Rome: Marriage Pact

Chapter Three: The Will

Even though the sky is bright and sunny, I still feel nervousness in my chest as I stand in front of Antony's front door. I recall this villa used to be Pompey Magnus', before he was betrayed in Egypt and decapitated by the boy king Ptolemy the 13th. Judging by the strong scent of paint, Antony is still renovating some areas.

More eager to see what Caesar's Will contains, I knock on the heavy wooden doors. Antony answers surprisingly quickly, as if he was waiting for me.
"Gaius, good morning," he smiles.
"Morning," I murmur, keeping my head down.
"You can look me in the eyes, Gaius. You don't have to act all feminine around me, I promise."

I look up in surprise. Antony still smiles, stepping aside to let me in. The scent of burning wood and charcoal makes me cough, covering my mouth.
"Ah, forgive the smell. I'm still working on burning any useless papers Pompey left behind," he apologizes while closing the door.

"Useless papers?" I echo.
"Mainly old documents, outdated maps, that sort of thing," he shrugs, walking me over to where the small garden would have been.
It seems the rumor that Antony is replacing the garden with a gym is true, but he still has a few flower bushes in large pots on the floor.

"Can I offer you any wine?" He asks, sitting across from me at a small table, the rolled up will in between us. "Just water if you have any, thank you."
His lips tug into a smile again and he goes to the kitchen.
I sigh a little, trying to settle my nerves. The smell of burning paper isn't as strong out here. The sweet scent of the flowers and the birds chirping brings me at ease.

He comes back with water for the both of us and takes sips. "Why...did you agree to the marriage pact?" I blurt out, the question having bothered me all night long. He pauses, lowering the cup from his lips. A thoughtful look crosses his handsome face. By the Gods, am I already calling him handsome subconsciously?

"Because with Julius dead, you are now the eldest male in the family, and that position places you as a new target. Atia pleaded that I accept, and so I did."
"Just like that? You hardly even know me," I say.
"I know," he blinks, setting the cup down completely.
"But I have heard you have always been sickly and I know how close you were to your uncle. I think...I think a part of me wants to see you safe. Could that be love? I cannot say for certain at the moment."

He shrugs, fiddling with the wax seal on the will. It looks like he wants to say more, but doesn't. "I see," is all I say. I watch Antony break the wax seal and roll out the Will. We read the Will together, surprised by the contents.
"You are to be Caesar's son?" He blinks, looking up at me, as if double checking that he read the words right.
"It appears so," I admit softly.
"That's settled, then," he whispers.
"What is?" I question.

Antony grabs my hand gently, then entwines his fingers around mine, my hand almost completely covered by his. "I will defend you with my life, even after the marriage," he says this sincerely, which surprises me.
"But you hardly know me," I say again, not knowing what else to say.
He smiles, making my heart rate quicken. "Then let me get to know you, Gaius Octavius."
****
"Anything catches your eye?" Antony asks, walking beside me as we look around the various booths selling items. "Nothing yet," I answer, "Why are we here again?"
"So I can get to know you better. Your likes, maybe even your favorite foods. We might as well be on equal footing before the wedding."

"I suppose you have a point," I admit slowly, anxiety making me feel short of breath at the realization the wedding is only two weeks away.
"I am getting a little hungry," I say, blinking at the sunlight as I look up at Antony.
"Of course. Anything you want specifically? Flamingo? Perhaps a roasted peacock?"
My eyes widen. "Aren't those meats rather expensive?"

"They are," he grins. "But let me spoil you, if you'd like."
Again, my heart pounds in alarm and excitement.
"I've never actually eaten flamingo before," I shrug.
"Then I'll get you that," Antony nods as we walk deeper into the market.

By the time we get back to his villa, it's already noon.
The scent of the roasted bird makes my mouth water from hunger. "Let me get some wine for this," Antony says, setting the wrapped bundle of meat on the table and quickly walks off.
I sit down at the table, getting a better look at the inside of Antony's place. People were not joking when they said he likes to live with fancy things.

A statue of Mars stands in the doorway leading to the small garden he has outside. A small pool is at the entrance leading to the main door, the tiles on the floor bright yellow.
I look over when Antony comes back with wine and cheese. "I admit, this smells good," I say.
Antony smiles in response, handing me a clay cup of wine.

"You have quite the house here," I begin, sipping the wine. It's a little too sweet for my taste, but I dare not complain. "Do you like it? I'm still busy renovating a few things, but I think it's coming together nicely."
I nod, taking a piece of flamingo meat onto my plate along with some cheese.

"How is it?" He asks, a small smile on his lips.
"A little chewy," I swallow, "but surprisingly good. I can see why it's expensive, they must season this with whatever trade spices are available."
I see Antony's eyes visibly brighten. Does he..like it when I ramble about such things? Mother always told me to keep that information to myself, but Antony seems to enjoy it.

"You're just full of information, aren't you?" He asks, a teasing tone in his voice. Embarrassed, I look down at my plate. "Well, I always spent my free time reading just about anything. Helps pass the time."
"I can tell," he laughs, eating some meat as well.

Once we are done eating, it's around three pm. "I should be heading back," I sigh.
"So soon?" Antony looks a little disappointed, looking like he wants to get closer, but hesitates.
I flinch a little when I look into his eyes. He looks upset. This must be the first time he's had fun since my uncle—er, father's funeral.
"Well," I begin slowly, "I suppose...I could send a letter to my mother, telling her I'm staying the night. I-if it's alright with you, of course!" I stumble over my words.

By the gods, I hope he can't see my flustered face in the fading light. He smiles again, visibly relaxing.
"That's fine with me," he says, voice low.
Can he hear how hard my heart is pounding in my ears?

After I send the letter, we both talk late into the night about anything and everything. I find out Antony is terrible at playing dice, or maybe it's just the wine. "Oh, here, I've been meaning to give you this," he walks over to his shelf and pulls out something wrapped in cloth. "You can open it now, if you'd like."
Curious, I unwrap the cloth to reveal a simple silver necklace with the god Apollo on a small coin.

"Your mother told me you favor the god Apollo, so I found it in the market for you. I don't know if you wear jewelry personally, but it was the only thing I could find," he clears his throat, looking nervous.
"I've never owned anything like this before," I say softly, putting it on. "Thank you, Antony."
"You're welcome," he sighs.

I end up sleeping on one of his couches for the night, soon nodding off listening to the torches crackle. In my fading thoughts, I barely hear Antony walk over. It doesn't register that Antony just kissed my forehead until he's already walking down the hall to his room.
I'm more surprised that I oddly long for that feeling of protection, especially now. When people find out I am now Caesar's son, I'll need all the protection I can get. Marrying Antony is definitely a good place to start.