Chapter Eight: It is Only the Beginning
A/N: I apologize for the late update. I hope you enjoy this one. I kind of like this chapter and I am quite proud of it :)
It had been twenty years since that supposedly wonderful day. Twenty years since he lost his entire clan in the blink of an eye. Twenty years since he plotted his revenge against the people that caused him great pain. He had been keeping a close eye on the Capulets. He watches their every move. Let it be the days they cheer and celebrate for their success, and the days they fought over nonsense. He did not miss a single day.
During those years he spent searching on how to get back at the Capulets, he had also been trained physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Flashback to Twenty Years
Dante follows Escalus to a big room he calls his training room. There were different weapons of any sorts from medieval uses of swords, and bows and arrows to modern day survival knives and guns.
"Why do you have all of these?" Dante asks.
"Because we have to train to protect ourselves no matter the cost. We are a part of the Royal Family and it is important that we fight to the death."
"But don't you have body guards to do that for you?"
Escalus grins at the child. "Yes, my son. But your body guards can only do so much. Think of it as... capture the flag. Your kingdom is the flag that the enemies want to take and/or destroy. You know, depending on the mood of their leader. There will be guards everywhere that will put their lives on the line for you to survive and for this kingdom to continue to exist, but once the enemy eradicates the guards, you will be the only one that is standing in their way of their precious flag.
For hundreds of years, the Kingdom of Verona trains their kings, queens, princes, and princesses to protect their kingdom at any cost. You are the last in line and when I say we have been trained, we are trained to the death.
And while you are training, my father and I will also teach you how to run the family business as well."
Dante gets caught by surprised. Family business? Maybe he is talking about the kingdom as well?
Escalus notices the boy's confusion and he laughs. "Despite us being rulers of this country, my great grandfather had always believed in stability if ever there comes a time when the kingdom will be taken from us. Or basically, if everything were to be taken from us. At least if ever that happens, the family business he has put up for his family will have them set for life even his great grandchildren and those who come after. My great grandfather opened the Tower of Verona."
Dante's eyes sparkled once he heard that. "You guys own the Tower of Verona?! Mama and papa would always take Sofia and I there during special occasions!"
Yes, the Tower of Verona is a five star hotel opened by the Royal Family. It became a very popular tourist destination throughout the years from wedding venues to a place where directors and actors come to do their script for an upcoming movie or TV series.
The food had always been Dante's favorite when he used to be Romeo Montague. The food was freshly made. Even the butter was made through the hard work and dedication of the farm workers and their animals. The food are not processed. As for the fruits and vegetables, they too come directly from the farms. That is what makes The Tower of Verona the best place to eat in the entire world as per Dante.
Escalus couldn't contain his laughter upon seeing the boy's eyes lit up. "I will take your drooling as a compliment for my family's business."
Dante snaps out of his daydream and wipes the invisible drool from his mouth. "I'm sorry."
Escalus approaches one of the weapons as he starts off with two wooden sticks. He throws both at Dante, but fails to be caught in time.
Dante grabs both the sticks from the ground and looks at his father. "Come and attack me with all you've got, boy."
Dante was hesitant and scared shitless. He can't attack his father! "But..."
"No buts, Dante. If you want to survive this; if you want the Capulets to pay for their crimes, you will start off by defending yourself. You must let go of your fears, because fear will kill you when you are in an actual battle." Escalus grabs two more wooden sticks and tries to attack Dante.
Dante tries to dodge as fast as he can, but only to be continuously caught by the Prince.
"You must be fast if you want to get away. You must be flexible to prevent yourself from falling and crawling away from your enemies, and to prevent yourself from any life threatening injuries. You must be vigilant, or you will die. Mark my words, Dante, because you will thank me in the end."
Escalus trains Dante for twenty years, and throughout the years, he has become as strong as he had ever hoped to accomplish and more.
The boy was a fast learner in both physical training and with the business. The King, on the other hand, was quite surprise at how much the boy had accomplish. Of course, without the knowledge of Dante not being his biological grandson, the King had always thought that it is because of how clever his Royal bloodline was.
But Escalus knew that it is because of the Montague bloodline in him; because of Dante's dedication and goal to make sure that his mission turns out to be a success.
End of Flashback
The Capulets acted as if nothing happened twenty years ago. They acted as if their hands were perfectly clean as they visited the church every Sunday. "Fucking arrogant two faced savages." Romeo spat.
