Cleopatra's Maid

A Poisoned Cup

The next morning Kira got up early to help prepare for the morning meal, she was so busy that she didn't even remember to eat her own meal.

Soon it was time for the morning meal. Everyone seemed to have forgotten the snake incident from the night before. The musicians came back and once again began to play their beautiful music while Caesar and his men ate. Kira once again went around the room pouring wine for the men, who drank it considerably fast. Kira went back into the servants' kitchen to refill her pitcher with more wine.

She saw Brutus, walking around aimlessly, studying the foods and wines.

"Sir Brutus?"

The man turned around, "Good morning Kira, what brings you here?"

"I could ask the same of you, sir."

There was then a scream from the other room. Kira gasped. Cleopatra! She rushed out of the kitchen and back into the dining area. She dropped her pitcher at what she saw, the pitcher shattering into pieces. One of the slave girls was on the floor, convulsing violently. Foam dripping from her mouth. Then she was still, completely still. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head as she took her last breath. Kira rushed over to the girl on the floor, but a pair of arms held her back. She looked up. Apollodorus had grabbed her, not wanting her to go any closer. What if she got it?

Cleopatra stood up from her chair, an angry look on her face, "How is my servant girl dead? I demand an explanation."

One of Caesar's men was crouching down next to the girl, studying her carefully. The man then looked up at Cleopatra, "She has been poisoned."

"What?"

The man pointed to the cup that laid on the ground next to her, "This is your cup, isn't it?"

"Yes, she was filling it."

"She must have been tempted to taste the wine, and instead of you getting the poison, she did."

"Someone is trying to poison me?!" Cleopatra shrieked.

"Calm down, love," Julius Caesar comforted, "We won't rest until the person who did this has been found."

Caesar then looked up at the rest of the group, "No one will be allowed to leave this palace until this is solved."

Another man nodded, "Agreed. We must find out who did this."

Cleopatra pointed at one of her slave men, "Take the girl and give her a proper Egyptian funeral." They obeyed and carried the dead girl out of the room.

Apollodorus released the girl from his grasp, but Kira grabbed his arm and started to sob into his chest. That girl was one of her friends, she had grown up with her. Why would someone do this?

He was about to attempt to comfort the girl, but Brutus walked up and took the girl from him, pulling her into a hug, "Poor girl. You must be terrified."

Apollodorus sneered. Who did this guy think he was? He had known Kira for three days and he thinks he has the right to take her from him?

Kira pulled back, not wanting to embrace him back. She wiped her tears and shook her head. "I'll be fine. I just am worried about Cleopatra."

"We'll find out who did this, don't worry."

Apollodorus took the girl by the arm and grabbed her back towards him, "You are a suspect just as anyone else in this room. I do not trust you with Kira."

Brutus sneered, "How dare you! You insolent little-"

"Stop it!" Kira cried, "This isn't the time for this."

Cleopatra nodded, "The girl is right. However, she seems too shaken up by what has happened. Apollodorus, why don't you take the girl and calm her down."

"Yes ma'am," he bowed before leading Kira out of the room and down the hallway.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"I am taking you to the garden, the fresh air will do us both good."

"Why did you get so upset back there? When Brutus tried to comfort me?"

"I just don't trust him," Apollodorus answered, "And I don't like to see you two flirt with each other."

"Why not?"

Apollodorus didn't answer, instead he sat down on a bench that looked out into the garden. Kira sat next to him, a confused look on her face.

"Are you mad at me?"

"No. I could never be mad at you."

"Then who are you mad at?"

"Brutus," he answered, "and whoever it is that is trying to hurt the Pharaoh."

"You love her very much, I'm sure you are really worried," Kira sighed.

"No. I don't love her anymore."

Kira furrowed her brows and looked at him with wide eyes, "You don't?"

"No. I realized I didn't ever really love her when I found her with Caesar last night. I sort of got knocked into my senses and realized that I really loved someone else."

Kira sat up with an excited grin, "Oh my gods! Who? Salia?"

He laughed, "No."

"Then who?"

"I'm not going to say just yet."

Kira rolled her eyes with an overdramatic groan, "That's not fair! You're my best friend! Best friends aren't supposed to keep secrets!"

"Alright then, I'll answer your question if you answer mine."

Kira nodded, "Okay! What's your question?"

"Do you have feelings for Brutus?"

Kira frowned in thought. Did she? She didn't really know. He was nice, and quite handsome, but she had only just met him. She really didn't know him very well. Kira finally shook her head, "No. I don't think so."

Apollodorus had to hold back a sigh of relief. It felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

"Now you have to answer my question!" Kira shook his arm excitedly.

"I love-"

"Ahem."

The two turned around to the voice behind them. It was Brutus. Apollodorus frowned deeply, "Can we help you?"

"I came to see if my sweet Kira was feeling better."

Kira cringed, his Kira? When was she his? "I'm feeling better now, thanks to Apollodorus." She gave her friend a grin.

He grinned back, blushing slightly, "I'm glad that I cou-"

"We must get back to the party," Brutus walked over to them and held out an arm for Kira to take. "Come. You must sit with me."

Kira bit her lip, not wanting to go with him but knowing that she had to or she'd risk offending Caesar. She stood up and took his arm, and he led her back into the building. Kira turned her head slightly, watching Apollodorus turn his back to them.

Oh, how she wished Caesar had never come.