.˚⊹. ࣪𓉸 ࣪⊹˚.

Checking around the room, you noticed he was already out. The emperor shouldn’t be wasting time in bed, you thought, even after a night like this. A night like this for you, your brain kind enough to remind you you; for him, it was probably something that did not attach much importance. Suddenly remembering that he had asked you to come with him for some archery training, you stopped all reactions and got out of bed hurriedly. The usual servant who came to wake you up every morning hadn’t passed the door yet, but fresh food was waiting on the table, and new clothes were lying at the end of the bed. Guess Konig still made sure to show care even if he wasn’t here to greet you when you woke up. You approach the new set and note that the beige tunic looks more practical than the ones you own. The fabric, too, feels good on the skin and seems practical for exercise. Could Konig want you to take part in his competition? You never take part in a competition and never touch a bow and an arrow in your life, how could this possibly end? Brushing off the apprehension, you take the golden arm cuff that was sitting next to the brand new tunic. Heavy but beautiful. Flowers and leaves are decorating the metal. Turning it between your fingers, you notice letters engraved on the inside of the bangle.

“Te..cum in vita et in mo..rte.” You whispered to yourself, watching the words as you process to understand their sense. You were not quick enough to decipher it as someone with greater literacy, but over time, you actually managed to understand what the bangle was saying. You felt your heart flutter as your thumb brushes the cold metal with affection. You wished to be this romantic and spontaneous, bolder in your actions, more than just a hand massage and running your mouth. 

A soft knock on the door, and a servant appeared, made a small nod in your direction, and immediately entered the bathroom. You grew used to their attitude or reactions towards you now, and even if you wanted to make small talk with them, it was already in vain. You still didn’t know if it was fear or jealousy that made them act the way they were, for some, probably both. 

Waiting a few minutes, you joined her in the room, where she was already waiting patiently after preparing the morning bath. That moment was something you still couldn’t get used to, being undressed, scrubbed, and redressed. Being prepared like a perfect doll to fit in a perfect world. That's something you couldn’t enjoy, no matter how much you tried to force yourself. All dressed up in your new clothes, the golden cuff sitting perfectly on your arm, you were following the guard who went to retrieve you to bring you to the training ground where the emperor and the commander were apparently waiting for you. Both men were dressed in the same practical tunica you were wearing, except for the color, which was dyed a dark blue in contrast to your own light one. Approaching the two, you had to grit your teeth to salute them when a wave of awkwardness washed over you when your eyes met Konig’s. The slight, amused smile they gave you let you know that you did a terrible job at hiding it, but they quickly dismissed it by asking you if you were familiar with archery. You were a bit ashamed to tell them no. Maybe they did think that since you were living in a village, you had experience hunting, but the truth was, you never did any of that. Your only tasks back then were to carry many things, from light to heavy, and to take care of the bakery. If you wanted to hunt, you would need to be born into a family of hunters or marry into one. 

“How about we start first so you can see how it works?” The commander asked you, the tone of his voice still really reassuring. You wondered for a second how a man this comforting was a commander of the Roman army, and you had trouble imagining him shouting orders. 

Nodding, you watched them tend their bows and check the points of the arrows. A group of men came to place a bunch of targets, from small to big ones, and from near to far. The place was magnificent for a training ground, lines of pines protecting you from the terrible heat and providing you with a delicate and fresh perfume. How sad they decided to use a place like that for fighting. Indicating you to stay a bit behind them, you carefully watch as the commander starts the match. Bow perfectly still, he lands the arrow in the middle with a firm tug at the rope. You couldn’t help but applaud as they switched places, Konig, now in front of the target. Your eye twitched, trying to control yourself when you accidentally gaze a little too long at his arm. A huge bicep and a veiny, rough hand gripping the rope and an arrow. The same hand that was on your body last night. Thankfully for you, Konig was quick to make a perfect hit too, before your careless mind would deviate a little too much from the situation you were in. As much as you were amazed by it, you began to grow tired of it. The whole match was just two men, way too good for this match, hitting the middle each time perfectly. And it seems it was never going to end, the way no one would fail. Until the commander, who was waiting for his turn, asked you about the beautiful bangle on your arm. That’s when Konig loses concentration and misses the target. You let a silent sigh of relief as the commander went to laugh at his friend, smiling when Konig argued that the wind must have played a trick on him, everyone knowing it wasn’t true. 

“Little miss, do you think you can do better than our emperor right here?” The commander asked you, a big grin still on his face, as Konig just stared at him, exasperated. 

You simply nod, taking the commander’s bow that he had handed you as the emperor prepared the arrows. Placing yourself against the nearest target, you began to lift the bow, making sure to replicate what both men showed you. Bringing the rope towards you, you make sure it is well brought back before releasing your hold, letting the arrow hit the target. Sadly, you didn’t do as well as the two men, but it seems to have done something good, as the two reunite next to you to compliment your strength. 

“Are you sure you have never participated in archery before?” The commander questioned you once again. He looked surprised when you confirmed that it was the first day of your life to touch an arrow and a bow. 

“It’s usually rather rare that someone with no training could even hit a target at such a distance.” The emperor stated to you that when your face began to show worries about why the commander was asking so many questions. Well, to be honest with them, you didn’t notice the target distance, your anxious state picked the first one who was near you. 

“I was carrying a lot of things when I was still at the bakery; I may have developed strong muscles.” You tried to joke around, but both men still seemed to be amazed at the arrow planted in the wooden circle. 

“Have you ever touched a sword, perhaps?” Again, you told them no. 

