Romeo and Rosaline - 25

She wanted to rush to Montague and share this news immediately, but since they would meet soon, she decided to momentarily suppress the overflowing joy.

First, she would return and write a letter to Juliet with this fountain pen. Perhaps she could receive it at the inn on her way back. No, would it be better to write to Romeo, even if it’s short, first? If Juliet found out that she had written to Romeo first, it would surely cause a commotion.

Time was running out. She had agreed to meet Romeo after sunset, so there wasn’t much time left.

“Oh, it’s Father Lawrence, isn’t it?”

Suddenly, one of the servants surrounding Rosaline spoke, sounding curious.

“It’s not just Father Lawrence… Oh? Are those knights?”

“There are several priests as well.”

As the servant said, on the street, Father Lawrence and presumed high-ranking priests, dressed in crimson mantles representing the central diocese, were heading towards Montague’s mansion along with the knights. Whether they had come from the capital, the officials were wearing vermilion-colored mantellatas symbolizing the central diocese.

Romeo told her not to worry, but she couldn’t help but feel concerned.

“They say Montague’s eldest son participated in the war. Well, they say he made great achievements, so that must be the reason.”

“How significant must those achievements be for them to gather like that on purpose?”

The servants couldn’t hide their curiosity and buzzed with excitement. Eventually, Rosaline also found it difficult to conceal her impatience and quickened her steps.

“Oh, Rosaline. Where are you going? Let’s wait a bit longer and go eat something together with the other maids.”

“…I remembered leaving something behind. I’ll just check and come back.”

“Alright. Don’t act so disappointed when we part ways!”

Rosaline gave a casual farewell and entered the mansion. Originally, she planned to rest in her room, but she changed direction towards the side gate connected to the garden of the annex. Since they had planned to go to the temple at night, she had made a promise to meet Romeo there.

Even though she couldn’t see him right away, she felt that her impatience would fade if she waited. However, as soon as she entered the annex, her wrist was roughly grabbed.

“Oh, Mother?”

Her mother pulled her with bloodshot eyes, glaring at what Rosaline had in her grasp.

“What did you receive from the master? Give it to me.”

“It’s nothing special. Just a fountain pen…”

“Why did you receive it? What did you talk about? No, it’s not necessary to say. Give it to me now!”

There was no way to hide it, but as her mother approached menacingly, Rosaline instinctively hid the object.

“Why are you hiding it? Did he say something about considering you as his daughter? That’s why you’re acting so arrogant?”

“Why are you like this! It’s just a fountain pen. It’s a gift given to me because I will be going to the temple!”

“Engaging in worthless acts behind my back, receiving gifts like some fancy lady. I didn’t raise a daughter, but a wretched beggar.”

“Mother, what on earth…!”

By this point, Rosaline rebelled fiercely, not wanting it to be taken away. Then her mother raised her hand as if to slap her cheek. Rosaline didn’t even think of trying to stop her mother, who contorted her face grotesquely. Rosaline was hugging the gift tightly, hiding it.

“Huh! Aah!”

Suddenly, her mother clutched her arm, painfully groaning as if in agony. As her mother writhed on the ground, gasping for breath, Rosaline, forgetting her fear, let go of the gift and held onto her mother.

“Are you alright, Mother?”

She shouted for help, but there was no one in the annex, and it was far from the main house. She looked around, hoping for someone to come, when her sleeve was grabbed.

“Huh, you wretch! What kind of people are you meeting…? Devil, playing around with devils…”

While her mother berated Rosaline, a mixture of sadness, anger, and worry overwhelmed her, and tears flowed incessantly. Why does she hate me so much? In the midst of her desperation, it felt like she was walking on signs without answers.

Just as her mother’s eyes flickered, she exerted tremendous strength to break free from Rosaline and lunged towards the box containing the fountain pen. Rosaline, caught off guard by the sudden force, couldn’t catch up to her mother. Honestly, she didn’t even have the will to snatch it back.

“Romeo?”

But as his name came out of her mother’s mouth, she felt a choking sensation and turned her head. In her mother’s hand were the box containing the fountain pen and the short notes that Romeo had written. They slipped out as she struggled.

Seeing Rosaline’s pale complexion, her mother laughed like a maniac.

“Romeo, the eldest son of Montague! I thought I was going crazy… I…”

Sarah had never been happier to know how to read. Despite knowing that there was a man who met with Rosaline, when she secretly tried to enter the annex, she got lost, and when she lingered by Rosaline’s side, the surroundings seemed foggy, and she couldn’t perceive anyone nearby. When she tried to raise her hand or hit her, excruciating pain surged through her body as it had just now.

As if under a curse.

She thought she had truly gone mad, believing that she had no memories of seeing her innocent and foolish daughter seeing worthless men. But it wasn’t the case.

You filthy woman. Wretched bitch. She stared at Rosaline and laughed until her mouth was torn apart.

“You ungrateful woman, you owe everything you have, even the ability to live this much, to Lady Juliet, and yet you betray her like this.”

“Please… Mother…”

“As soon as the master returns, I will expose everything. If you beg him and say you’re guilty of being a slut, he won’t harm you at least. Isn’t that right?”

As the events that had only been imagined suddenly approached, a heavy fear oppressed her mind. She knew how much effort the young lady had put into narrowing the gap between Montague and Capulet. Just the thought of disappointing her made her breath catch in her throat.

