Rosaline

I had a wedding dress. Or at least I'd ordered one. Aemilius had sketched out the ideas he had based on the bits of each style that we'd liked and what suited me, and I knew that any of what he decided would be beautiful. I'd look lovely. For a wedding to the man I loved. My best friend. I trusted him, I knew it would be a good marriage regardless, but I also knew that it would break my heart to see him fall for other girls. But I'd had my heart broken before. I lived through it. And I would again. I would do it with a smile, because even if he didn't love me, he was still my best friend, and I got to spend the rest of my life, being with my best friend.

"A letter for you, my lady." Evenlina, one of the older maids said, handing me the missive. She stepped in closer, glancing around. "I think you'll find that this one has slipped passed your uncle's notice, Rosaline." She said. I smiled and thanked her. She hadn't been my best friend or anything, but we had worked together for a long time, and we were friendly enough that her loyalty on these small matters would be to me over the Capulets. I doubted she'd defy them on anything large enough to get her fired, but on an issue that could easily be claimed a mistake, she would be partial to Livia and me. I slipped the letter in my pocket and made my way casually towards the door.

"Where are you going, Lady Rosaline?" My aunt asked, her voice pinched as she stepped out of a room and noticed my escape.

"For a walk in the rose gardens." I said truthfully. "I'll be back soon."

"See that you are. We have dinner guests." I curtsied to my aunt and hastened out the door before she could stop me again. I walked the winding paths until I found a bench to sit upon, and leaned back against the stone of a water fountain as I ripped open the missive. The handwriting looked familiar, but I couldn't remember having seen Benvolio's script before so I hadn't the slightest idea of why I would recognize it.

My dear Rosaline,

I must speak with you immediately. My darling, I love you and I wish to wed you. I hope that after everything, you may be able to return my affections and we can move forward, as husband and wife. You see, it is possible my dear. Information has come to light that I feel I must share with you immediately. I think this may solve all of our problems and give us a way forward. Meet me at the palace at as soon as possible. Princess Isabella will be issuing an official request for your company that I believe will appease your aunt and uncle to let you escape from whatever commitments they have made on your behalf.

I count the moments until I can see you again, my love.

Yours.

Tears streamed down my face as I read and reread the letter over and over and over again. He loved me. Benvolio loved me. And he wished to marry me, as I did him. We felt the same, and on top of all of that, he had information about the man who had attempted to kill us all, that would hopefully help us end the feuding and the rioting in the city. Oh my dear, dear Benvolio! I clutched the letter to my chest. That must have been why he had stayed away the other evening. He had been hunting down the criminal who held our families' futures in a vice. I wished he had taken me with, but I understood that he wished to protect me. I would have to rid him of that notion during our long, long future together. I laughed out loud. My day could not have a more perfect conclusion. I shoved the letter into my pocked and hurried inside. I'd been planning on wearing the dress I was currently in to dinner, but not dinner with Benvolio. I would have to change before the invitation arrived from Isabella, as my uncle would likely insist I immediately attend. I called for my sister and with a light in my eye, explained that I was going to be summoned to the castle to meet with Isabella and Benvolio about the plague on the city and our houses, and that we were going to solve everything, but that I had to look my utmost best and would she please, please, help me into my favorite gown? Livia grinned at me and acquiesced immediately. She hurried to pull out the pale blue gown with the hammered gold shoulder accents and arm bands. It was soft, and comfortable, but also gave me an air of strength, of armor, like a lady about to charge into battle. Besides. Benvolio had mentioned once that he liked me in blue, that it brought out my eyes. I attempted to tame my hair into something resembling a well put together lady, and let Livia fasten me into the folds upon folds of fabric, held together by metal fastenings and accents. When she had finished, I sprayed a touch of Jasmine scent upon my neck and went to the mirror. I took a deep breath.

"Do I look all right?" I asked Livia, nervously.

"I haven't the slightest idea why you are so worried, sister, but I assure you, you look stunning. Whomever you are hoping to impress will be more than that." I turned to hug and kiss her goodbye.

"Thank you, Livia. I'm sorry I am leaving you alone with Aunt and Uncle tonight. No one deserves that."

"I'm not alone," She said. "There are plenty of my friends here to keep me company and I've told you before. Aunt isn't nearly so awful to me as she is to you, so I will be just fine." That part at least, I believed. Just then there came a knock on my door. Livia hurried to open it and my aunt stood holding a piece of paper, looking highly displeased.

"You've been summoned to the castle." She told me briefly. "The Princess requires your company. Your uncle insists upon your leaving immediately so it is a good thing you are already changed for dinner. Hurry. A carriage from the palace awaits you outdoors." Her tone alone was enough to let me know that she thought I deserved none of this, but that it wasn't her game to play to deny it to me. "Well go on!" She insisted, hurrying me out the door.

I clutched the letter from Benvolio in my hand as I bounced nervously on the seat of the carriage. My eyes saw every sight of the evening, peddlers making their way home, men carousing on their way to their preferred establishments, ladies hurrying home, all manner of activity really, but I took in none of it. I was too anxious to see my Benvolio. My Benvolio. He loved me too. We would marry, and we would be in love all the days of our lives.

Upon arriving at the palace, two guards helped me out of the carriage and delivered me to one of Isabella's parlors. I waited anxiously, my feet fidgeting uncontrollably as I waited for everyone else to arrive. Isabella stepped in the room first, followed by a maid and I rose, practically running to her side. She smiled at me kindly as we hugged.

"You seem quite happy." She commented teasingly.

"Thank you, Isabella, for arranging this. Really. I can't tell you what it means." She laughed.

"I was more than happy to, when the situation was revealed to me."

"Did he tell you all? I can hardly wait to hear the whole story. Please. Tell me."

"No! I promised I would let him tell you, and currently Lord Montague is arguing with him, trying to change his mind on the matter, but I'm sure the lot of them will be in soon." I rolled my eyes. Of course he was arguing with his uncle. But we would prevail. He had convinced Isabella, and I could easily convince Escalus once I knew all, and with the Prince and Princess on our side, there could hardly be anyone who would disagree.

"Please! I can hardly wait!"

"Actually, our presence in the throne room might quell the fighting and we can get to the issue at hand. Come on Rosaline." We took each other's arms and we hurried down to meet the others. When we stepped into the room, Lord Montague, turned, looking utterly furious, borderline horrified. He bowed curtly to Isabella before returning his attention to Escalus, who sat on his throne. I looked around excitedly for Benvolio.

"Lady Rosaline." The Prince said, rising to his feet. "I see you've gotten my letter. I can't tell you how pleased I am that you have arrived to discuss it."

My heart was beating too fast. I must have heard that wrong. I must not have... no. He didn't mean...

"Forgive me your highness. Your letter? Your sister is the one who summoned me here."

"Did you not receive the earlier letter I sent? Warning you of her summons." He smiled at me softly and nodded as I pulled the letter I had been clutching out of my pocket. His letter. His letter declaring his love for me. Escalus's. He looked to one of the guards. "Bring in the prisoner. He should be here when we discuss his actions and his fate." He said, his voice spitting with an anger I had never seen on him before. Before I could even begin to comprehend what was happening, two men came in dragging a struggling prisoner, his wrists bound, his head covered by a cloth. The poor soul was thrown at the Prince's feet, and Escalus reached forward angrily, snatching off the hood.

Benvolio.

A/N: It's short but I hope to update much sooner than usual so check back for the next update! Please review!