An Ancient Roman Love Story...

Prologue

“You picked the wrong one. I will always be the true emperor.” He said. His eyes were glued to mine as he said the final words of my life. I took my sword and brought it back to plunge into his stomach. He would see what it meant to defy me! Then all of sudden my sword dropped. I winched, a sharp pain was coming from my torso. I looked down to see the hilt of a sword plunged into my stomach. I fell to my knees and clutched at the hilt of the sword. I drew it out with which there was a lot of pain involved. I was gasping for my breath when I finally had the chance to speak.

“Please spare m-” My words were cut short and everything went black.                                         

                                                                        -

Hours Earlier

            “My lord, would you like some more wine?”

“If you would.”  As I held out my glass. The poor servant girl stumbled and looked me in the eye. She quickly looked down and poured my wine. She looked back and I held her gaze. My unusual blue eyes stared into hers intently. I gave her the softest of smiles that turned into a devious grin. It made all the girls in the inner walls go weak in the knees. But this girl she was different. When I started broadening of my smile she stood straighter, wiped her hand across her forehead, turned and walked off. I had never had a woman do that to me before. I’ve had countless affairs with woman but never had that reaction. It wounded my ego.

I heard a loud eruption of crazed cheers. I looked off the side of the balcony and saw that the gladiator had killed my men and my animals. One of the other gladiators stood by his side. I could see his mouth moving in fast motions. That was when he looked up. I saw his face change from distraught to vengeance. I smiled and returned to my comfy chair. It was blazing hot outside and the sun was beginning to draw over the top of the Colosseum.

“I am ready to leave. Give my regards to Commodus that I will not be joining him at his dinner party this evening.” I said without any emotion. I spoke to my servant Aurelius.

“But sire-”

“I said that I will not be there! Ido not care! Do not question my authority!”

“Yes my lord.” Aurelius scurried away and went to go fetch Commodus and tell him I would not be coming. I could see how terrified he was when my anger rose. I did that very little. So when I did let my anger get the best of me Aurelius was shocked. It made me laugh every time. 

            I stood and exited the balcony, with the servant girl following behind with my extra things. I turned around quickly and grabbed her by the hands. I brushed my lips lightly against hers. I saw the shock and was amused. It always brightened my mood when I put someone down or petrified them. I stood quickly and winked. She caught me by the arm (with much force I might add) and slapped me right then and there. I blinked and brought my hand to my face. She walked away with her head held high, back straight, and she filled the hall with a presence I had never seen. I had to give it to her. I “harrumphed” and started walking again into the bright sunlight.

                                                                        -

            “Sire, one of the guards has requested to see you.”

“Send him in.” My voice held no emotion. I was tired and wanted to go off to my chamber.

It had been a long day of complaints. Farmers, slaves, citizens, and merchants had been coming in and out of the palace complaining about how their crops weren’t growing, how the taxes were to unreasonable, how their money earnings kept getting cut short. Blah, blah, blah. One of the key words in those complaints had been their problems. Like he cared, he just cared if he would have fresh linens for when he would go to bed. The throne was comfortable but not what he wanted. He wanted soft pillows, soft linens, soft mattress…