Romeo and Rosaline - 29

Rosaline found herself in Arsha, an ancient monastery in the northern region that was akin to a perpetual winter.

Arsha, meaning ‘bones and snow,’ derived its name from its location on the mountainside, where only the skeletal remains of trees and the cold snow prevailed.

The journey to Arsha was treacherous, with the path covered in thick layers of snow. Getting stranded in the mountains meant certain death due to the rugged terrain. However, the surroundings beyond Arsha were not desolate. Once one crossed the mountain where Arsha was situated, they would reach a realm of appropriate cold, solitude, courage, and grandeur.

It was one of the most important fortresses in the country, and was owned by William’s confidant, the Margrave.

At the pinnacle of the realm stood a tower, connected to the outer wall of Arsha by a long bridge. Everyone, from high-ranking clergy to commoners, used the bridge to reach Arsha. Food and supplies were also transported to the monastery via the bridge.

However, there was one exception who couldn’t use the tower and the bridge: the Umbras.

Referred to as the shadows of the temple, the Umbras were mostly criminals or those considered as such, thus they were not allowed to use the sacred bridge. Instead, they had to endure the harsh cold and climb the mountain path to reach the monastery.

Rosaline, having become an Umbra, was no exception.

All she had were a meager fur to maintain minimal body heat, a low-quality tunic, and a few miscellaneous belongings she had brought from the Capulet’s manor. She couldn’t sleep properly in the bone-chilling cold, and her fingertips and toes lacked proper sensation. She kept her gaze fixed on the path leading up to Arsha, despite her exhaustion.

Among the hardships, there was a brief interaction with an Umbra. He had been old and ailing even before they arrived in the north, and he passed away before reaching Arsha. Just before his death, he handed Rosaline his fur and clothes, saying,

“When I look at you, I think of my daughter.”

His circumstances were as follows.

Due to a lack of donations, the priest refused to hold a funeral for his young daughter, which angered him, leading to an offensive outburst. The priest did not overlook his actions and reported him, and it became a turning point for him.

“It could have been just something to overlook, but it’s a sensitive time, you see. The manifestation of Kata has arrived. They say the divine law has become stricter, or something like that. Damn it…”

He spoke with almost breathless breaths. It was said that during the power struggle that took place right after the king’s death, the temple became involved, and even a single word could cost someone their life. He formed a faint smile within his mouth and exhaled his last breath.

“Now, I’m going to meet my daughter…”

Rosaline stayed by his side until he passed away, kissing his forehead. She didn’t offer any separate prayers or mourn. She simply thought he looked at ease now that he was by his daughter’s side.

Having survived with the belongings obtained from others’ deaths, Rosaline safely arrived in Arsha. Arsha, the dwelling place of monks who claimed to be virtuous, was entirely made of gray bricks, reminiscent of a massive prison with no signs of luxury.

Rosaline received education from the responsible priests without a chance to relieve the bitterness, alongside other Umbras.

“Do not speak as if your tongue has been cut. Words are what beings with souls utter. Since your souls are bound to the divine, it is no different from your physical bodies departing.”

It meant they could speak if someone granted permission. Rosaline thought if she were Juliet, she would have grumbled, “You’re making a mute slave speak long words.”

Officially, they were in a position lower than the temple’s bricks and were responsible for various chores in the monastery, so it wasn’t entirely inaccurate to say that.

The priest even added a warning not to mock him rashly.

“The sun watches over everything on Earth. Remember that.”

When Umbras gathered among themselves, they often chatted as if mocking such situations. Placing soldiers to monitor Umbras was seen as a luxury, considering that the temple’s manpower was also drawn away due to the war.

Regardless, Rosaline did not harbor any complaints about the repetitive daily life, embracing silence. There was nothing to appreciate, even when she saw the serene white landscape or listened to the resounding hymns every day.

If one tries to find joy and sadness in trivial matters, they knew that their broken heart would evoke resentment, anger, and regret. Therefore, they stopped thinking, reasoning, and feeling. Memories that surged forth like an inevitable force, breaking through walls, were repeatedly let go like flowing water.

The heart became as dry as parched lips, and expressions gradually disappeared from the face.

After four months had passed, Father Lawrence came to visit her in Arsha.

“Juliet has recovered her health. Although she is extremely busy at the moment, she always longs for you and worries about your well-being… And feels remorse.”

Lawrence seemed to believe that his words would bring Rosaline some small joy. However, despite having the opportunity to speak, her lips remained closed. Lawrence, thinking that she resented the Capulets, made an effort to defend himself.

“Lord Capulet said that once everything stabilizes, he will bring you back. The lady also agreed wholeheartedly. He says it’s difficult to bring you back immediately due to the war, so please hold on a little longer.”

