Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 63

 

63.

 

Friar Lawrence took detours before he went to the basilica. He was unsure but felt that he was being watched. He made his visits and sneaked out the rear to avoid any detections. Soon, he met the Chorbaji there and handed over the basket of food and drinks. He saw the Wallachian was seated alone at the side, while the young Capulet was by himself at the rear.

“Chorbaji, can we let the young lad off? He knows nothing.” The friar asked. He feared for the safety of the lad.

“The lad is a Capulet, and more to that, he is wanted by the authorities. If I let him go, he may tell on us if he gets caught.” Chorbaji Tarmuk replied. “I know you are concerned about him, but it has to be done.”

“Young Romeo … is innocent. I can vouch for him. I will take him back to see his father, and he will not say a word on you or the… Wallachian. It may be of good tidings that we turned him over to the lord there. He may help you further.”

“A good point, Lamin. But for now, I need to rest. I will advise you later.’ Chorbaji Tarmuk stepped away. The friar approached the Wallachian.

“Vlad Tepes, I am Friar Lawrence.” The friar stood before the seated Wallachian. “I……”

“An unusual rank for one who serves the Chorbaji.” Vlad looked at the other. “Are you…”

“I am a friar, or I assume I am. My real name is Lamin, and I was of the Janissary until my defection to be with my love in Wallachia. It was a good life until you had them killed, for they were on the wrong side of the boyars. I held no love for you, Wallachian.”

“Neither from me. I am or was the Voivode then. I had to bring order to minethen. I held no regret for my act then.” Vlad Tepes explained. “We were at war.”

“Unfortunately, and for me, I was recruited back to the Janissary and became a ……. friar.” 

“A noble rank perhaps, and unseen by others.” Vlad smiled. “Why are you having this conversation?”

“I …… I came to ask you to release the lad. He is not involved in this battle.” Friar Lawrence pressed forth his intention. “Romeo is to see his love soon, or she may……”

“And I am not his captor. The Chorbaji is the one who held him here.” Vlad smiled. “I am also torn from my family. We are both similar in fate.”

“Perhaps you could…….”

“If I could, I would have done so.” Vlad looked at the friar. “I am not a bad person. I valued love more so when it comes to family. You must understand me. What I did before was during the year. I killed many, but I also killed their dependents, for I was not to see them suffer alone.”

“You meant remove the roots of the enemies so that none may rise against you.” Friar Lawrence glared at the Wallachian. “As you did to mine.”

“It was needed.” Vlad nodded. “It was war.”

“Bastard! I ought to kill you here.” Friar Lawrence cursed out.

“But you will not. For you are not at war. Go now, friar. I need to rest.”

Rest was far from the mind of Lord Gencio Capulet. He had informed us that Vlad Tepes had left the house without his family.

“The Wallachian left with the Turks. We are searching the city.” The servant told the lord. “His lady and family remain there.”

“Find him.” Lord Gencio Capulet told the servant. It was then Lady Sofia barged in.

“Gencio, Lorenzo … he is leaving us.” Lady Sofia cried out. She handed over the letter given to her by the servant. “He had it delivered to me today.”

“Madness! What has happened to our family? Romeo is missing, and now Lorenzo too.” Lord Gencio Capulet roared out. “Tybalt, Benvolio, and now Lorenzo. I cannot find Reynard either.”

“Gencio, please find Lorenzo. I cannot lose another son.” Lady Sofia pleaded.

“I will find …… him. I will need to see Dante.” Lord Gencio Capulet took leave of the house. At that moment, Lord Dante Montague was met by Count Paris at his home.

“My lord, I had come on another matter.” Count Paris smiled at the other seated at the library. Lord Dante Montague held his stare at the other.

“One of…the main reasons I came to Genoa…when I attended the ball held in honour of your daughter, Lady Juliet….”

“Please state your call, Count Paris. I am a busy man.” Lord Dante Montague looked at the drawer that held the case that belonged to Vlad Tepes.

“Obviously…. I was to ask you for the …hand of your daughter, Juliet Montague.” Count Paris looked at the lord. “I am… I will be a good man towards her.”

“The hell you will.” Juliet Montague stormed in. She was followed by her mother, Lady Angeline. “Father, I will not wed this……. Man.”

“Juliet ……” Count Paris was stunned by the outburst.

