14 November 173
Blue eyes had haunted Maximus as he had attempted to sleep the night before.
After a few last minute kisses, he escorted Lucilla to her room. The halls were jet black after the sun went down, except for the occasional soft light. He was thankful for that fact when he had become increasingly familiar with her person against the door. The silk robe wasn't as smooth as the skin she hid.
Now, his eyes hadn't left her since she stepped into the courtyard. She was wearing his favorite dress on her. It was a deep blue that flowed loosely at her feet. The straps on her shoulders were thin with a criss-cross pattern over her back. She wore her hair in soft curls; it was impossible to rid her hair of curl.
As if she knew his eyes were on her, she looked up from her father's work. She smiled discreetly at him, not wanting to give herself away. He returned the gesture and began to move towards her.
"Maximus, Maximus!"
He groaned at the voice and the footsteps running toward him.
"Sophronia, so good to see you again," he lied through clenched teeth.
"Maximus, it's been so long. Why don't you visit more often?" Sophronia asked of him when she finally caught up.
"I'm a busy man, Sophronia. I have duties to attend to."
Sophronia was the cousin of Lucilla, and annoying as hell. She was a beautiful girl but obnoxious as all get out. She was deeply infatuated with Maximus, a fact he ignored. She did nothing but attempt to follow him wherever he went. Luckily, Palidorus was always there to divert her elsewhere.
Speaking of Palidorus… "Sophronia, I'm terribly busy right not. Perhaps Palidorus can tell you about my travels." He gestured to Palidorus behind her. He didn't hang around for an answer. After all, he was a terribly busy man.
He thought he was sneaking up on her but he received the scare when she spoke to him.
"Problems with love, Maximus?"
"Unless you've changed your mind since last night, no."
She turned to face him. "You've caught her eye."
"And you've caught my eye. And I pray my eye never strays." He lifted her hand. "I know my eye will never stray."
"You say that now," she murmured.
"Six years, Lucilla, and I see only you," he reminded her. He pressed a kiss to her hand, hoping to reassure her with his touch. "Walk with me."
She pursed her lips in thought. 'If he weren't so charming, I'd say no.' he held out his arm to escort her, hoping she would accept the gesture.
Finally she slipped her arm through his. He smiled handsomely at her; she bit back a smile of her own.
He waited until they were in the labyrinths of the hedges before speaking. "I couldn't sleep last night; I couldn't stop thinking of you."
"And you're actually telling me?"
"I'm man enough to admit how I feel about you."
She made a deep humming noise, letting him know her indifference.
"It amazes me how you can manage to be so aloof and yet so compelling, Lucilla," he mused when she said nothing.
"It makes it easier to keep you on my leash," she coyly explained to him.
He laughed, his head tilting back with joy. "On a leash? You keep me on a leash!?"
"Of course. Haven't you noticed how you follow me around like a little puppy dog?"
"Oh, is that what I do?"
She smiled at him, glad that they hadn't lost their camaraderie. He only visited so often and for so long; she loved spending time with him.
"Tell me of my father's latest campaign," she asked of him.
"Campaign?" He chose to play dumb.
"Come now, Maximus. I know he's planning a campaign. Why else would you be here?" She knew whenever he was in the city it was always at her father's request. It was never because he simply wanted to visit; never because he simply wanted to visit her.
"It is to be in the Gauls in a month's time. Our mission is to restore order and to imprison their ruler," he explained to her. "Until then, we are working on the best actions to take. We don't believe he will go easily."
"Will you come back to Rome upon the completion of your campaign?" she wondered.
"One never knows, Lucilla. I could always be sent back out at a moment's notice."
She stopped them. "Would you ever come to Rome to visit me, Maximus?"
"I am visiting you, Lucilla."
"No, I mean just to see me. Would you ever do that?"
He framed her face in his hands. "For you, Lucilla, I would travel to the ends of the earth."
A small smile played at the corners of her mouth. "That is not what I asked of you."
He eyed her curiously. "Is something bothering you?"
She pulled away from him. "Yes, there is. You won't answer my question. You took the easy way out. You only ever come to Rome if my father calls upon you. Would you ever come simply to visit me?"
