"Previously on "Still Star-Crossed"..." "There is a darkness hangs over the House of Capulet." "Paris has proposed." "Does Lady Capulet know of your plans?" "She's a sweet girl." "And you're going to make her a Princess." " Escalus is weak." " Aye." "No price should be too high to take his place." "I must warn you." "Montague will seek his revenge, and there will be war." "Then let it be war." "Benvolio Montague." "He calls himself the New Prince of Verona." "Is this true?" "Is it?" "Yes." "Whatever that is, it can't be good for your city." "Whatever that is will soon be smoothed over once justice is served." "She's home!" "Lady Rosaline's home!" "Rosaline!" "Livia!" "You're here." "I was so worried..." "Are you all right?" "Tell me." "Me?" "Of course." "I haven't slept a night since that hateful Montague took you, but now that you're home, safe..." "You can rest easy, gentle Livia, and dream sweet dreams once more." "Thank you, Count Paris." "With all my heart." "Count Paris." "You're home!" "We owe you a great debt." "Let us celebrate..." "Livia, run and tell the cook that we have a hero at our table today." "Livia, wait..." "You're back." "I am." "I thank the Lord for your safe return." "And from the dark there came a cry, and I saw her running towards us on the road... risking her life to escape from that Montague devil." "Were you not terribly afraid?" "If she was, she never showed it." "Benvolio Montague, on the other hand... wept like a child when we caught him." "Had I only known..." "I am truly sorry, niece, to have betrothed you to that monster." "When will he be executed?" "That's up to the Crown, of course." "I wish him little time left on this Earth." "Come, Livia." "Let's fetch dessert." "Don't be silly." "I can manage..." "No." "I insist..." "You must still be fatigued from your ordeal, my Lady." "Sit." "Please." "My Lord, there's a carriage for Lady Rosaline." "From the palace." "Capulet's doing." "This church was to be our legacy." "The Montagues' mark upon the world." "Generations of toil destroyed overnight..." "How dare he?" "This is war, Damiano." "For once, little sister, we're in agreement." "My Lord." "Benvolio's been captured." "Alive?" "She's of little consequence." "Little consequence?" "She knows everything." "Which means Benvolio does, too." "He'll be dead soon enough... it's in the Crown's interest not to ask too many questions." "But my control over Rosaline's tongue" " won't last long..." " I said no." "It was a mistake to wish her dead." "Juliet loved Rosaline." "I know" "I feel... my daughter wouldn't want me to take her friend's life." ""No matter the cost."" "That's what you said when Juliet died... if I took Escalus off the throne, and wiped the Montagues off the map, it would be worth it, no matter the cost." "Juliet is dead, my Lady." "But Rosaline isn't, and she knows too much." "I can't keep her mouth shut much longer." "And I'm sure if your daughter still walked this Earth, she wouldn't want you hanged for treason." "Take heart, it won't be much longer now." "Our army of Fiends keeps your House and the Montagues at each other's throats." "You saw what happened to the cathedral... how long before Montague takes his revenge?" "And on, and on, until the thought of this city taking up arms against a common enemy is as unthinkable as Venice sinking into the sea." "My father always said Verona is a flower waiting to be picked... and now, thanks to us, the garden gate is open." " My Lord, I was just looking for you." " Oh." "There's something I've been meaning to ask..." "Make way, you." "Thank you for coming." "You wished to speak alone..." "I did." "I do." "I never thought I'd see you in my room again." "Now that we're alone, Your Grace," "I must speak freely..." "No." "It is I who must speak freely." "For I have been a fool." "What..." "And if I have learned nothing from these endless days, when I knew not whether you were alive or dead, whether I'd ever see your face again..." "Hmm." "I love you, Rosaline Capulet." "I've always loved you, and I beg your forgiveness for everything I've done." "I have hurt you, and I have lied to you..." "And I have lied to you." "When I said that the Montague kidnapped me." "When I said that