Commodus had been gone for only two hours before Livia heard the first whispers from the serving staff. She had been playing with Lucius, chasing him and running around after him when she had urged him to go and hide and she would come and find him. She had hidden behind a column in the courtyard, hands over her eyes when she heard the whispers from the two women walking by.

"Did you see the way he looked at her?" one of them spoke and Livia opened her eyes, intrigue getting the best of her. "How has she managed to besot him so?"

"I think it is sheer desperation," the other woman responded. "She has been living with the Emperor and his family for years since her father died. She knows that she is now of age to marry a man who might not be able to give her the lavish lifestyle she has grown accustomed to."

"Do you think of her as a letch?"

"Do you not? Why would she want to leave when she can continue to live a life of luxury?"

"So you do not think that she loves him?"

"I think that she is playing a clever game," the woman replied. "Did you know that they have been seen together hidden in alcoves? No one has said anything, but everyone knows that the two of them have been intimate with each other. The Prince must know that it would not be in his best interests to marry her. What can she offer him? She has no great political ties nor does she have any true social standing."

"I do not know," the other woman responded. "I think that she does love him. I think that it is foolish of her, however. Did you hear how he acted when rumours spread that a soldier had taken a liking to her?"

"What did he do?"

"According to Remus, he was angry. He had a face like thunder. Why would he act in such a manner if he was not in love with her?"

"Because he is sadistic?" the woman asked back. "We all know that he is unstable. He acts like a petulant child and she gives in to his every whim. She is using him and he is obsessed with her. I think that is all there is to it."

"Livia! Livia!"

Lucius's voice rang out through the corridors as Livia moved from her hiding spot to face the little boy. She blinked back the tears in her eyes as she knelt down and the little boy rushed forwards into her open arms. The serving women looked on with wide eyes, realising that their conversation had been overheard. It was another moment before Livia could look to Lucius, certain that she wasn't going to cry.

"I thought that you were going to find me?" Lucius asked from her as she held onto his skinny upper arms. "What are you doing?"

"I was distracted, sweetling," she admitted to him in a small voice as she moved to her feet and took hold of Lucius by his hand.

"What were you distracted by?" he enquired as they began walking down the corridors.

Looking to the women, she noticed how they were too ashamed to even look her in the eye. Instead they looked any direction but at Livia as she glowered between the two of them, her gaze narrow and harsh as she spoke in a cold voice, letting them know exactly what she thought of both of them.

"Nothing of importance," Livia said and went on her way with Lucius, hoping that would dispel any talk of rumours.

…

Commodus had been travelling for an entire week and in that week he had been restless. Lucilla could see it just as the rest of the travelling guard could. He had been quiet, his mind entirely on the woman he had left back home. Lucilla had seen him often lay down, his hands behind his head as he thought about Livia. He was consumed by her. His adoration for her knew no bounds.

It was only when they arrived did Lucilla see her brother leave for the frontline of battle. She had watched him ride off to find their father while she had returned to the main camp. She had watched on as men drank and conversed, congratulating each other over their victory. Hidden behind the curtain, she barely noticed her father as he approached her.

She smiled softly at the sight of him and Marcus Aurelius looked to his daughter, relieved to see her after such a long time away. Moving forwards, he placed his hands on her shoulders as she took hold of his upper arms, struggling not to notice how frail and tired he was looking. She suspected after months at battle he would appear in such a way to her.

"If only you had been born a man," Marcus said in a soft voice. "What a Caesar you would have made. You would have been strong, but would you have been just?"

Lucilla smiled. "I would have been everything you taught me," she said and moved to kiss him tenderly on the cheek.

Marcus smiled at her answer and took hold of her arm, walking with her through the cold rooms as he spoke in a soft voice.

"How was your journey?" he wondered from her.

"Long and tiring," she responded with a nod of her head.

"But I am glad that you are here. I need you now more than ever, my dear Lucilla."

"Why?" Lucilla enquired from him. "What is happening?"

Taking a seat, Marcus lowered himself down cautiously. He felt his limbs stiffen as his daughter sat by his side, her hand taking hold of his. Marcus patted her hand and turned to look her in the eye, his gaze soft and wide. He observed his daughter and longed for her to understand what he was going to do. He had to do this. It was the right thing to do.

"I am old, Lucilla," Marcus said to her. "It is time for me to name my successor, but it shall not be your brother."

Lucilla looked shocked then, wondering how Commodus would react to that news. She didn't know what more she could do except for accept her father's decision. He was the Caesar. He was also her father. She respected him and loved him. She knew that there would be a reason behind his decision.

"Maximus is to take charge until Rome is ready to become a Republic once again," Marcus informed her. "Commodus will need you more than ever soon enough when he discovers the news. He will need you by his side to guide him through everything. I trust you, Lucilla. I trust you to be able to aid him."

Lucilla nodded her head. "Of course," she responded with a nod of her head. "But it is not I who has Commodus's ear anymore, father."

