Josephine

𝓔𝓹𝓲𝓼𝓸𝓭𝓮 14: 𝓓𝓮𝓶𝓸𝓷𝓼 𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓗𝓪𝓾𝓷𝓽 𝓜𝓮

September 24, 1968

The sounds of screaming men filled my ears, followed by the panicked shouts and begging of women and children that were abruptly cut short. A fire crackled and the heat licked my face, despite the fact that I was nowhere near any fire. My blue Imperial Uniform cinched on my legs which discomforted me. I stood next to several generals as we watched Rome fall for the second time in history, first to the Germanic barbarians, and now to us, the Americans. All because Pope Saul had excommunicated all catholic Americans and they called for war. He had signed his own death wish and we were delivering it.

Boom.

To our left, the Pantheon exploded and collapsed to the ground, the old marble crumbling into the debris-littered streets. As heard before the sounds of women and children screaming and begging for mercy before our soldiers ended their lives. I had to show Europe and the world, there would be no mercy. I was to crush any opposition to my rule. Without hesitation, they will know that we've recovered from the Plot of Jule Fourth and the world can't knock us down.

Kaboom!

I lunged forward and realized I was in my bed, in a cold sweat. It had been two years since the Sacking of Rome and I was still haunted by it. Only my mother would've done such a thing. But she could get away with it by sitting on the throne back home, I couldn't. I had been there, I had watched the city burn to the floor, the home of the church vanishes into a smoldering wreck. I had watched my soldiers round up and execute over 120,000 men, women, and children and I had let it happen. I was and am so guilty over it that America has not been to war since. No nation dares to risk antagonizing us, but... was it worth it? The world fears us... but is that how I want to be remembered? I'd say not at all, I want to be remembered as a kind, generous monarch, not as a butcher who crushes any form of resistance. The American people and many others already suffered under my cruel mother, they don't need another monster on the throne.

Knock knock knock!

I groaned and flopped back down on the pillow. I may be the empress, but I'm still eighteen and need my sleep. Unfortunately for me, I'm pretty much constantly needed.

"Enter," I groggily grumbled.

A bright light flooded in from the doorway and a guard stepped inside. He was on the younger side but his handsome facial features were drowned in sorrow. I turned on the lamp which flickered and illuminated him.

"Your majesty... It's about Conroy..." He said, kneeling down.

My brain woke up after hearing his name.

"Is he alright?" I asked, my voice cracking.

"He's very sick, it doesn't look too good-"

I threw the heavy silk covers away.

"Wait outside while I dress, then you can escort me to see him," I replied.

The guard nodded before turning and leaving my room, gently shutting the door. I swung my legs over the side of the bed. I had never thought about Conroy dying. The man is seventy-one though, so I feel like I should've been made aware of any health risks. I stand up and move towards my wardrobe. Opening the large square spruce doors I glance briefly at the options hung up before settling on... nothing. I'm too tired to dress smartly, and this is Conroy. I dress quickly and comb through my wavy brown hair even quicker. I then jogged to the door and threw it open.

"Let us go!" I said frantically.

The young guard quickly guided me down the hall and we were both quick on our feet. My shoes and his boots clicked on the smooth, chiseled marble floors of the palace and it echoed through the halls. We were void of conversation until we reached the medical wing, where my personal practitioner, dentist, and surgical team resided. As we approached the guard's hospital two solemn guards stood outside. They bowed stiffly and addressed me, trying not to choke. Conroy was the Lord of the Home Guards, the highest authority for Imperial Guards. He had upheld that rank for the whole of 25 years. Every guard for the past twenty-five years that had joined and left the Guard knew him.