A/N: I'm gonna apologize in advance for this chapter. Like, we all knew it was coming but... I'm still sorry. I'm awful. Apologies all around. xoxo - E
Benvolio
"Wake up, Montague." A rough voice called out, jolting me from the fitful sleep I'd been managing in the corner of my cell. "Time to go."
"If you're referring to my execution, then I'd rather sleep a bit longer."
"I'll let you sleep in that cell all you like, but if I were you, I'd get up, kid." The guard was eyeing me curiously, and to be perfectly honest, his tone was confusing me.
"Where exactly am I being taken?"
"To your uncle. You're being freed." I leaped up from the floor and all but ran to the door of my cell.
"She did it, then? She got him to free me?"
"I don't know anything about any girl, but I know my orders, son. You're to be freed, and returned to the Montagues, with a full apology from the Prince. He insists, however, that you accept his apology and make up some rot about how you are proud to live in a city that is so diligent about justice, and you were happy the truth has come out at last, or something. Don't worry. I'm fairly certain the exact speech was given to your uncle and you're only meant to say something affirmative." I was barely listening. She'd done it. She'd proven my innocence and convinced the Prince to let me out of here. I couldn't wait to kiss her again. I couldn't wait... Oh God I wanted to marry her right now. I'd do it in this cell if it meant her being my wife all the quicker.
The guard led me up the stairs, my wrists not in chains for the first time in what felt like an eternity. I was fidgeting restlessly, and I could hear a rumble of voices coming from the throne room. She'd be in there. I was sure of it. I was certain that she'd be as anxious to see me as I was to see her. Rosaline. My darling Rosaline. She would be my wife. She would be mine forever. Just as soon as I walked out of this castle and into her arms. Oh lord why did this hallway feel like an eternity?!
Rosaline
I was done vomiting by now, though I was fairly certain that it was largely to do with the fact that I hadn't eaten in the past two days and no longer had anything to remove from my stomach. I had been given an older gown of Isabella's, completely redone, of course, and looking nothing like it had on her, but still, a quality of dress to fit a princess. Oh god. I felt like hurling again. He had already arrested Paris. The ambassador that Paris's father had sent along with him in the first place was returning to the Prince to inform him of his son's treachery and our current imprisonment of him. If some deal could be made with the man for the return of his son, Escalus was likely to make it, but with several assurances that Paris could never truly rise to power. There was a younger sister there. It would be likely that the Princess would take over upon her father's death. Isabella liked that. She'd always been a champion for women in power.
My sister was by my side, and it was one of the only things keeping me from fainting straight away. She too was dressed the part of a lady, and she looked at peace, back at her old station. At least that was something I could give her now. The sister to a princess, she could marry where she wished and she could marry for love. I had hopes for her, that her life would proceed with happiness and hope, and joy, even as mine insisted on the darkness that surely stretched out ahead of me. For the first time, I began to understand my dear cousin, Juliet, how she defied them all to be with her Romeo, and how in the end, she refused to exist without him. But I didn't have her freedom to die. Too many people counted on my living this hell. God only knows what Escalus would do to Benvolio if he did not have me to tame him back, and my sister... she could only rise and fall and rise and fall again so many times before she became a joke, an uncertainty, and lost her ability to marry well and romantically. For Livia, and for Benvolio, I would endure. I had to endure. I couldn't meet Lord Montague's eyes, though I knew he was attempting to catch my attention. I had done what I'd promised, hadn't I? I'd secured Benvolio's release and return to his family still fully in power and respectable. What more could he want? What more could he take from me? I had nothing left to give.
A guard entered the room, followed by a prisoner, but I forced my eyes away. It was Benvolio. I knew it was him. I could feel his very presence in the room. But I couldn't look at him or I'd burst into tears and Escalus would understand my heartbreak and God only knew if he'd still keep his promise of Benvolio's safety.
"Lord Montague." Escalus rose and addressed Benvolio immediately. "The crown wishes to grant you your freedom, and apologize for the previous discomfort you have faced."
