New Rome

11. Adopting a Prince

News spread around the school like wildfire. The Imperator was adopting Agrippa, and not Arly.

"It won't be long now," one student speculated, "before he is officially declared the next heir." Now wherever Agrippa went, he was surrounded by a swarm of admirers. Arly's teachers had gone back to being strict with her, but even so – Arly was breathing a sigh of relief. She'd been worried, worried that Agrippa's reckless attitude to rules might make her the chosen one.

"Is pride keening?" The girls that sat behind Arly in her history lessons asked, after a lot of sniggering together. "How does it feel to be passed over by the Imperator?" They were laughing at her. Arly shrugged at them and turned back to face the teacher. She couldn't think of a retort. She was fully aware that she was useless, that was why she hadn't wanted the position, but saying 'I know I'm useless' seemed like too much of a pathetic reply.

              "Arly!" Junia caught Arly walking down the corridor the next day. "I'm hosting a party for Pàxiū's day." She announced happily. "Please, say that you'll come."

"You're inviting me?" Arly asked in surprise.

"Yes and you must come." Junia spoke with a surprising intensity. Arly didn't get invited to many parties, ok any, but she saw a definite problem with this one. Kaze would be there. Her heart somersaulted fitfully.

"What are you two talking about?"

Arly's eyes widened in alarm, recognising the deep voice. Turning her head, she was proved correct. Kaze had joined them and he looked heavenly today. His hair was styled back and standing this close Arly could smell his cologne.

"I was inviting Arly to my Pàxiū's's day party-"

"Apologies," Arly cut in quickly. She couldn't bare it if she had to see the disgust on Kazes' face. Surely, he'd be horrified at the idea of her coming. "I cannot attend." She saw that Junia was about to ask why, but her mind was blank on an excuse. "Good day."

Quickly, she scurried away from them – heading in completely the wrong direction for her next class. As she fled, Arly bitterly wished that she was less of an idiot. If only she could get over her stupid crush! She'd been staring from afar at Kaze for nearly five years now – five torturous years. In her mind they were bizarrely close, she'd looked out for a glimpse of him every day, but in reality – they were strangers. Worse than strangers, because there was no way he would ever feel the same about her. He was out of her league. Massively out of her league. She rapped her knuckles against her head and cursed herself. Stupid Arly.

**

"Agrippa?" Livia questioned her husband. "Really?" 

Graesen lowered his tablet and met her gaze with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"Really." He watched Livia process this. Livia had been pondering the choice of heir over and over – trying to guess her husband's thoughts. She'd suspected that he'd select Julia this time. This had been her biggest fear. Julia had no love for Livia or her side of the family and Daviad was no true friend of hers either.

Livia nodded to herself. Yes, actually the choice of Agrippa suited her perfectly. He was massively unsuitable for the role in himself – but he was perhaps... malleable. She smiled.

"A wise choice. I've often thought how Agrippa resembles his late father. He was your rock and ally and – I trust that his namesake will prove likewise. When will you name him officially heir?"