Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 69

 

69.

 

Romeo ran the tunnel and emerged at the woods. He was confused then and found his path when he stumbled on the trail. He took it to the road and from there rushed to the cottage. He was careful in his approach and then emerged in the cottage. Juliet was lying there on the same bedding that he had lain on.

“Juliet!” Rome rushed forth to see her. She was lying there as if she were sleeping; her arms were at her sides.

“No, you …… You cannot die.” Romeo's tears rolled down his cheeks. “Juliet, please do not die. I love you. I cannot live without you.”

“Did you kill her, Romeo?” The voice was behind the lad. He turned to look and saw it was one he did not recognize.

“Who are you?” Romeo asked.

“I am Count Paris of Verona. I followed you here.” The man stood there at the doorway. He was with the group of four mercenaries to assist the prince, but he sent them on the way to the basilica while he followed Romeo.

“Did you kill her?”

“No, I did not. I am Romeo Capulet.” Romeo turned towards the man. Leave here. This is not any place for strangers.”

“I thought I recognized you from the street then. You were in a rush, and I followed you.” Count Paris said. “Is Juliet dead?”

“Leave,” I said. Romeo raised his voice. “She is mine. My love, and now leave us.”

“Oh my God! Is she dead?” Count Paris took to approaching the bedding. “I……”

“Take another step, and I will kill you.” Romeo drew out the dagger given to him by the friar. “Juliet is mine.”

“I will not draw a weapon unless I know how to use it.” Count Paris himself was armed with a sword, but he chose to keep it there on his waist belt. “I am here to ……… help you, Romeo Capulet.”

“The authorities are looking for you. You could surrender……"

“Leave now!” Romeo shouted out. “Are you here to arrest me? I will kill you.”

“No, I am not. I was on my way ……” Count Paris halted his voice. He was not to tell the lad that he was assisting Prince Escalus at the basilica. “I saw you at the ball at the Montague’s house. You were there dressed in red and were with Juliet.”

“Stay away! I am not here to talk to you.” Romeo shook his head. “Juliet is dead. My love, Juliet. She will be taken away from me. Do you know what it is like to have your love taken away?”

“I ……” Count Paris moved to the left side without losing sight of Romeo. “Maybe she is not dead. I could assist.”

“Do not come any closer! I am warning you. I killed Mercutio then. I know how to kill with the dagger.” Romeo rambles on. “I can kill again.”

“I do not care about that. I only care about Juliet.” Count Paris tried to look at the lady. “I……”

“Why are you here?” Romeo asked. “Who is Juliet to you?”

“I am Count Paris, and I came to Genoa to see… the city.” Count Paris lied in his reply. “I met Juliet at the ball where I was invited by the family. I spoke to her casually, but….”

“You do not speak of her name. She knows not you.” Romeo was upset. “Juliet is my love. She only loves me.”

“Romeo, I am not …… to attract Juliet. I just met her there.” Count Paris assessed his situation. He knew that Romeo was not his match in any fight, but he was concerned about Juliet.

“Shall we alert the authorities on her?”

“You will not. She ……. They will take her away. I will be taken away. We will be apart.” Romeo said. “We cannot be apart.”

“What did she die of?” Count Paris asked. “I see no wound on her.”

“She is dead. The friar told me she was dying. She... She could have killed herself.”Romeo turned to the bedding. He saw the potions there. One was drunk, but the other remained untouched. “It must be poison. She drank it all.”

“Why did she do that?” Count Paris asked. “Was she forced?”

“I do not know. I only know that we were to be together, but our families have a feud that separates us.” Romeo sighed. “Who cares about the feud that was not ours?”

“What feud?”

“The family one between the Capulet and Montague. Due to that, we are not allowed to be friends. Tybalt died because of that.” Romeo sighed. “I killed Mercutio then. It was an accident, but the kill was on me.”

“Why did you follow me?” Romeo looked at Count Paris.

“I ……. I wanted to see you… alone. I wanted to offer my help. I can help you. I know others who can help to clear your name.” Count Paris lied. He was unsure why he diverted off his task to follow Romeo. He looked at the lady and sighed. He knew then his reason; he was to see if Romeo would lead him to her. He had checked on her earlier and was told that she was missing.

“Why me? I do not know you.” Romeo asked. “Are you telling me lies?”

“Lies? I am not.” Count Paris defended his words. “I do want to help. I…….”

“He was asked by me.” Another voice was heard, and it was at the doorway. Count Paris turned to look and saw the person.

“Lady Angeline ……. apologies, its should be Rosaline Alger?” Count Paris was stunned at seeing the young lady. “I slipped up there.”

“I saw you earlier and wanted to talk with you, but you rushed off. I saw then that you were following Romeo, and I followed behind. I do not run as fast as you or… him.” Lady Rosaline Alger stepped in. “I heard part of the conversation when I arrived. Is that Juliet?”

“Oh my God! Is she dead?” Rosaline Alger rushed forth, but Romeo stopped her.

“Do not come any closer. She is dead. She poisoned herself.” Romeo told the lady. “Why …… Why do you have to follow here?”

“I came because I saw you. Romeo, I am concerned about you.” Rasaline Alger said. “Count …… Count Paris is a friend of mine, and he meant what he said. Let us help you.”

“It will be of no use. Juliet is dead. I am to die with her.” Romeo looked at the lady. “Do you know what love is?”

“I think I did, Romeo, but it was not… there. Our families thought so too, and so did I think of it for years, but it was a foolish dream after all. The families could plan, but the final call was on us. You told me so that day, “We cannot be lovers.” Rosaline sighed. “Thus, I moved on. Do you love her?”

“Yes, I do. I do love her very much.” Romeo declared. “She was different from you … or the others.”

“I am so sorry, Rosaline. I knew you were ……” Romeo sighed while looking at her. “We …… There was love, but not that one love between us. I found it in Juliet.”

“What was it then? You only met her at the ball. I was there too, and was for many years.” Rosaline burst out in tears.

“I already said it. She is… was always the one I love.” Romeo looked at Angeline. “I do of you but more of as ……… as my sister.”

“She is dead, Romeo. The Capulets and Montagues will not reconcile. These are the real facts here.” Rosaline looked at the one she once thought she could love. “Grow up, Romeo, and live for better things. There will be no love here.”

“Do not say that of Juliet. Live… your life without me. I am only for her.”

“I am doing it now, Romeo. But do not let the madness of this love destroy you.”

“Madness is not us. It is in all of you. You all stand between me and Juliet.” Romeo roared out. “In love and even in death.” 

Romeo grabbed the potion, and Count Paris rushed towards him.

“Do not do it!” Count Paris shouted. Romeo saw the other rushing towards him. His first reaction was defensive.

Not all defensive moves were the same.

It was to turn out to be offensive.

Count Paris stumbled on his rush and then dropped to his knees. The dagger held by Romeo was at his chest. Blood spurts out, and Count Paris was looking at the lad he was to save.

“I ……” Romeo stammers. “It was how……. Mercutio died.”

“Count Paris!” Rosaline rushed towards the other. She went down next to him, cuddling his body against hers.

“I will get help.” Rosaline said. She then looked at Romeo. “Help him…”

“I … I killed him.” Romeo was stunned. “I did not mean to.”

“Hold your mind together. He is not dead… yet. Get help!”

“I cannot go. I am needed here for Juliet.” Romeo looked at the lady on the bedding.

“Go for God’s sake. He is dying.” Rosaline pleaded. It was then Count Paris grabbed the arms of the lady.

“I …… I am dying. Let me die in your arms.” Count Paris struggled to put on a smile. “I always wanted to die in the arms of the lady.”