“Juliet Montague, you will return to your chamber and remain there.” Lord Dante Montague roared out. The lady referred to refused to leave.

“I will not wed this man. If I am forced, I will rather…die.” Juliet called out. Her nurse also rushed in and comforted the lady.

“Count Paris, this may not be the time to discuss this.” Lady Angeline looked from her daughter to the count. “Please allow us time to reply.”

“As you wish, my lady. I will leave now.” Count Paris was embarrassed and took leave. Lord Dante Montague looked at his errant daughter.

“You have embarrassed my guest. A distinguished one. You will ……” Lord Dante Montague was cut off by his daughter.

“I will wed no one but Romeo Capulet.” Juliet cried out in anger. “Stop me and…you may be buried in the ground.”

Juliet stormed off in anger. Lord Dante Montague looked to his lover, and she sighed.

“You could have ……” Lady Angeline sighed again. “You know your daughter is headstrong.”

“I ……. I did not know till then. The imbecile asked me and then raised that issue, and she came in like a banshee.” Lord Dante Montague sighed. “I have enough issues to contend with, and now this has to happen.”

“Let me talk to her.” Lady Angeline looked at the distraught father. “And for you, I will suggest that you give back the case to Vlad Tepes. It has brought us so many issues.”

Lord Dante Montague looked towards the drawer while Lady Angeline walked off.

Count Paris took the walk from the Montague’s house and was met by Lord Gencio Capulet. The carriage drew alongside, and he was offered a ride.

“Had a bad day, huh?”

“Yes ……. And no. Why are you here, Lord Gencio Capulet?’

“I was called by the prince to meet him, and we happened to ride by.” Lord Gencio Capulet smiled. “I do not enjoy your company, but seeing you in the rush walking from the house, I presumed you had a bad meeting there.”

“Yes, it was. I was to propose to Lady Juliet through her father, but the lady rejected me outright. She claimed to have fallen in love with your son, Romeo Capulet.” Count Paris poured out his grief.

“My son, Romeo? Impossible. I will never allow that. The Capulets and Montagues cannot be bound by marriage. I forbid it.”

“Interesting. Then I am still free to pursue her.” Count Paris smiled. “Why do you wish to see the prince?”

“Well, I will not know until I see him. He called for a meeting. Were you not informed?”

“At times, I am a lackey to him. He tells me what he thinks I ought to know. He treats everyone under him the same.” Count Paris sighed. “We are … his extended family, I guess. To obey and not to question. The price of being loyal.”

Loyalty at times can be denied.

“Why was I not informed?” Juliet Montague was in tears. “What do they take me for? A trade of convenience?”

“I am sure it is a misunderstanding.” The nurse Angelica smoothens the bed covers with one eye on the care of hers. “I am sure the Lord will tell you soon, or……”

“Angelica, you had choices. Why can I not have that too?” Juliet burst out in tears.

“I am not a member of the Montague family. I cannot be of that.” Angelica sighed. She then heard the call.

“Angelica, please leave us.” Lady Angeline stepped into the chamber. The nurse took her leave, and the mother approached the daughter.

“I am sure your father will……”

“If he does for that pompous …… Count, I would rather die.” Juliet cried out. “Why will he not accept Romeo?”

“My darling, the… the Capulets and us are two… differing clans. We… they held a feud long before you were born. They may not come to terms with it now, but one day, they may. Till then, we must draw a boundary with them.”

“Mother, I love Romeo, and he loves me. Why can we not be together?” Juliet looked to her mother. “You wedded……”

“It is complicated. I …….” Lady Angeline looked to the garden outside. “We are……”

“You loved Father, right?” Juliet asked.

“Yes, I do, but then…”

“Aunt Juliette was his first love. I knew. She was married to the man in the aisles, and he then….”

“Yes, he loved your aunt, but she was married to another. I was the next in line, I guess.” Lady Angeline smiled. “It was not perfect, but … it was arranged by your grandmother. As she was then in her time, and her mother before that. We, the ladies, have little to say but obey.”

“I will not. I would rather die.” Juliet pulled away from her mother. “I will not marry whoever he chooses or even you.”

“Juliet Montague, you will not disobey your family wishes.” Lady Angeline’s words were not heard by the younger lady, who stormed off.

“We are all at the mercy of the family’s name.” Lady Angeline sighed.