For the love of Rome

Chapter 5

*****Aurelia's point of view****

I am rudely awakened by Amity storming into my bed chambers.

"Riots in the city centre!" She exclaims loud enough to wake the entire household. Perhaps that is her purpose.

Still half asleep I respond with a grunt and a 'so what?' expression.

"We are evacuating to our summer lodgings a fortnight early."

"Huh... What?"

"Right now, my lady. Get dressed and make haste."

She turns and exits my chamber, presumably to help the house servants with the packing. Note how I said servants not slaves. My father does not agree with slavery, and has freed all that work for us.

For once in my life, I obey commands and dress hurriedly into a simple shift dress and my most comfortable supple leather sandles. I rush down stairs towards my parents chambers. I rudely barge in to find my father searching through scrolls, scrambling to find the most essential ones of the journey.

I know now is not the time to nag him. We have a whole carriage ride for that. As much as I would live to stubbornly stay in the city, I realise it is not an option and I do rather like being alive, as boring as mine is.

"Morning papa." I say when he seems to have finished his search for the necessary scrolls.

"Morning darling. I hope you do not mind the move terribly I know how you wished to spend this summer in the city."

"Oh papa I am merely concerned about your politics with these riots, will you be alright so far from the city? And what about your arrangements with the general?"

"Oh darling I thought Amity had informed you though I understand why she did not. The general and his guard will be joining us at the country estate for the duration of these riots."

"No she did not inform me." I huff as I strop out of the house towards my beloved midnight.

I saddle him up and lead him towards our guarded gate where the servants are preparing our carriages. We have 4. One for our family and the rest for our servants who will make the move with us. In this case of evacuation all of them will be making the trip.

Just as I reach the front carriage I see Cassius, Maximus and 15 mounted soldiers riding towards our front gate. I signal to the gate guard to open up for them. I mount Midnight, who seems to be a bit spooked by the oncoming strange horses, and attempt to calm him down. It would be just my luck to be bucked off in front of Maxi... I mean Cassius, my suitor.

The guard rides into our estate and I signal for the gates to be shut. All too soon, they have reached me.

"Morning men!" I greet them, fake cheerily.

My nerves are eating me up as I have no idea what these men think of me after that night of the triumph. I am almost certain Maximus hates me and I am unsure how much Cassius remembers.

"Good morning my lady." Cassius responds. His tone is friendly and sincere. Phew.

All I get from Maximus is a nod. The guards remain silent as is their custom. Guards are much like women in our society, pawns with no say over their life, almost as low as slaves. I hate it. I have gotten to know most of my fathers guards and they have become friends of mine, I wonder if they will join us this summer or remain in the city to break up the riots.

"Should you not be preparing to ride in the carriage my lady?"

"Why that's absurd! I will be travelling with you." I say, sickly sweet.

These boys have been the best distraction from Lucas I've ever had. They will do perfectly to distract me from picturing everything that could possibly go wrong this summer living on the same estate as him once again after everything that happened two years ago.

I am so amused by the baffled expressions on their faces. Precious.

Before they can respond with their chauvinistic ideas of why it's too dangerous for a lady to ride through the city on horse back, I turn midnight around and haughtily return to the stables. I forgot my favourite gold laced bridle.

I hide out in the stables until all the horses are led out and Amity comes to tell me they are waiting for me and my father knows better than to argue with me about riding Midnight. Good.

I am not in the mood for a fight. I want to run to my bed and cry and never see Lucas again. No matter how much I lied to myself these years, now confronted with the inescapable fact of seeing Lucas again, I know for sure that my heart has not healed from the scars Lucas inflicted on it.

****Cassius POV*****

She is to join us on the journey! This is beyond exiting! And she didn't seem mad or embarrassed to see me, she seemed almost relieved. Perhaps I did not make such a fool of myself as Maxi made out, he's always had a flair for the dramatics. Perhaps our courtship is not doomed. I understand that we will be forced together for political reasons despite personal feelings but she is a gorgeous, intelligent woman and I am quite taken with her and I would quite like it if she admires me in return. I do not seek a loveless marriage like that of my parents.

I was however confused by her abrupt departure after her announcement. But I am overjoyed by her return right before we head off. It ought to be fun riding with her, getting to know her. Over dinner she mentioned a passion for horses, and a knowledge of them that could rival that of Maximus, the cavalry a finest horsemen. Where and how did she learn so much about horses? I will make it a point to find out. To find out everything about her.

***********

Short I know but it's better than nothing and I'll continue on from here from Maximus' POV in the next chapter

I know it's been a bit boring but the next chapter will hopefully have some tension and or humour in it

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