it’s beyond my expectations. I think I’ll go to the capital.”

She smiled as she collected the bottles.

“That’s why I’m grateful to be pouring drinks for Capulet.”

“Was that what your mother told you to say?”

Tybalt laughed back at her.

“Let’s catch up later, alright?”

Since such behavior from him was not surprising, Rosaline nodded quietly and stepped back. Tybalt, returning to his serious demeanor, changed the topic of conversation.

“More importantly, Lord Montague. Have you heard the recent rumors?”

As though waiting for this question, the prince also looked at Lord Montague. After a brief hesitation, Lord Montague sighed and sought permission from Juliet.

“It seems someone needs to be silenced.”

“That’s right. Rosaline? Everyone, please excuse us for a moment.”

Following Juliet’s order, Rosaline and the other attendants moved outside the dining hall.

Rosaline found this situation unfamiliar. Normally, if it were Tybalt, he would be trembling in fear of Montague, and when he came face to face with Romeo at the dining table, they fought fiercely with a determination to kill.

But many things had changed since Romeo participated in the religious war. The camaraderie of comrades turned out to be quite remarkable, as evidenced by the prince, Tybalt, and even Romeo building a friendly relationship, addressing each other with familiarity rather than engaging in fights.

Perhaps the discord between the families would end early, and the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet might also disappear.

She couldn’t tell whether she should feel relieved or remain on edge, wondering if another incident would occur.

“The maid will guide you to the ballroom where the party will be held.”

Amid the restlessness, after the dinner ended, the ball, which invited the young nobles and heirs of the Capulet family including Benvolio, began with a waltz. Rosaline, who was standing dazed in a corner, watched Juliet, who was dancing the first dance with the prince.

With her fair white skin and a green dress that complemented her enchantingly, perhaps the most beautiful lady in the entire country. When Juliet Capulet briefly met her gaze, she smiled.

That smile slightly eased the heart that had been crushed in an instant. It was a foolish and lingering sentiment.

On the bright side, it’s not like we’re going to be separated forever when one of us dies, so it wouldn’t hurt to see each other once in a while and share some friendship and affection.

The owner will surely come to see me.

‘There truly isn’t another dog like me.’

It was at the moment when she was looking at the splendid hall with a forced smile, behind the dazzling dancers, she noticed a man standing in a dark corner. His appearance wasn’t clear, but the long silhouette resembling a hunting dog seemed familiar.

No way.

“Rosaline.”

“Mr. Tybalt?”

Her eyes widened at the gentle call. Rosaline quickly composed herself and greeted Tybalt. His black tousled hair and blue eyes, so reminiscent of Juliet, unsettled Rosaline’s composure.

She lowered her head slightly and held back a smile.

“How was the dinner?”

“It was good. Juliet did her best. It didn’t feel uncomfortable being with Montague’s people.”

He scratched his chin and raised the corner of his mouth with a touch of elegance.

“Miss Angela, who will be Montague’s next mistress, is also delightful in a different way, unlike her brother.”

For a moment, he fell silent, lost in thoughts of Romeo. Tybalt, with a strange expression, met Rosaline’s gaze, drawing a smile.

“By the way, you look beautiful today, Rosaline.”

Every time there was a ball or dinner, the attendants had their own attire, but Rosaline wore the outfit given by Juliet. It was a plain design in deep blue, complementing Juliet’s beloved green, with an open neckline and a silhouette that followed the curves of her body, adorned with blue silk.

“Thanks to my lady, I get to wear something like this.”

“It’s been a while since we danced, right? It’s a shame to just stand around.”

Tybalt reached out his hand.

“There’s no rule that says a lady of your rank can’t dance.”

Rosaline hesitated. Her mother despised even the idea of Rosaline exchanging greetings with Tybalt, so she instinctively felt a sense of resistance.

But at the same time, a rebellious spirit rose within her. The nobleman was a person full of kindness, not someone who could manipulate Rosaline like her mother’s bitter delusion. Maybe it’s possible to dance.

She thought the cause of her newfound defiance was the nonsensical words of Romeo, and Rosaline took his hand.

His touch was gentle and warm, leading her to the center of the hall. Just before the music began, they exchanged a few words.

“You’re still as beautiful as ever.”

“You’re the only one who says such things to me.”

“You still have no interest in me.”

“But you have an interest in everyone.”

Feigning surprise, he made exaggerated sobbing noises.

“Oh, my goodness. Rosaline. When I proposed to you when we were children, I was sincere.”

“So you’re referring to when you were seven years old?”

“I was at the prime age.”

His innocence caused Rosaline to burst into laughter. He was as affectionate as Juliet and innocent in his belief that compliments of being charming were the highest praise for a woman.

Really, unlike anyone else.

Wait a minute. Why am I still thinking about Romeo?

“Oh, I knew it would turn out like this. He said he wouldn’t come.”

It was at the moment when the music started. As Tybalt wrapped his arms around Rosaline’s waist, he couldn’t help but say, his gaze following, “There he is, Romeo, dancing with Juliet.”