I honestly thought that was it.. we survive the games but they execute us for Hanno's attempted assasination of the emperors but nothing came.. not one word was spoke about it again. I'm glad- I don't think I can handle loosing him too
I sit in my cell on the edge of my bed, looking down at the blade that Acasius had given me today. I just want to understand. I don't want my life to be this big mystery anymore but the people around me all seem to be keeping secrets. Is the truth really that harsh?
I sigh and chuck the blade onto a nearby table. I may aswell try and get some sleep. Who knows what events tomorrow will bring. I lay down on the hard bed and wriggle to get comfortable but no position feels better than the other. It's also freezing- I wrap my arms around myself in an attempt to stop the heat from escaping.
After a while, I finally start to fall sleep but I'm met with the same nightmare that haunts even my every waking moment. I jump awake and sit up holding my chest tightly to try and stop the harshness of my beating heart. That's when I hear a voice and instantly turn to look at the edge of the cell. Emperor Geta calmly walks over to me and puts his hand on top of mine
G- "It's okay.. it's just a nightmare. Just breathe"
I do as he says and my pulse starts to settle down..
Y/N- "How do you know what to do?"
He brushes the hair out of my eyes
G- "I'm emperor of the Roman empire.. I get plenty of nightmares" he chuckles
Y/N- "What are you doing here?"
G- "Not pleased to see me?"
Y/N- "No! I mean no.. I'm just surprised regarding the event of earlier"
G- "We don't have to talk about that.. your poet is safe for now. I know he means a lot to you"
I smile at him which he returns
G- "under one condition..."
Y/N- "And what would that be?"
G- "You come for a walk with me.. I can show you about. Rome can be so beautiful when actually look at the city"
I nod, surprised he actually wants to spend time with me
Y/N- "I am not one to turn the emperor down"
He smirks and takes my hand leading me out of the cell. I wrap my fingers around his tightly
Y/N- "Aren't there rules.. about- this?"
G- "That's the great thing about being incharge, you make the rules" he looks back and winks at me
He takes me on a tour around the city.. it is so beautiful in the dark. I don't think I fully appreciated the beauty of the colloseum before today. I was so focused on just staying alive..
Y/N- "Why do you do the games??" I ask
G- "That's a complicated question.." He frowns "You have to understand that the games are much more than people fighting to the death" I decide to change the conversation.. I think that is something we will never agree on
Y/N- "Where are we going now?"
G- "I thought i would show you our palace.. if you wish to spend more time with me"
I walk infront of him and hold both of his hands..
Y/N- "That sounds perfect.."
G- "You would do anything to stay out of that cell.. wouldn't you? You can't fool me" I can't explain the way he looks at me.. every time he does my stomach fills with butterflies, it's the most unusual feeling. It's almost like he admires me but it should be the other way around
We walk to the palace and through the halls.. it is the most breathtaking place. He can tell I love it here. I grab one of the pillars and start twirling around it
G- "You like it here don't you?"
Y/N- "It gives me this weird feeling of nostalgia. How do you ever get bored living here?"
G- "I could give you one reason"
I loose my footing and fall forward straight into his arms causing him to catch and hold me tightly
G- "How you are all gladiator astounds me.. your balance is terrible"
Y/N- I laugh "Your so kind, your highness"
It was as if time stopped and we were the only people in this city. He takes his laurel crown off and places it ontop of my head
G- "Now your my highness" God this man makes me so weak.. The things I would do to him
I wrap my arms around his neck and pull his head towards mine. Our lips were just about to touch when Emperor Caracalla clears his throat
C- "Not interupting anything am I??"
We pull away from eachover and my cheeks turn a shade of red
G- "Brother, this is Y/N.. You've met before. I was just giving her a tour of the palace" He runs his hand over his face
C- "I can see that" he walks over and bows to me "I see we have a new emperor" he chuckles
Y/N- "Oh! No..." I take it off and place it back on Geta's head.. turning to look at Caracalla which is when I realise he has a small companion perched on his shoulder
Y/N- "Is that a monkey??" I say amazed
C- "His name is Dondas.. he's my best friend"
Y/N- "he is gorgeous.. Hello Dondas"
Geta rolls his eyes like I'm playing into Caracalla's fantasies
C- "Would you like to hold him??"
Y/N- "I would love to!"
He walks over to me and let's Dondas walk onto my shoulder. I play with his hand and chuckle
Geta looks back and forth shocked at the both of us
G- "He never let's anyone hold him"
Y/N- "I must make a good impression then" I put my hand on his shoulder and let the monkey walk back on Caracalla
C- "Thank you Y/N.. Has Geta shown you our art gallery.. the best place in the palace?"
Y/N- "He hasn't! I would love to see"
C- "Great I'll take you! I'll bring her back to you brother i promise"
Geta looks at the both of us a bit jealous
G- "Alright then.. don't be long"