The Scent of Betrayal

Chapter Thirty-Six

Laxus watched the guard walk away after returning him to his cell. The ludus was still as training carried on absent his presence. He'd yearned to pick up a sword, to unleash his fury in any way possible. His body was so tight that he'd feared it would burst and leave him to bleed out upon the sands beneath him. He tightened his fist in preparation to strike the wall at his back but suffering injury would see him no more fulfilled. No matter how badly he'd wished for it, he'd gone un-indulged.

Saving the life of a slave wasn't enough to win their affections, and somewhere along the lines, his own purpose had become more about wooing the loyal slave girl than owning her. Even if she had brought him great peace, he couldn't stand to watch her fade before him if he'd had the power to save her from it.

He sighed and popped his weight against the bars to spur his lazy pacing. It wasn't much, but it was a start. Soon, Neirah would return to her Domina, far from his reach. Yet, sparing him the brunt of the heartache was his clever mistress. Once a week, not only would he be graced with the presence of his light, but he would be free to eagerly indulge in her taste. The more they'd courted, the closer she would be kept to her purpose. The truth was that he'd had no desire to grow immune to her gentle call. He'd wanted to surrender to it, but unfortunately, the only type of surrender to be of worth to him at the moment was the surrender to his masters. To see his light preserved as she had done for him, he would give anything; even his cock to the snake he'd rather decapitate.

But like a snake, even if he'd managed such a feat, she would sprout another slimy body and weave her way back into his life. She always did. He could certainly deny her like he knew he was fully capable of, but then they would simply send Neirah back to the ludus where he would watch her cry herself to sleep each night, torn from her purpose. That simply would not do. He had never willingly suffered anything for the sake of another, and he had to admit that he'd never thought it would feel so good to suffer for someone else.

"It is done then?"

Laxus turned his dim gaze towards the trim man to take pause along his cell. "It was not easy," he assured grimly. "But an arrangement has been struck that will see the girl returned to the villa."

"A blessing. She did not silence her tears the entire night." Freed turned his small smile towards the strapping man pacing his prison in large stride. "For a man with no love for this woman, you have most certainly put forth a great deal of effort on her behalf."

Laxus pressed his brow against the old bars nearest his visitor, a look of defeat on his face as he lowered his voice in secrecy. "She has given just as much to see my worth preserved…" He slowly opened his eyes and looked back at Freed squarely. "Gazille was not the man to take Otho's life."

A subtle alarm flashed across Freed's expression. "You claimed it on her behalf?"

"In a fit of rage to have looked upon the woman who had condemned me to this life," he growled. "Neirah instructed that her brother take the fall under Vitus' protection. She spared my life that day when all I had wanted to do was surrender it to the one after." Laxus reached to his throat and tugged on the beads around his neck, fidgeting with the roll of their polished surface as he thought. "Because of this, power was shifted to me in Vitus' absence. Marianus seems keen on favouring me even when I defy."

"A blessing to a slave; to have your master's favour."

"It is not so…" Laxus raised a weighted gaze back to the man. "So long as the bitch remains in this house, there is no weight to my suffering. My hand is forced."

"You fear she will clamour back to Rome and undo you?"

"If she has not already arranged it by other means."

"The woman is dangerous then?"

Laxus slowly diverted his gaze and sighed his defeat. "Of the most. She has no loyalty. What is worse, she has taken to siding with Marianus in order to dismiss my slave. She betrays the domina of this house and her once dear friend all to strike at me. They suffer more each passing day for a war that should have ended with my supposed death."

Freed's expression quirked with amusement that he'd tried not to let slip into Laxus' comprehension as the man ranted. "I will keep an eye on the woman," Freed assured him kindly. "As I commune between the villa and ludus, I will be sure to keep an ear to the task of uncovering treachery before any succumb to the effects."

