Prologue
Note to Readers
This prologue was written as a theatrical homage to William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, reimagined generations later within this world and family legacy. I envisioned it unfolding on a stage with dramatic lighting, swelling orchestration, and musical-theater-style narration carrying the history forward.
Because of that, the prose is intentionally lyrical and stylized compared to the rest of the novel.
If theatrical openings or poetic narration aren’t your preference, you can skip the prologue entirely and begin with Chapter One without missing any necessary plot information. The main narrative starts there.
If you’d like to listen to the accompanying song while reading, you can find it linked in the pinned wall post.
Two households, hardened in their pride, In modern Verona, where our tale resides. From ancient grudge comes fresh despair, Where rival blood still taints the air.
Bound by hate, forged through time, Two families born of blood and crime. Where sorrow only fed the flame, Of love once found, then lost to fate.
From bloodstained years and battle cries, A fragile pact begins to form. A marriage promised, thin with hope, To mend a rift that never closed.
Though centuries passed, the bitterness stayed. Old wounds whisper through each day. Yet in the shadow of the feud, A fragile peace begins to bloom.
If you’ll listen to this tale unfold, We’ll try to warm what history left cold.
