We never spoke a single word again on that night. She was so cross with me that she drove me out of her room. I had no choice but to retreat to my quarters. I had a sleepless night.

I woke up late, half past nine. I took a bath quickly and got dressed. I combed my white hair as I hurried downstairs. There was a sinking feeling in my stomach.

I haven't formally introduced her to the servants yet. They must be shocked to see an aristocratic young woman demand for breakfast.

The dining hall was empty saved for the servants. A servant came along with a tray of food. There was some soft crusted bread, roasted chicken, honey and a bunch of grapes in the tray. A bottle of fine liquor was also present. A typical Roman brunch.

"By any chance, did a young woman ask for a meal?" I asked as the servant set the tray before me.

The servant looked puzzled. "No, my Lord."

I dared not touch my food while she imprisoned herself in her quarters. Jeanne had not eaten for the past two centuries. She must be starving by now.

I personally carried the tray to her room. The servant followed me, bewildered at my actions.

"You're Highness." The servant spoke when he noticed that we were headed to the secret room. He knew it was where the statue was showcased. "Statues don't need food."

"Would you believe me if I told you that the statue has magically transformed into a real woman?"

"Your Highness, I will contact your doctor immediately." The old servant said worriedly. "The epileptic fits must have hit you harder than I thought."

"I'm in sound health Lucius." I said to the servant. "There is nothing to worry about."

"There is something to worry about, Gaius." The servant retorted. It was the first time he addressed me like that. "Rumours about your failing mental stability has been running around from one servant's tongue to a senator's ear."

"You never called me by my first name." I sighed.

"I know and I'm sorry." Lucius sobbed. "You were a son to me and so was your father. I was the one who took care of you, watched your first baby steps and heard your first words. When your father offered me my freedom, I could not muster the courage to leave the both of you. When your father was assassinated it was as if I lost one of my own. People would murder you for any excuses they could find. I can't afford to lose another son."

I had never experienced a mother's care. She died while giving birth to me. My legs came first so she chose to sacrifice her own life for mine. Father was occasionally out of town. He was a senator and his duties followed him everywhere like a tail. I grew up in Lucius' care. He was my foster parent. He had served the Caesars ever since the time of my grandfather.

I gave him a smile. Words were not the only way to express one's emotions. He grinned back and nodded.

I knocked on Jeanne's door. "Jeanne, I brought you breakfast."

Silence.

I knocked five more times. 'Jeanne are you alright?"

Silence again.

Lucius took the tray from my hand. "You better go in." He said, thinking he was playing along. "I'll hold the food."

I fished out a small key in my pocket. I placed the key inside and turned the knob. The door opened without a hitch.

There was no Jeanne to be found.

I stepped on something that almost made me lose my balance. I raised my boot to see what it was.

It was a precious bauble stuck in between my shoe's ridges.

There were several more scattered on the floor. She must have torn off some of her necklaces and used the beads as an alternative resource.

"The statue is gone. Statues can't walk by themselves…" Lucius wondered aloud. "I'm starting to believe you."

"See." I insisted. "I told you I'm not crazy."

"People judge easily these days. It was as if they don't talk to statues themselves. Bah! They go to temples all the time to scream their wishes at marble. If they call you insane, then I'm insane too." He smiled supportively. "Go now, find her. I'll explain the whole situation to the others later. They better stop their mindless gossiping and start working! Their wages don't fall on trees."

There was only one place in the world I knew she would be.