The festivities had begun and it brought a smile to Victoria's lips as she watched her plans come to fruition. The halls of the villa were draped with red fineries and a show of flesh was being performed by slaves, much to her disgust. Wine flowed like water and soon, the gladiators would make their appearance. Her father, Argus was sharing words with Batiatus and Pompey. Acteon was watching from afar as he conversed with Varinius. Her eyes fell upon her favored treasure of the evening. "Lucretia!" Lucretia turned, her red hair and matching dress swinging. She hugged her longtime friend.

"Victoria, you honor the House of Batiatus with an invitation to this spectacle. I am sure the gods themselves are envious with none of their own."

Victoria laughed and kissed Lucretia's cheek. "Oh but just you wait. Sweeter things are to come."

"What have you concocted?" Lucretia asked with a knowing smirk.

Victoria leaned close to her ear and whispered softly. "A scheme to take Rome."

Lucretia chuckled. "All of it already lies at your feet."

"I will have it bend on its knee." Victoria replied with a smile. "And with you, I would share the spoils, my dearest and most cherished friend."

Lucretia placed tender hand to her cheek and a gentle kiss to her lips. "We must prepare a war table."

Victoria laughed deeply. "Whatever the House of Batiatus desires and it is within my power to grant, it shall be yours." Lucretia gave her arm a squeeze and smiled. She made a quick sweep of the room, ensuring that her guests were well satisfied, before finding herself approached by none other than Julius Ceasar himself. The very sight of him made her wet and hunger for his touch. He did touch her, with discreet brushes of his fingertips on her arms.

"It warms heart to see you so well, my sweet." Ceasar said, taking her hand in his own to place kiss upon the back. His hands were so rough and calloused. Hers were soft compared to his own. "The evening has been a delight."

"The delight is what I hope will follow." She replied. He smirked. "Or should I make plans to see my desires fulfilled...by another-"

"That will not be necessary." He said quickly.

"The news pleases." She dipped her head and moved towards her father. Politics was a thing she was well versed in. Not that she truly cared what the curs around her thought. However, until her plans were completed, she had to play the game, and she had to play it well. One wrong move and everything she desired and more could be stricken from her. Batiatus and Argus dipped their heads to her as she approached. "Do not tell me that you break words of politics at a party."

"I merely made inquiry about Batiatus' gladiators." Argus said, kissing her forehead.

"I can assure you, Father, you will find none but gods among his house's stock. I recently purchased one of my own." Argus raised eyebrow in suspicion. "You will soon see why, Father." As the evening progressed, she found enjoyment at the sight of so many of her close friends and families. Allies... and potential enemies. Acca approached her and she called the next part of the evening to commence, a showing of the gladiators that would fight in the games tomorrow. She had extended invitation to Glaber, Ilithyia and Solonius as well. Solonius presented 6 of his gladiators. 10 came from Acteon, including Archaeus, the champion himself. Batiatus lent Crixus, Spartacus, Agron, Barca, and Gnaeus. Duro entered separately, standing proud and alone at the head of them. Victoria smirked when she noticed the anger upon the faces of Archaeus and Acteon.

"He does not appear much." Argus commented.

She only scoffed. "Upon the sands, he will astound, I assure you." She gave a subtle nod. The gladiators were moved to places on the walls, allowing her guests to look and touch at the titans. It only took a soft word from Duro. What it was, she did not know, but the man erupted, shoving aside the other gladiators and guards with brute force. Duro turned with practiced ease and allowed himself to be taken off his feet, sending them both into the water. "Get them under fucking control!" She screamed at the guards, fighting the powerful urge to grin. Her gladiator got the upper hand and began pummeling the champion until blood soaked his knuckles. Only then did he allow himself to be pulled away.

"You are no champion. You are a piece of shit, favored by his master." Duro hissed as he was lead away. Two more had to help Archaeus to his feet.

"My apologies." Victoria said. "That was not intent."

"Your man is strong." Argus brought hand to scratch at his chin. "We should have a true testament on who is enough to be champion of this house."

"Archaeus has been champion for-" Acteon started, but his words were promptly dismissed by his wife.

"For far too long. He has not took to the sands in months. The face of our house should be one who deserves it."

Argus looked between them. "So be it. The final match tomorrow will be Duro and Archaeus. But I shall add another man. The next best of your stock." He nodded firmly and sauntered off and Victoria silently cursed the gods. Acteon glared at her.

"I would have words." He snapped.

"I have none to give. I propose you see to your man. Assure yourself that his ass will not break when he falls from pedestal."

