Last Man Standing

Chapter 28: Questionable Motives

Decimus, Marcus and I were playing make-believe in the library one spring morning three months into our engagement. Brutus stood on guard by the door with another man, and Arrian stood in the corner, waiting for orders.

Marcus had found a book on the history of our Empire. The tales of Hannibal's conquests inspired us to re-enact the scenes with candlesticks for swords and pillows for shields. Decimus played Hannibal because he was the most fluent with the story. Marcus volunteered to play his father because he was determined to die in the most epic and dramatic way he could possibly conjure; he wanted to play the martyred corpse. I was stuck playing the savages, but at least it was better than playing a fair maiden or a weeping mother.

Just as I was about to kill my brother, Empress Aryanna entered the room. This was only the second time that I had laid eyes upon her.

Marcus and I dropped our swords and shields to give our ruler a proper greeting. Marcus bowed perfectly and I curtsied as best as I could. She nodded her head in approval, but she did so timidly. I could tell that she was just as nervous to see us as we were to see her. Her eyes fretfully shot back and forth between my brother and me. She bounced on the balls of her feet as her fingers fidgeted with some embroidery on her silk white gown.

She stepped forward with an outstretched hand as if to softly brush my hair, but she thought better of it and quickly retreated.

The tension in the room was unbearable. Luckily, Arrian broke the silence to offer his Empress a refreshment. She gave him a genuine smile as she politely declined, and then turned to her son.

He made no effort to greet her, but rather sighed in aggravation. He whined, "Mother, we're playing!"

"I can see that. What are you playing?"

"Mooooommmmmm!"

I piped in, "We're playing Hannibal."

"Sounds exciting."

My brother smiled, "I'm his father. Candra was just about to kill me!"

"May I join you?"

"No, mother! We already have all the players!"

I shrugged, "She can always be another savage..."

Decimus shook his head. "We don't need her."

"Come on, Decimus. What's the big deal?" Marcus grabbed another candlestick. He moved to give it to the Empress.

Decimus chucked his gear to the floor and hollered, "She's not supposed to be here!"

He stomped out of the room without looking back. Both Marcus and I were perplexed by his behaviour, but the Empress looked as if this was nothing new to her.

She gave us a reassuring smile. "He is just embarrassed by me, which is nothing out of the ordinary when it comes to children and their parents."

Marcus put the candlestick back on the table before the three of us continued to stand about awkwardly, waiting for someone to make the next move.

Once again, Arrian came to our rescue. "Our Empress really enjoys the library, just as you both seem to."

It was odd to hear a servant speak without being prompted to, especially when his words resembled that of a casual conversation about someone so far above his station, but for some reason it didn't seem to bother Empress Aryanna in the least. If anything, she looked beyond grateful for Arrian's company.

She nodded as if to confirm this fact, and then turned to us with a smile. "Do you both like to read?"

"Yes, Empress, we-"