Laxus raised his weary gaze back towards the man. "Gratitude…"

Freed bowed his head with a tender smile. "Legatus…"

It wasn't long after the sun had broken high noon that magistrate Regulus was arriving at the gates of Aelius. Once announced, however, Lucia had wasted no time in rushing to Cecilia and Amena's side. She had only just met the recently deceased lanista's daughter, but that hadn't stopped her from practically throwing herself around the woman in a fit of sympathetic tears. "Amena, my dear friend, the weight of your loss weighs heavy in my breast as well!"

Amena shifted her gaze over the blonde's shoulder. She had only just started to recover from her own hysterics only to be met with a perfect temptation to break down all over. "Your empathy is well received," she muttered lifelessly.

"I transfer a similar sentiment along with my daughters," Regulus mourned. "I should have suggested that the man returned home sooner. To only know that he was so unwell…"

"Burden yourself not with such thoughts," Amena whispered meekly. "My father loved the arena. It brought him the most peace in his final moments. You did him a great honour that day that saw him gently slip away from us in his sleep that night." Amena drew her hand to her lips to stifle her whimpers. "He could not have begged a prouder departure from this world to the next. If anything, I should be offering my gratitude."

Regulus gave her a slow, sympathetic nod. "To meet such a magnificent lanista only to lose him just after… I could not leave Syrian ground without first offering my condolences."

"A tragedy indeed," Marianus announced upon joining them. He tucked his burgundy robes around his taught figure as he walked. "Good Vitus will be deeply missed by all. Even the slaves he commanded grieved his departure."

Lucia perked to the news as Cecilia dried her tears. "On the subject of slaves, you are one shy," she instigated. "How strange not to see your dancer nearby."

"She is occupied presently," Amena assured her hesitantly.

Lucia immediately got her face up in a defiant knot, one certainly unfit to be on the face of royalty. "Whatever could be more important than an only daughter grieving over the loss of her father?!"

"She tends to Jupiter," Marianus instructed. "For my honest mistake. Being so new in the industry, I overworked the man. He fell to exhaustion and a clumsy misstep in training. I sent the woman to offer him comfort."

Lucy gave a gentle snort. "A good thing Natsu has already returned to Rome and pressing concerns not to offer condolences then," she theorized. "The man could not stop speaking of this Jupiter." She turned her bright hazel eyes to face Marianus. "He was quite anxious for an audience."

"One we regret we cannot facilitate presently," Marianus fibbed. "I do hope to see him fighting fit with due haste."

"I am glad to hear this," Regulus announced. "For if I was to be blunt, condolences were not my only purpose for lingering in Syria."

"Oh?" Cecilia crooned whimsically. "You have business here then?"

"Vitus' passing shocked us all, and it is no surprise that news of the loss has spread to the other Syrian lanistas."

"How disrespectful!" Cecilia bellowed. "How can they look to the opportunity of position in such a tragic light?!"

"Cruelty is the way of this world," Lucia mourned grimly. "If I had my way, they would all be taught the value of such respects."

"I would aid in the schooling of this lesson," Marianus announced artificially enthusiastic. "If only there were a way…"

"I believe there is," Regulus emphasized. "A set of Syrian games to which all ludus keepers attend in celebration of good Vitus and the fulfilling life he has lived. Games to assure competition that a thousand suns burn on."

"But who would host such an event?" Marianus added innocently. "Such would take substantial coin, coin I would assume Vibius would rather toss in a hole than see put towards the memory of this house."

"We have decided to play host," Lucia announced proudly. "From one father and daughter for the honour of another."

"Lucia! We could not ask for such a generosity!" Amena murmured through a breathless gasp.

"One does not ask for gifts," Lucia teased upon capturing the fair woman's hands.

"Natsu seeks further sponsorship for the event as we speak," Regulus added. "He is convinced your Jupiter reminds him of the Decius boy lost to the Germanic tribes. Something about the way he holds a sword- I half-listen. The fond memories your gladiator inspires would see the eager boy extend the games an extra week."

"You speak of two weeks of games to honour this house?" Marianus breathed out in disbelief.

"One and the same," Regulus agreed. "As well as an extended hand for future endeavours that might lead this one to Roman sands. Should this house perform as well in these games to honour good Vitus, I would see coin put towards your travel to Rome where I can watch the delights of your house from my own pulvinus."