He sat in the back passenger seat of his car, carefully observing the so called wonderful family of Verona. Just the thought of how these gullible people think that they are so innocent made his eyes roll.
They gathered in their wealthy social circle and conversated on God knows what utterly nonsense came out of their dirty, lying mouths.
After their little talk with the Dela Flores family, they proceeded inside the chapel. "Jose, let's find a parking. Looks like our little plan will be set in motion." Yes, today is the day he will come face to face with his enemies.
The Tower of Verona had expanded to King's surprise.
When Romeo was introduced as Dante to Escalus' parents twenty years ago, they questioned at first but eventually he was accepted as one of their own. The King couldn't accept him at first due to the fact that the child had been born outside of marriage. He also thought that the child was an imposter or that his mother might've wanted the riches of the kingdom and the business his family worked so hard to put up, but Escalus had to come up with an explanation that the mother had abandoned him and when she was finally found, she had committed suicide. It was the only excuse Escalus had came up with, but he had to do something or else Dante would not be accepted in the royal palace. He needed them to accept him or else everything that was done was for nothing.
It took a while for the King to open his heart to the child, but as time passed, he had come to love the child and finally accepted him as his own grandson.
When Dante turned 12 years old, Prince Escalus and King Domenico taught him the basics of being a true prince and future king. They had also taught him the fundamental importance of the kingdom and the business. The boy grew to learn that the father and son duo loved their country and their people. It was the healthy relationship that they had with everyone and their cooperative nature that made Verona a peaceful kingdom.
The kingdom had always been peaceful even before the times of King Domenico's rule until an unknown factor caused the Montagues and Capulets to hate each other. As much as Dante wanted to know about his family and the Capulet's past, he could never find a reason between their hatred. So it came to a conclusion to him that it was most likely a rivalry between wealth and business.
As soon as Jose found an available parking, he turns off the engine of the car and runs to his boss's side to open the door for him. Romeo gets down with his shoe shined dress shoes and his crisp formal Armani suit. His black Bvlgari frame and darkened lenses that covers his emerald colored eyes that made the entire women in the country fall at his feet. The same emerald eyes that held power in the Montague bloodline.
He noticed the attention he was getting from the public as soon as he got out. He smirks at the looks on their faces. It was not everyday you see Prince Dante out in the public. He is known for being quite private about his life despite the paparazzi that goes crazy outside the kingdom to get at least one scandalous photo of the supposedly rumored playboy Prince.
Many rumors spread even out of the country about how he'd bed with easy high class women and how he'd break their hearts in the end. Even within those women had the audacity to come to the palace gates to announce their fake pregnancies so that they can grab hold of the wealth of the kingdom and their family business. It gave Prince Escalus quite a headache to deal with such scandal, but even with the most common scandal, the paparazzi couldn't, for some reason, get a hold of this "proof." Now he understood the headache his own father had during his playboy ways.
"Everyone seems to be quite surprised to see you out in the open, my Prince." Jose mentions as he stood tall next to the Prince. Jose is Dante's best friend, driver, and body guard.
Dante gives him a cocky grin. "I'll bet. Never have they seen Prince Dante in public like this. Let alone come to church. Heck, I'm surprised myself." He laughs which amused everyone around him as they walk casually inside the cathedral.
As they walk inside, all eyes were on Dante. Jose was indeed surprised by the attention the Prince was getting and it was true what he said. Never have they seen him in public.
Jose has known Dante since they were kids and they practically grew up together. Dante stumbled upon Jose in the dark corners of the alley when a group of kids started to bully him. The poor child lived in constant fear and starved every single day and night. He prayed that his misery would end, until Dante came to save him from the depths of hell. Since then, Jose committed his life to serve the young Prince.
Whispers could be heard around the cathedral as they continue to walk down the aisle towards the very front, near the alter. Dante continues to keep a straight face as he listens to the gossips around him. He, then, started to smile as he heard the women's conversation. He will definitely have a taste of one of them, but he will have to see who is worthy of his cock.
Dante doesn't go for just any women. His type is usually the plump ones with perky breasts. It helps him fondle them around his big hands while he suckles on them.
Who is that handsome man over there?
I don't know, but my goodness! He looks delicious. I wonder what he tastes like underneath those clothes?
