APOLLONIA

Nine

Later, her brother came by. He had been given leave by the legion, and their father, to go home and settle things with both Nerius' family and his. He knocked and opened the door to her room. He sat on the edge of her bed and asked her how she was. She did not answer. They were both quiet for a while. "Since Nerius has no younger siblings, children, or relatives like that," He cleared his throat. "Rome is giving me all of his inheritance, possessions, and everything else." He put a hand on her shoulder. The government doesn't let women inherit anything, especially from deceased colleagues, as you know... But I know that he would want you to have some of it. So, I'm going to split the money and rights and give half to you, since we were both his friends... Are you okay with that, Polly?" He started to take his hand away when she answered. "Thank you, Scipio." He smiled sadly and kissed her head before turning and leaving, back to the legion. The letter her mother had handed to Apollonia included condolences for her, specifically. It also offered encouragement for her to continue to follow her dreams and live life to the fullest. When she finally read the rest of the letter she was obviously confused. The man who ran the senate seemed to know much about her, which was strange since she knew no political leaders. She looked hard at the seal before gasping and busting out laughing. The princeps senatus was her father! He must have been elected and hadn't told them yet. She sat down at her desk and wrote a letter back to the 'Head of Senate', thanking him for the letter and congratulating him on his new position. When she had finished writing, she heated some red wax and dropped a bit over the fold of the paper. Using her hairpin as a signet mark, she pressed a silhouette of herself into the wax and blew gently on it until it dried. Now it was about night, so she had Mahalia bring her some leftover food and she ate and went to bed.

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