Lord Mercutio!
What is it?
With my duties assisting the Grand Duke, I have little time to spare.
Is it true that there was an accident at the Gradisca Mines?
Mines collapsing are not uncommon.
Lord Romeo! Is Lord Romeo safe?
At present, we are still investigating the details...
...but the Grand Duke has received a report regarding Lord Romeo's good health...
...so there is no need for concern.
Good day to you.
Please appeal to the Grand Duke!
Ask him to call Lord Romeo home from such a dangerous place as soon as possible!
I'm afraid that's...
The one at fault is Juliet! She led him astray!
Juliet... indeed.
Even now, the Capulet girl is still at large.
Perhaps she learned of Lord Romeo's exile...
...and stalked him to Gradisca...
Juliet...
She would stalk him...?
The same Capulet girl who once seduced and abducted him...
Indeed, she might.
Then I will also go to the mines.
What?
Tell me! How may I get there?
Such jests aren't-
Tell me!
Well, I've heard that one of the local towns runs a stagecoach to the mines...
With Romeo exiled from the Keep...
...you no longer serve any purpose...
...Hermione.
Mantua is a town bordered by mountains and surrounded by forests.
We could not hope for a better place to hide.
And it's Lady Ariel's summer house, so I'm sure it'll be fine, Juliet!
That's right. It might be fun to stay in the summer house of a noble.
However, since Montague took power...
...the nobles have had fewer opportunities to use their summer houses...
...and the town is in decline.
I know the time will come when we will meet again.
Romeo...
...my heart is eternally with you.
There's no helping her...
I now understand why you wished to take the reins.
Even I can hardly stomach it.
I'm sure I don't know what you mean.
Look, Juliet!
A cricket!
You're such a child.
Juliet... do you want to be with Romeo?
It's okay, you can tell me anything.
I do.
But that time has not yet arrived.
So that's why you look so entranced sometimes.
Is Romeo really such a great man?
Juliet laughed.
If you had stopped procrastinating and set about courting her...
...Juliet may not have found herself in this strange situation with the Montague boy.
I've never thought of Juliet as a woman-
Oh no, but now it is different...
Bite your tongue!
I have said too much.
After all, you have dithered so much, it is likely that you have lost your chance.
That's enough!
What are those two doing?
I'll be the driver for the next stage.
You, erase the hesitation within your heart.
H-Hey...
Mercutio.
What is your opinion of Titus?
My father...?
Truthfully, it is difficult to respect such a man.
Why is that?
He is greatly learned...
...but he never uses his intellect.
He merely drinks and amuses himself with useless old wives' tales.
Nothing less than a living corpse.
So you believe such a man has no right to live?
That...
Please wait!
Your pardon.
I beg your forgiveness, my lord.
Go on.
Hermione...
After leaving the Keep, she escaped from the driver and set off alone in the carriage!
Lord Romeo, I will reach you soon!
I could never allow myself to fall behind Juliet!
Wait for me, please!
I'll take a look around town.
I'll come too!
Did you converse with Curio about anything?
Curio slept the whole way...
Of course.
What's this?
Sorry we took so long!
Sorry.
Terrible news, Juliet.
They say there has been some sort of accident at the mines.
Antonio!
But...
Any other information?
No one knows the details, but they said there were wounded.
I see...
Though he may have been banished to the frontier...
...they would take it very seriously if anything were to happen to the Duke's son.
He should be well-protected.
Romeo...
Moreover, if he is meeting with such disasters...
...so are the people of Neo Verona.
That's right...
Forgive me.
Let's hurry on to the summer house.
They are here too.
Yes.
We have been expecting you.
Lady Juliet.
You are Mr. Balthasar?
Yes. I have been informed of the details by Mistress Ariel.
Please be at ease.
My granddaughter Regan.
If you require anything, please do not hesitate to ask her.
I'll help!
You're in the way.
If you please, I shall escort you.
This way.
What are you doing?
Nothin' valuable in here.
Nothin' else for it, then...
Guess we'll take these pegasi.
Wait!
Please, wait...
It's dangerous to travel by yourself, little lady.
Lord Romeo...
Why did you leave without even saying goodbye?
Lord Romeo!
This is all Juliet's fault.
Because of Juliet, Lord Romeo was exiled!
Juliet stole Lord Romeo from me!
This is the ground floor: the salon, the sitting room, and the banquetting hall.