Marianus' head was reeling with delight. "Words have left me."

"As do they leave the lips of every lanista within a ten-mile radius of Damascus, I am sure. Vitus Aelius was known for having a strong influence on his gladiators. Some may have thought him too soft for the trade, but I believe jealousy speaks when fear grips tongue."

"They see it as an opportunity to uproot competition and see this house fade to the sands of time," Lucia continued. She stepped into her father and gave him an appreciative hug. "I could not imagine my life without my father, and then to have such greedy fame seekers attacking his legacy, it is unforgivable!"

Regulus beamed his pride. "My strong-headed daughter is bold, but she speaks the truth. I am aware that most houses turn a modest profit at best. Gladiatorial training does not come cheap, but if you believe your men up to the task, I would be honoured to sponsor such an event."

"The honour would be ours, Magistrate," Amena whimpered with a small bow.

"Good then," he continued with a small smile. "I understand Cecilia will be staying in your care?"

"Delightful, is it not?" Cecilia crooned by Amena's side.

"If it were not for such comfort I would have offered my own daughter to the task," he murmured tenderly. "Then we will break for Rome and return to a celebratory event at the month's end. When we learn of the details, we will write." Magistrate Regulus slowly turned to face Marianus. "I do hope Jupiter's wounds have mended for that time."

"I can personally guarantee it," Marianus assured him confidently.

"Excellent. I am sure Natsu will be pleased to hear of his attendance."

"Gratitude," Amena whispered tenderly. "To be met with such kindness in these times truly is a blessing."

"Think nothing of it," Regulus assured her kindly. He reached out and captured her hand, drawing it to his lips in a gentle kiss. "Though we depart, know that you are in our thoughts."

"I will hold it to heart in darkest night," Amena assured him sweetly.

Lucia stepped forward next and placed a kiss on either of Amena's cheeks. "Apologies that we cannot linger to see spirits lifted but we have delayed longer than anticipated. My beloved Rome calls."

"It calls to all," Marianus agreed. He accepted the stern shake of Regulus' hand with a triumphant smile. "Safe travels."

"Gratitude," Regulus responded. "We will be in touch."

"Take loving care of Amena, Cecilia," Lucia crooned. "When next we meet, I would see smiles."

"One for each day passed between us!" Cecilia assured her. "Take care."

"Such a kindness," Amena murmured. She'd turned from where she had been sending off their company, and as grateful as she was for their sentiment, something had still churned in the pit of her stomach.

"A rarity, surely," Cecilia crooned with a delighted giggle. She turned to face Amena with a look of concern on her face. "Amena? Are you well?" she inquired softly. "You mentioned that the anxiety should clear with the concluding of the games, but you grow more strained each day."

Amena had gently rattled her head and slipped the back of her hand over her own brow. "The heat and the weight of grief; it is a small matter."

Cecilia took a cautious step towards the wavering woman. "Your father said it was a small matter," she instigated. "Perhaps you should lie down."

"Cecilia is right," Marianus argued. "Perhaps a trip to the medicus would-"

Cecilia and Marianus flinched as Amena's eyes flickered shut, but neither was quick enough to catch the woman as she toppled to the hard floor beneath their feet.

"Amena!"

"Domina!" Levy whimpered in alarm.

"Fetch the medicus at once!" Marianus ordered. "Have him find us in our bedchambers."

"Yes, Dominus!"

Marianus scooped Amena up in his arms, Cecilia fussing with the woman's unconscious face as they delivered her to a bed for much-needed rest.

Laxus sat in his cell all day, the order for him to return to training never coming. He was starting to worry that the pent aggression he'd felt was being harvested for a summon to Cecilia's side. He had been resting in his sleep corner long enough and had since risen to pace the area. The comforting thought was that he had yet to see Neirah summoned either. It was likely that they were simply forgotten about in the wake of Regulus' presence.

