Francisco gets to the safety of his room and as soon as the door was closed, he leaned against hit and slid to the floor. He didn't even bother lighting the candles. Recently he had prefered the dark anyway. He felt hot tears on his cheeks. He had held it in all day and now was the only time to let it out. He lays his head in his knees and cries until her couldn't cry anymore. Then he crawls to his bed and just lays there staring at the needed sleep but sleep wouldn't come. Even if it would, he would just fight it off. He was scared of sleeping. Of the dreams.

Eventually the sunlight peeked through the curtains on the window. Francisco grains and sits up, rubbing his face. He hadn't slept at all. That has been happening more and more now. He drags himself from the bed and gets ready for the day. He dressed and hurriedly brushed his hair and threw it into a ponytail. He looks himself in the mirror. He was a mess but he didn't even care. He would have to borrow some concealer from Cordelia or Juliet. He tilts his head up proudly and puts a smile on his face. Then he left his room to meet the others.

Breakfast went well and they moved to a drawing room to relax. Francisco buried himself in his book but also payed attention to what was going on around him. Curio was drawing on a spare piece of parchment . Romeo and Juliet were talking about the wedding. They already had vows written from their first private wedding. Francisco himself would love to get married but it would probably never happen. He had actually written out vows once. Maybe a year ago? It was silly really but sometimes he liked to read them over and make up a story in head. He knew it was silly but it helped him cope. He looked up in surprise when a pen bounced off his forehead.

"Wanna join the real world?" Romeo asks with a smile.

"My apologies. It was a good chapter." Francisco says sheepishly. That was partly true.

"Francisco you haven't turned the page in five minutes." Curio says from his corner.

Busted…..

Francisco sighed and set the book down.

"I was just thinking is all."

"What about?"

Well he could lie but he decided not to.

"I was thinking about getting married."

"Oh? Who's the lucky girl that turned your head?" Curio asked and even Romeo sat forward with curiosity.

"There isn't one. I just meant I was wondering if I'd ever find anyone to spend my life with. Someone that knows me and all my faults and is still willing to be seen with me." Francisco closed his eyes and smiled a bit before opening his eyes to find Juliet staring at him with a big smile and Romeo looking awe'd.

"What?" Francisco asked, confused.

"That's so sweet Francisco!" Juliet says excitedly.

"It's just the truth." Francisco says with a shrug.

"I think it's poetic." Romeo says. "Do you write poetry?"

Francisco shakes his head.

"I'm flattered but no. I am no poet."

"Well the girls you chase seem to think otherwise." Curio says and crumples up the paper.

Francisco says nothing but sits back in the chair and stifles a yawn.

"Did you not sleep well?" Juliet asked, obviously concerned.

"I'll be fine. I was just a bit restless is all." Francisco says, avoiding looking at Curio.

"Well I do hope it is better tonight." She says and pats his hand.

It did not get better over the next few days leading up to the wedding. The day before the wedding, the entire castle was in a frenzy. Francisco was running errands all day. He was glad to do so because it took his mind off Curio and what happened the other night. He set the vase down and looked around the large ballroom. It was missing something. But what?

The he gets an idea and hurries back to the garden. Once in the garden he gathers some iris and white roses. He takes the flowers back inside instructs one of the servants to die the white roses dyed pink. Now that was done, he needed to find Juliet. She was easy to find, in her final fitting for her dress.

"You look amazing Lady Juliet."

Juliet turns and smiled.

"Francisco! Thank you." She blushes lightly.

She dismisses the seamstresses and carefully steps down.

"Sit with me?" She asks, sitting on the little stage's edge and pats the wood beside her. Francisco complies, sitting beside her.

"Are you ready to be publicly Queen Juliet Capulet-Montague?"

"I am so ready. It's been a long time coming I feel."

"That's lovely. You're positively glowing." He smiles.

"Can I tell you a secret?"

"Of course!"

"I'm with child."

Francisco gasped softly.

"That's wonderful!" He exclaimed, hugging her carefully.

Juliet laughs.

"I'm not very far along and only Romeo knows besides you and you are my best friend so I trust you not to tell anyone."

"Of course not. You have my word."

"I believe you.": Juliet laughs. Then her face sobers. "Did you talk to Curio yet?"

Francisco hesitates then shakes his head. His mind went to last night.

"Why not?" Juliet asked, laying her hands over his.

"Because I already know he doesnt love me so I don't really see a point in telling him. He is in love with someone else."

Juliet's face softened.

"Do you know who?" She asks gently.

Francisco froze. You. The word rang in his head.

"I-I'm afraid I don't." He stutters.

Juliet moved in a russell of fabric as she moved to hug him. Francisco sighs and leans against her. They stayed like that for a while. About half an hour later a servant walks in and gives a short bow.

"Councilman Francisco? These are for you."

Francisco stands and receives the large white box, confused. The servant bows and leaves. Francisco looks at Juliet who shrugs with a raised eyebrow.

"Well open it!"

Francisco sits back down beside her, pulling off the card. In beautiful cursive it read

To Francisco, the most beautiful man that I didn't realize I was in love with. Love Curio

Francisco's face flushed bright red and he was covered in goosebumps. Juliet gasped and squealed loudly.

"Oh my gosh! Open it! Open it right now!"

Francisco unties the silk ribbon with shaking fingers and carefully takes off the lid. He looks inside and gives a sheik of fear. Red liquid spilled across the polished floor and a horrible smell filled the room as the box overturned and the contents spilled out. It was the irises he asked to be dyed. They were indeed dyed but in blood. Francisco gave a gut wrenching sob and bit the back of his hand. Why would he- Does he really hates me that much?

"Francisco?" Juliet says softly. She reaches for his shoulder and he flinches away. He crumples the paper in his fist and dashed from the room, shoulders shaking.