Page 68 of Downfall

“I was going to ask you if you had any ideas.” She says.

“I don’t.”

“What if this is about Otto?” She says quietly.

I pause. “What?”

“He’s been seeing that Montague girl.” She states, like the entire city doesn’t know it. It’s in all the gossip rags. It’s all over social media too.

“I highly doubt we’ve all been called her because of who Sofia Montague is dating.” I reply.

“Unless they’re getting married.”

“Mother really, I don’t see…” My words die as I see my father half glaring at us.

“You took your time.” He says to me.

“I’m not late.” I reply. Darius set the meeting for two pm. We’ve still got fifteen minutes to go.

He snarls bearing down on me. “I told you this was going to happen. I warned you…” He focuses all his anger on me and I realise he must be thinking the same as my mother. That this is about Sofia. But I just don’t see it. I don’t see why she’d be so stupid. Why she’d throw everything she has away? And more than that, why would Darius summon all of us here to pass on this news? It doesn’t make sense.

So I don’t reply. I just fold my arms and stand in silence, surrounded by my family, until we’re called into his office.

Except we’re not the only ones here. Across from us are stood the entire Montague hoard. Sofia is amongst them. In this moment she looks like a queen and I’ll admit I envy her. The way her family seem to protect her in a manner mine do not do with me.

Darius sits behind his desk. His eyes seem to find mine and for a moment I wonder what he thinks of us, the Capulets. Why he even bothers with my father and all his drama? Surely we’re not so powerful as this? Surely we’re not so necessary to his role as Governor?

“Thank you all for coming.” He says quietly. He’s not looking at me now. He’s staring at my father. Who is obviously fighting to control himself in this moment.

“…the reason I’ve called you here is because I’ve come to a decision. It’s not something I’ve taken lightly, but with recent events…”

A few of my family glance at me. No doubt they’re thinking of Paris. Why does it feel like I’m about to get the blame for all of this? Whatever this is.

“…I think it’s time this city focused on healing. Focused on repairing old wounds. Ancient wounds.”

I frown. What wounds? Paris didn’t hurt anyone except me. Only thanks to Darius now the entire damn city knows it too.

“The Montagues and the Capulets have been at each other’s throats forever. It’s time it stopped. Time this fighting between you all came to an end.”

My father growls. The only show of dissent he’s able to muster.

“With the passing of Horace, I have decided it is time Roman Montague was granted a pardon. That he is allowed to return home.”

As he saysthosewords the door to the side opens. My eyes follow the movement and he’s there.

Roman is there.

Barely metres from me.

I stare at him. He looks so different and yet exactly the same. His eyes skim over us. The twenty something members of my family who are already reacting like they’ve just been attacked. He doesn’t even look at me. It’s like I don’t exist but I guess to him I never did. I was something to use and discard when he was done.

I wonder if he even remembers me at all.

Around me my family are shouting, hurling insults, completely lost to any sense of decorum but I can’t make out a sound. I can’t hear anything beyond the scream that seems to ring out in my own head.

“Enough.” Darius says raising his voice and holding his hands for silence. “I don’t want to hear any arguments. It is done. There has been enough bloodshed. Enough lives lost on both sides. You will all abide by the laws of this city.” He looks from Roman to my father.

“You expect them to do that?” My father snarls.

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