Y/N's POV-
I followed Caracalla through the vast halls rubbing my hands along the marble as we go. It is quiet here.. the only noise you can hear is the echo of our feet hitting the floor as we walk and Dondas making all kind of monkey noises. I wonder why he is so attached to him..
Caracalla finally breaks the silence
C- "So Y/N, where are you from again?"
Y/N- "Numidia your highness"
C- "Your a good fighter.. and performer. I think you definitely have the vote of the people"
Y/N- "Thank you. I-"
He interupts me
C- "I need to warn you about my brother though. I see you two are getting very close" he turns to face me, I stay silent not knowing what to say
C- "Don't get me wrong.. I love my brother" he chuckles to himself "But he can be manipulative. He just- always LIES" I jump at the raise in his voice. He puts his hand on my arm
C- "I'm sorry.. I just don't want to see you get hurt"
Y/N- "Thank you for looking out for me"
I don't really think I want to get on his bad side
C- "Were here anyway!" His mood almost flips like a switch "Please look around"
I smile and walk around the room looking at all the art on the wall. It is all so beautiful and must have taken hours. I always liked painting pictures when I was younger. I get to one wall with multiple portraits
Y/N- "Who are these people?"
He joins me and walks down the wall
C- "Ah! These are all the past emperors through the years"
I follow looking at them all one by one until I reach near the end and stop at one portrait in particular. I don't know why but I just instantly felt drawn to it. I reach out and touch it with my fingertips
Y/N- "Who is this?"
Caracalla's smile brightens
C- "That is Commodus.. he is one of the best emperors Rome has ever had. He was devoted, courageous and merciful"
Commodus?? I've heard tales of him before. He was far from merciful and caused the downfall of Rome. He was a coward which makes sense why Caracalla admires him so much
Y/N- "Lucilla is his sister isnt she?" I ask curiously
C- "You would be correct! Lucilla also had a son but nobody knows what happened to him- Lucius Verus Aureluis, Prince of Rome" he scoffs at the thought
Y/N- "Interesting.. who's his father?"
C- "Lucilla's departed husband apparently but there is rumours he is Commodus' son.. Anyway, I'd rather not talk about him"
I nod, happy to have a piece of the backstory of Rome..
C- "We better get back, Brother will be waiting" and with that he turns and walks out the room. I take one last look at the portrait and follow behind him
We reach the main hall, and Caracalla takes my hand and kisses it
C- "Excuse me.. but if I am not required anymore I'm going to go and get some rest, goodnight Y/N" Dondas reaches out to me almost like a little wave and he dissappears around the corner
Y/N- "Goodnight Caracalla and Dondus"
I look around wondering where Geta has got to. I finally relax when I hear a voice emerge from behind
G- "I trust he treated you well"
Y/N- "He did.. he's- a very interesting person" My comment causes him to laugh
G- "You can say that he's mad.. he is but it's not his fault. He has a disease that has spread to his brain which causes him to have episodes. I'll always look after him though, i always have. From everything- blows from our father"
He pauses obviously distressed by that memory. He wraps his arms around my waist from behind and places his head on my shoulder
G- "What will you do when your a free woman?" I run my fingers along his hands placed perfectly over my abdomen. I haven't actually thought about where I will go if I survive in the arena. I mean I have no home now-
Y/N- "I- Don't know.. I guess I've always wanted to travel around the world. Not settle down anywhere"
I don't think that was the answer he was hoping for
G- "Oh.. I mean the world has many things to offer. But Rome is a vast place too- and we are constantly expanding. Do you think she could ever be your home?"
I turn and look at him surprised but still don't answer the question. Could I ever belong here? Hanno would never stay and I said i would follow him anywhere. But there is someone else in my life right now and he's not worth leaving behind. I think I'm crazy- i mean how can i feel like that after only a few days. He occupies my every thought. He makes me feel special. This isn't love, it can't be. Right?
I try to change the subject. I want him to do something I've been dying for him to do since we met..
Y/N- "I think you owe me something.."
G- "And what would that be?" His voice is so gentle when he's around me
Y/N- "Don't play dumb, emperor" I joke as he places his hands around my face. He stokes his thumb over my cheek before pulling me closer. When our lips meet it's like all my worries just melt away. I pull his face closer to mine to make the kiss more intense. I want him to devour every part of me.. literally
When he finally pulls away he maintains the closeness between us..
G- "I have had everything i ever wanted- i have more power that any mortal man could dream of.. except you. You are what I've been missing all this time"
Y/N- "Your brother warned me about you Geta.. I need to know this is- real"
G- "It's real.. I promise its real" his words spread the most stupidest smile over my face
Y/N- "There is still one place you haven't shown me"
He instantly knew what i was talking about and chuckles. I give him one last quick kiss on the lips before he takes my hand and leads me down the corridor once again.
(WRITERS NOTE- DO YOU WANT THE NEXT POV FROM GETA'S POV OR DO YOU PREFER IT FROM YOUR OWN POV? LET ME KNOW)