The curtains were hacked aside and a swift blast of sharp, bright light rays struck my face, causing me to cringe and cover my face with my hand, as a whimper escaped my lips.

" Mi'lady, it's morning. Wake up, take a look at the beautiful day." My nurse called to me, waking me up.

" I heard there will be a new guest joining us for breakfast today."

At that, both my eyes sprang open and I slowly raised myself out of bed. Wiping my eyes, I asked Celine, the nurse that who exactly would be joining my family and I for breakfast. She replied, saying:

" Remember your father's old friend, Lord Frederick? Only this time he will be bringing his one and only son along with him. I've also heard that his son is a young, handsome lad, indeed, who looks up to you with great respect and love".

Her last sentence caused me to make a quick eye contact with her, as we exchanged smirks. Excited to meet Lord Frederick and his son, I took a quick bath, changed into a rose pink dress and scooted downstairs to the main dining table in the big hall.

I was met with father, mother, Emilia, aunt Bianca and soon joined in, my cousin Hortensio, at the end as always. We all had settled down on our seats and poured out small portions of food onto our plates, when one of the servants rushed to open the main door and from there entered Lord Frederick, followed by his son, both looking delighted.

Everyone got up from their seats to welcome and receive the guests. Lord Frederick took a seat opposite to father and his son sat next to him. Celine was right, he really was handsome and attractive. His hair, a yellow hay field. His eyes, clear pools of blue, and then my eyes traveled down to his apparel. A white collar shirt with a dark maroon sleeveless waist coat. I noticed how tidy and neat everything was, how extremely well-mannered he seemed from the way he sat, ate and observed everyone.

But I shook my head and turned away, before he saw me staring at him. I couldn't do this. I couldn't be so weak and fall for him so easily. I loved Romeo and I knew that. I was sure of that. I believed and knew that I wouldn't be able to love anyone the way I loved and desired Romeo. No one could steal away my heart, like Romeo, and neither could I let anyone. Just then, my trail of thoughts was interrupted by my father's voice and he said:

" Paris, I believe this is the first time you're meeting my daughter, Juliet. Paris, this is Juliet and Juliet, this is Paris." Father first looked at me and then at him, as he introduced us to each other.

" Thank you very much for introducing me to Juliet, Lord Capulet. It is a great pleasure to meet you, Juliet." Paris smiled at me.

" No the pleasure is mine". I added, softly. Eyeing him gently.

Then father turned to Lord Frederick and they both started whispering into each other's ears. They whispered for a minute or two, when mom gently hit father's arm with her elbow and raised a brow at him. Father then abruptly held his glass of drink up in the air and declared a toast to me and Paris. Everybody raised their glasses and Emilia immediately asked why we were being toasted. In reply to that, father said,

" To Paris' marriage proposal".

" Marriage proposal? To whom exactly?". Emilia asked with curiosity.

" To...well, as Lord Frederick and of course Paris himself wish, our lovely Juliet. Who else?". Father declared with a wide grin, which immediately erased away and got replaced by raised eyebrows and a look of concern, when I nearly choked on my pumpkin juice, on hearing my name. I was struck by shock and bewilderment. I couldn't believe that on his very first meeting with me, Paris had directly come with a marriage proposal! Of course I wasn't ready for this at all. My heart was pacing back and forth, rapidly, inside my chest, thumping against the walls with cold blood rushing through them. It was racing at a 1000 hertz per minute.

Paris gazed at me with innocent eyes and gave a hesitant smile. I gave my eye contact back to him and smiled forcefully.

Father softly struck his silver spoon against the glass body of his cup, to have everyone's attention on table. Then he announced,

" Now I would like to say a few words of honest admiration about Count Paris. I proudly say, Paris, the son of one of my oldest, most trustworthy, loving and approachable friends, Frederick, here, and also kinsman to Prince Escalus and now suitor to sweet Juliet, is an extremely well-mannered, educated, brave, loving, and wealthy man. He has made me proud often and always respected the views of his elders and relatives, in making any decision. Count Paris and Frederick are here to share their warm presence with us for a few days and we gratefully welcome them." As he finished, there was an applause from us all.

Every sip of the oat meal and milk that I took, came back up to my throat, all acidic. I was forcing gulps of oat meal and fruit down my gut and trying not to look up. I was boiling with fury and could have exploded with all of emotions and thoughts at my father. I couldn't look at him at that moment. When had father and mother had their secret, little talk with Lord Frederick about my marriage and agreed to Paris being my suitor? Why hadn't they told me any of this and how could they keep such a big thing from me? Was I invisible to them? This was just outrageous. I couldn't bare sitting at the dinning table with everyone, anymore, so I left my food, got up and decided to get excused for the rest of the time.

