Within the week, word of Paris and Romana’s wedding has spread, and excitement has taken hold of the people of Verona. Some celebrate the union, offering blessings of happiness to the bride and groom to be. Some question the truth of the news, voicing their doubts that the wedding will come to pass. Whatever their view, they all wait for the day with bated breath. Romana alone sits with sadness and dread.

There is only a week left until the wedding, and Benvolio has yet to answer any of Romana’s letters. His silence worries her—her fear of abandonment growing as the days pass. She barely eats or sleeps, her tears flow freely whenever she’s alone, and thoughts of her bleak future never cease. 

“Milady,” Chimere pleads, holding a tray of food. “You must eat something.”

Romana remains by the window, staring blankly at the sky.

“I’m not hungry,” she says, her voice barely audible.

Chimere sighs, setting the tray down.

“I know this is not what you wanted for yourself, but that doesn’t mean you can just give up. Too many people love and cherish you. Think of your father or Benvolio or me.” She pauses. “Think of Julius. He already lost one person dear to him. Please don’t be the next, milady.”

Romana fixates on Chimere’s words. Chimere is right. She can’t lose hope, not yet. Not when she still has a way to reach Benvolio. That night, Romana sits at her desk, a blank sheet of paper before her. She struggles to find the words she needs to tell Julius of her plight. It is long past due that he learn of her relationship with Benvolio, but she worries about his reaction. Would he celebrate her happiness or shun her for her lies? 

She sighs and finally puts pen to paper. She will simply call him to their meeting place and tell him then. As she wakes Chimere from her slumber to have the letter sent, she prays to the heavens that Julius won’t turn his back on her. 

For the rest of the night and a better part of the morning, Romana is a bundle of nerves, her mind racing with all the possibilities of how Julius could react. He is her last chance at escaping her fate; if he refuses to help her, she is doomed to a life forever trapped behind walls, stuck in a marriage with a man she does not love. In the afternoon, she sits with a basket of laundry, attempting to help Chimere repair some clothes to try and take her mind off her nerves.

Chimere’s sigh is loud in her ears, startling her from her thoughts.  

“You missed the stitch again, milady.” 

“Oh.” Romana sighs, setting the cloth aside. “I’m just creating more work for you aren’t I?”

“Why are you so nervous?” Chimere asks, searching her eyes. “What makes you think Julius would turn his back on you?”

“How would you feel if your dearest friend kept such a secret from you?”

“Well—”

“Honestly,” Romana says. “No lying to spare my feelings.”

Chimere chuckles.

“I’d be cross, no doubt.”

“Exactly!” Romana turns her gaze out the window. “I need Julius’ help. He’s the only other way to reach Benvolio and without him. . .”

Chimere comes to Romana’s side, her cloak in her hands. She squeezes her shoulder with a sympathetic smile.

“You and I both know Julius isn’t like that,” she says soothingly. “And I’ll tell you I told you so when you get back.”

Romana’s eyes widen in panic.

“It’s time already?” she asks.

“Not quite, but I figure the walk to meet him will settle your nerves some.”

Romana smiles.

“Thank—”

A loud knock interrupts them. Chimere quickly takes the cloak from her hands, hiding it behind her back as Lord Capulet enters, several maids carrying dresses in tow.

“Romana, are you decent?” he asks, averting his eyes.

“It’s a little late to be asking now, Father,” Romana says. “I am decent, but what is all of this?”

Lord Capulet chuckles.

“A gift from Count Paris. The prince was kind enough to lend him the royal dressmaker and they sent over a few dresses for you to try.”

“A few?” she says, dismayed as the maids continue to bring more.

“Of course, they’ll need to take your measurements, but that can wait until after we’ve chosen a dress.”

“H-how thoughtful,” Romana says. 

She meets Chimere’s eyes, pleading for help. Trying on all the dresses could take hours, and she couldn’t keep Julius waiting.

“Milord,” Chimere says hesitantly as he directs the maids, “could this not wait an hour or two? Milady was complaining of not feeling well, you see, and was just about to lay down for a nap.”

“Not feeling well?” He turns to look Romana over, laying a heavy hand over her forehead. “She appears fine to me.”

“It’s more so nerves, milord,” Chimere says. “A wedding is a grand occasion after all. There’s a lot of pressure for it to go well.”

“Ah, I see.” Lord Capulet nods. “Yes, even her mother suffered from nerves before we cemented our union. All the more reason to take care of this now, no?” He turns back to the maids. “Help Romana change into the first one, and be quick about it.”

Romana and Chimere share a look. Chimere whispers to her as she helps her undress behind the privacy screen.