He had never much cared for Lucia. As far as high-born ladies, she wasn't the most desirable. In body, perhaps, but she was noisy, defiant and bold. Nothing that appealed to him. That considered, she was also the kind of woman who had wished she had the power of a thousand men at her back to see the wrongs in the world set right. She would be an asset to Amena in her time of crisis.

And then there was Natsu. If Natsu had also remained to offer condolences, they would be at the villa until the day had surrendered to the twilight. Natsu was an overly enthusiastic chatterbox, something else that Laxus wasn't particularly fond of. He'd remembered how annoyed he'd get towards the rambunctious boy as he danced around him trying to get a he'd had a heart of 'd had to admit that something inside him had felt the strangest bit of comfort to think that they were near.

He wasn't an overly sociable youth, but the weight of some form of familiarity had reminded him that there was something more of him than what he could see in the reflection of his cup. Even if he'd rotted away for the rest of his days locked up and treated like an animal to fight for his last meal, he could comfort in knowing that he was once something more.

'Perhaps this is what the afterlife feels like,' he mused humbly. 'Looking back on the past life you have lived, an eternity of reminiscence. An eternity of regrets…'

His thoughts had grown malicious and his expression tightened with rage. There he had remained, in a life after his first and condemned to it by his own kin. Not only did his grandfather relocate his father out of Laxus' reach, but he could still feel the blade that had pierced his chest by his grandfather's hand. He raised his fingers and rubbed at the scar piercing his right pectoral near his sternum. Iovanus' betrayal had frightened Laxus' grandfather into proactive thinking. He'd sent Laxus' father to a northern town far from the capital to isolate his threat. That had left Laxus in Makarov's care for the better part of his childhood.

It wasn't that he hadn't appreciated the time his grandfather had taken to raise him, teach him. Perhaps that was why his betrayal had wounded him more deeply than any sword could carve flesh. If Makarov hadn't relocated Iovanus feigning an aedile promotion, Laxus could have taken his revenge long before he had. It was possible he could have done it quietly, discretely in their own home. Then he could have fled his grandfather's retaliation before the sun had risen to his son dead in his bed. Instead, he was hunted like an animal and caged all for seeking to avenge the death of a kind-hearted woman who had loved him.

It had worried him, how fond he was of such gentle spirits. He had always felt a sinner to hold them with such tormented, blood-stained hands, but something about their devotion had soothed him, protected him from his demons. He'd missed the sensation when it was gone and yearned to reclaim it. And like the day he'd taken the head clean off of his father's shoulders, he was again committing the unthinkable in the name of a gentle heart.

Laxus had flinched to life when he'd caught the sound of commotion coming from the courtyard where an armoured man was dragging Neirah through the ludus gates by her arm. He filled with alarm to see her struggle, worrisome tears in her eyes as she begged that she had done nothing against her master's will.

"Neirah," he rumbled in alarm. He watched her whirl to attention, her arm freed while the guard diligently locked the gate behind them.

As soon as Neirah had caught his gentle summon, she was moving towards his gate and reaching through the bars with wide eyes; the look of terror in her gentle expression. "If they take my life, please promise me you will protect my brother," she begged.

Laxus' expression narrowed on the guard who barked at her to demand her return. He quietly raised his hands over the top of hers against his cheeks. "Nothing such is their intent," he assured her calmly. "I have broken words with Dominus this morning."

Neirah's gaze floated uncertainly in large eyes as she searched his expression for meaning. "You have? To what end?"

"Yours," he whispered softly. He almost grieved when her presence was torn away from his face. "I have returned your purpose."

Returned your kindness.

Neirah watched him for as long as her craned neck would allow with her escort manhandling her through the final gate separating them. The uninformed guide dragging her down the path towards the villa, like she hadn't known it her whole life, had told her nothing. She had honestly feared that she had approached her end, that Marianus had found a way to see her from their world forever. If her return wasn't to be a danger to her, she couldn't imagine why she was being rushed so hurriedly towards the house that she had been raised in.