"If I say yes, it would please you but I would be lying. If I say no, it would displease you. No one wins, Lucilla."
"Why?"
"Your father would think it odd, Lucilla: if I came with no intention other than to see you. Besides, he'd probably find a campaign to send me on." He moved closer to her, praying she wouldn't back away. He placed his hands on her waist and slowly but surely pulled her closer to him. "Lucilla, I want nothing but to please you, but I cannot lie to you. Tell me what you want, Lucilla, and I'll do it."
She shook her head and pushed his hands away from her. She turned and headed further into the maze. He headed after her.
"Lucilla, what is this? Why are you acting like this? It was only yesterday…"
She whirled around. He could see the fire in her eyes. "Is it so wrong to ask you to visit me, only me?"
"No, it's not but, Lucilla, you must understand the questions that come with it."
She started to walk away again but he grabbed her wrist. When he pulled her back against him, her body pressed flush against him and her breathing sped up. He leaned his face closer to hers waiting, praying, for her to respond in kind. When hip lips pressed to hers, she didn't pull away. Instead she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She deepened the kiss, much to his delight.
She felt herself letting go, relaxing in his arms. She wanted nothing more than to lose herself with him. At least, until she remembered….
"No, Maximus. My father has spies everywhere," she reminded him, pushing him away.
"It matters not," Maximus assured. "His spies are my men. If they saw they wouldn't say a word."
She pushed him away even further. "Maximus…"
He chose to grab her outstretched hand. He brought it to his lips, placing worship over her familiar ring. "In fact, I think instead they would be extremely jealous and envious of me for taking such liberties with a noble woman."
She turned her head but could not turn off her smile.
"I should meet with your father now before he wonders where I've gone to," he mused, looking in the direction of the palace.
She moved closer to him, her hand searching for his. Will I see you soon?"
"As soon as your father is finished with me, I'll come see you," he promised.
13 December 173
"You and Maximus seem awfully close this visit," Melania noted, speaking to her daughter. Sophitia, Lucilla's attendant, continued to fan the two, ignoring all words that passed between them.
"Maximus and I are as we always are. Nothing has changed. We are still the same. He is still as distant and… war-focused as always," Lucilla defended.
She and her mother had always been close. When suitors came calling, her mother was the first to question them, making sure they were right – or wrong - for her daughter. Most never made it to see Lucilla but the select few that did always managed to walk away with a limp and a tale of the famed beauty. She was lucky in that her parents gave her a choice to choose who she wanted to marry. However, she felt she was wearing thin on that privilege. If she didn't decide soon…
"Don't lie to me, mia tesoro," Melania said, calling her by her special nickname from her childhood. "You forget you are your mother's daughter."
Lucilla eyed her mother. She arched her brow as she waved off Sophitia. While the young girl was extremely faithful to her mistress, Lucilla didn't need open ears listening to a very personal conversation.
Melania waited until her attendants had left the room as well before speaking. "I'm allowed to look, mia tesoro. I love your father deeply but it doesn't mean I can't occasionally look around."
The princess was still too surprised to speak.
"Maximus is a highly attractive man. He's brave, courageous, and I bet he has a fantastic figure."
"Mother!"
"What? I'm not allowed to notice?"
"Stop talking about him, please. There's nothing between us except friendship and fondness."
"Tell the truth, Lucilla. There is no use lying to your mother."
The young woman set her chin. She didn't know what her mother would do with the truth.
"Maximus and I are the … greatest of friends," she said, dancing around the words her mother may or may not have wanted to hear. "We, amazingly enough, understand each other."
She looked at her mother as if that was all there was to it. Her mother only hummed.
Melania stood; she had other things to attend to. "Well, you'll receive no protest from me, Lucilla. Your father, I can't speak for. He's a very… moody man."
