A/N: And this, ladies and gentlemen, the chapter you've all been waiting for. Thank you so much for liking, following, and reviewing this fanfic! I couldn't have done it without all of you

Okay so, like I said before, I've been borrowing some political moves from a trilogy called the Captive Prince (If you want to read them, I'd like to warn you first hand that they're no YA novels, they're pure adult books with smut and some graphic scenes that you might want to take full consideration before diving into that hell. I can assure you they're great books! But those scenes I've mentioned might make some of you uncomfortable, because honestly, I had to close the books a few times to take a deep breath before continuing haha) and as you all noticed, the things I've been borrowing are about the slaves and pets. Like the books, they're going through the same situation, such as the slaves being the same gender as the owner, the rich people only have the slaves/pets and all of that yeah. And for this chapter, I've added some more facts about the slaves/pets from the books, and I hope you'll like it when I apply it on our dear characters hoho.

Also, Blandus belongs to me, and I like to imagine him talk like Iroh from Avatar: The Last Airbender, because he's so sweet and I adore him so much.

Without further adieu, enjoy!

"You seem quite distracted."

Jason dodged the jab of sword with a par of his own, flicking it away before making his attack. "Hardly," he huffed slightly, taking a step forward when Bobby took one back. "Why, do I look distracted?"

"Yes. In fact, you look exhausted," Bobby confirmed with a quick defense from another of Jason's strike, where the blond frowned when Bobby danced away from him. "As if some animal decided to chase you around Rome and beat you up with a stick. A very large and heavy stick."

"A log then," Jason leaned back as the weapon swooped over his chest, shooting the other young man a glare that Bobby only raised an eyebrow. "That something, or someone, decided it would be absolutely hilarious to see the attempts of the future praetor being assassinate too many times and that I, as her personal guard, would deflect all of them," he grunted, taking a step back when Bobby swung the sword at him again. "I lost count on how many times I almost got killed."

"See, that's what I don't understand," Bobby gritted out when Jason resisted his blow and stood his ground, causing the swords to clash in front if them. "She loathes you and yet she wants you to be by her side all the time. Not only that, but I thought she can take care of herself. Why does she need you to be her personal guard?"

"Exact questions I have been asking myself for the past year," Jason peered through the blades, noticing the way a bead of sweat made it ways down Bobby's brow and he pressed onto their weapons further, causing Bobby to swear as he felt himself being lowered to the ground. "I had been meaning to ask her about it, but," With a quick twist of his sword, Jason managed to tangle them together and tossed Bobby's sword away, quickly pointing the tip of his blade right under his friend's chin as the both of them tried to catch their breath. "Our conversations would end too soon for my liking."

Bobby raised his hands in surrender, and Jason lowered his sword down. "Why?

Shrugging, Jason went towards the bench under the shade of a tree, plucking his canteen before taking a gulp of water. "She never did tell me anything, and it seems as if the fates were pushing me away from her whenever I started asking anything remotely similar about it. I would either be fighting off an armed person from getting her killed or she would be too busy to even be in the same room as I am, where she would be in Praetor's Michael presence all the time." He remembered the conversation he had with Blandus about her not being the praetor's pet, but pushed the thought away quickly.

Bobby shook his head before he made himself comfortable on the bench, emptying the contents of his own canteen. "Can she handle such responsibilities?"

Jason almost felt insulted for Reyna, seeing that he had seen her working for almost every hour that sometimes he noticed the way she tried not to let her guard down in front of the high consuls where her presence was required during a meeting. She still kept her head high, still answered the questions that were directed towards her in an even voice despite having the bags under her eyes. The high consuls must have noticed it as well, since they made sure she knew what she was supposed to do in the future as they asked more of her, forcing her to tell them all when Praetor Michael was only by her elbow. Jason didn't dare say a word as he only stood behind her, his hand always hovering above the hilt of his sword as he let a wary eye pass them all.

It wasn't until Praetor Michael was adamant in speaking did they gave him their full attention towards the current praetor, whose voice was laced with mild annoyance as he informed them all that he was, in fact, the current praetor and all of them should hear him speak instead of bombarding Reyna with questions. When the high consuls relented, Jason saw the way Reyna clutched her jaw and inclined her head slightly to hear what Praetor Michael had to say.

But Jason knew how dedicated she could be, and he had some faith in her that she would handle the part smoothly later on once everything was settled.

Jason narrowed his eyes towards Bobby. "You doubt her will?"

"I doubt her strength," Bobby shot back, leveling his look with Jason. "I've seen the work she had to go through, how obnoxious it is, does she have the strength to handle everything? Even though she won a duel with you a year ago, the future of Rome does not want to be define by someone who will collapse the moment work demands of it."

"What are you saying? That you would be a better praetor?" When Bobby didn't answer, Jason snorted. "If the high consuls took full consideration in appointing her as our future praetor even if she's a woman, we must trust their judgement. There's a reason for their approval that even you, my friend, don't have the right to question them," he took another sip of water. "The election happened and you must find yourself to trust her."

