Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 39

 

39. 

 

Romeo was uneasy when alone, and even Juliet’s visits were rare. She had told him that her visits were curtailed by her mother, and more to it, she was escorted by guards. She sent her messages through Rosaline.

“Juliet sends her love.” Rosaline told the man there, seated by himself with the frown on his expression. She had known him since they were young; they were crawling together as young babes under the care of their nannies, running the yard chasing each other with their mothers watching, and sharing many dinners under the careful eyes of their father.

“We were destined to be together.” Rosaline sighed at her thoughts. “All it took was a chance meeting at a ball, and the dreams and aspirations of hers were shattered. She regretted ever bringing Romeo there, thinking it would be her evening with the man she had fallen in love with, but it has been disastrous since then.

“There is nothing so confining as the prisons of our own perceptions.” (William Shakespeare) Rosaline uttered out. She recalled being told that by the friar in one of her confessions.

“Did you say something, Rosaline?” Romeo asked.

“Me? No. I was just muttering on the dirt here.” Rosaline replied. “How do you fare, …… cousin?”

“Bored. I do miss the walks I used to take in the city.” Romeo smiled. “We did that many times. We strolled at the park, the lake, and the waterways. I cannot do that now. I will be arrested.” Romeo sighed. “I could wander around dressed like a lady, perhaps?”

“Oh, Romeo. You are such a darling most times.” Rosaline smiled and approached the man. She wanted to embrace the man but restrained herself. Romeo was not hers to hold anymore. He liked another lady.

“Rosaline, I do miss you. There were times we used to chat and stroll the city.” Romeo looked at the lady. “But of late, you distanced yourself. I know you come to deliver me meals and messages from Juliet, but… tell me, what ails you?”

“Me? I am fine.” Rosaline smiled. “I am just… concerned for you.”

“Rosaline Alger, do you ……. Did you …… Darn my tongue, I cannot get the words out.” Romeo shook his head. “Words are so difficult to say nowadays.”

“Were you to say, did I love you?” Rosaline looked at Romeo. “Yes, I did, but I am unsure now.”

Rosaline uttered it out without a thought of it in her mind. Romeo looked at her and then turned away.

“I …… I do love you. You are my little ……” Romeo bit his lips. “If you are implying ….”

“I am not your little sister. I was never one. We grew up together, yes, but sister I was not. I adored you. I thought we could be ….”

“Lovers?” Romeo struggled for his own words. “I……”

“You did hold that thought.” Rosaline looked at the man. “You did?”

Romeo stepped away from the lady.

“Yes, I did, but …… I was unsure. I had seen you as my… friend most times. A friendship developed over years.” Romeo smiled weakly. “I truly loved you as that. Pardon my sins there. I was …….”

“Romeo, we grew over the years, and … we could have …”

“I am unsure. I was … before I met Juliet, unsure, but then thereafter, I was more unsure. I love Juliet.”

“Over an evening of dances? Either I am blind or you are deaf.” Rosaline sighed. “She is Montague, and you are ….”

“Capulet? Does that mean I cannot be with her? Or am I the Turk and she is Wallachian? Both of us held the same feelings, and more to it, our hearts beat with affection for each other. And more to that, we bled the same shade of blood.”

“Blood feud it was that divides you two.” Rosaline snapped at the man. “You knew of this. The feud of your family runs deeper than your love. Capulet and Montague are long-time foes.”

"There is no world with walls but purgatory, torture, and hell itself." (amended from Romeo and Juliet quote) Romeo looked around him. “Let me out to settle the feud. No feud cannot be resolved with …….”

“Do not be silly, Romeo. That feud was way before you were even born. It had hardened over the years, and if not for the civility and law here in Genoa, we may have died at birth or not even existed, for our parents may have killed each other.”

“You are an Alger and not a Capulet.” Romeo argued back. “You are not……”

“My mother was Capulet before she wedded my father. My father remains an ally to the Capulet, as his father was before then.” Rosaline sighed. “However, the Montague accepted me as a friend of Juliet Montague. The Alger have been friends to both sides.”

“As for yourself, you will die if you step to the Montague’s home. Their hatred for you heeds no words. Stay here.” Rosaline told him. “I heard rumours that your father is coming back. He heard of the killing.”

“Father… father, where art thou now?” Romeo sighed. Rosaline held out her arms to him, but he declined.

“Do not do that, Rosaline. I may not …… I may yield to desire in your arms… illicit desire.” Romeo said. It annoyed Rosaline then.

“Was I then an object of your desire then? I am disgusted.” Rosaline turned to leave, and Romeo tried to stop her.