But it didn't stop at the door when she'd met Levy, no. Although the handoff to Levy was welcome and far gentler than the grunt jerking on her forearm, Levy had wasted no time with pleasantries as she demanded Neirah's haste.

"Quickly," Levy announced beneath her breath. "Before Dominus changes his mind."

"He has summoned me?" Neirah's brow creased with concern. "What could he possibly wish of me?"

Levy shook her head and delayed just outside Marianus' chambers. "It is not he who seeks your company," Levy rushed out in explanation. "Jupiter broke words on your behalf this morning before he was sent to training. It is his word that will see you returned to the villa."

Neirah wanted to screech with joy as she felt gentle tears welling in her eyes for her delight. 'Returned my purpose…' That was when she was reminded that she was still being rushed around so brutally. She simply couldn't imagine that Marianus and Cecilia would want to hasten her return. "Then why am I being shoved through doors with such alarming haste?"

Levy offered Neirah a small smile. "Marianus claims it is the fever that has made Domina delusional. He says that is why she blocks out your 'assault' on her the other night."

"Fever?! Domina is stricken ill?! Where is she?!"

Levy gently embraced her friend before releasing her and showing her into their master's room. "She is here…"

Neirah was frantic as she gripped her dirty robes and rushed to Amena's side. She didn't care if Marianus and Cecilia were watching her like vultures, she didn't care that she wasn't directly summoned to approach. Her world went numb, quiet, as she prayed that she wasn't too late to serve her purpose.

Her stomach was in her throat as she dropped to the floor at Amena's bedside and reached out to clasp Amena's clammy hand between hers. "Domina," she whispered desperately. "I am here. I am by your side."

Neirah couldn't contain her relief as Amena perked and turned her weak gaze towards her slave with the most delighted of beams on her face.

"Neirah… You return."

"Yes, I am here," she repeated. She had wanted to ask if she was alright, if they'd had time, if she was too late, but that was when Amena gently tugged the woman's hand towards her abdomen and let their palms rest against her belly. Neirah's gaze immediately shot to Amena's with eager confusion towards the woman's sentiment.

"I am with child."

It was amazing how quickly everything else could fade from comprehension at that moment that a woman announced her pregnancy. The urge for a woman to give their love to a living creature created within their own bodies had seemed to numb them to all reason. At that moment that Amena had beamed back at her beloved body slave full of hope and pride, it seemed like the world was right and new again. It was clear by the look on the woman's face that she hadn't once thought about the fact that she was carrying the child of a man who did not love her, did not care for her and would not rest until he had torn every trace of Vitus from the walls of their house. No, in that moment of sheer, tear-jerking bliss, nothing else mattered but the motherly devotion shining in her Domina's smile like the two exclusively shared the delight of expectation. All she could do was smile a beautiful, ignorant smile and celebrate with the diluted woman. "Congratulations, Domina. This is a blessing from the gods themselves."

But the storm was only on its approach. With a possible heir on the way, Marianus was bound to be even more determined to hasten ambitions. They would travel, Amena would be on his arm and displayed in her vulnerable state with the extra burden weighing beautiful features in exhaustion. She knew that Marianus would never stop to consider his wife's susceptible well-being. It would be up to her from there onwards to serve to the best of her ability so long as Marianus hadn't tried to banish her again.

It was in her next breath that she felt Marianus jerking her to her feet by her upper arm and before she could stabilize, she was crashing into his sneering presence as Cecilia and Amena rejoiced together.

"You may be Jupiter's new pet, but do not take me for a fool." He murmured his warning coarsely against her ear. "Should you cross me again, I will not hesitate to see you from this house, from this fucking world."

"Dominus," she rattled out swiftly.

Marianus jerked away from her and looked at her squarely. "Tell me, slave, do you seek to corrupt my prized stock?"

"No, Dominus," she rushed out certainly. "I had no hand in seeing such a sentiment fall from Jupiter's mouth."

Marianus' mind had started to work intently. "He spoke of convening with me?"

Neirah thrust her head in a deep bow. "Upon my summon, Dominus," she assured him. "It was an unexpected kindness."