"Oh?" Marcus enquired from his daughter as she nodded her head and bit down on her tongue for a moment. "And who does hold your brother's ear?"

"Livia," Lucilla whispered her name and Marcus allowed himself a moment to look shocked. "The two of them have grown closer, father. Commodus has been quite taken with her and Livia claims to love him. The two of them have been inseparable."

"Livia," Marcus whispered her name.

"Yes," Lucilla responded. "And…I do not doubt that Commodus adores her, but I am worried, father. I am worried for her. We both know how Commodus can be more than she does. We know that he can be volatile and petulant and the way he has acted…the way he has sometimes treated her…"

"Has he mistreated her?" Marcus asked of his daughter.

"Not as such," Lucilla said. "I just worry that what he feels for her is more of an obsession to be loved then it is true love."

Marcus nodded his head, seeming to understand what he was hearing from her. "Your brother is not like you and I, Lucilla. He is different. He is someone who I believe needs someone by his side…someone to calm him and someone to comfort him. If Livia is that woman then perhaps she should have come with you on the journey."

"Perhaps," Lucilla nodded in agreement. "I simply want the best for her, father. You know that she is like a sister to me."

"I know, my sweet daughter," Marcus said with a nod. "Yet if your brother is besotted with her then I believe that she might be just the person he needs for when he returns to Rome and to Livia."

"You would permit him to marry her?" Lucilla asked and Marcus nodded his head.

"He is not to be Ceasar. He should marry whom he chooses and if he chooses her then so be it," Marcus said. "She is a sweet girl. She is kind and caring. She has always been polite. If your brother loves her and she loves him then I believe she might be the best thing for him."

"She has always been lovely," Lucilla said with a nod of her head. "Perhaps you are right. Perhaps I have been too worried."

"I do not doubt it," Marcus said. "Your brother is many things, Lucilla. He has his flaws, just as we all do, but Livia might be his redemption if he is as taken with her as I imagine he might be."

"Perhaps it might be for the best to speak with him yourself?"

"Of course."

….

Marcus saw his son enter his chamber later that evening. His hair was unruly and curly on top of his head while he was still dressed in the purple attire that he had travelled in. Marcus had changed into a simple tunic, looking to his son with a warm smile on his face as he took a seat on the end of his bed.

"Father," Commodus greeted him.

Marcus patted the seat next to him. "Sit with me, my son."

Commodus did as he had been requested, perching down on the end of the bed next to his father. He said nothing for a few brief moments, the two of them remaining silent.

"Your sister has told me of your relationship with Livia."

Commodus ground his teeth together. He had been the one who had wanted to tell his father. He had wanted his father to be pleased for him. He had wanted his blessing. He had wanted to see his father look at him proudly, knowing that he was able to marry someone he deemed worthy. Of course, he didn't care if his father rejected him for he would do anything for Livia.

"I am happy, Commodus," Marcus said and Commodus felt his eyes widen as his father let out a chuckle at his son's surprised expression. "She is a beautiful girl, Commodus. She is kind and adoring. She…I have always cared for her as a daughter and I would be proud for you to care for her as your wife if you so wish to."

"You truly mean that?" Commodus asked and Marcus held onto his son's hand for a moment.

"Truly," he nodded. "She is just what you need, Commodus. Tell me, when did you begin to fall in love with her?"

Commodus shrugged his shoulders and moved to his feet, elation taking hold of him. "I cannot be certain," Commodus admitted. "I have watched her grow into a the woman she is today. She…Livia…my every thought is consumed by her, father. Being apart from her is causing me nothing but pain."

"And she feels the same way?"

"She has told me that she loves me," Commodus responded. "She wished for me to gain your blessing for both of us to be married."

"And that she has," Marcus said. "I would love to see it."

"And you shall," Commodus nodded. "Father, believe me, Livia…my feelings for her are true. I will love her and take care of her."

"And I am glad to hear it," Marcus said and Commodus knelt in front of him.

"But I am shocked," he admitted to him. "I had thought that you would want for me to marry someone with political ties. I had thought that you would not be happy for me to marry Livia for she is but an orphan."

"And perhaps I might have wanted that in the past," Marcus nodded. "Yet times have changed, Commodus. You are free to follow your heart and I think that is for the best."

"What has changed?" Commodus enquired as Marcus looked down to Commodus and sighed, knowing that he had to tell his son the truth. He had to tell him what he intended to happen.

"Rome will become a Republic, Commodus," Marcus said. "Maximus will take charge until the Senate is ready to rule. You are free, my son. You are free to marry Livia and be happy with her."

Yet Commodus did not focus on that. All that he could think of was the fact that his father had bypassed him. His father did not trust him to rule. It was almost as though a dagger had been driven through his chest. He felt nothing but pain and betrayal. But, more than that, he felt white hot rage.

….

A/N: Do let me know what you think!