Romeo and Rosaline - 7

“Another visit to the temple today?”

Juliet spoke languidly, reclining in the long bathtub. With the dinner preparations nearing completion, she had some free time and resumed bathing after two days. Rosaline, who had finished getting ready for the outing, caught a fleeting glimpse of her mother attending to Juliet’s bathing needs. Though her mother didn’t spare her a glance while mixing aromatic oils into the water, a sense of discomfort was palpable.

Rosaline hid a bitter smile and nodded her head.

“Yes, soon they will decide my place at the center.”

“No need to be so diligent. After all the money I’ve poured in, do you think I’ll let you wander off elsewhere? This time, you’ll be staying in Verona with Friar Lawrence again.”

Juliet rested her cheek against the edge of the bathtub, supporting herself with her arm.

“Before long, you’ll become our exclusive priest.”

With a confident tone, she looked down at Rosaline, resembling an inscrutable cat. Rosaline, feeling love welling up in her heart, approached the bathtub and bent her waist to draw the sign of the cross on Juliet’s cheek and forehead with her lips, as their customary farewell gesture.

“…Today, I will pray for you.”

“I will pray for you too.”

Juliet closed her eyes and smiled warmly. Rosaline, tilting her head, lightly bowed and left the room. It felt uncomfortable deceiving both her mother and Juliet herself. However…

‘It’ll be over soon enough.’

It was a relationship that would ultimately end with the dinner. Regardless of the debts, he would return to prosperity, and Juliet would inherit the family and live a blessed life of glory.

Deciding not to lose her composure today, Rosaline flipped her cloak up to her head and opened the door to the backyard. On the opposite wall, a tall man in a wide-brimmed hat leaned against it.

He wore his usual black tunic and boots that reached his calves, and he had draped a cloak that extended to his thighs. But perhaps because he had been instructed to wear inconspicuous attire, he was wearing a wide-brimmed hat that partially covered his face. With his face partially hidden, his presence was diminished.

‘This should be fine,’ she thought at that moment. He removed his hat and casually greeted her.

“Hello, Rosaline.”

His presence came alive as if to proclaim its existence. His blond hair, which had been tied back to the base of his neck, had been cut short, making his elegant neck and sculpted jawline look more graceful than usual. To top it off, his well-defined features cast a shadow that accentuated his handsome appearance.

Beautiful, yet exuding a fierce allure. Instead of returning the greeting, Rosaline lightly pointed out,

“Lord Montague, it would be better to wear your hat again.”

“Why? Are we going on a secret mission? It’s too bright for that.”

As though the recent events had never happened, he furrowed his brow in calm contemplation while looking at the clear sky. Even though the warm sunlight shone down, his dark eyes lacked any gleam.

“…I don’t want any impure rumors circulating.”

“I thought you said you were going to the old town anyway?”

He grabbed the brim of his hat and shook it.

“You may be pretty enough to turn heads, but I’m only famous in the neighborhood, and there aren’t many people who know me.”

Rosaline was simply dumbfounded. First of all, she wasn’t pretty enough to turn heads. Perhaps he was teasing her. Reluctant to point it out, she lightly nodded her head.

“…Lord Montague, with your presence, even a simpleton like me would recognize who you are.”

“You’re saying I’m good-looking?”

“Yes.”

Almost to the point where she wondered if Juliet would fall for him.

Rosaline didn’t feel the need to add anything else. But because she was stating the truth as it was, she spoke confidently. At least in Verona, it was difficult to find someone like him. He looked down at Rosaline with an unfamiliar expression and smirked before reaching out his hand suddenly.

Caught off guard, Rosaline took a step back, causing him to furrow his eyebrows slightly.

“Would you have avoided even if it were Juliet?”

He said again, apparently reminding her of their agreement. Rosaline pondered anew how absurd his demand was.

To choose him over Juliet? To ask for the affection she gave to Juliet?

First of all, Juliet and he were different in stature. And neither Juliet nor Rosaline had ever looked at each other that way.

How can you treat someone the same way when they’re different?

I never planned to treat him with the same heart, but since there was an agreement, I had to imitate it.

Rosaline stopped walking. But the alley was narrow, so her back was against the wall. The leaves of a zelkova tree growing from the mansion gave them a green shade.

His approaching hand felt slow. She instinctively shrank back, but instead of gripping her cheek, his hand slowly removed her cloak. He looked down in order: from her brown hair to her well-shaped forehead, and finally, her light hazel eyes. He bowed his head, and his breath touched her chin.

She claimed to dislike his presence, but had her feelings changed? Rosaline grumbled inwardly, yet her heart raced with nervousness. When his nose touched her cheek, unable to face him up close, she closed her eyes.

“Don’t be afraid. It’s annoying.”

Romeo whispered shamelessly. There was no doubt that what he did with his hand before was wrong. Surprised, she blinked, acting like she didn’t know anything, pretending to be ignorant.

“I don’t have a hobby of being forceful.”

It seemed to be a comment about her striking his wrist during their previous encounter. She stared at him intently. Honestly speaking, she wasn’t afraid of him demeaning her. She was just angry at him for constantly confusing her. She knew that she shouldn’t engage in a confrontation with his mean words if she didn’t want to be swayed and that it was better to cater to his temperament as much as possible.

