Romeo and Rosaline - 28

Rosaline stepped out of the garden of the outbuilding into the early morning air. She had planned to go to the temple, expecting Romeo to be waiting there. But as soon as she opened the backdoor, she came face to face with Romeo leaning against the wall.

“Romeo.”

At the moment she called his name, an overwhelming sense of longing washed over her. Romeo slowly lifted his head, and his complexion appeared pale at a glance. It was pitiful. She wanted to comfort him, to whisper in his ear that everything would be alright.

“Since you didn’t come, I came here myself. Seems like you had a lot to take care of.”

Undeniable restlessness and anger emanated from him. Despite knowing that her hands were empty, Romeo approached her as if she were carrying a heavy burden. He grasped her wrist tightly, but Rosaline resisted with all her strength.

“Let’s go. It’s not too late even now.”

Romeo didn’t ask any further and tried to take her away. When she let out a faint whimper from the forceful pull, he even concealed that strength.

“What are you doing, Rosaline? We agreed to leave together.”

He spoke with a smile, and a sharp impulse surged within Rosaline. She wanted to confess her love to him right then and there. But her words were predetermined.

“Juliet is unwell.”

“So what?”

“She asked me to stay with her.”

He let out a hollow laugh. He stood there, colder and more wounded than ever, laughing like that. When his grip on Rosaline’s hand loosened slightly, she quickly pulled away from him. He stared at her empty hands and clenched his jaw. His wandering gaze pierced her like a sharp blade.

“You… can stay here. I convinced my mother. There won’t be any harm to you.”

She had returned all his letters along with the promise not to inquire about her relationship if she obediently left. Her mother’s anxiety and anger stemmed from the misconception that Rosaline was Beatrice’s daughter. If she simply disappeared without a trace, her mother would have no reason to rage and be furious.

Everything would be resolved if I’m not here. The realization struck her painfully.

“Rosaline, I don’t think I care about that.”

Romeo met her with an angry gaze as if he couldn’t accept it.

“I asked if you’re not leaving with me.”

“…During the day.”

Rosaline strained her eyes to appear as sincere as possible. But she couldn’t stop her voice from trembling at the end of her words.

“During the day, out of fear, I made an impulsive decision. How can I trust you, someone I’ve only recently met, and leave with you?”

No, in fact, I want to leave with you. But I’m not bold enough to do it at the cost of the young lady’s life.

“After seeing her in pain, I remembered the kindness I received from the Capulets. I also realized that the emotions we shared were just a fleeting indulgence. When I return to the monastery, I will pray and dedicate myself for Capulet’s sake.”

While observing his pale complexion, which grew paler with each word, Rosaline clenched her teeth and lied. Romeo, with a lost gaze fixed on empty space, shook his head as if he couldn’t accept it.

Tears eventually welled up in his trembling eyes. Amidst this, Rosaline thought how beautiful his black pupils shone like stars embedded in jewels.

Romeo, in a dazed state as if he had been struck, asked in a cracked voice, “Don’t you love me?”

Unable to face him, Rosaline tightly closed her eyes. When she opened them again, he was obscured by blurred tears. She could continue lying, but she couldn’t bring herself to say she didn’t love him, even if it meant death.

“…Stop, I think this is the end.”

Rosaline anticipated curses and reproaches to spill from his lips. She expected him to criticize her as a frustrated and foolish woman.

But what greeted her was his arms clutching her waist. Startled, she widened her eyes, and he kneeled down, pressing his cheek against her thigh and abdomen, clinging to her.

“If I beg, will you stay by my side?”

Rather than letting her go, he held on tightly, and he harshly muttered those words.

“I told you that I would crumble at a single gesture from you.”

She was held tightly, to the point where her clothes wrinkled. Desperately holding herself up to avoid collapsing, she felt his tears soaking into her clothes and gently caressed his lovely blonde hair.

In response, Romeo’s head lifted. His wet gaze seemed to explore her intentions, or perhaps begged her to reconsider, as it intensely met her brown eyes.

But all he saw were her brown eyes trying to look away.

“You’re always like this.”

Amidst his tears, he faintly smiled.

“Engaging in unrequited devotion, grieving alone, and withering away without receiving anything in return.”

His words were as soft as earth dampened by water. Rosaline had the illusion that her soul was also being soaked.

“Chasing after you, who runs away from me without looking back, also leaves a bitter taste.”

He laughed, revealing his white teeth. It was a deep mix of regret and disdain.

Rosaline wanted to tell him that she understood him better than anyone else, that she, who felt completely abandoned, was no different from him.

That she truly loved him.

She wanted to say those words.

“Goodbye, Romeo.”

Rosaline forcefully pushed him away. Pretending not to notice his outstretched hand, she ran away and closed the garden door. Then, after taking a few steps, she collapsed. Like a babbling fool, she uttered the words she couldn’t say to him.

“Forget about someone like me. Send away the frustrating and dull woman with anger.”

Rosaline embraced her own shoulders, which no one else would hold. Suddenly, she recalled the advice she had given to Romeo and Juliet long ago.