After the excitement, peace continued for long into the night. Victoria saw her guests to the door and smiled at seeing that Lucretia and Batiatus would be spending the night and Acteon would be far removed seeing to Archaeus and closing a deal with Pompey, though she knew that Pompey would not truly entertain the notion of such. Acteon may have once been great, but now that greatness was but fleeting memory, a once mighty sword now dull and rusted, without use or purpose. When she did retire for the night in her private room, once again with guards stationed in front, she was met with pleasant surprise. Now sooner had she crossed the threshold when the door was closed and she felt familiar hands slide up her sides, coming forth to grasp at her breasts. She felt a light breath on her neck that was soon followed by the soft touch of lips.

"Ceasar."

"Ssh." He commanded. "It has been too long that you have been absent me within you. This night will be ours since your husband has mind on undeserving cause. His thoughts should be upon the goddess of a wife he possesses."

"No man possesses me." Victoria replied. She turned to face the man and claimed his lips for her own. He carried her to the bed and neatly ripped her dress from either side, tossing the remains over his shoulder. His touch was unlike Acteon's In every way. He cared for her pleasure just as much as his own. Also unlike her husband, Caesar's cock was a weapon to rival a Spartan spear… and his skill in using his powerful tool was unmatched by none.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The next morning, the man was gone from her bed. This did not surprise her. She got up for the day and allowed Acca to bathe her, whilst sharing talk of last night's events. Now dressed in a blue silk dress accompanied with the finery that came with her station, Victoria made for the balcony. Duro was up and upon the sands. She sent Acca to retrieve him and paced the smooth stone beneath her feet until they returned.

"Domina." Duro greeted.

"A third fucking gladiator has been added to the primus." Victoria hissed. "A third distraction from your glory, Duro." She paused. "Apologies, you did well last night. Tomorrow during the primus, you must be the best. Archaeus must fall and you must be victorious." She glanced down, noticing something in his hand. "What are you clutching?"

He swallowed and extended his hand. Within his palm was a small necklace with pale beads. "A gift...that is unworthy of you, Domina."

"A gift?!" She smiled, accepting the small thing. She turned it over in the light and handed it back to him. She turned around and moved her hair. His fingers brushed her neck. He no longer trembled when in her presence. "It is lovely." She turned to face him again and looked into his eyes curiously. "Do you wish to be free, Duro?"

"I do, Domina."

"You and your brother?"

"Yes, Domina."

Victoria nodded. "Then fight for me, in my name. No, you must do more than that. You must win. Do this for me and I will grant your freedom, both you and your brother. Nothing will lay out of reach."

"For you, Domina."

She smiled again. "Go. Tomorrow, you must be ready to win. With your sword...we shall seize the fucking heavens."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Across Capua, Acteon was making plans of his own. He entered the home of Glaber and Ilithyia. The Praetor showed surprise at seeing the man away from home, so close to the games tomorrow.

"How is Archaeus?" Glaber, extending the invitation to sit. The Praetor sat as well as lanista and a slave brought them wine.

"He will fight tomorrow. I have a great request, Glaber."

"I remember no true friendship between us, Acteon." Glaber said, looking at him suspiciously.

"I fear my wife moves against me."

Glaber laughed deeply. "Your wife has always moved against you. Of what nature should I be concerned with your wife's movements."

"Her dearest friend is Lucretia, of House Batiatus, the same house that has allowed Spartacus, a most hated enemy to live." Acteon replied. "Batiatus' pocket swells with coin made by a Thracian slave that bested you."

"I was not bested." Glaber hissed. "Remember where you sit, lanista. You are within my walls."

"Apologies, Praetor, but this matter does concern us both."

Glaber tilted head, watching the crafty lanista with curious eyes. "What would you have of me?"

"We must turn Lucretia against Victoria. She sees the woman as some great being, blessed by the gods. If Lucretia turns, my wife will be broken and will leave me to retrieve the pieces and reforge her anew." Acteon said.

"Or she will rise from her own ashes and destroy you. Your wife is no mere woman, Acteon. Inducing her ire could set all of Rome ablaze."

"Employ Ilithyia. She is treasured friend as well. Cause Victoria to doubt. In doing so, see the House of Batiatus crumble without my wife's coin to strengthen their walls...and your enemies crushed in the rubble." With that, Acteon rose to take his leave. As he made for his horse, the Domina of the house approached him. "Ilithyia."

"Is it true you wish to see Victoria fall?" She asked.

"I only wish her to return to behaving as proper wife."

"Then you should be told. Julius Ceasar has taken no woman to his bed for some time."

"And?"

"It is because your wife warms it."

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