Fight to Die (Harry Styles)

Twenty-Two

Chapter 22

• Julia •

This room is even grander than Felix's, much bigger, too. It's hard to imagine something better than my own house, but this- this is something entirely different. This seems almost like some kind of paradise. The room is so large it takes me a few moments before I see the Emperor bent over his desk writing.

Felix squeezes my hand and lets it go, stepping forward towards his father. He moves quickly towards him and bends down, whispering something to him. His father looks up at him and then over to me. I feel the blood rushing to my face and I look down trying to save myself some embarrassment.

Felix extends his arm towards me and gestures for me to come over to where they both are. I hesitantly walk towards them.

"Father, this is Julia. She is the girl you approved," Felix says and I can tell he is nervous. I didn't realize that Felix didn't have control over all this and who he marries. "We- we'll be married by the end of this month... If it pleases you."

That is in less than two weeks.

Felix watches his father anxiously and by his mannerisms, I begin to think that he was lying to me about his father being a kind man. Felix seems afraid of his father. The way he hesitates to speak leads me to believe he fears saying the wrong thing, like he knows he will punished for saying the wrong thing.

"You are lovelier than your pictures portray," the emperor says, rising from his seat with a smile on his face. A few months ago, I was forced to sit for a portrait. Apparently, it's custom for the eligible nobles' daughters to have portraits made and sent out in hopes of finding a husband. Of course, I had absolutely no say in the matter so I guess that's how I've gotten to where I am, all because of a portrait.

"Thank you, Caesar," I say, bowing low and reverently. Felix comes over to stand by me. His shoulder brushes mine and I am oddly comforted by his touch.

The emperor nears us and looks between us. He focuses on me, "my dear girl, if you are to become my daughter, you mustn't call me by that name, not here anyway."

I smile and he takes my hand, kissing it gently, "you will be of great use to our people."

Felix tenses beside me, "Father, no." His voice is strong this time, nothing but power.

I look at him confused. What is he talking about? He gives me a look that tells me to remain silent and I do just that.

"Julia, would you mind going back to my study?" Felix says. "Surely, you remember the way."

I nod and bow before the emperor again, "it was a pleasure to meet you." I leave the room before I can mess anything up by my silly words. My presence has done enough already.

"How dare you bring that up in front of her?" I hear Felix shout. "You promised there would be no talk of your desperate need to expand the Empire and her role in it!"

I run now; I don't want to hear anymore. What the hell is he talking about? How on earth could I possibly gain him any military or territorial advantages? I'm just a girl, a fairly clueless one, too.

I turn the corner and find Felix's study again. I am relieved when I get there, but not nearly as relieved as I would have liked to be. Fresh air. That's what I need. I approach what I had thought was just a plain window. But it's not just a window, it's a set of glass doors that open up to a balcony. I push the doors open and let the warm breeze engulf me. My breathing slows as the outdoors soothe my nerves. I try to think of something else. Anything else.

My wedding comes to mind, but that only reminds me again of the emperor's vexing words. Harry comes to mind as well, but I only feel guilty over him and I decide that he is not a good person to be dwelling on. After all, I made a mistake by seeing him last night. It seems like so long ago, but it is only a matter of hours since I snuck out of my house to obtain his company. Now that I think of it, my action was in pure response of Felix's confusing actions yesterday. Stupidity seems to be a common reaction of mine when I am confused. That is why I must stay here and do nothing.

I ponder what use I could possibly be in an Empire, but no scenario seems in the least bit probable. I'm not a leader. Hell, I'm only like sixteen. What can I do? My father doesn't seem too involved in politics or wars; he owns land and that's how we have a fortune. He's an honest man so it's not like he and the Emperor are up to something. I'm not some long-lost child of a foreign King; my mother and I have striking resemblance so that option is out. My brother sure as hell isn't related to all of this; he hates Rome. He would be executed if anyone were to know that but that's beside the point. When it comes to the expansion of an empire, I am utterly and entirely useless.

Loud footsteps echo through the halls and I find myself unable to move. It would probably be wise to return to Felix's study like he told me to, but I just can't. Who I assume is Felix, walks out to the balcony. I can feel his presence behind me, but I simply can't turn around. I'm too confused to do anything.

"I would very much like it if we could have a little chat, my dear." The voice shocks me as it is not Felix, but his father. At this, I manage to turn around and apologize, but before I even open my mouth, his hand flies up as to silence me. My mouth closes immediately and I bow my head.

He smiles softly, and if I didn't know any better, I would say he poses no threat to me whatsoever. Caesar steps forward, standing next to me on the balcony and overlooking his cast property. The sun shines high against the blue sky, and tall tree sway in the blowing wind. It is virtually a perfect day.

"I'm sure you have many questions," he says lowly, not averting his eyes from the beautiful view of the countryside. "But I can only tell you one thing: my son needs an heir, and you will provide it for him. Do you understand?"

I am shocked by his bluntness, but regain composure quickly, because after all, he is the emperor of the whole Roman Empire and can say whatever he wants. I nod without a word, agreeing to his demand. I try not to think about the fact that I'm only sixteen and he is asking me to do something so life changing, but the task proves very difficult as we stand there in silence. I don't like the idea of having a kid this young; it terrifies me if I'm being honest. I still have a life to live and things I want to do, but I guess my life isn't my own anymore. It's his.

The Emperor continues, "of course, this would entail your loyalty to him. I have no doubt that you know this."

Panic rushes through me as I think back to all the mistakes I've made in just the past twenty-four hours alone. I snuck out to see a gladiator– a slave– against my better judgement. Were the man I am to marry simply a noble, my interactions with the mysterious gladiator might have been ignored. However, that is not my situation. I need to start treating Felix like the leader he is. Every soldier pledges unconditional loyalty to his general. I guess it's about time I do the same.

"Yes, Caesar," I say quietly in response. My words are shaky but convincing enough for him not to pester me with questions.

He turns on his heal and begins to leave, but before I can even get in a sigh of relief, I hear him say, "by the end of the month, I expect you to be married to my son."