Romeo and Rosaline - 22

Sarah, she hadn’t heard her mother’s name in a long time. Sarah. Yes, her mother’s name was Sarah. Although Rosaline could only see his ears and slender cheeks, she could feel his sincerity.

But as a paid employee, he didn’t have a reason to apologize, just a light expression of gratitude would suffice.

“There’s no need for that.”

His shoulders seemed to tremble for a moment. But Rosaline spoke sincerely.

“I want to emphasize again that it is I who should be thankful and consider myself fortunate. I will pray for house Capulet when I go to the temple today as well.”

“Well, if that’s the case.”

Hearing Lord Capulet’s low chuckle, Rosaline poured tea into his empty cup. He gently pressed her hand, which was holding the teapot, as she tried to leave with it, and looked into her eyes once again.

“It’s enough for today, you may go. You must be busy with your temple duties.”

“Thank you.”

Rosaline didn’t refuse and stepped out of the room. When she went to the garden in her priestess attire, Romeo was waiting there as usual. He was leaning against the wall, reading a small book in his hand. As soon as Rosaline came out, he immediately closed the book and embraced her.

“What is it?”

“William recommended this novel for me to read. It’s nothing special.”

He approached her swiftly, pulled her into an embrace, and lightly kissed her lips.

“Rosaline.”

“Since no one’s around, why not?”

Romeo brazenly held her hand and clenched it tightly. The black fabric of his cloak crumpled in his grip.

“Actually, when Rosaline dresses like this, it excites me even more.”

“You’re insane. You’re not worthy of being called Kata.”

“I’m not interested in such titles.”

He kissed Rosaline’s nose and then her forehead, tilting his head.

“Why is your face so chubby? Are you sulking like a goose that had its food stolen?”

“No, I’m not.”

“What did that old man say?”

“Don’t call him an old man. Don’t speak so disrespectfully.”

Playfully reprimanding him, Rosaline grabbed the doorknob of the back door to leave the garden. But he embraced her from behind, preventing her from opening the door. His large hand firmly held her wrist, and his thumb gently caressed the inside of her palm.

“He really didn’t say anything?”

“Were you eavesdropping on us.”

“No, I didn’t.”

He raised his hands to express innocence.

“I swear to God, I didn’t hear anything.”

“…He apologized to me. And to my mother too.”

Rosaline opened the door to signal that it was over. Romeo, who appeared a few beats late, walked beside her and wrapped his hand around her waist, refusing to let go.

“I suppose he’s grateful for you and your mother’s devotion.”

“If he’s grateful, he should’ve said thank you. There’s no need to apologize.”

“There’s no need to be so serious with that little head of yours. I suppose it’s your way of speaking.”

When Rosaline looked up, Romeo lightly kissed her nose.

“If anyone should be sorry, it should be you, isn’t it? You bring Montague’s eldest son into your room every day, acting like a horny dog.”

“Romeo!”

He swiftly covered her mouth, holding her waist tightly, and pressed his tongue against the corners of her lips. Even though he adjusted his breathing to allow her to breathe, he was still intoxicated by her unrefined nature. After her encounter with Lord Capulet, the uneasy feelings had subsided, but not completely.

“Shouldn’t you go to your room and finish apologizing?”

Pressing his erect cock against her thigh and swaying his hips slowly like a lustful dog. Rosaline turned her head, resting her forehead against his pectoral. She didn’t want his lips on hers again.

“Don’t say unnecessary things. I’ve been so tired lately because of you, I can’t even sleep properly.”

“I couldn’t sleep either because of your absence from sucking my dick.”

“What, are you saying?”

“Shouldn’t a man’s seed stay inside a body that’s supposed to belong to a god? While you’re asleep, I…”

“Stop! Stop!”

Terrified, Rosaline covered his mouth with both hands and looked up again, but he chuckled. As she fell for his innocent smile, her lips were stolen once more. Finally, after having their fill, their lips reluctantly parted. Rosaline realized that expressing her anger would only excite him more, so she gently caressed his chin and cheek, trying to soothe him.

“Romeo, I really have to go. Today, without the priest around, I have to prepare everything.”

“…Ha.”

He held Rosaline tightly, as if to confirm his understanding, and whispered in her ear.

“Do you know how difficult it is to guard an empty room while you’re gone?”

Being alone in a room without Rosaline, only smelling her scent on the remaining sheets, was enjoyable for a day or two. She hadn’t let him follow her around since the fight, and Romeo was becoming restless and almost going insane.

It was the first time he’d been this close, since a long time.

“…You’re a Montague, is there really nothing else for you to do?”

“You speak so heartlessly.”

He wanted to chew her out. Romeo sighed and was about to let go when her hand brushed lightly over his forearm.

“Romeo, are you really going to stay in the room until I come back?”

“Yes.”

“Alone?”

“Yes.”

Romeo stifled a laugh as he watched Rosaline slowly wrap her arms around his neck. So foolishly, Rosaline felt sorry for him. It was like a rabbit pitying a lion, but even more foolish than the rabbit-like Rosaline was Romeo himself, who choked himself with vague sympathy.

“Romeo, how about I write a letter for you?”

“A letter?”