Marianus reached out to the woman and stuck his finger under her chin, forcing her gaze to meet his own. "And how would you repay this… kindness?"

Neirah hadn't known what answer Marianus had desired from her and it had forced her tongue into anxious knots.

"You are in love with him."

Again, Neirah had remained hesitantly silent.

'Thusly spurring Cecilia's jealousy…' Marianus' lip quirked like he'd wanted to smile, but he didn't. "Very interesting…" He shoved Neirah's chin roughly to the side. "Luckily for you, I require a certain level of performance from that particular beast," he assured her. His gaze narrowed on Cecilia. "And how very fascinating that another seems to seek his performance just as eagerly."

Interesting indeed…

"Bring wine," he ordered her. "See my every command catered to with the utmost promptness or find yourself torn forever from domina, loving brother and beast alike."

Neirah dropped her head with a gentle whimper. "Of course."

"Also, bear in mind to see my wife's every whim facilitated," he commanded. "Should her discomfort damage my heir, you shall shoulder the responsibility."

"Dominus…"

"Levy!"

Neirah flinched as Marianus roared over her presence to summon Levy to their side. She had been prompt in her response.

"Yes, Dominus?"

"See your Domina's slave to the baths. She reeks of the ludus."

Neirah's wide gaze flashed towards where Marianus had turned his back on her without another word. She couldn't believe that he had offered her such a comfort, stench or not.

"I would have her smelling like flowers when next she descends into the lair of my beast."

Neirah shivered. She had almost been certain that Marianus had never been present when Laxus had mentioned that he'd taken pleasure in her scent; a scent like home. It had made her nervous to think that she had missed his presence during one of her more private interactions with their fallen. It had made her wonder what else he'd known. Neirah's throat worked uncertainly to think that he was aware of Laxus' conspiracy, but if that were the case, she couldn't understand why he'd persisted. Then she'd entertained the thought that she was overthinking the vague statement, but that thought wasn't nearly as overpowering as the first.

No, the thought of the first was suffocating.

Cecilia drew to Marianus' side with a smug smile on her lips as the two slave girls retreated. "You seek to make it difficult for our beast to resist the call of a whore-slave."

Marianus snorted his disgust. "He could rape her senses from her skull every free moment he had and I would care not," he spat out vindictively. "So long as he performs, I am satisfied."

Cecilia curled her lips into a bitter pout. "I would not see him so blessed. If this woman is to be his heart, I would tear it from chest while it still beats. The scars of not only betrayal but abandonment, still weigh heavily on my own. If this is what he should desire, I would see him be forced to watch as hope fades from his fingers."

Marianus smiled. He had no intentions of returning the slave to the ludus where she could conspire with Jupiter against him. Now that she had been threatened with exile, crucifixion, she would not misstep. Considering she had never truly committed the crime he had banished her for, the ruse only saw fit to strengthen the webs he'd weaved.

He'd watched Cecilia bid Amena proper rest before the two exited the room to allow her to sleep. As soon as they were out of Amena's sight, Cecilia was whimpering with the force he'd used to drive her into the cold stone of one of the home's beautiful ivory pillars. His breathing had seethed past his triumphant smile as the woman immediately started to moan encouragement. "As for you," he growled. "How will this arrangement I grant you with Jupiter effect your performance when I call upon you?"

Cecilia threw her head back against his shoulder and spread her thighs to his anxious bunching of her robes. "It will not," the woman moaned in delight. "Jupiter stands a marvel, but I would relish a cock of worth whenever the opportunity arises." Wide eyes glossed with euphoria as his possessive groan saw him inside her, his tight grip on her haunches spreading her immodestly for his entry.

"I would see him broken and obedient before the games take place in my wretched father-in-law's name. I would have the conspiring look from his eyes before he performs in front of the Roman magistrate." He raised his hand to stifle her fierce moans of exalted bliss to keep them from his resting wife. "And I would never learn of him inside you in my place. Do I make myself clear?"