“I’ll try again after you’ve tried on a few dresses.”

Time ticks by as Romana tries on dress after dress, each one a task to get in and out of. Though she quickly voices which ones she is pleased with—whatever it takes to be done sooner—Lord Capulet does not agree.

“Not this one,” he says with a shake of his head.

“But this is the fifteenth one we’ve tried, Father,” Romana says. “Surely, you must have found one to your liking.”

“You must have the best,” he says firmly. “Bring the next dress.”

“Actually, milord,” Chimere says. “Maybe we should let milady rest? Trying on dresses is a draining task.”

Lord Capulet studies Romana and she tries her best to look as tired as she feels. He sighs, motioning for the maids to leave.

“Perhaps you are right. We’ll continue after she’s had some rest. Be sure to bring her something to eat as well.” He flashes Romana a smile. “Can’t have her falling ill.”

When they are sure Lord Capulet is gone, Romana and Chimere rush to get her out of the elaborate dress and into one more subdued.

“Do you think he’s still waiting?” Romana asks desperately as she slips into her shoes.

“I’m sure of it,” Chimere says, pushing the cloak into her hands, “but that doesn’t mean you have the time to wonder. You must hurry lest your Father catch you in the act.”

Romana races from the Capulet manor, praying Julius hasn’t left yet. She tightens her fists in her skirts, trying her best not to trip over her feet in her haste. She barely has breath when she spots Julius waiting for her on the bench. Nerves forgotten crash into her once more as she forces herself to approach.

“Julius!” she calls, breathless. “I’m so sorry for making you wait!”

He rises to his feet, a beautiful smile on his lips.

“Romana!” he says sweetly. “I was starting to get worried. Whatever kept you for so long?” 

“Forgive me,” she mutters as he takes her hands in his. “Father insisted I try on the dresses Paris sent for me.” 

“Speaking of, I heard the news. I suppose congratulations are in order?”

Her gaze falls to the ground, her grip on his hands tightening.

“Actually, they’re not.”

“No?” Julius tilts his head, trying to catch her gaze. “Is something amiss?”

“I—” Her voice dies in her throat and she curses herself. Even now, she is struggling to find the courage to tell him the truth.

Julius frowns as the silence drags on. He gently tugs on her hands.

“Come. Let us sit. It looks as if you ran all the way here.”

“I did,” she says, taking a seat beside him.

He chuckles.

“You shouldn’t have rushed. I would have waited all day for you if I had to.”

Her heart constricts and she sighs.

“I’m not deserving of your trust,” she whispers.

“Why ever not?”

“I—I’ve been keeping something from you.” Romana’s fingers tangle and untangle in her lap. “Something I should have told you a long time ago.” She takes a deep breath. “I’m. . .seeing someone.”

She glances at Julius’ expression. He looks surprised.

“You mean besides Paris? Since when?”

“Well. . .it’s fairly new.” She bites her lip. She can’t bring herself to reveal just how long she had been keeping this from him. It is enough that he knows. “I—that is to say. . .the one I’m seeing is. . .Benvolio.” She tightens her fists and squeezes her eyes shut, her voice coming out in a rush. “I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I was just so worried about how you would react and whenever I thought I would lose you, I just—”

“Easy,” Julius says gently, grabbing hold of her shoulders and turning her towards him. Her frightened eyes meet his. “Calm down, Romana. It’s okay.”

“It–it is?”

“Yes,” he says with a chuckle. “In fact, it is more than okay. This is wonderful. I can think of nothing better than you and my cousin being together.”

Romana’s body relaxes.

“You. . .you really don’t mind?”

“All I want is your happiness, Romana, and if Benvolio makes you happy, then all the better.” He smiles. “He’s a good man.”

Romana’s cheeks blush. She averts her eyes once again.

“Now I feel foolish for waiting so long to tell you.”

“Don’t be. I understand your hesitation considering the feud between our families.” Julius frowns. “But if you are to be married to Paris, what about Benvolio?”

“That is why I called you here. Because I need your help.”

“If I can provide it, I’ll be happy to give it,” Julius says.

“I need to get in touch with Benvolio. He hasn’t answered any of my letters and we’re running out of time to act.”

“Did he have a plan?”

Romana huffs, folding her arms.

“His plan is to be patient. At least, that is what he told me the last we spoke.”

“Perhaps he means for you to go through with the marriage? You could always see each other in secret as you have been.”

“But we couldn’t and he knows that!” Romana shrieks. “If my marriage to Paris is allowed to pass, any hope of freedom is gone with it.”

“Surely, you jest?”

