Romeo and Rosaline - 24

In the morning, there was a lot to prepare, so Rosaline’s letters to Romeo were generally simple. Starting with the cliché greetings of wishing him a good day, she sometimes added subtle criticisms or excerpts from books that resonated with their relationship. At such times, Romeo would eagerly share the contents of the letter when Rosaline returned, offering various comments and requests, ranging from praising the content to asking for longer letters.

Now, after ten days had passed, as soon as she entered the room, he swiftly grabbed her waist and planted a kiss on her cheek.

“Today’s letter was too short. You told me to take care of myself. Do you think I’m starving?”

Lately, he had been accompanying her when she went out, and they would come back together at the designated time. It was a fortunate turn of events, he thought, that her mother’s scrutiny had intensified. Rosaline pushed his unyielding arm aside and gave him a sidelong glance.

“If you want more thoughtful letters, Romeo, you should also write back.”

He had no choice but to remain silent. She was questioning why he didn’t write letters in return. In response, he swiftly embraced Rosaline. Sitting her down on the bed, Romeo knelt down and removed her shoes. The sequence of actions, including soaking her feet in the prepared water, felt natural and swift.

“It’s dirty.”

“It’s fine.”

“You’re just trying to change the subject, aren’t you?”

“……”

Throughout the day, Romeo meticulously washed the small and rough feet that fit in one hand, despite the feet never being dirty. When he first touched her feet, Juliet was startled, but she let him continue as he insisted.

“I’m not good at writing.”

After washing her feet for a while, he spoke.

“Even if I write, all I can talk about is how well we finished the mass after defiling the altar together.”

It was truly a terrible excuse, but for some reason, Juliet couldn’t believe it. She looked down at him with a suspicious gaze as he carefully wiped her feet.

“So, you’re telling me that Romeo is all talk?”

“…Yes.”

“Do you know that your lies are more apparent in your eyes?”

“……”

He blinked, like he hadn’t expected that at all. Of course, it was a lie, but Rosaline had no intention of honestly revealing it. She herself didn’t know the habit of Romeo lying whenever he did.

“…I can’t write.”

Rosaline was surprised by his unexpected answer. His lips stiffened even more.

“What?”

“I do know how to write, but I’m not good at it. I can’t write as beautifully and neatly as you do. It’s awkward and lacks eloquence, so even if you receive it, it will only make you feel bad.”

“That’s called having bad handwriting.”

As if no longer wanting to talk, Romeo pushed the bowl of water he had brought aside and climbed onto the bed, embracing her. It seemed like the right answer. Rosaline wriggled with sparkling eyes.

“Just a moment, Romeo. Take a look at this, okay?”

“……”

He was indifferent. Holding Rosaline’s waist and burying his face in her belly, he didn’t show any expression. When Rosaline saw his broad back and his legs folded uncomfortably on the small bed, she couldn’t help but laugh.

She bent her waist and whispered into his ear, brushing aside the blond hair that covered it.

“I’ll help you so you can write beautifully.”

His head turned slightly. His eyes and cheek were visible. His black pupils slowly rolled and stared intently at Juliet, as if urging her to say more.

“When I leave Verona and live in the temple, I won’t be able to see you every day. By then we’ll have to exchange letters.”

“…Hmm.”

“I won’t be offended no matter what you say, okay? I’ll teach you… Ah!”

Romeo suddenly threw off the blanket and got up. In the deep darkness, he passionately embraced her and kissed her fervently. He explored deeply, nibbling on her tongue and controlling their breath. Only after enjoying themselves to the fullest did he press his forehead against hers and laugh.

Although she couldn’t see it properly under the blanket, she could easily imagine his eyes twinkling with laughter and his lined dimples.

“I’m helping you, so come on down.”

“Let’s do it tomorrow, I’ll wake up early.”

“Then don’t bother me. Go to bed early and wake up early.”

As he moved down to kiss her neck, Rosaline pushed his head away. As expected, he didn’t even budge.

“Rosaline, please don’t push me away like that.”

Romeo pitifully pressed his cheek against her chest.

“I’m upset that I haven’t been the dog guarding your room lately. You have to understand.”

Indeed, there were times when she came into the room before him. If she waited a little, Romeo would climb through the window and enter. She stroked his hair and asked.

“Are you very busy? What’s the matter?”

“…There was something I had to deal with because the prince was being annoying.”

“You’re not going to tell me what it is?”

“It’s really something useless. If things get noisy around here soon, just ignore it.”

He frowned and clenched his jaw.

“Not being able to see you is the biggest hardship for me.”

Romeo brushed her forehead and raised the corners of his mouth.

“So I’ll bother you a little.”

In the end, Rosaline couldn’t help but laugh. She let him do as he pleased. Amidst the impending frenzy, Rosaline reminded herself that Juliet’s arrival was not far off. With the limited days that couldn’t be undone, she clung to him, tormenting him more than necessary.

It felt like an unquenched thirst. Please, dear God, don’t take away my little rebellion.

Rosaline earnestly prayed.