“If you’re going to stay in my room like this, I’ll write a letter that you can read. You sleep in late, after all.”

Romeo wasn’t someone who slept in late. All he could do was steal a glance at Rosaline, who woke up first, slipping out of his arms and getting ready for the day.

When Rosaline just woke up, she would shyly behave and sit up, gazing at him for a long time. After covering him with a blanket, tidying his messy blonde hair, playfully tapping his cheek, she would finally get up from the bed.

Then, she would dress neatly, tightly tying up her hair in a way that felt suffocating. To others, it may have seemed modest, but to Romeo, the sight was as provocative as it could be. He couldn’t afford to miss such a raw and captivating view.

Occasionally, when she kissed his forehead and left, he would remember that she had done the same with Juliet, and jealousy and desire would bubble up inside him. He promised himself that he would never speak of these emotions until his dying breath and put on a cheerful smile.

“Alright, Rosaline. I’ll look forward to it.”

Rosaline, who expected him to scold him for what kind of letter it was, blushed. She felt delighted that he didn’t detach himself from her and even walked with her to the temple. Come to think of it, although Romeo had visited the temple on his own in the middle of the night, it was the first time they went together during the day.

“You haven’t seen the temple in daylight, have you?”

“No, I don’t come here just to see it.”

Romeo glanced at the old temple and sulked.

“It’s dreadful at night, and its even worse during the day. The city is prosperous, but the temples are crumbling.”

“Ah…”

It did give off an impression that made one sigh involuntarily. The surroundings of the temple were filled with dense trees, and there were quite a few parts of the inner and outer walls that were worn and cracked. The air around was always damp like it would rain at any moment, and just like Rosaline, Lawrence also stays at a separate house in the city, creating a sense of emptiness.

“It’s not that bad.”

“It is. It could collapse suddenly without seeming strange.”

Romeo seemed hesitant about Rosaline coming to the temple.

“Don’t worry too much.”

She took hold of the tips of his index and middle fingers and led him inside. Leading him who pretended to follow along, she took him to the back where they could see the entire scenery of the temple. He could see the stained-glass windows, taller than a tree, and the sculptures of the god Kata.

The carving of the god Kata, with its long staff, looked down below as if it were the sun itself. On the large altar supporting the statue, there were neatly arranged candles, flowers, and various sculptures.

It was tranquil yet beautiful, with just the right amount of grandeur.

“The interior is sturdy, isn’t it? We take good care of it, especially during celebrations and masses when many people come and go. And the view outside the window is also worth seeing.”

At that moment, dusky clouds seeped into the brown branches. The pale, hazy afternoon sun passed through the branches, casting shadows on the god Kata’s sculpture. Rosaline, who couldn’t take her eyes off it, whispered.

“I’ve felt more comfortable here than in my room at times.”

She drew a faint smile with her dry lips.

“When I looked at the god Kata here, I didn’t feel alone. I felt like I had a friend…”

“…….”

“You can laugh if you want. Oh, right!”

Lost in her words, Rosaline didn’t let go of his hand and led him to the back of the altar. Then she kneeled down.

As Romeo sat down beside her, Rosaline pointed to the back of the altar. Carved on the long altar was a rippling sea, and above it, a plain circular shape was engraved.

“I found out through studying that at first, I thought this circle represented the sun. But it’s…”

“Tiber.”

Romeo’s hand touched the sculpture. He couldn’t take his gaze off the altar and gently caressed it as if he were touching someone he dearly missed. It was the first time Rosaline had seen him with such an expression. A look she recognized from her own eyes when she looked at Juliet.

“Yes, Tiber, the god of the moon.”

Feeling like she was stealing glances at him, Rosaline lowered her gaze hesitantly.

“Since the symbol is the same circle, I think the architect mistakenly placed the sculpture of the god Kata directly on the altar.”

“…So the god Kata is not alone.”

Although he was mostly unkind, when he whispered softly like this, it felt as though he was caressing her with his words. Rosaline nodded her head.

“Yes. That’s why I sometimes leave flowers here for Tiber when the god Kata is alone. If the priest finds out, he would scold me… So I’m keeping it a secret.”

“Rosaline, really…”

“…….”

“It’s a childish idea.”

It was a valid statement, but it was difficult to hide her awkwardness. She wanted to retort, but Romeo’s stern gaze made her words die in her throat. He gently gathered Rosaline’s scattered hair on her frowning forehead and kissed her.

“It’s utterly disrespectful.”

His gaze landed on her lips. Knowing what it implied, she closed her eyes as if she was under a spell, but she heard a hearty laugh.

“Weren’t you here to clean?”

“…!”

“You have so much work to do, yet you’re busy indulging in a kiss. I guess trying it once has made you fearless. You’ve truly fallen, Rosaline.”

He pressed firmly on her lips and left a mark, then stood up and took off his cloak. As he unbuttoned his shirt, his strong arms were revealed.

“Well, I can’t say anything about being disrespectful since I’m just as guilty.”

“Romeo…”

“I’ll help. Let’s finish quickly.”

His ears were tinged with red as he stood up. Was he feeling embarrassed too? Suppressing the urge to tease him, Rosaline stood up and started cleaning, following his instructions.