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The commotion in the streets has drawn Romy's attention. She was too late to put a stop to the fight, but then she hears a commanding voice...
Info[]
- Style:
- Gifts: Blessed Wishes, Rosy Hymn
- Recommended: Blessed Wishes, Rosy Hymn
- Perfect Score: ~1,550
- Rewards: Blueprint: Inspiring Notes, 3,000
, 3 Reader's Coupons, 1 Gift Material, 1 Crafting Material
Dialogue Choices[]
Note: Changing choices when replaying will cost 5 
Bellona: So? Are you interested?
- I'm interested
- No change
- Not interested
- No change
This will end in bloodshed! But no one seems to be interest in stopping them...they're all encouraging them instead.
- Stop Them
- No change
- Persuade Bellona
- No change
(In a bedroom. It is exquisite and elegant, decorated with fresh flowers and ribbons. Against the wall lies a large bed with velvet curtains. This room evidently belongs to a lady.)
???: ...Uncle brought back a few dessert chefs from Florence. The cherry ice we had in Florence was a delight! I'll bring you there one day...
(A blonde woman sits opposite the table. She has a clear and pleasant voice, and it looks like we haven't finished eating our snacks.)
You: (Florence? Cherry ice? I'm in a storybook again.)
???: Oh, you haven't been out lately. Have you heard about the masquerade ball happening tonight? Are you listening, Romy?
(Hearing that name brings up scattered memories...foreign, yet familiar. This is ''my'' bedroom and ''I'' was born and raised in ''Verona''. I have parents who love me, close friends, and trustworthy servants. And...)
???: Romy?
(The blonde lady seems concerned. I realize I haven't replied yet.)
You: Oh, you mentioned treats..and a masquerade, right?
(My reply just confirms my distraction, and she sighs, shaking her head.)
???: Are you still thinking about that terrible man?
(She grasps my hand, worry on her face. Her touch brings me comfort. I know her. She is one of my closest friends, and family as well. Her name is...)
You: Bellona?
Bellona: That's me. What's wrong? Are you still thinking about that dolt?
(I don't know who she's referring to...I can't recall what happened, but it feels like an embarrassing incident. I remember Romy confessing her feelings to someone, and being rejected. His name was...Roscoe?)
You: I'm...fine. I'm...not upset anymore.
(Bellona breathes a sigh of relief and pats my shoulders.)
Bellona: Cheer up. There are many good men in Verona! Forget all about that dunce! You must be bored, being cooped up and all. Want to attend that masquerade ball with me?
You: The ball you mentioned earlier?
Bellona: Yeah, It's a rare opportunity. And this time, anyone, no matter what family they're from, can attend! Everyone has to wear a mask to avoid feuding.
You: (''This time''? Family''? ''Feud''?)
(I have a lot more questions. It sounds vaguely familiar, but I can't piece it together.)
Bellona: So? Are you interested?
You: (My memory is still foggy...perhaps I can gather more information at the ball and piece together who I am.) I'd love to go. Who's hosting the ball?
Bellona: It's--
(I hear a crash outside the window, which interrupts Bellona.)
You: What's going on? There's a fight outside!
(Bellona doesn't seem too perturbed.)
Bellona: Oh, not again.
You: What's going on?
Bellona: Your family's fighting the Capulets again.
(This is what she meant about families and feuds earlier...)
You: (I can use this chance to get a handle on the situation...)
(She was muttering to herself, but I heard her clearly.)
You: (It sounds like this has happened before. This is normal for them?) It could be something else.
(I try to sound as ambiguous as possible. Bellona shuts her as exhaustion washes over her face.)
Bellona: What else could it be? It's the same two families quarreling over something petty again.
You: (''Two families''....a family feud...)
( I repeat these words in my mind, and suddenly the two names click.)
You: (Montague and Capulet?)
(That's right...I'm the daughter of the Montague family. The Montagues have a longstanding feud with the Capulets. These two names jog my memory. But these memories are quite unpleasant. Nothing like the warm ones I've had before. Baseless accusations and reckless brawls, terrified women and crying children, streest soaked with blood...)
Bellona: Romy? Are you okay?
(Bellona's words snap me out of the horrifying memories. She looks quite worried.)
You: I'm fine.
(A group of men are gathered in a street near the building I am in.)
You: Bellona, I'll go take a look. Wait here.
Bellona: What are you saying? You're a Montague, you really shouldn't--
You: I'll be back soon. Tell anyone who comes by that I'm taking a stroll in the garden.
Bellona: But...
( I gather up my skirts before she can finish her sentence. She sighs and grabs my arm.)
Bellona: If you must go, at least change into something proper. You ARE a Montague, after all.
(I have no choice but to agree. It's incredibly crowded. Bellona and I manage to squeeze in and tiptoe to get a better look. Two servants are standing in the middle, glaring at each other like feral dogs about to tear each other apart.)
Montague Servant: Come on, you Capulet mutt! I'm not afraid of you! You ruined my shirt, Montague swine! As if I would touch such a sloppily made garment! Blame it on the Capulet who stitched it!
You: (They're arguing over such a trivial matter? This is insane.)
(I glance at the people around me. Some are murmuring with furrowed brows while others are looking on with relish. Many are taking sides....choosing to stand behind a servant to support them.)
You: (No one is coming forward to stop them....)
(Someone suddenly draws a blade.)