Rosaline didn’t believe his words. She had painfully realized during her time in the Capulet’s that money moves even the most stubborn. Money does not wait for the right time. Just pressuring the central diocese with donations and lobbying for Rosaline was enough for Juliet.

They were afraid that if Rosaline left the temple, Juliet would fall ill again, so they kept their hands off.

So, was she disappointed? No.

Since she never had any expectations in the first place, there was nothing to be disappointed about. But she had a strange feeling that she was missing something. Just as she was feeling puzzled, a bell rang out announcing the closure of the bridge, blocking the entrance.

Lawrence hurriedly comforted her, using their farewell as an excuse.

“Rosaline, luckily, the abbess of Arsha is a fellow priest of mine, so you’ll have no trouble getting along. She’s a bit rough on the edges, sure, but she’s a nice person.”

When she had first arrived at Arsha, Rosaline had exchanged a few words with the abbess. Abbess Gabriella, a middle-aged woman, had said, “Hang in there. I’ll put your name down on a list of pardons so you can get out of Umbra this time next year.” She added, “Don’t get your hopes up,” and Rosaline was glad she did.

Except for the fact that she couldn’t speak recklessly, it wasn’t much different from what she did in the Capulet’s household.

Cleaning with lye, doing laundry by the river, standing like a shadow behind high-ranking priests, ready to serve as a servant at any moment. If she made a mistake or didn’t listen, she would receive a slap from the responsible priest, just like she used to be punished by her mother.

However, in this place…

In this place, there is no Romeo.

As she recalled his name, it felt like she had dropped the reins and picked them up again. Longing, which she didn’t even realize was there, rushed over her like a shower. Her palms grew cold and her head spun.

She missed him.

She didn’t know the subject. What was she so earnestly pursuing? Leaving him behind, not being more proactive in embracing him, the arrogant act of considering their love to be short-lived, and her inability to say ‘I love you’ to Romeo—all of it filled her with regret.

“Father…!”

Rosaline grabbed Lawrence’s sleeve as he was about to leave. Her heart, which had been forgotten for a while, beat fiercely.

Friar Lawrence had a deep connection with the Montague and Capulet families. Especially with the Montague family being notorious, Father Lawrence was well aware of even the smallest matters within the family.

Then he must know what happened to Romeo.

Was Romeo still in Verona? It couldn’t be that her mother had spoken nonsense and put him in a difficult situation. Although she didn’t think he had done something terribly wrong, an uneasy feeling gnawed at her.

She tried to open her mouth as calmly as possible.

“How is Mr. Montague doing?”

Lawrence seemed momentarily confused. Regardless of whoever Rosaline was referring to as Mr. Montague, he knew that there was no one Mr. Montague in his knowledge who had any acquaintance with Rosaline.

Rosaline realized his confusion belatedly.

“Romeo Montague.”

“…Ah! Montague’s eldest son. But why…?”

Lawrence’s perplexed expression didn’t dissipate. It seemed strange to him that Rosaline, who usually showed no interest unless it was related to the Capulets, would inquire about Romeo Montague’s well-being.

“Do you remember the day I injured my back and suffered for half a day? It was Romeo Montague who saved me. If it weren’t for him, I would have been even more seriously injured.”

Unconsciously, Rosaline tightened her grip on Lawrence’s hand.

“On the day I was leaving… I saw Father and the high-ranking officials heading towards the Montague estate. I wondered if something had happened…”

“At that time, the officials were visiting with Prince William. I was just there to guide them.”

Lawrence sighed in admiration. Despite the current circumstances, she still inquired about the well-being of someone who had helped her. He fought back the warmth welling up in his eyes.

“I don’t know the details, but I heard that Montague’s eldest son returned to the royal family with Prince William.”

Rosaline released her grip on Lawrence’s hand. She felt a mixture of relief and disappointment. Disappointment. Did she continue to yearn for him, hoping his life would be miserable?

“Perhaps it’s just my imagination, but it seemed like Lord Montague was worried about you.”

However, her disappointment didn’t last long, as Lawrence’s next words came quickly.

“Due to the fight between Prince William and the Crown Prince, the capital city was almost devastated.”

Having been preoccupied and disconnected from the world around her, Rosaline had forgotten about the war. Indeed, Arsha was distant from the capital and politics. Just as she was at a loss for what to do with the mounting concerns, the tolling of the bell announcing the closure of the bridge resounded once again.

“Now I really have to go.”

He gently stroked Rosaline’s cheek as if expressing his sorrow.

“Rosaline, I understand your feelings, but now is not the time to worry about him. Take care of yourself.”

Even after he left, Rosaline remained motionless for a long time. Overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness and worry, her heart raced painfully.

She went to the prayer room in the annex of the temple as if possessed. The prayer rooms were lined up, each one spacious enough for one person. Prayer was the only thing she could do for him at that moment.

It was sad that prayer was all she could do, but she couldn’t bear not doing it.