Your rooms are all on the second floor.
What is the meaning of the dried roses...
...that are pinned on the storefronts in town and on the front door of this house?
The rose is the symbol of the Montague House.
So that's it.
Lady Juliet.
Yes?
Are you not feeling well?
No, I'm fine.
Then please take some time to rest and recover.
I will escort you to your room later.
I'm going to take a stroll in the garden.
No matter how much Lady Juliet may feel for Romeo...
...no future lies on that path.
You should make her realize that.
Why must I...?
One moment! You in the wagon! Please stop!
Stop!
Bloody idiot! You wanna be run over?!
Please! I need to get to the Gradisca Mines!
What?
You drive a wagon, yet you're unaware of the outpost where prisoners are sent to do labor?
This wagon is heading to Mantua.
You're in the way! Move!
But...
Very well, I'll take it anyway!
Hey! You gotta pay!
Pay? I don't have any money.
What?
Then you can't-
Take this, please.
All right. Get on.
Romeo.
I believe in you.
I pray that you are well.
Regan?
What?
Are you going shopping?
Yes...
May I come along?
I... don't mind.
I would worry if Juliet left the grounds with only a child for protection.
I will come also.
Step right up!
Prices rose again.
There's not enough water, is there?
Grandpa said that, before I was born...
...the countryside around here was green and full of water.
So even the Montagues would be surrounded by enemies if they left the Keep...
Hey! Are you all right?
Hang on!
Someone's collapsed!
Hey!
Isn't that a woman?
Are you all right?
Hold-
Lady Hermione...
You!
No!
Stay away!
Why are you here?!
I cannot forgive you...
You...
I hate you!
Let me go!
Stop that!
Why...?
As long as you live...
...I can never be happy!
Begone, foul demon!
I hate you!
I hate you... Juliet...
H-Hey!
Lady Hermione!
The fiancée of the Grand Duke's son, of all people.
You must not have anything to do with the Montagues and their allies.
I can't just leave her.
But it's dangerous to have her here!
That's right.
If you are alone with her, she may attack again.
I'm going to wash her, so please close the door.
If anything happens, call us immediately, Lady Juliet.
Curio, Antonio, let us leave.
Good.
Your fever must have gone down.
You should stay in bed for a while longer.
But Lady Hermione, how did you come to be alone in such a remote-
It's... your fault!
Yours!
Lady Hermione.
When you harm someone...
...you also harm yourself.
You have harmed someone before?
I never wish to do so again.
But it's strange.
Perhaps it is because we both love Romeo...
...but meeting you somehow makes me feel relieved.
I didn't come to meet you.
I was trying to reach Lord Romeo.
To Romeo?
Do not refer to Lord Romeo by his name alone!
Romeo? Is Romeo safe?!
Tell me! Is Romeo safe?!
Stop it!
I heard about the accident at the mines and I'm worried!
Lord Romeo is my fiancé!
Tell me, Lady Hermione!
Please...
The Grand Duke received a message that he was safe.
But I wanted to make sure for myself...
...so I...
Romeo...
Thank goodness.
Thank you.
Thank you, Lady Hermione.
Why am I here with her now?
I only wished to see Lord Romeo.
If only you were a wicked woman...
Good morning.
Would you care for breakfast?
No, thank you.
Perhaps I could trouble you for your best carriage instead?
You wish to take a drive?
I wish to be returned to Neo Verona immediately.
I would also like a lunch prepared to eat en route.
Honestly, there is no water and there are so many insects...
Why ever did I come to such a desolate place?
Harsh words from someone uninvited.
Well then, what shall we do?
Is it really advisable to let her leave this house alive?
Lady Hermione is my guest.
Make all preparations to deliver her to Neo Verona safely and quickly.
I will not tolerate any insult to her.
Juliet.
Please be sure not to speak of my visit here.
You do agree?
I could never bear it if Lord Romeo learned that I have behaved without appropriate decorum.
Father. Good morning.
Showing your face here? How unusual.
Did something happen?
No.
Nothing.
The bottle won't betray me.
Buried deep in darkness...
...the blade of hatred slices through the loathed bonds of despair.
Cool dispassion and a piercing gaze...
...come from knowing pain...
...from never knowing love.
Next time on Romeo and Juliet, Act Seventeen:
"Tyrant" ~A Fate Shrouded in Darkness~
Is this truly a love that shall never bear fruit?