Are you ladies kidding me? That man over there is the Prince!
What? Him?!
Yes, that's Prince Dante! He is also managing the family business, Tower of Verona!
Oh my goodness!!! So that's him?!
Hush, ladies! Calm your girly hormones! We are inside the church of the Lord, for Christ's sake! Have you no decency?!
One older woman scolded at the young girls. Jose couldn't contain the chuckle and so did Dante.
As they approached the very front of seats which happened to be right in front of the Capulets, he casually took a seat waiting for the arrival of the priest. The lecture went on for about an hour and during those times, he felt eyes bore behind his head. He knew where it came from. It was definitely the entire Capulet family, but there was a particular feeling he had that brought his senses hot. A woman perhaps? He wanted to turn to see who it was, but he didn't want to make it obvious.
As the service was done, he got up from his seat together with Jose. He turns to see the Capulets staring at him in awe as if he were a god sent down from the heavens. He gives then a mischievous smile that goes unnoticed. He introduces himself to his enemies. "Good morning, Capulets." He says while hiding his hatred. Lord Capulet and his wife were present, together with the devil, Matteo and his wife, Rosalita. The very woman who took the life if his own sister.
Dante turns his hands into a tight fist. He was tempted to punch them all till they bleed; to the point where even the best cosmetic surgeon in the world cannot restore their terrible beauty.
How dare this bastard, Matteo, replace Sofia as if she were nothing. And how dare Rose stab Sofia in the back like this!
On the very edge of the seat was a woman of mystery. As he look closely, he noticed the beautiful features of this young maiden. She had strawberry blonde hair, pink plump lips, and her eyes. Her eyes held authority and defiance. Something that he has never seen in a woman before. His knees nearly weakened before the violet eyes that stared into the depths of his very soul. A soul he thought he had lost.
She was like an angel that came down from heaven; an angel that wanted to rid the darkness of his heart; a darkness that can only be quenched by the blood of his enemies.
"Good morning, my Prince! It is an honor to see you! I mean, I am quite surprised actually. What brings you to church on this lovely Sunday morning?" Says Lady Capuleta. Thankfully the annoyance of her snobby voice snapped him out of the spell the mysterious woman had nearly cast upon him. She couldn't help but continue to smile at the Prince. She had plans and those plans were to have her daughter marry such powerful man.
"Well, after completing all the important paper works on my desk, I realized that I had enough time to visit church at least this once. I wanted to see what the fuss was all about, and to my surprise, it wasn't so bad." Dante says but with his gaze glancing back and forth to the lovely woman in the corner.
As if Lady Capulet noticed how the Prince was ogling at her daughter, she took the opportunity. "Prince Dante, I believe you've met our son, Matteo. Although, I doubt that you've met him personally."
Matteo lends out his hand to shake, but Dante just stares at it and smiles respectively with a little hint of disgust. Matteo noticed the resentment behind the Prince's eyes, but he told himself that it was probably just his imagination. "Yes, I apologize for never introducing myself personally before. I have quite a busy schedule, although I do believe my father assisted you while I've always been away."
"Yes! King Escalus was definitely a big help for our company. We've actually known each other during our younger days." Matteo smiles fondly at the memories of the good old times.
Dante smirks at Matteo. If only you knew, dumbass. "I'm glad that he was of help. I didn't know that you used to associate with my father, though. He has never mentioned you before."
Matteo blushes with embarrassment and coughs to hide it. "Ah- well. It's quite a long story. Anyways, I believe you haven't met my little sister before." Matteo pulls her close to his side.
"My Prince. I would like you to meet Juliet Capulet." Capulet. His tender eyes quickly went to a cold stare. It caused Juliet to shiver. If she were not a Capulet, he'd definitely go after her, but knowing that he nearly dropped his knees to such profound beauty made him sick to the stomach.
He grimaced at the young lady. "It is a pleasure to meet you Ms. Juliet Capulet. I hope to see you around more often." He nods at each every one of them before leaving the church with Jose with an idea in his mind. Not only will he make sure to make the entire Capulet family pay, but he will make them suffer by using Juliet. He knew exactly what Lady Capulet was thinking. She wanted him to pursue their daughter, and that he will do.
"How is it, my Prince?" Jose asks.
"Oh, my dear friend, Jose. This is only the beginning. I will give them a little something that they will never forget."
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