“I wish that I did,” she says softly. “But I am certain being married to Paris would be no different to living under my father’s roof. I may be allowed to roam, but never without him by my side. My life wouldn’t be my own.” Tears sting her eyes, and she buries her face in her hands. “I just don’t know what to do.”

Julius places a soothing hand on her back, rubbing gently.

“My poor Romana. It pains me to see you suffer so. While I’m afraid I know not how to stop your impending marriage completely, I do have an idea on how to postpone it.”

She raises her gaze as Julius pulls a small glass bottle from his pocket. The liquid inside is clear. He pushes it gently into her hands.

“It’s supposed to help you get a better night’s sleep,” he continues, “but if you take a little more than intended, it should make you sick enough that your father will postpone the wedding.”

Romana frowns, eyeing the bottle.

“You haven’t been sleeping well?” she asks.

He laughs sadly, his gaze falling to his hands.

“It’s just. . .with Benvolio around, Father has been more. . .”

“Oh heavens!” Romana places a hand to her mouth. “Here I am worried about marriage meanwhile you’re suffering at the hands of that awful man.” She grabs hold of his hands, looking him over more closely. “You’re not injured are you?”

“I’m fine. Truly. Thank you for your concern, but we’re trying to solve your problem right now.”

“Are you sure it’s safe?” she asks.

“Of course. I would never put you in harm's way, Romana.”

She stares at the bottle, turning it in her hands. She recalls her father’s words to her as he left her room. 

Can’t have her falling ill.

“Thank you, Julius.” She tucks the bottle away in her pocket. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”

The clock tower chimes in the distance. Romana’s heart drops as she rises to her feet. Hopefully, Chimere is able to hold off Lord Capulet until she returns.

“Thank you for telling me your secret,” Julius says as he rises as well. “Promise you have no more?”

She chuckles bitterly.

“None,” she says, shaking her head, “and I was a fool for keeping this one for so long. Until next time, dear friend.” 

She waves farewell, and hurries on her way, holding her skirts tightly so she doesn’t trip in her haste. Julius watches as she disappears, his smile turning into a sneer.

“A fool indeed,” he mutters as he turns to the church.

He walks down the abandoned aisle, past the empty pews and crumbling walls. Up the steps to the podium and to the secret door in the wall behind it. He pulls it open to reveal a set of stairs leading down. He walks, familiar with the uneven steps, and enters the cellar. 

What was once filled with food and other supplies to feed the poor is now filled with weapons. From knives and axes to saws and chains, every weapon was lovingly displayed on the walls with barely space between them. 

Julius walks past these walls to sit at a desk tucked away in the corner. On it lies several letters. On the top, Chimere’s, her heart spilled out in ink. Julius tosses it aside, picking up the letter underneath it. The words are slanted and poorly formed, indicating it was written in a rush. Still, he can tell it’s Romana’s hand. The letter is addressed to Benvolio, desperately asking him to reconsider and run away with her. All the others say the same, her desperation becoming more apparent with each plea unanswered. He chuckles to himself until his sides hurt and tears come to his eyes.

“Oh, Romana,” he says with a sigh, “how foolish it was of you to lie to me. You intend to run away and leave me behind when you should understand by now that I’m the only one you need.” 

He glances at his favorite knives hanging on the wall above his desk. 

“I hope you learn from this mistake. But if you still don’t understand your error,” he girns cruelly, “I have ways to make you.”

⬥⬥⬥

Night falls and the town sleeps, save for Romana who sits at her desk, the bottle Julius had given her in hand. She trusts Julius; she knows he would never do her harm, but still she hesitates to consume the contents of the bottle. She glances around her room at the dresses left behind, recalling how her father ignored her opinions, insisting he knew best. She chuckles bitterly. She didn’t even get a say in her own dress.

She wonders how fast the liquid will take effect. What will she have to suffer through? How long before it passes? She thinks about Chimere. Should she not tell Chimere her plans? She hates the idea of startling her, but Chimere could talk her out of it and she can’t afford to hesitate any longer.

Romana takes a deep breath and uncorks the bottle, downing the contents in one go lest she lose her nerve. She coughs, her throat burning. When the cough passes and she can breathe again, she hides the bottle in one of her drawers and pulls out a sheet of paper. She wants Benvolio to know her plan. Word is sure to get out once she falls ill—she hated the thought of worrying him. She only makes it through half of the letter before her vision begins to blur. Try though she does to rub it away, she eventually has no choice but to leave the letter for later and retires to bed. As she drifts off to sleep, she sees Benvolio’s face and prays they’ll find their happiness soon.