“They say that honey that is too sweet is rather disgusting, and so is love. It is a disgusting poison that will hurt you.”

This was a warning she needed for herself. The morning sun touched Rosaline’s skin, who let out a faint smile. The light was so warm, but why was her heart hurting like this?

Truly, she couldn’t understand.

* * *

“Where is Romeo?”

“He’s not here. We searched everywhere possible, but there’s no sign of him, not even a strand of hair.”

Prince William Albert’s royal knight spoke with a perplexed expression. The knights and guards from the temple were in a similar situation.

But William felt not frustration but rather an eerie thrill. The fact that they couldn’t find him in this small city was proof that he was a special being!

They had considered Romeo Montague nothing more than a commoner. But his nickname had become a reality. He was truly known as the ‘Incarnation of Kata.’

Before anyone else, William had to catch the incarnation, starting with recognizing his existence. If his father or the crown prince intervened first, his plan would crumble.

His plan was to overthrow the current crown prince, his eldest brother, and place his twin sister, Jasmine, on the throne as the princess.

Of course, the current crown prince was not incapable or lacking in ability. The problem lay with William and Jasmine, who were different from the typical siblings.

If the crown prince became king, William and Jasmine would have to marry noble families chosen by their brother and spend their lives groveling under the royal family’s control.

That wasn’t the plan from the beginning. Until a few years ago, the crown prince promised that if he became king, he would ensure that they could stay away from central politics, especially William. William had only desired that one thing and had helped the crown prince from behind the scenes. But the crown prince changed his attitude when the king’s health began to rapidly decline.

“Don’t you know the long-standing tradition of the royal family? How even the unruly royals were executed.”

‘If you don’t want to die unnoticed like a mouse or a bird, then follow my words,’ that was the essence of the prince’s message. AAh, there you go. William concealed his reluctance and made a firm determination.

Better to rule than to be ruled. This is also a long-standing tradition of the royal family.

For a long time, he collaborated with the temple and made preparations in secret. Finally, he found the incarnation and planned to use his position on the battlefield to elevate Jasmine as the heir and the next king.

After going through several insignificant wars, his plan would succeed.

For that, he needed the power of the temple and the power of Romeo. But Romeo, who had fallen deeply in love with a woman, couldn’t regain his senses, unfortunately.

If necessary, he could take that woman as well. It was said that it takes time for the incarnation to be complete, as it involves collecting various human emotions. Although the records were hundreds of years old, there was no choice but to believe it.

William, rubbing his sore neck at the entrance of Montague Manor, scratched his eyebrow.

“Did you search Capulet’s side?”

“Yes, I went with the priests… Sir!”

A knight urgently called him. At the end of William’s gaze, amidst the brilliantly armed knights, a man walked towards them aimlessly.

Romeo Montague.

No, the Incarnation of Kata.

With an overwhelmingly magnificent appearance, walking as if he had just come here without any sense of purpose, his gaze was free but impossible to hide the radiance, dignity, and underlying anger. His gaze was like the sight of Kata seen on the battlefield.

William grinned, baring his fangs.

“Capture him.”

Before his command even finished, the knights and royal guards rushed towards Romeo in a terrifying manner. Romeo narrowed his eyes and casually observed the approaching knights, creating a cloud of dust.

Among them, the woman he desired was nowhere to be seen.

He had waited and been discarded countless times. What did he expect would be different this time?

He was deceived by the golden eyes that seemed ready to answer ‘I love you’ when he confessed his love. Even though you are so kind and look at everyone that way, I foolishly confessed my love.

“Kata!”

“Please forgive my rudeness.”

Even though the opponent didn’t resist at all, the knights began to overpower him. It was shocking to see him disappear like smoke and only make a fuss for half a day.

Unlike the desperate others, Romeo, while being restrained, belatedly realized who the knights and the man behind them were. They were the hyenas of the royal family, led by William, who sought to establish their foothold, and the knights from the temple.

It didn’t matter who they were. Romeo had seen countless people like William in his repetitive life.

Only Rosaline shook him.

The knights handled him as if dealing with a trapped beast, rough and unyielding, but Romeo didn’t resist.

Before him, Prince William knelt down on one knee.

“Oh, the Incarnation of Kata descended from the sun.”

At the clear purpose and desire in the prince’s voice, Romeo smirked and thought to himself. Does Prince William know the fate of those who dared to challenge the sun?

After all, it would only lead to a downfall.

“You must come with us. Please show mercy to the lambs of violence. It was the only way we could force you, as the remaining humanity in your heart rejected you.”

But just as Romeo foolishly desired Rosaline, William was already firmly consumed by his inflated dreams.

How pathetic.

“Ah, haha! Hahaha!”

Romeo Montague burst into laughter. As he laughed, the tense atmosphere seemed to break. With each laugh, the earth echoed, and his black eyes turned crimson.

“Mercy? Human heart?”

Without wiping away the flowing tears, Romeo’s red eyes gazed upward.

“So insignificant, so pathetic….”

Facing the vividly rising sun, he didn’t avert his gaze, unaffected by its brilliance. He continued to glare at the scorching sun.