But what was even more terrifying…

“Romeo.”

For some reason, the people of the temple have gone to Montague’s manor. There were clearly members of the inquisition, and if Capulet’s involvement with Romeo was exposed, they would be in trouble before they could even take any action.

No matter how weakened the power of the temple, old customs didn’t disappear easily. One of them was the punishment for violating the religious laws.

Rosaline pushed past her mother who blocked her way and ran to the annex.

“Where are you going? You can’t go there!!!”

Ignoring her mother’s cries, she arrived at the side gate of the garden, gasping for breath. As expected, Romeo was not there. But she couldn’t just wait quietly. She had to somehow meet Romeo at Montague’s mansion.

She opened the door and hurriedly crossed the darkening streets. How should she enter Montague’s mansion? Should she climb over the fence or shout to call him?

Running frantically, her vision suddenly darkened. She was about to collide heavily with a figure blocking her path. Rosaline tried to pass by without even glancing at the person.

“Rosaline!”

However, she couldn’t move due to his grip on her shoulders. In that dreadful grip, she looked up and saw Romeo, disheveled like Rosaline herself. He had the setting sun behind him and was anxiously watching over her.

“What’s wrong? Why are you like this?”

She wanted to ask him what was going on. But now was not the time. Rosaline clung to his clothes, overwhelmed by the storm of fear.

“Romeo! You have to leave right away.”

“…Rosaline.”

“My mother found out that you and I have met. She’s going to tell everyone! Even though you claim to have no interest in rank or honor, if they find out about our relationship, you could be put on trial by the inquisitors.”

Even though she was just a lower-ranking priest who hadn’t even received an official position, she was one of the registered priests in the diocese. Moreover, with the royal court and the temple monitoring each other, if a knight affiliated with the royal court were to touch a priest, it wouldn’t end with just a punishment.

On the days when she thought there was no chance of being discovered, she had been so optimistic. But now, with the inquisitors and the religious war, and the prophecy of the manifestation of Kata, a sense of impending reality had struck her.

Rosaline whispered in fear.

“They might turn you into an Umbra.”

Umbra, meaning ‘shadow,’ referred to the sinners of the temple. They were treated like slaves.

“Romeo, you have to go. Leave.”

“Calm down, Rosaline.”

“Mother…”

Romeo suddenly embraced her waist tightly. Pressing her head against his chest and holding her firmly, Romeo’s strong heartbeat resonated within her.

“Why should I be the only one to leave? What are you planning to do by staying here?”

It was a desperate and low voice, like someone standing alone on a watchtower.

“Rosaline, you are not a friar who stays at home, nor are you called a servant or maid. You are the nanny’s daughter, but your mother doesn’t even treat you as such.”

Although it could sound harsh, his tone was so low and gentle that it only sounded sad. Rosaline whispered with thick tears streaming down her face.

“Because I’m nothing, and I wanted to become something.”

She laughed, unable to erase her sadness.

“It’s all over now. Let’s go, Romeo.”

“It’s not over yet.”

Romeo remained rooted, unmoving, and cupped her cheek. Keeping her gaze locked with his, he said.

“Please be my love, Rosaline.”

Why now? Rosaline felt like her heart was being torn apart. In the midst of her turmoil, Romeo had a relieved expression, as if he had burst a festering sore. He even shed tears. The single tear that ran down her cheek seemed like a carefully drawn line.

“I’m leaving with you. I’ll rid you of all the torment and leave those who consider you as nothing. Let’s live together.”

Rosaline raised her head from his grasp.

“Romeo, if we leave like this, you’ll lose everything. Your family, your honor… you might end up living your whole life in exile, losing everything. Aren’t you afraid?”

“Not at all.”

He kissed her forcefully and pressed his forehead against hers.

“The only thing I’m afraid of is losing you.”

From the beginning, no, since meeting him after the reincarnation, Romeo Montague possessed an enchantment that mesmerized people. Unlike someone like me, full of flaws and deceit, he was surprisingly straightforward and honest.

Juliet was also honest like him, but not as dark. Rosaline acknowledged that she loved Romeo, who had that inexplicable melancholy and emptiness, someone who shared the same void as herself.

Once again, she surrendered her heart and nodded in Romeo’s grasp.

“I’ll go, I’ll leave.”

Romeo smiled widely and showered her with kisses. Holding his chin, unable to overcome the passion, he whispered ‘I love you’ amidst their intertwined words and tongues, embracing his neck in a frenzy.

“Find Romeo!!!”

The sound of footsteps and harsh voices mingled from the direction he had come, growing louder. Amidst the sharp noise, the call for Romeo rang out distinctly.

Romeo tightened his grip on Rosaline’s shoulder, his face hardened.

“Rosaline, come to the temple at midnight. I’ll be waiting there.”

“Romeo.”

“No matter what, you must come to me. Rosaline.”

His black eyes, which always enveloped her, showed no sign of wavering.

“There’s no time now, but when we meet, I’ll explain everything.”

“Is it really okay?”

“Yes. Trust me. Don’t I perform magic?”

He kissed her forehead as if leaving a seal.

“A brief parting is only a bittersweet sorrow.”

Rosaline ran away from him, avoiding the commotion. Whether it was because she returned to the same place or because she left him behind and came back, her heart felt suffocated, as if engulfed in flames.

Her tears didn’t stop.