But the rift that she alone had caused felt too unfair.

She suddenly remembered the thrill she felt when she expressed her anger honestly.

I didn’t want to be treated that way.

“Romeo, did you spray perfume?”

She said without hesitation. In her heart, she screamed, ‘Rosaline, what on earth is this? Are you crazy?’ But her expression and lips moved uncontrollably and independently.

“I didn’t recognize it at first because it mixed with your body scent, but now I’m sure. Capulet’s shop also sells perfumes.”

Certainly, when she first met him, there was a distinct smell of knights. But at some point, it had changed to a solid and refreshing scent that suited Romeo well. It wasn’t an entirely pure fragrance.

Seeing the exhausted expression on his face, she became even more certain.

“Why? Because you don’t need my body, but you want to look good for me?”

Romeo’s eyes trembled, and his cheeks turned slightly red. Rosaline’s mouth twitched as if she had struck his cheek in excitement. Just one more, just one final blow…! She rolled her head like a boy preparing for his first hunt when suddenly her vision darkened.

He had flipped her cloak over again. When Rosaline grabbed the cloak again, he was a few steps away.

“As you said, it would be better to wear the cloak. It might even create some rumors.”

Rosaline wanted to see his face, but he had already put on his hat. The long brim of the hat covered everything except his chin with its shadow. He stood upright and beckoned Rosaline to step forward.

Dumbfounded, Rosaline turned away with a fluttering heart. Despite knowing how childish she was being, her steps became lighter, and her chest tingled with the afterglow of victory. The current Romeo was also easier to deal with. Rosaline, who was only excited by a single confrontation, became aware that she couldn’t objectively assess her own state.

“Follow me.”

Romeo, as usual, followed her with slow steps that matched her pace but didn’t lag behind.

But as they entered the town square where the crowd grew denser, he stayed close to her, nudging pedestrians’ shoulders or creating space to pass through. Rosaline felt more amused rather than grateful for this protective gesture.

Maybe it was because she was a knight who had been on an expedition, but this place was a street where Rosaline could walk even with her eyes closed, and it was much safer to blend in with the crowd and move rather than wandering around conspicuously. It would only complicate matters if he got into an unnecessary argument.

“Romeo.”

She wasn’t even aware that she naturally called Romeo’s name. His shoulders stiffened, but Rosaline didn’t notice.

“I know this place better. There’s no need to…”

Suddenly, he pulled Rosaline’s shoulder. Now that she was in his arms, which were no longer unfamiliar even with empty words, Romeo pressed his hand against her neck, the same hand that had held her shoulder. Then, his free arm descended and disturbed her waist. When his large hand reached her waist and buttocks, Rosaline panicked and pushed him away.

“What, What are you doing?”

She intended to warn him not to do that again as she was pushed away obediently, but when she saw the young pickpocket held in his hand, her words disappeared.

Startled by being caught, the pickpocket quickly dropped the purse and ran away. Romeo, who had distanced himself like nothing had happened, bent down and picked up the purse.

“Whose territory?”

Perhaps due to the tilt of his head, his half-hidden face under the hat was clearly visible. His earlier flushed appearance was nowhere to be seen. Rosaline mumbled her thanks and securely held onto the money. It was just her bad luck to be caught on a day like this.

Rosaline cursed her unlucky day as she quickened her pace. He, who was following her, asked with a hint of displeasure.

“Where on earth are we going?”

“We’re almost there now. It’s over there.”

Rosaline pointed to a long, floorless tavern. As she pushed through the crowd and approached it, a mixture of alcohol, tobacco, stale grease, and overcooked meat filled the air from the open windows. The smell was definitely not pleasant, and it seemed to have completely dampened his mood.

“Was all this trouble just for a measly tavern?”

“Whether it’s a tavern or anywhere else, what’s the difference. It’s not important… Hmm…”

Unconsciously, Rosaline took a deep breath and let out a small cough from the pungent smell of the faintly mixed tobacco. Perhaps it was because she had always held back in front of Juliet, there was no loud noise. After collecting herself, she spoke again.

“It’s not important. Anyway, I will keep my promise. Wait here, I have something to retrieve.”

As Romeo peeked inside through the open window, his eyes turned cold.

“I will come in with you.”

Before she could respond, he approached her from behind. At the back, their posture seemed as if they were about to kiss, and the sound of a whistle, intended to tease lovers from the window, could be heard. Rosaline whispered, pulling her cloak down further.

“It’s a tavern belonging to the merchant association under Capulet.”

“And?”

Despite telling him firmly to get lost, he remained indifferent. Romeo is by no means an oblivious man. He simply had no intention of listening to Rosaline’s words. She glared at him.

“The fact that the tavern owner knows my face. If any strange rumors spread…”

“Does it make sense to go in without any weapons or protection?”

He took another step like he could open the door at any moment. Eventually, his thigh made contact with Rosaline’s body. There was no way to escape, trapped between the door and his body. Romeo spoke seemingly threatful.

“Do you want rumors or injuries?”

“…Fine. But you better behave…”

“With pleasure.”