"The Montague family is a great champion of justice, your grace." Benvolio's uncle spoke in response. "We are proud to be a part of a system which would hold anyone, even a wealthy lord accountable for their actions. We knew that Benvolio was innocent and that your quest for the truth would bring the true criminal to light, and we were happy to allow justice to work itself out in the end. A bit of discomfort is nothing we are not willing to bear for a just city, and noble city, a city which makes both the peasants and the nobility answer to the same law."
"Precisely, your highness." I froze. I could avoid looking at him all I liked, but I couldn't stop myself from hearing his voice, the voice which two days prior had spoken of his love for me, of our future together, a future which would never be. "I am pleased that the true murderer has been captured, and that I might return to my life as quickly as possible. I have much to look forward to in the coming weeks."
"Indeed you do." Escalus announced. "As you shall now be taking your uncle's place in my council."
"Your highness?" Benvolio questioned. I could already picture the look on his face. I dug my nails into my palm to keep myself from turning to look at him. Oh God I just wanted to look at him, to see those eyes and know everything would be all right! But it wasn't going to be all right, and false hope was nothing more than a lie, so I stared at Escalus and wished for the thousandth time that this day be over.
"I've received note of the corrections to the previous notions we'd had upon your father's passing, Lord Benvolio. Evidently, you were to be sole heir to the Montague house, your uncle only the regent until you came of age. You are well over age and I welcome your advice and guidance at my council table." Oh God no. That would mean he would be here, in the castle, all the damn time. I would have to see him, interact with him, knowing I could never have him. This day was getting worse and worse.
"I thank you, sir." Benvolio replied, sounding as though he wasn't sure he was all that grateful after all. Escalus nodded graciously.
"Another announcement, as all the Lords and many of our city's people are here to witness your emancipation," Escalus cleared his throat and I bit my tongue to keep from tearing up. Had someone told Benvolio yet? Did he know? Or was he about to be blindsided and believe that I didn't love him, that I would chose wealth and power over him? That's what it surely would look like to him, that I'd been given a chance at power, and wealth, and a station far beyond my own, and I'd taken it, leaving him behind. "There is something that we may now make known. Fellow Veronians, as you are aware, as long as this masked devil has stalked the streets, there has been chaos, bloodshed, and terror reigning. The tragic loss of Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet marked a pivotal moment when the previously feuding families came together to help end this terror once and for all." Was he mad? The masked man hadn't appeared until well after Romeo and Juliet had died. Was anyone even believing all of this? "It was decided that Verona would make a show of unity, of support, and of love, all that we hold so dearly. As such, a betrothal was made, with no intention of a wedding." People were murmuring now, and Escalus had to raise his voice to be heard over the dull noise, amplified by the echoing room. "Rosaline Capulet and Benvolio Montague agreed to fabricate a romance to show our enemies, both foreign and at home, that we would not be torn apart. The families played their part in honor of the love their children had for one another before their untimely deaths. Now that the killer has been apprehended, there is no need for this charade any longer." It was no longer a dull murmur. People were talking outright. Some simply seemed intrigued, while others were a bit more upset by this news.
"Your highness," Benvolio cut in, my blood freezing at the sound of his voice. "I'm afraid that there's been some developments."
"Indeed. There have. Allow me to explain, Verona. These two young people were chosen, as by virtue of their position in those particular families, the point was more strongly made, but also because Benvolio Montague and Rosaline Capulet share a profound love of Verona, and would do whatever it took to bring peace and prosperity to our streets. Benvolio is from a strong house, which proves its loyalty to the crown often, and the Lady Rosaline... she was already betrothed to me, an agreement which would always have voided their betrothal before it reached it's continuance in marriage." He held out his hand to me, and I stepped up beside him, taking it in mind. "Please, allow me to announce with a great happiness, that I will marry Rosaline Capulet in one week's time." And now people were calling out, across the room, yelling to one another. The Prince was to marry a Capulet, what did that mean? What would become of that house? Would the nobility shift in power? Why had we all lied? What was happening anymore. As I looked around the crowd, attempting to discern the general mood at this announcement, I made the mistake of drifting my eyes a little further left. I met his gaze.
Oh God above. This was what heartbreak felt like.