" Umm, excuse me, everyone. Mom if you need me, I will be in my room." With this, I left the table, not caring about what anyone thought.

" Why, are you alright, Juliet? Was your food not good?" Mom immediately question, sounding very concerned.

" No, mother. Not at all. The food was great. I am just feeling a bit tired." I quickly lied. I saw father furrowing his brows at me and I had an idea as to why. He probably wanted me to sit and spend more time with Paris. But if I stayed there any longer, I would have puked all over my place.

I cantered upstairs to my room and slammed the door shut, locking it. My eyes instantly moistened with tears. What the hell had my parents decided for me without my consent!? What about Romeo? Will I finally have to let my parents know about him, and what would their reaction be?

***

I was lying on my bed, face buried in my pillow, when there was a knock on the bedroom door. I had just gotten up from the bed and fixed my dress, when the door knob turned and entered mother.

"Juliet, I had a feeling that you're not alright, so I came to your room myself. Now please honestly tell me what the matter is." Mother said, walking towards me and sitting down on the bed beside me.

"Mother why are you so worried, I am fine. What is making you feel that I'm not?"

" I am your mother. I can tell. By your face and your voice. Now please share it with me. Whatever you're thinking or feeling. Is it about Paris?"

" Umm...Yes, mother. It is about him. Why didn't you tell me that I'm getting married to him? Did you think that you and father would just suddenly get me married to him one day, just so that you can get rid of me?" I finally exclaimed out of frustration and fret.

" What!? Why are you thinking that? Why would we ever want to get rid of you, you are our only daughter and you know that your father and I love you more than anything in this world. Is this anger because of the fact that you don't like Paris or is there another reason which led you to think about it like this?" Mother asked, voice raised and a tight cringe on her forehead, face wrinkled into an expression of perturbation.

" I don't know. I just- "

And before I could finish, father entered inside the room.

"Juliet, Paris would like to meet with you in private. He wants to talk to you-." Father stopped as he saw tears glistening in my eyes and the reddening.

" Juliet were you crying?" He asked.

" Uh, no father. ...Yes, actually."

" Why, what happened?" He asked again.

" Paris happened, father. It's all because of you, mother and Paris." I snapped at him, sniffling.

" Hold on, where is all this anger and the tears coming from? And where are your manners gone? How dare you speak about Paris like this!" Father said in his heavy voice, and it got louder by every sentence.

" Petruchio Capulet! Please! Lower your voice." Mother immediately shouted at father.

" Oh, will you both please be quiet! I want to clear one thing and please don't force me to it. I don't want to get married yet. Not to Paris, at least." I shouted over them, so that they would become quiet for some time and start thinking about what I had just said.

Father frowned at me and came closer to me.

" I beg your pardon?" He quietly said.

" You heard me right." I boldly replied.

" Paris came all the way from Venice to see you and was very excited to propose to you. He didn't come here for nothing and to waste his time. He along with his father came to Verona a few weeks ago and his father discussed with me that Paris wanted to marry you. I agreed to this wish of theirs as I personally had no problems and I know Frederick and his son very well. They are wonderful people and Paris will never deceive you or let you feel unhappy in his company." Father lectured, while I kept sniffling on.

" But father--"

" Do not interrupt me, Juliet. I agreed about this to Frederick and now I cannot face any embarrassment because of you. I do not want to lie or make excuses in front of Frederick. Now it is too late for any rejections or drama." He stated, sounding very intimidating.

There was a one minute silence in the room and no one was making eye contact with anyone. I was now afraid to say anything further, but I couldn't let this forceful marriage upon myself. I sighed and said:

" I cannot believe you. You don't even sound like my father anymore. You have never raised your voice at me like this, ever before. What is wrong with you, now? You are choosing your friendship with Lord Frederick over your only daughter?! This is unbelievable. Do you not care about me at all?" Beads of tears started forming in my eyes again.

" Juliet, Juliet. Sweetie, calm down. No one is forcing my daughter to get married to anyone. Come here and don't worry." Mother finally spoke up and engulfed me in her arms. I could feel that from her hand, she was gesturing father to leave. When he left, mother pulled me away, wiped my tears and kissed me on the cheek.

" I will try to handle your father. Just don't think about it too much. Poor Juliet. Go have some rest, now." Mother comforted me.

Then she left the room to let me have some time alone.

~~~

*I know Paris is not blonde and blue-eyed in the picture that I have uploaded, but this pic is closest to what I imagine him to look like. The rest of his facial features are fine tho. ;)

~~~ :))