"Your purpose would be clearer if you were buried deeper within me." Cecilia yelped abrasion as she was drawn back from the pillar and made to face the blasphemous tyrant who rammed her. Their bodies joined at the hip once more to her guttural moans as he scooped her knee joint over his forearm and forced his privileged palm to press her forcibly raised thigh into the stone he'd trapped her against. "The fog lifts!"

Tongues had barely concealed themselves behind indulging lips as the pair struggled to sin, breathe and converse all in the same breath. Marianus had narrowly jerked away, shaking his short onyx bangs from his perspiring face as he drew the woman to her toes by the pressure of their connection. "I would see no harm come to the slave until my child is of this world," he growled into her ear. "I don't care if the bitch comes to you with a belly full of Jupiter's seed, you will stay your hand. If the threat is not enough and we catch him overindulging, we will remove the woman entirely from his presence but I would not have my wife distressed over the fate of that particular fucking cunt. Your hand does not move without my consent."

Cecilia's exalted moans escalated with euphoria. "Dominus~"

Marianus couldn't help but let his sickly triumphant scoff turn into a sinister smirk. He rolled the tip of his nose over her gasping throat. "The Roman was a fool to turn his back on such a willing whore." He rumbled an eager groan and raked his teeth over her ear. "I feel like you would have taken the imperator's life for him should he have fucked you just right." His lips parted to her accelerated moans, his teeth flashing in a sadistic smile. "As I do presently."

Cecilia grasped his face, hers hot with passion as she drew their tongues back into her gaping mouth. "See us to my accommodations so that we might further indulge," she ordered. "I would offer no more on the subject of that treacherous cur. I would have you fill the void he has left inside me until the time of his torment ensues."

"And the woman?" he snarled into her ear.

"I would not see Amena strained with worries for her precious slave. It is Jupiter's suffering I seek, not a meek slave girl."

"She becomes a utility in our schemes," he cautioned. "I would not see her damaged."

"Your will," she moaned. "My pleasure."

Freed narrowly concealed himself just around the hallway corner, listening intently on the bated conversation billowing between his two ravenous masters. It seemed to him like the two were in league against Jupiter despite Marianus feigning his favour. What was more, was that the same two had offered Amena a great betrayal. There was a weight in his chest that had remained after he'd quietly turned away from the spectacle.

It had seemed that Marianus had plans greater for their fallen Roman than victory in the arena. It was the only reason that he could see him allowing Cecilia to become entwined with the Roman's fate once more. Then, there was her silencing. There was no doubt why Marianus was in the process of finding the woman's accommodations to properly ravage her. Too much was unknown for him to let her escape back to Rome with knowledge of Laxus' survival.

Cecilia had demanded she'd train Jupiter in the resistance of the ludus slaves, but it was for her own gain. Despite her oath to her new pastime, there was no doubt that she'd wanted the young legatus inside her. Freed had considered that it was because she'd truly thought that she'd had a hope of him falling for her by the utility of her body, the wiser part of the ludus slave had realised that even she hadn't been that diluted.

Then there was the expecting Amen a. She had offered a test upon the closing of each week so that Jupiter could salvage a moment of peace. It was clear that the man had wanted nothing to do with his ex-betrothed, in fact, Freed would go so far as to claim that no bond was ever severed.

There was still much that he didn't know, but what he did, he would see loyally reported back to his legatus. The one thing that would bring comfort to the fallen was the knowledge that so long as Amena was expecting the heir to Marianus' tyrannical legacy, Neirah was immune to Cecilia's abuse. All Laxus had to do was survive whatever torment she'd had in store for him in her bed.

"Freed?"

Freed immediately turned his quizzical, downcast gaze to face where Levy had joined him. "Levy…"

She reached out and laid her small hand on his arm, concern in her soft hazel gaze. "You look pale, what haunts you?"

Freed heaved a heavy sigh before checking his shoulder and realising that Marianus and Cecilia had already escaped to the woman's chambers for the conclusion of their carnal activities. His murmur was low and bleak as he considered the events that he had only just witnessed.

"Everything…"