Capulet Servant: I won't tolerate this any longer! One of us will die here! I swear it on my honor as a humble servant of the Capulets! So be it! I'll crush you and defend Lord Montague's honor!
You: This isn't good!
(I clap my hands over my mouth. Those terrible memories resurface....Baseless accusations and reckless brawls, terrified women and ceying children, streets soaked with blood....This will end in bloodshed! But no one seems to be interestead. Bellona grabs me as I open my mouth.)
Bellona: Are you insane? You can't stop them! We'd best go back before the situation grows dire--
Montague: Move aside!
(A loud roar sounds and everyone freezes. A well-dressed man surrounded by bodyguards storms through the crowd, glaring at the two servants. It is a face I know well. He is often stern, but he has a kind heart...)
You: (Father...)
Montague: I hear talk of defending Montague honor. Instead of a gallant soul, all I see a crowing wastrel! Please, sir! I couldn't stand by as this Capulet lowlife insulted the Montagues...
Bellona: Let's go, Romy!
(It certainly is a situation we should not be caught in. We're about to sneak away when another commotion occurs.)
Capulet: Who is throwing their weight around--Montague?
Montague: Capulet? Hah, you haven't died yet?
(Everyone gasps at Lord Montagues's sneers. The other man, Lord Capulet, glances back at him coldly. He's not about to back down.)
Capulet: I'd cling to the last vestiges of my life if it meant watching you go to hell! Don't carry such foolish hopes, Montague.
Montague: Hahah! Foolish? This coming from the cowardly and incompetent Capulet!
Capulet: What blustery words coming from a reckless fool.
Montague: Do you take me for a coward Capulet?
Capulet: Do YOU have the courage to duel me, old man?
Montague: Where is my sword? Someone bring me my sword!
Montague Servant: Sir, Lady Montague instructed us not to bring any weapons out....
Capulet: Hah! Looks like the lady knows how incompetent you are with a sword.
Montague: You...!
(Lord Montague grabs a sword from the servant, and brandishes it vigorously. Lord Capulet's grin slowly flattens into a grim line.)
Capulet: You really want to do this, Montague?
Montague: Cut the small talk, Capulet. You've been waiting for this.
Capulet: I suppose this is the only way to end this.
You: This is bad! What can I do...
(Things have escalated far too quickly. It's hard to watch others suffer in this feud...and even worse when my father has chosen to step in.)
You: (I have to stop them! I can't watch him kill or be killed...)
Escalus: Stop! Everyone stop!
(The crowd parts at this loud exclamation. A frail old man hobbles ito view, accompanied by a tall strapping young man with eyes like a hawk's )
Bellona: Prince Escalus!
(Bellona curtsies. I follow her lead. Everyone bows. The two lords sheathe their weapons, bowing their heads towards the prince.)
Escalus: Rise. Aren't your families tired of this quarrel and bloodshed? How many years has it been?
Montague: We Montague pride ourselves on our honor, your Highness. We must end this, for the sake of the Montagues who have died.
Capulet: Many Capulets have died as well, your Royal Highness.
Escalus: I've seen it all. Montague and Capulet blood and tears.... All of Verona, Montagues or Capulets, are like my children. I cannot bear to see my children strike each other down.
(Prince Escalus' words are gentle, yet filled with such deep sorrow. I can't help but be moved by his words.)
Escalus: For fame, status, and wealth....is this truly worth it, my children? God sees all that you do...
Montague: We may look like animals to you, but this is an important matter to my family. I will never forgive the Capulets for dishonoring my brethren!
Capulet: I would love it if we could all live in harmony. The Capulets wish for peace, but the Montagues constantly needle us, Your Highness.
(Their anger builds, and Lord Capulet and Montague's hands reach for their swords, ready to fight again.)
Paris: Stop!
(The youth beside the prince yells. He places his hand on his sword, striding to the middle of the two lords.)
Montague: Stand aside, Paris!
Capulet: Who are you to stop this duel?
Paris: Indeed. I do not have the right to interfere with your decision. But as the prince's sword, I am bound to eradicate the evil that dishonors the prince.
Montague: Evil? What are you saying? You, child, do not have the right to--
Paris: Even I can comprehend that this feud threatens Verona's peace. And thus in an insult to the kind and benevolent prince.
Capulet: What are you saying, Paris?
Paris: The prince wishes you take his words to heart. If you insist on dueling, I will have no choice but to sully his Highness' eyes with freshly drawn blood.
(Paris draws his sword, and many soldiers emerge from the crowd, surrounding the two Lords and their followers. My heart is beating rapidly and I can't tear my eyes away from the three men. After what seems like an eternity, Lord Capulet sighs and sheathes his sword.)
Capulet: Please pardon my impertinence, Your Highness.
(As Lord Capulet concedes, Lord Montague grits his teeth and throws his sword to the ground.)
Montague: It's your lucky day.
Capulet: Hurm.
(Paris sheathes his own sword and the soldiers retreat. They're no longer dueling to the death. I let out a long sigh of relief.)
You: Oh, thank goodness-- Ah!
(My legs give out and I collapse. Bellona grabs me before I fall to the ground.)
Bellona: Are you alright?
(I hold onto her as I stand up shakily, watching the prince leave.)
You: Who's that young man? Paris? He called himself the prince's sword...
Bellona: He's the prince's nephew, and the leader of his bodyguards.
You: I see.
(The prince, Paris, and the two lords leave the scene. The crowd however, remains, gossiping in the streets.)
You: Let's hurry back, Bellona.