140AD - The Rise to Empress || [GxG] ||

Chapter 31

Translations:

Recedite, plebes! Gero rem imperialem! = Stand aside plebians! I am on Imperial business!

Cave quid dicis, quando, et cui. = Beware what you say, when, and to whom.

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The settlers of Rome flocked to the streets just by the mere word that the once Consul, now turned General again, and soon to be Emperor Blake has returned from Egypt, victoriously so in his endeavors. Some were saddened by the loss of their beloved Emperor Gryphem but all sorts of tales about his tyranny spread through Rome. One tale falser than the last.

Truthfully, Jake wasn't guilty of any tyranny but Blake made sure to spread whatever lies he should to further his campaign. If anyone was guilty of tyranny, it was Bellamy himself. But such facts were no longer of importance. The settlers of Rome were used to moving from one Emperor to the next if it was the will of the gods.

This wasn't the will of the gods though, but rather the work of man. In all of its fraudulent state. Again, the facts didn't matter since the people of Rome were too filled with euphoria to care about how the event came to be.

Each settler was more excited to impress their new Emperor than the last. Not even a day after his return and they were already in preparation for his inauguration. As Lexa walked the streets and through the forum, it was clear that Blake anticipated his victory before he even left Rome some time ago to conquer Jake.

Such was confirmed by the once-proud blue Griffin banners that were no longer hanging on the city walls and not from official buildings either. They were now replaced by red Eagle adorned banners; that of true Rome apparently. A symbol Blake decided would describe him best. Strength, courage, and immortality.

The popular streets were too crowded to travel through and so it forced Lexa to take less popular routes where the crooks and swindlers traversed. These streets were much dirtier than the original dirt-covered routes, and on these walls were untasteful works of so-called art. Illustration of Jake and his 'whore' of Egypt with crude Latin words scribbled all around the distasteful illustrations.

It was likely done by a civilian that looked for a quick burst of clout from the immediate public. Upon inspecting it for a minute, Lexa only hoped that such personal dishonor was worth the small moment of fame and quick laughs. Jake must be turning in his unmarked grave in Egypt.

Later Lexa reached Octavia's villa and was met by a cheery Sabina that was over the moon that Lexa returned after all. The older woman even went as far as to pulling Lexa into a full-blown embrace. And even though Lexa felt awkward in the moment, she let Sabina have the embrace.

After rounding the corner into the atrium, by no surprise, Lexa finds a half-naked Elena still passed out on one of the chaises that surrounded the shallow pond of water in the middle of the room. Chuckling to herself and shaking her head side to side, Lexa continued on to the familiar backroom and fully engulfed herself in the cold water.

Roman heat couldn't possibly compare to the unforgiving dry heat of Africa, but it would certainly come up a short second. It was almost mid-day and the sun was at its peak heat, burning hot rays onto whoever decided to be outside; but even inside it was uncomfortable. Lexa even contemplated to leave all of her armour off when she would go see Blake, but such official business would require all formalities. Including the red General sash.

A sash that now hung very heavily on her shoulders, washed yes, but by memory, it was still covered in Jake's blood. Another tragedy she was forced to carry and the gods knew there were still days she struggled to accept the tragedy of her parents and Costia. Life was unfair and so were the fates but there was nothing anyone could do about it.