“I did not mean it as such. I do love you, but I am unsure of my …… feelings and needs now.” Romeo held the left arm of the lady. “Please forgive me.”

“Unhand me, Capulet. I am leaving now.” Rosaline pulled away and left the cottage. “I hold no one in my heart anymore. It was Tybalt and yourself, but one is dead and the other dead from my feelings.”

“I regretted Tybalt’s death.” Romeo sighed. “It was……”

“It was fated. As our desired love was…… fated to fail. I am to leave you now, Romeo Capulet.” Rosaline left the cottage. It was then that Shylock also left his home to look for Bassanio and Antonio, but the duo was not seen. He was more concerned about the wares than the loan. He checked his agreement and found no mention of the ship that was unloading the wares. He was so adamant on winning one over Antonio to miss out on that. He then looked for the magistrate at the Authority of the City Court but met Abram instead.

“Abram, I thought you left the city.” Shylock confronted the other.

“I was, but other matters held me up. What is happening?” Abram looked past the shoulder of Shylock. “Where is Jessica?”

“Jessica is fine. She is at home. Why do you ask?” Shylock asked.

“I am just …… asking. The streets are unsafe now. The Montagues and Capulets are in conflict, and others may take the opportunity to do harm.” Abram looked around. “Why are you here?”

“I am to report on Antonio and Bassanio for the default of the loan I provided.” Shylock told the other.

“I was told you did it before.”

“Yes, I did, but this time, I am putting up the case for civil recovery. I am getting the authorities to give me the order.”

“You will then be contested.” Abram reminded the other.

“If they turn up, but if they do not, I will confiscate their wares.” Shylock explained. “As they have defaulted, there is the clause of the pound of flesh. Antonio may not risk that even though he is bold to agree to the term.”

“He is mad to sign that.” Abram sighed.

“Since you are still here, will you assist me in this matter? I can pay you.” Shylock looked at Abram. “I need to find Bassanio. I can pay you.”

“I have other matters to handle, Sir. I must be on my way now.” Abram turned to leave, but Shylock stopped him.

“Was it Jessica that held you away? I could talk to her.” Shylock looked to the man he needed as a friend.

“No. Jessica is a good lady; Eshet Chayi (אֵשֶׁת חַיִל).“Proverbs 31:10-31 is a celebrated poem praising a woman's strength, wisdom, and character.” Shylock bowed to the other.

“I valued your words for my daughter. She truly deserves a man like ….”

“A man who won her heart could only deserve her. I am not that man.” Abram said. “Shalom, Shylock Judas.”

With that Abram took his leave. He glanced back at the City Court and knew his task was not completed then.

Meantime, Lord Gencio Capulet rode hard back to Genoa after his conversation with Antonio. It was shocking news then. Midway on his ride, he was met by Count Paris, who was en route to Hungary. They were to meet at the roadside tavern.

“Count Paris, I am honoured to meet you.” Lord Gencio Capulet greeted the other. “Are you riding back to Hungary?”

“I was, but a messenger intercepted me. He carried a message from Prince Escalus. I must return to Genoa again. Are you going there?”

“I am for some urgent matters that have arisen.” Lord Gencio Capulet smiled.

“As in the case of your son, Romeo being sought by the authorities?” Count Paris looked at the man. “Romeo is a flamboyant youth, but I am surprised that he could kill someone. Mercutio is a skilled swordsman.”

“Count Paris, you are obviously well informed on the matter.” Lord Gencio Capulet did not hide his cynical remarks. “I will do what I can to assist my son.”

“As you will be, Lord Gencio Capulet.” Count Paris nodded. “My instruction was to return to Genoa to assist Lord Dante Montague in some matters.”

“And I received words from Prince Escalus. Your son, Romeo, is to seek refuge at Verona. He will be protected there.”

Lord Gencio Capulet was taken aback by the call made. If he let Romeo go to Verona, the young son of his was to be held as hostage there by the prince. It was a dangerous call then. An unfair barter then.

“I will send him when I meet him at Genoa.” Lord Gencio Capulet nodded to the Count. He knew that the only safe refuge for Romeo was in Genoa, near to him.

“Farewell then, Lord Gencio Capulet. We will meet there.” Count Paris left for the horse he had secured for his return to Genoa. Antonio then joined Lord Gencio Capulet, who was watching the Count riding off.

“Is he on the same trail as us?” Antonio asked.

“I am unsure, but we will know when we reach home.” Lord Gencio Capulet replied. “The first thing you do is to find the whereabouts of the ship. And Romeo. His life is in danger now. The Jewels may be our treasure to win them all.”