Paris rescued me... those were lies." "What?" "I left with Lord Benvolio willingly, to solve the mystery of who plagues our city... and we were successful in our efforts." "It is Paris who plots against you." "You speak of this "New Prince"... it must be him." "Count Paris?" "He bade me to lie to you about Benvolio... or Livia would pay with her life." "And yet you tell me now..." "I knew you wanted to be alone with me... and I know he has supporters throughout the city, hidden though they may be." "So you use me... my feelings for you... to spin some story that Count Paris of Mantua, a man I've known since we were children..." "None of us are children anymore!" "Benvolio Montague is no murderer, no traitor to Verona..." "I ask that you spare his life." "A man whose execution would stop the war between your two Houses?" "A man whom all Verona already believes is a kidnapper, and a murderer, at the very least?" "Do you believe that?" "I believe that his death is what this city needs to heal." "And you would kill an innocent man to achieve that goal?" "I have no proof of Benvolio's innocence..." "I only have proof of his guilt." "And the life of one man, to save a city of thousands?" "Tell me that's not a small price to pay, either way." "What if..." "I could find you proof of Benvolio's innocence and proof of this New Prince?" "Enough to unite the city without an execution..." "Rosaline..." "Don't think I didn't hear you." "Don't think I haven't longed for you to say those words." "I have." "And yet?" "And yet, it was your decree that made me a friend of my enemy." "A Capulet begging for a Montague's life... isn't that everything you had hoped to achieve?" "Give me a day." "One day." "And if I can't prove everything I said," "I'll pursue it no further." "One day." "One day." "Thank you." "Brother..." "Isabella." "Welcome home." "We are glad to have you back safely in Verona, my Princess." "What has happened in my absence?" "We saw the smoke from the cathedral as we arrived, and it said Lord Montague is gathering his men for revenge..." "A bump on the road to peace." "Fear not, sister..." "I have a plan." "Have you heard Benvolio Montague rots in our dungeon as we speak?" "Did you find Rosaline?" " Is she..." " Safe, and with her family." "All thanks to Count Paris of Mantua." "Now, I hear you bear good tidings." "The treaty with Venice has been signed." "Well done." "A victory for Verona." "I'll tell you the whole story once I've rested from my journey." "But congratulations, Brother... seems you have the city well in hand." "A plan, Your Grace?" "For peace." "Give me a day, Abbatelli." "Just one day." "I will be right outside, my Lady." "Here to take the knife from my back?" " I know you're angry with me..." " No," "I'm angry at myself." "For not knowing better than to trust a Capulet." "I had no choice." "If I hadn't done exactly as Paris said, we'd have all been killed." "And my sister, too." "Your sister?" "Paris threatened her... is threatening her." "And I couldn't risk her life." "I see." "So you chose to kill me off, instead." "I've told the Prince the truth now." "But he needs proof." "Remember what Friar Lawrence said?" "That it was the Nurse who confessed to him?" "If I can convince her to tell the Prince what she knows," "you'll be freed." "Nothing has changed." "I'm still your friend." "Very well." "But if you're going to save me, Capulet," "I suggest you hurry." "Nurse!" "What are you doing awake?" "Looking for you." "Oh, come along." "Friar Lawrence told me everything you confessed to him." "He broke the holy seal?" "The secrets you keep for my aunt." "Hiding Paris beneath my uncle's own roof, sitting silent as they plotted murder and mayhem." "You must tell Prince Escalus what you know..." "I cannot." "Lady Capulet..." " Is a monster." " Is my mistress." "I beg you, forget what you know..." "You let that man seduce my sister." "She cannot see him for what he is." "But I do." "And this will go no further." "Let me sleep on it." "We don't have time..." "You're asking me to turn my back on someone I've loved since the day she was born." "You can have your answer in the morning." "Oh, my God." "Oh, my God." "Someone!" "What on Earth are you shouting about