The Long Task

Februarius a.d. xiv Kal. Mart. X A.C. (February 16, 10 B.C)

Dawn

Once again, Claudia and I left for the BATHS OF CARACALLA. Today was the, oh so special dinner with the Emperor. I know I should have been ecstatic, but all I felt was fatigue. We ambled lazily up the steps through the colonnade, paid the keeper the fee, and entered the apodyterium again.

Midday

My fatigue had left me, but no excitement came. The slave girls were rubbing red ochre against my lips with a fierceness that I did not think them capable of. I saw a look of envy in their eyes as they opened the container with the eyebrow concoction. The room was afresh, with the pungent fragrance. What was this, a sacrifice? Then, there they were, earrings of gold, mother's finest. They dangled from my ears, and exquisite they were, accentuating the length of my neck. Mother never wore these. I have only seen her wear these once in my lifetime. I could feel the fear take over. In my increasing anxiety, I constructed elaborate rationalisations that it would be all right. I began to pray, "oh, Minerva! Help me make wise decisions!"

Dusk

The palace had architecture like no other in Rome. The colonnade contained the most ostentatiously detailed pillars, painted in brilliant white. We approached the palace, and father came and took my hand. Domitilla was following close behind with her two, and Claudia was trailing behind. We entered the throne room. I saw the throne; nothing else was in focus. I wasn't paying attention. The throne was carved of fine oak, crested with five jewels and decorative metals, forming an elegant coat of arms. As we entered, silence seized the nobles, and immediately everyone rose, excluding the King, of course. I turned to father and saw him and the King exchanging wordless glances. Next to him- I recognized those luscious locks. No wonder he looked familiar, but it meant, no! Claudia? Suddenly, it hit me like a slap in the face. This night, a declaration was to be made, the union of His Royal Highness and Lady Claudia.

We took our places beside the royal family. Father beckoned me to join him and meet the other generals. However, I wasn't paying attention. I'm not sure I understood; the Emperor would announce Claudia's marriage to his son, the prince. This is Claudia's future husband, isn't it? Why is she sitting at the end with the rest of the guests? This should be her seat. My thoughts were put to rest as the Emperor rose from his throne.

"Praetors, Centurions, Ladies and esteemed guests, it is my honour to announce the betrothal of his Royal Highness, Prince Claudius, my successor and... (Emperor Claudius and Queen Claudia - huh, they really are meant for each other).

The thunderous applause brought me back to the present. All eyes were on me. The applause became ear-piercing. I turned to father and there he was, grinning at me, again. He leaned in and whispered, "Arise, my princess! You will always be my little girl." I arose, bamboozled, and rested my hand in the crook of his arm. As we proceeded down the front aisle, I stole a glance, and father was looking at me. A tear rolled down his cheek, but I had never seen him happier. We stopped abruptly (so ladylike), and then Father turned and kissed me on both cheeks. He took my face in his hands and whispered, "I'll always love you, and you have always made me proud."

Father puffed out his chest, like the general he is, and strutted back to his table, abandoning me. My confusion turned to frustration and resentment toward my father. He knew I was not too fond of attention. The applause was too much, the envious looks of the ladies, the generals' smirks; all eyes were on me. Where was Claudia? Where was the royal couple? I was grabbed by the shoulder and turned to face... luscious locks, hickory brown eyes, soft gaze. The Emperor was standing beside me. He took my hand and placed it in Prince Claudius'. My resentment turned to realisation. This was not Claudia's future husband...

"This union has my blessing, all hail Prince Claudius and future Princess..." The dread was pushing against me, like an invisible gale, attempting to reverse steps back to the comfort of my bed. My stomach clenched, and my jaw locked. The panic grew stronger as my mental faculties gave way to emotion. The crowd erupted in vehement cheers, but Prince Claudius's gaze, still on me, had turned from loving to genuine concern. He looked to the Emperor, and I turned toward the rest of the congregation. The room turned black.