* * *

Rosaline had arranged a carriage and was waiting for Lord Capulet, as he had some business to attend to out of town. She thought he would come out soon, but the messenger informed her that Lord Capulet would be late due to an urgent dispatch. Anticipating a long wait, Rosaline couldn’t resist and took out a letter, braving the dry wind. Carefully unfolding it, she was reading each letter, engrossed in the content, when a cheerful voice echoed in her ear.

“Rosaline, why are you smiling while reading? Lately, you’ve been acting strange.”

It was the young servant who had come out with Lord Capulet. Startled, Rosaline quickly folded the letter and put it back in her pocket.

“It’s a postcard that the lady sent me.”

It was a lie. Juliet, perhaps due to her busy travels, rarely sent letters except for the first few days. What she held in her pocket was a letter Romeo had written to her over the past few days. It was short and sloppy, but incredibly lovely…

“Oh, well. So you miss the lady? I’m not sure if I should say that that’s special.”

The young servant, who had recently started working in earnest following his father, the old servant, loved to meddle despite his timid and outgoing nature. But because he had such a young face, nobody in the mansion disliked him, and Rosaline was no exception.

She smiled without much enthusiasm.

“Yes, I missed her.”

It was true that she missed Juliet Capulet. When she saw her father at work or when she tidied up her empty bedroom and study every day, Rosaline longed for her. She didn’t send many letters, worried it might be a burden, but she made sure to send them twice a week.

“At least she’ll come before winter arrives.”

“It’s already been over a month since she left. It’s already autumn.”

Instead of nodding, he smiled.

“You’re quite something. Longing for your mistress amidst changing seasons. Kata would be jealous of you.”

Not Kata, but another man was jealous of her. And she spent nights with that man every day. Looking back, it was absurd. Juliet used to fall asleep in Rosaline’s embrace at this time of year, without fail.

But that’s not all. There was a time when Juliet first thought humans were warm in her childhood bed. But not long ago, she felt her room was warm for the first time in Romeo’s arms.

So many things had happened in just a couple of months. Romeo’s letters, kept inside her coat, felt solid and hot.

It had been a few days since he wrote her a short letter. Most of them said, ‘When will you come home?’ ‘Your eyes shine brighter than gold, worth more than jewels,’ ‘If you need money, sell my hair’ They were surprisingly casual or nonsensical. Still, it was amusingly consistent that he insisted on adding “To Rosaline, from Romeo” to adhere to the letter’s format.

But today, the content was slightly different.

[To Rosaline, who is also busy today.

Remember, you are my final destination.

Your Romeo].

“Destination…”

With a wry smile, she thought of the letter, and Lord Capulet appeared from the entrance of the mansion. Rosaline greeted him, carrying the prepared luggage. But instead of immediately getting into the carriage, he took the luggage from Rosaline and stopped.

“Rosaline, it would be better if Juliet could deliver this directly to you, but since my daughter isn’t here, I think I should give it to you.”

“Yes? What…?”

“And I’m sorry for already opening it.”

Lord Capulet took out a book from his arms. At the edge of the paper, there was a wax seal that had already been torn and reattached. It bore the clear emblem of the Capulet family.

It was a decision made by the central diocese regarding Rosaline’s residence.

With trembling hands, Rosaline received the letter and read its contents.

Unable to contain himself while observing her complexion, Lord Capulet spoke with a reminiscent tone.

“You’ll be going to the capital temple instead, Rosaline.”

Her first thought was that Juliet would be able to come more often since the capital is close to Verona. And if it’s the capital, there will be more ways for Romeo and her to meet in secret.

“Fortunately, you’ll be able to say your final goodbyes to Juliet.”

Capulet took out a long box from inside his coat. When she opened it, there was a fountain pen inside. It was old but well-maintained and seemed to be of excellent quality at a glance.

“It’s my gift to you. When you go to the capital, you’ll be able to exchange letters with Juliet, so please use it.”

“Oh, no. I can’t accept something like this…”

“Is the temple going to confiscate it? As far as I know, there is no such rule.”

“But…”

“Refusing twice is not good manners.”

He tapped her shoulder and smiled. Rosaline finally accepted his pen and bowed her head firmly.

“…Thank you.”

“Yeah, you’ve really gone through a lot, Rosaline.”

Lord Capulet lightly brushed her forehead. Whether it was him stroking her head or the gift of the fountain pen, Rosaline repeated her gratitude like a parrot, unable to focus.

Even after Lord Capulet left in the carriage, Rosaline stood there as if rooted to the spot, and the other servants who were waiting nearby congratulated her one after another.

“Oh my, congratulations, Rosaline!”

“You’ve worked so hard…!”

“Your mother will also praise you.”

Despite the lingering guilt, Rosaline couldn’t help but feel happy. As much as she resented the young lady for what had happened at the temple, she couldn’t wait to tell Juliet. She would be delighted.

‘And to Romeo as well…’

Romeo would surely sulk. But just like every night, he would come up with dozens of ways, wherever and however, to be by Rosaline’s side.

Their future together was uncertain. But when she imagined stepping outside of Capulet, breaking the taboo, it made her heart flutter. It felt like gradually soothing the suppressed self that she had been holding back.