at this time of the..." "Dear God..." "Is she dead?" "Please tell me she's not dead." "Oh, God." "Oh..." "Oh, God." "Oh, my God." "I'll... fetch someone to, uh... put her to bed." "I'll stay with her." "Thank you." "I didn't think you'd take it this hard." "You did this?" "She was going to go to the Prince." "Tell him everything." "All at Rosaline's behest." "You wouldn't let me kill your niece." "This was the next best thing." "Th..." "That woman took care of me from the moment I entered this world." "Do you want to be drawn and quartered?" "'Cause I don't." "Coups are never bloodless." "Let's not pretend they are." "Lady Rosaline, your Grace." "Leave us." "Did you find it?" "Your proof?" "No." "Time is up." "I'm sorry." "I doubt that." "You have to let this go." " I will never..." " You were on your own, outside the city walls, with a man." "If you don't stop this crusade, there will be talk..." "Of what... my virtue?" "Do you care more for my honor than an innocent man's life?" "What more would you have me do?" "I've given you every chance to find me proof..." "Because my word isn't proof enough." "Rosaline..." "Rosaline!" "You expect me to sign a truce with the man who burned down my cathedral?" "!" "Your Grace, the Duomo has been in my family for three generations." "Frankly, it was mine to burn." "The Princess took it from you and gave it to me." "Because you were too poor to finish it." "Lord Montague, your nephew Benvolio has been accused of leading an insurrection." "A ridiculous charge..." "We have witnesses." "Evidence." "He is a stain upon your family name." "And most rulers would order your House disbanded over an act of treason." "Your wealth would revert to the Crown." "Your family would return to the fields where they once toiled." "Lord Capulet's fields, I believe." "You are merciful, Your Grace." "Indeed." "Instead, Young Montague will be executed for his crimes." "In this way, Lord Capulet will have vengeance for the murder of Gramio Capulet and the kidnapping of Lady Rosaline, and you, Lord Montague, will have sacrificed your heir to appease the Crown." "Your family's slate will be wiped clean." "And your Houses will be at peace." "This document lays out the terms of your truce." "And it is binding." "Are we agreed?" "The Capulets agree." "His Grace is being more than generous, Lord Montague." "The Montagues agree." "Then may this be the first of many agreements between you." "She was the one person in this House who was always kind to Rosaline and me." "I loved her." "I have a proposal for you." "Did you not already propose to me?" "Do you want to hear my answer again?" "I promise, it'll be the same." "We should run off together." "What?" "We should run way." "Now." "Today." "We can't just elope..." "Why not?" "Your sister's back, safe and sound." "Your Uncle gave his consent..." "Our lives on this Earth are short." "Look no further than your beloved Nurse." "Lady Rosaline!" "Have you heard the news?" "What news?" " Your sister..." " she's eloped with Count Paris!" "Isn't it romantic?" "!" " This is your fault!" " My fault?" "I know you hate me." "But Livia?" "What on Earth has she ever done to you?" "I only wanted what was best for the girl." "Then why offer her up to that animal?" "Paris would never harm your sister." "Oh, just like he would never harm the Nurse?" "Or are we still to pretend she fell down the stairs?" "Juliet would be ashamed of you." "Remember that." "This is a good thing, Damiano..." "Leave me, Tessa..." "I'm in no mood." "Benvolio is a lost cause." "Who should not have lived to see this day." "You shut your mouth." "I will not." "Do you forget the pact that we made in this very room?" "With our brother Agostino sleeping peacefully in his chambers, never knowing that his next meal would be his last?" "Do you forget what you swore to me that night?" "When you showed me the poison that you bought from that Friar, and you told me what you planned to do with it?" ""When I'm Lord Montague, this shall be our House, sister," you said." ""Yours and mine, together."" "Though it won't be for long if you don't take the Prince's offer." "And all because of Benvolio." "How it must haunt you to think it was you who spared his young