How To Tame An Empress (BOOK I)

Chapter 33 - The Illusion of Peace

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The armour was heavier than I remembered. 

Bronze plates clicked into place as the attendants fastened each clasp and buckle, their movements practiced. The sound of steel being adjusted, and the faint scrape of leather straps tightening, it all formed a rhythm which calmed me.

I have fought in many wars, more than I would have liked, but with each battle I ride into, the less fear I feel. Yet somehow, the nerves trembled inside me today as if it were my first ever fight; perhaps because this time I had something to lose.

"Everything is in place, dominus. We only wait for your signal to ride out." Julius stepped into the room, hands linked behind his back as he was dressed in his own armour. He seems to be more ready than me today which is quite hard to believe, seeing as he lost his beloved mother only a week ago.

"How are you faring, Julius?" I asked, nodding my thanks to the attendant as I took over with the armour on my arms, tightening the leather straps to my own liking.

"I am ready for battle, dominus." He misunderstood my question. I spared him a short glance before returning to look at my arm.

"No, I mean... Since your mothers' death. Ria has quietened since that day, she seems to be lost in her own world, one in which her mother is still alive, but here you are; preparing for war." It was obvious to me. He carried grief in his posture, though he hid it well, I could see it. After all, I remember doing the same many years ago.

"I am better, dominus. Please, do not waste your worry on me." He spoke, and even added a firm smile to go with his words as if to assure me.

"That is good to hear then. I did not know your mother as well as you or your sister did, but even I can see that she would have wanted you to stand firm." He nodded his thanks to my words as I finished tightening the straps on my armour.

"Now, with all that said and done..." Standing straight, I turned to face him, approaching him as he stood tall and strong. "...You can take your armour off as you will not be riding into war with the rest of us." Surprise flickered over his features, and his words stumbled.

"Wh- Have I done something to offend you, imperator? If so, then please forgive-"

"-Calm yourself. It is nothing of the sort." While that helped to relieve him a little, he still stood on edge, waiting for me to confirm the meaning of my words.

"I need you to remain here to protect her; your sister, I mean. Not because I do not believe you will be a drawback in battle, but because there is no one I trust more than you to keep her safe." The strength in his eyes faltered for a moment before he hid it quickly.

"Dominus, with respect, I am the head of your praetorian guard so it is my job to-"

"-You are also her brother." I interrupted, freezing him in his place. "I can spare a soldier, but you are one of her last living relatives. She will never forgive me, or herself for that matter, if something were to happen to you." His jaw tightened, the weight between his responsibility and his love seeming to weigh him down, and in the end, I watched as his love for her overtook his sense of responsibility.

"As you command." He gave in with a deep sigh as I went to pat his shoulder.

"Good. Then I trust that you will do a good job." He nodded, following me as we stepped out into the corridor where the air was alive with sound; soldiers assembling, messengers running orders, and horses stamping in the courtyard below. It made this war feel so real all of a sudden.

But despite that, I continued ahead, descending down the marble steps with Julius in tow, and my eyes, for the last time in a while, glanced over this palace which I called home.