The Glory That Is Rome (a Percy Jackson AU)

The New World Order

     Annabeth was frightened for Luke. Ever since the assassination attempt, he had become more nervous. Annabeth was afraid that becoming the emperor was changing him. He had wielded power before as a Senator, but being Caesar was a whole other matter. He sometimes woke up in the middle of the night screaming. Annabeth would try to calm him down, but he became paranoid.   

      One night, when Annabeth was awoken by Luke's screams, she realized he was shivering. She got up and found another blanket and draped it over him. She was tired, but she went into the hallway and ordered a servant to bring some warm wine. When they returned, she lit a candle before she slipped back into bed with Luke and handed him the warm mug. He took a sip and Annabeth heard him shudder.

    "What dream plagued you tonight?" Annabeth asked.

   Luke swallowed and said, "I dreamed that Hera was standing over your dead body. She had a knife in her hand."

     Annabeth placed a hand on his shoulder. Since firing the Praetorian Guard, Luke had another big fear: that Hera would incite a rebellion and try to take over the empire.

    "Why did you get rid of the entire Praetorian Guard?" Annabeth asked. "Only Bryce harmed you."

    Luke clenched his jaw. In the dim light cast by the sole candle, he looked like a Roman statue stripped of paint. He looked handsome in a completely unattainable way: someone who could be loved from afar and not intimately. 

    "I had to do it," he said. 

    "Why?" Annabeth pressed.

    "Gods Annabeth," Luke said. "Why are you asking this again?"

    Annabeth flinched at his hard tone, but she pressed, "You need bodyguards to protect you, Luke. Your dreams are reminding you of that truth."

    Luke nodded and smiled. 

   "I'm glad that my wife is wise," Luke said.

    Annabeth blinked. His voice was now gentle. She was glad to see his shoulders looking more relaxed. When he opened his mouth again, his voice sounded as confident as it was when he spoke in Senate.

    "I had to get rid of the Praetorian Guard," he said. "Bryce reminded me that they are too powerful. They were created to protect emperors, but they have become too powerful. They have become kingmakers themselves."

    He paused and then gently caressed Annabeth's cheek. He kissed her softly and she realized that she was crying. How had she ever let herself be swayed by Percy's charms? She had a husband and it was her duty to stand by him.

   "But you are right," Luke said. "I do need bodyguards, so I will get new ones that will be more loyal to me than the Praetorian Guard ever was. I will buy slaves and promise them freedom after ten years of loyal service. They will not harm me because they will be indebted to me."

    Annabeth smiled. Her husband was as clever as he was strong. She kissed him on his nose and then blew out the candle. 

   "Get some sleep," she said. "You can make your plans come to life in the morning."

    His snores soon told her that he had heeded her advice.