life." "He was an innocent child..." "Who became the man who took down your House." "Benvolio's death will benefit us all..." "Montagues and Capulets alike." "And..." "I'd hate for the world to know what happened in this room those many years ago." "Wouldn't you..." "Lord Montague?" "No guards." "No courtiers." "No witnesses." "I doubt you've brought me here to plead my case." "I've brought you here because" "I hope to make sense of something before you die." "I know the Montagues well." "And you, Benvolio, are nothing more than a gutter scoundrel." "Unprincipled, undisciplined..." "Often drunk." "So why is it that the only person fighting for your life is a woman you took from her home whose honor must now and forever be held in question... a woman who should hate you more than any man on Earth?" "Because Rosaline Capulet is my friend." "I trust her." "And she trusts me." "You've tricked her into trusting you." "How?" "I don't know." "But she does." "Tell Rosaline you seek to overthrow me." "That you call yourself the New Prince." "And that you are a traitor to Verona." "No." "Until she hears it from you, she will not rest." "She will destroy her name." "Her reputation." "Her future." "You have ruined your life, Montague." "I will not let you ruin Rosaline's, too." "Kill me today, or kill me tomorrow!" "It matters not to me." "But I will never lie to her." "That is why she trusts me." "Matteo!" "Take him away!" "I have business at the Palace." "So whatever you want, make it quick." "How strange that you have business anywhere." "Considering you're dead." "What are you talking about?" "It seems you neglected to mention a few details about your time in Scotland..." "Vicious lies..." "I wonder how King Malcolm might respond if he knew." "Might he take your head off, too?" "I'm somewhat more merciful than you are when it comes to blood relations." "So I won't sell you out, if you leave here." "Now." "And never grace this doorstep..." "or anywhere in Verona... with your presence again." "And take that awful painting with you." "Aunt Tessa?" "Sweet Benvolio." "What a pity it is to see you in this place." "What are you doing here?" "I think a man deserves to know the truth about his life before he dies." "Don't you?" "Giuliana." "Why are you not in bed?" "Juliet..." "What of her?" "I know the meaning of her warnings." "I know why she says "beware."" "You do?" "Yes." "Silvestro." "I've done a terrible thing." "I never knew I could be so happy." "Nor I. My love." " Forgive me." " I must send word to Mantua." "No, stay..." "I won't be long." "Keep the bed warm." "Dearest Livia..." "I have left with the Montague to solve the mystery of who framed him for murder." "Uncle." "Is the whole family come to visit me on the eve of my death?" "I'm sorry?" "Aunt Tessa was here." "What did she want?" "Only to spin some tale of poisoning my father." "You always said she was a liar..." "She is." "Still, a strange way to say goodbye." "Indeed." "Unless it wasn't that strange." "Was she lying?" "Uncle?" "Tessa's mad." "Always has been." "Did you kill my father?" "I always wondered why I was never good enough." "Why you treated me like I was worthless." "What I could have done to make you hate me so." " Benvolio..." " And now I know:" "I remind you of the man you murdered." "The irony is, I'm only in this cell because I was trying to save our House." "Our name." "Unraveling the conspiracy, hunting down Friar Lawrence..." "Friar Lawrence?" "It doesn't matter." "He's long gone, and he's taken the truth with him." "What truth?" "Leave me." "For what it's worth..." "I regret how I've always treated you." "Actually, Uncle... that isn't worth anything to me at all." "What were you thinking?" "I spoke with Abbatelli." "You fought Benvolio, a murderer, for a woman?" "You could have been killed." "Did you think I didn't consider that?" "And still, you did it." "I swore a vow to protect my people..." "Your guards protect the people." "You protect the throne." "Damn the throne!" "Damn all of it!" "Without her..." "I'm nothing." "I love her." "I know." "But while you were coming to her rescue, her family burned the Montague cathedral." "If you marry her, Escalus, the Montagues will burn the city to the