Claudia walked from her room with her brother by her side, angst tearing up the recess of her chest as she tried to ignore the sinking feeling that her father’s grand gift wasn’t going to be a new dress or a stallion for the stables, but something bigger, better – more grandeur that would make him appear wealthy and loving in front of the enormous crowd that had amassed. They came not to see her, but because the Emperor was throwing a bash.
Antonio chatted about nothing as he walked beside her, his excitement a bit off putting, but she tried to ignore it as well. The sound of the lyres and flutes playing a traditional hymn put her a bit at ease as they approached the large ballroom her father had constructed earlier that year. It was a place to hold parties, expansive and befitting the gods of Olympus. She stopped just outside the door and smiled at her brother – for his benefit alone.
“You look stunning, my sister.” He touched a lock of her hair and pushed the door open before she had time to respond. The crowd cheered as she walked in, a fake smile plastered perfectly to her full lips. Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus stood from his large golden throne and walked down to greet his beautiful daughter, merriment on his handsome features.
“Ahhh.. you look like your mother tonight, my love.” He pulled her into a quick hug, a kiss on the cheek before touching her face in a loving manner.
She smiled and bowed to him a little, a show of respect. She knew the song and dance as it was customary to play the routine in front of her father’s subjects, but truth be told – she stood in front of a complete stranger and wanted to shudder at him touching her cheek so intimately. It was a façade they’d practiced her whole life and tonight was no different.
“Thank you, Father.” She looked around and smiled at everyone in attendance and then glanced back to her Emperor, for that is all he truly was. “Thank you for all of this. Really, you should’ve.”
“Nonsense, child. You are my only daughter and a father is allowed to dote on her, is he not?” He offered his arm and she took it as several of the women in the crowd sighed with lust and adoration for her dad. She felt her breakfast rise in her throat, but refocused on the fuss that was going on at the far corridor. Her father turned her around and smiled at her as the door opened and a handsome warrior was thrust from the hallway.
Her father’s voice caused her to jump. “And to my daughter, whom I love so dearly, I present a present most could only dream of. I present to her a personal champion; A gladiator of her own. I present Verus!"
Horror gripped her heart as she started at him and wondered why in all of heaven and hell would he present her with a slave – a gladiator? She turned to her brother, feeling helpless and he gave her the ‘fucking smile’ look and she did – fake as she’d ever been. She walked toward the man on her father’s less than gentle nudge and stood before him, reaching out to grab his chin roughly and look him in the eye.
She looked over her shoulder at her father and smiled devilishly, “Oh he’s beautiful, Father. Perfect. I could not ask for a more perfect gift.” The room exploded in congratulations as she looked back to the man, releasing the grip on his face as sadness rushed into her gaze. She wanted to apologize, to remove his humility at the situation before him, but all she could do was gaze into his tiredness, her only wish to give him rest.
What on earth could she do to help him find freedom?
She didn’t know, but she’d be figuring it out… soon.