The commander gave an order to a guard to go retrieve his swords and shield as the emperor was looking at all of this without saying a word. Anxiousness began to rise as you wondered why a sword and shield were about to be involved in an archery match and why all of this was happening after you shouted that damn arrow. 

The guard came back with everything asked, nearly stumbling on a rock with how much he was speeding. You tend to forget for a minute that the two men before you were not just anybody, and you felt suddenly bad for that guard. If you were in his place, you would probably have reacted the same way. The commander unshielded one of the swords and handed it to you, a smile on his face as he was waiting for you to take it. You were not sure about anything at this point, and you look at Konig, you just nod at you. You take a deep breath and grab the handle, surprised at how cold the metal is despite the hot weather. The sword was heavier than you would have thought, but it wasn’t difficult to move around after being used to it. 

“I want you to swing it around and hit the shield I will be holding, if you can.” The commander tells you. Looking at the look of uncertainty on your face, he assured you that you would not harm him and encouraged you to strike a hit with all your strength. 

You didn’t really have a choice, so you began to raise the sword and swing it with all the force you had. It was easier than you had imagined, not as simple as swinging a sword made of wood, though, but not impossible for your body. Giving you all, you throw your arms in the direction of the shield, letting the sword hit it with full strength. Hearing a whistle, full of surprise and amazement, next to you, you immediately look after the commander's reaction, scared that you may have actually hurt him accidentally. Instead, you were greeted by a man who was anything but in pain. 

“Dearest, I didn’t know you had such a strength.” Konig said, impressed. 

You didn’t even register the compliment he just gave you, as you were more panicked that he called you that in front of someone else. 

“I’ve never taken a blow like that from someone who never touches a weapon before.” The commander stated, more to himself than to the two of you. Well, guess he didn’t hear Konig or just doesn’t care. 

“Little miss, do you want fighting lessons? I can give you some.” The commander continued, to the dismay of Konig, who didn’t seem to appreciate the kind proposition of his friend. 

“It’s too dangerous, Lucius.” Konig simply said, but the commander didn’t want it to be the last words. 

“Our emperor is taking you for a weak, but I can assure you he is wrong. With a bit of training, you could become lethal in fighting.” 

“Enough.” Konig sighed, pushing his friend more playfully than rudely. 

Just like the first time you saw them together, it was difficult to think that such a rank was separating them. It was like seeing two childhood friends who grew up together into old age, no ranks, no responsibilities, just friendship and trust. 

After a few more compliments from the commander, Konig proposed to go back to the palace since he had a meeting to attend in the afternoon. The walk back was quite pleasing, with both of them including you in their work talk. It was nice to know how Rome works, how decisions were made, and take. At one point, the talk began to deviate to Livia and her father. Both men agreed that she was a pain to be around, always ego-centric and bothering them for nothing, which made you wonder how much time she was spending around them. You didn’t know why you were feeling a slight jealousy, since Konig made it clear that you were the only one, but trusting someone fully seems to be rather impossible for you. What if its confession was just a lure for him to have a fun time with a naive woman and to avoid breaking a woman from the rank of Livia? You were cut from your negative thoughts when you heard Konig state that her father was literally ruling Rome since he was the only one to propose ways of improving the empire, and it was putting him to shame. So her father was the reason she was allowed to do as she pleased, you thought. How unfair. There was no way a unique man could be this helpful; if a senate was built with so many men, there was a reason. Something about that man and his daughter was shady, and it was not only jealousy that was speaking. 

Back into the palace, the commander parted ways with both of you, not before saying Flavia had told him to give you her greetings and hope to receive a letter from you soon. You assured him that you were working hard to write longer letters and gave him a warm goodbye. As both of you watched him walk away, Konig congratulated you on the unexpected training and how well you did. 

“Did you think I was a weakling, Caesar? I wasn’t the type to stay on a chair to lament all day.” You said, You ribbed. That was the truth, though. No matter how you would say it jokingly, your parents never allowed you to have the princess treatment. 

“I know that, dove.” He said, fingers brushing a bit of sweat out of your forehead. “That’s something I admire about you.” 

That man has a talent to ruin your sassing moments and avoid making you angry; it had to be studied. 

“There’s a dinner tonight with officials, would you like to come?”

You hesitated for a bit. You were not really made for a world like that, after all, you were not born into wealth, and it shows around others in the palace. You had advanced greatly in your lessons and started reading poems, but you were still way behind an elite person. Plus, you were not a very social person, and most of the people you had met until now, at the expectation of Flavia, the commander and the emperor, were quick to annoy you. 

“Flavia will be here, too. You could stay with her. I know you feel comfortable around her.” Guess Konig was able to decipher the worried look on your face. 

“I will have someone bring you a new tunica for tonight. Do you need something else with it?” Konig asked as soon as you nodded positively. You tell him no, you didn’t even use all the jewelry he gave you, let alone the clothes. 

“Alright, see you later, dearest.” Kissing you on the forehead, he gave you one last smile before walking away. You walk in the direction of your chambers, wanting to change clothes before your daily lesson. This morning was really interesting; you would never have thought that you would be swinging a sword at full force at the commander of the legion, or be praised by the emperor for shooting an arrow at a target. Walking peacefully, someone suddenly grabs your hand as you get tugged backward, nearly making you fall. Gathering back your stand, you were about to shoot at the person who did this, but closed your mouth when the person who appeared before you was Livia. You gave her a polite nod despite the confusion in your head. What is she doing here? You couldn’t help but feel suspicious of her presence. 

“Would you like to go on a walk with me? It would be great if we learned more about each other.”

Small chapter, sorry, currently dying in a heatwave. But I still want to show I'm working on the fic.

* Tecum in vita et in morte: With you in life and death.