ground." "Strength and sacrifice, brother." "I thought I was doing what was best for our House..." "By committing treason?" "Escalus is weak." "When his father died," "I knew it was only a matter of time before the Montagues exploited that weakness..." "So you thought you would beat them to it?" "By putting Paris on the throne?" "A ruler loyal to House Capulet, to put down House Montague, once and for all." "Does no part of you see the value in that?" "Of course I do." "But then why did Juliet try to warn me?" "She loved a Montague." "She wanted peace." "You must send a message to Paris." "Tell him to call off his plan." "Oh, it's too far gone." "He's not going to listen to me." "Why on Earth did you think he would stay loyal to our House?" "Because I was a fool!" "We must warn the Prince." "Before it's too late." "The Prince will execute me." "Perhaps not, if you can prove you're loyal without delay." "Come, Giuliana." "We must go." "Dear God..." "Pietro..." "Apologies, my Lord and Lady..." "But we cannot allow you to leave." "The New Prince commands it." "My love." "My Livia." "What is this?" "What does it mean?" "This letter says..." "Rosaline went with the Montague willingly... that she wasn't kidnapped at all." "But I never received it, and it's here." "With your things." "Our love began in secret, but I don't want there to be any more secrets between us." "I promised you I'd make you a princess, and that is true." "The Princess of Mantua... and of Verona." "But what of Prince Escalus?" "My city, my family... are you mad?" "You lied to me." " I didn't lie..." " And what, you thought a Capulet bride would bring you some kind of legitimacy... you thought my blood would buy you a throne?" "I told you... no more secrets." "And I'll be honest with you now... yes, at first I thought I needed your name, but now that I know you, now that I love you," " Livia..." " Rosaline knew." "She tried to warn me..." "Just listen to me..." "I gave myself to you." "And you will again." "Once..." "Once you understand." "Now gather your things." "My men will bring you to Mantua." "I want to go home." "Mantua is your home now." "Wife." "Capulet." "What news?" "I thought I had proof..." "I thought the Nurse would come forward but then Paris killed her," "and he has my sister, and I failed you." "And I'm so, so sorry." "This is all my fault." "No matter." "No matter?" "!" "I was foolish enough to think I could heal our city... make my cousin's death mean something, be a worthy heir to my cursed name." "You mustn't give up." "Perhaps when they kill me," "Verona might be healed." "And you can go and be happy..." "I won't... be happy." "Leave me and let me die, Capulet." "I'm not what you want." "I'm not who you want..." "I saw you." "In the chapel, when he told us we were to be married," "I saw you." "The two of you." "The Prince loves you." "And you love him." "That is who you want." "That is who you love." "That is who you trust." "I trust you." "Time's up." "On this day, we reclaim our city... and this square... from violence and stand together as one." "By the Prince's order, the traitor Benvolio Montague shall be executed, for the murder of Gramio Capulet, the kidnapping of Rosaline Capulet, and for high crimes against the city of Verona." "And with his death, the Houses of Montague and Capulet have sworn to their sovereign to lay down their arms forevermore." "Justice, or vengeance?" "We're here now, Brother." "Does it matter?" "It does." "To me." "Wait!" "Wait!" "Make him stand." "Silence!" "Silence!" "I have been told... that this is an innocent man." "We are to believe this innocence because I trust the word of a person who stood for Benvolio Montague." "And by my royal command, you shall endeavor to trust it, too." "Trust the word of a Capulet who stood for a Montague." "The New Prince is coming!" "The New Prince is coming!" "The New Prince is coming!" "Aah!" "Escalus!" "Move!" "Escalus!" "Rosaline." "Rosaline, we need to get out of here." "Now." "I'm not leaving here without him." "And I'm not leaving without you." "Take her." "Save her." "The New Prince is coming!" "The New Prince is coming!" "The New Prince is coming!" "The New Prince is coming!" "The New Prince is here."