14 December 173
The sun bounced off the already dark skin of Maximus as Lucilla looked on from afar. She tried not to look too conspicuous. He was with her father and a few select members of the senate across the expansive courtyard. She smartly placed herself in the shadows behind the pillars. The veil over her head was a dark shade to help her blend with the slight overcast day. She kept her eyes solely focused on Maximus. He always looked so handsome when he was in the sun. Even at her distance, she could see the beginnings of a beard on his face. She knew he only grew the beginning of one to keep her, and some of his men, from mercilessly teasing him. She'd once told him his face was becoming almost as soft as hers. Two days later, he was proudly sporting a full beard. When he had tentatively kissed her later day, she told him the beard tickled her skin. The next morning he was clean shaven once again.
He knew she preferred him clean shaven but what she didn't tell him was that she got a thrill throughout her veins when he sported his rustic look.
"What was caught your eye, cousin?" Sophronia's voice said from behind her.
Lucilla promptly rolled her eyes." Nothing you need to be concerned with, Sophronia."
The younger woman peered over her cousin's shoulder. She smiled when she saw the men across the way.
"What it is about Maximus that's so irresistible?" she wondered; a smile could be heard in her words.
Lucilla didn't bother to comment. She only turned on her heel and walked away from Sophronia. She heard the familiar jingle of her cousin's bracelets as the girl followed her. She had a penchant for over-the-top, oversized jewelry.
Sophronia was a pretty enough young woman but she seemed to be out of place in the hubbub of Rome. Her father was from Thebes, where she normally resided. She only stayed in Rome during Egypt's summer months. She was a tall girl with long black hair that down past her shoulders. Her green eyes were at times haunting when she peered into the eyes of others. She depended on others far too much and Cleopatra was always on her heels.
"Must that animal follow you everywhere?" Lucilla wondered.
Sophronia petted the clouded leopard's head. "Maximus likes her," was all she said.
She was also completely obsessed with Maximus. And she was extremely jealous of Lucilla. Maximus paid Lucilla far too much attention in Sophronia's eyes. Just when Maximus showed interest in her, Lucilla would step into the room. He focused his attention solely on her.
'What does Lucilla have that I don't?' she thought every time she saw Lucilla and Maximus laughing together. 'She's no better than I.'
"Perhaps, but Maximus can't stand you," Lucilla told her bluntly.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said, playing dumb. "Maximus adores me."
Lucilla only rolled her eyes once more. 'To be young and oblivious.'
"Are the troops ready to leave in only a matter of weeks?" Domitius asked his companions.
"Most of the troops will be, yes," Mardious answered. "We still need a thousand or so men to replace those who have died or are wounded."
"But it shouldn't be too difficult," Maximus assured. "There are plenty of young men eager to be in the army. They figure it's easier or nobler than a life of boredom doing their father's trade."
Aurelius chuckled. "I'd say otherwise but they're fighting for my cause. To be young and eager again, thinking you can save the world, would be absolutely wonderful."
"Sounds like a burden to me," Maximus commented.
"Well, maybe you're right. Maybe only for a day I'd want to be young again."
"Caesar…" Domitius said, trying to get the conversation back on track.
"Yes, of course."
Maximus tuned out the conversation, growing bored. He was tired of them discussing the same thing over and over.
He glanced up into the sky and watched the clouds move over the sun. He predicted a good day. Every once in a while, the clouds would linger over the sun but they would always move.
He felt eyes on him from across the way. 'Lucilla.' He gazed over the courtyard. He didn't see anyone but he knew she was there. He could feel the warmth of her eyes on his face. He locked his eyes on the spot he knew she was. He allowed a faint smile to cross his lips.
He'd have to find a way to sneak away from the meeting.
"Sophronia, why do you believe Maximus is in love with you?" Lucilla asked of her cousin.
"Because he is. Who wouldn't be?"
"He can't stand you. You always follow him around, you always pester him the moment he's left alone. Why can't you simply leave him alone? That's why he doesn't like you."
"Sophronia turned her nose up. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Lucilla growled lowly in frustration.
"Well, what does he see in you? What makes you so special?" she demanded to know.
Lucilla turned abruptly on her heel, temper flaring. Her eyes were icy as she spoke. "Perhaps friendship. He sees me as someone to talk to because I listen. Perhaps I am different than all of the needy, self-centered, and stereotypical women he's ever met. Perhaps he finds pleasure in my company. Perhaps…"
"Perhaps you don't need to explain yourself if you know exactly why I enjoy your company," Maximus interjected, saving Lucilla from potentially injuring her cousin.
"Maximus," said Sophronia, her chock and pleasure evident in her voice. "Is your meeting over?"
"No, but don't tell them I left." He kept his eyes on Lucilla while he spoke. Her eyes softened as he continued to speak. He always brought out the soft and gentle side of her. "Sophronia, would you excuse us? I need to speak to Her Highness privately."
He didn't bother to wait for an answer. He only chartered Lucilla out of the courtyard.
"What was that about?" he asked her quietly as they walked slowly side by side.
"Just Sophronia being her usual self. Thank you for saving me."
"That's my job, isn't it?"
She smiled. "Yes, I suppose it is."
They walked in silence on the way to her chambers. He was tempted to touch her but managed to refrain. Sometimes he didn't know how he managed to go without seeing her or touching her for a single day.
She waited until her doors were shut and attendants were gone before speaking.
"You didn't come to see me last night. Why?"
"We were mapping out our journey into the early hours of the morning," he explained. "I contemplated coming to visit you but I didn't want to disturb you if you were asleep."
"I wouldn't have minded. I find it hard to sleep without your voice to lull me."
"How do you sleep when I'm not here?" he wondered.
"Restlessly."
He moved closer to her, his features soft as he gazed at her. "Why do you not sleep?"
Lucilla considered ignoring his question but his tone was too gentle and caring. 'Damn his voice sometimes,' she thought to herself. She fingered various items on her desk, carefully choosing her words. She could feel his eyes on her, waiting for her to speak.
"Sometimes it's insomnia. Sometimes I worry for my siblings. Mostly it's my father. It seems he grows a year older every day."
She stopped speaking and pretended that was all there was to it. She picked up the most recent note he'd sent her and glanced over it. She heard his footsteps on the marble floor. Her heart sped up. She felt his hands on her small shoulders.
"What's the real problem, Lucilla?" he murmured close to her ear.
She turned in his arms, her eyes focused in the center of his chest. She reached a hand out to touch one of the horses on his breast plate. "I'm … afraid… scared."
"Of what?"
She shook her head. "I'm scared because of you."
He was taken aback. "What?"
"When I don't hear news of you, I worry. I become frightened that something horrible has happened to you or even worse; the campaign went wrong and your army's been killed and you've been captured and killed. I toss and turn all night and when I finally sleep, the dreams are less than assuring. I only breathe a sigh of relief when I receive one of your letters. It's my safe haven for a while until the worry sets in again."
He pulled her closer to him still, nestling her head under his chin. His arms wrapped around her small frame.
"Luci, you have nothing to fear," he whispered to her, calling her by the nickname only he used. "I'll always come back to you. Some way or another, I'll always come back to you."
She smiled slightly, though he couldn't see it. She melded in his arms, wrapping her arms around his middle. She wanted to stay in the moment with him but she knew he would only allow them to stay that way for a short while.
"When are you leaving for the Gauls?" she asked of him in a gentle voice.
"After Saturnalia, a couple of days after the private festivities. Why?"
"Just wondering, hat's all. Will you celebrate the private ceremonies with us?" She left the silent 'with me' hanging in the air.
"If you want me to, I will," he promised. "I don't think I've ever celebrated the holiday with you before."
"No, you're always fighting wars for my father," she reminded him. She lifted her head from his chest to look in his eyes. "It makes me think you don't like spending even a little time with me."
"You should know better than that. You know I enjoy spending time with you. I receive excellent service when I'm with you."
She pinched his side and noticed the armor gapped slightly. "Shouldn't this cover more area here?"
He nodded. "I have to take it to the blacksmith. A soldier managed to get his sword by the seam it open only a little. Luckily, one of my men killed the man before any damage was done."
"Why haven't you had Palidorus take it to the blacksmith for you?"
"My mind has been on other matters, Luci." He gave her a long glance. "Mostly of ways to seduce you."
"Don't say what you don't mean, Maximus."
"Who says I don't mean it?"
She ignored his comment. She stepped back from him. "Will I see you tonight at dinner?" he nodded. "Good, I'll see you then."
She left her room and him.