"Do you?" Bobby leaned back against the tree, watching him intently.

Jason couldn't allow himself to show that the question caught him off guard. "I am her protector," he said instead, twisting the cap of his canteen close. "Does that not say anything about it?"

"An occupation as ones protector does not necessarily mean you want to trust someone." Bobby pointed out.

"But I have to trust her now, do I?" Jason reasoned. "She will be our praetor and her word is law when she needs them to be, and we have no say in that."

Silence stretched between them as they rested from their debate, physically and verbally. Jason was still riled up from their words, where he expressed himself with deprecation that he didn't feel any regret about standing up for Reyna against his own close friend. He was tired of seeing people wanting to pull her down only because she was woman, when numerous men before her had been going through the same thing she was going that the misogyny was getting ridiculous.

"I'm surprised she let's you out of her sight," Bobby commented suddenly, pulling Jason out of his thoughts. "From what you told me, there would be hooligans hiding at every corner like mice trying to get their cheese, I would assume that you would be beside her every second of the day," he paused, as if contemplating something. "And night."

Jason blinked at him, before realising what Bobby said that Jason scowled. "Do think that lowly of me? I'm a guard, not a bed slave or even a pet," he prevented himself from spitting out the last word, feeling the disgust curling in his gut. "And I would like to think she shares my opinion on it."

"Of course," Bobby sighed, relenting under Jason's sour look. "Forgive me for offending you and Reyna."

"Why not forgive her yourself?" Jason lamented.

Then, he saw three centurions passing by, walking under the shade of the open hallway along with a soldier that looked around his age or even younger trailing after them. The adults were murmuring among themselves as the boy only stared ahead, not noticing the other two teenagers' presence under the tree until one of centourions glanced up and caught their eye, where he nodded at them. Jason noticed the way the boy's eyes widen when they landed on him, averting his gaze in a hurry that Jason was left staring at him in confusion.

"That was," Jason mumbled under his breath, keeping his gaze trained on the boy as they disappeared into the corner. "Unsettling."

"What?"

Jason shook his head, rolling his shoulders as he teared his gaze from the spot as he met Bobby's prodding look, his mind thought of ways to change the subject. "I was informed that a new batch of slaves from Greece arrived here around evening yesterday."

Bobby stared at him a moment longer before grunting in affirmative, toying with the leather strap of his canteen as it wrapped around his fore finger. "They did, around a dozen of them or so I heard."

Jason watched him curiously, noticing the way how Bobby had a content look on his face the moment the slaves were mentioned. "Men or women?"

"Surprisingly, both. The demand in the city was getting higher the last time I heard. Who knows," Bobby cocked an eyebrow towards him. "Maybe you'll get one for yourself, old friend, and you can tell me the way they serve you."

Jason prevented himself from grimacing. "Are you telling me to get a pet?"

"Well, I was suggesting a bed slave, but if that suits your taste," Bobby shrugged. "I am not one to judge."

Jason pursed his lips. "Would you want a pet for yourself?"

Bobby opened his mouth and was about to answer when Dakota came jogging towards them. "Bobby! Jason!"

Both of them nodded towards him, and Jason grinned when Dakota bend over his knees as he caught his breath. "Getting tired in your old age, Dakota?"

He snorted, waving the younger boy off before facing Bobby. "We are needed," Dakota breathed out. "Centurion had been calling for his soldiers to compile near the arena, I don't know why," he quickly added when Bobby was about to ask. "It may be an impromptu training, but he looked quite disgruntled when he announced it, and I came looking for you as fast as I can."

Bobby looked amused. "Have you been running?"

Dakota shot him an annoyed look. "He looks disgruntled, I was hoping that he would spare us some leniency as I was scampering around looking everywhere for you in this gods forsaken building," Bobby coughed to cover up his laughter, and Dakota didn't notice as he continued to ramble on. "As it is, we are already waving our heads on spears, I wouldn't want the pleasure of seeing him becoming livid that I fear for our safety even within these walls."

Jason snickered as Bobby stood up with a sigh. "Very well," he clasped Jason on the shoulder, giving him a mock look of despair. "You pray for us that we will survive, son of Jupiter, I would like to live long enough to have my own spawn to cause havoc among this damnable place."

Jason patted him on the back. "My father's shrine would be waiting for me."

Dakota grinned. "Good that," Then, the two young men made their leave. "We will see you later, Jason!"

Once both of them were out of sight, Jason sighed, collecting all his belongings before trudging his way towards Reyna's room to check on her and hoping she would be alright during the period he wasn't in her presence. He squared his shoulders, preparing himself for what she might give him later on.

Once he knocked and heard her consent, he let himself in, closing the door softly behind him.

Reyna sat behind her desk, mountains of parchments and books were piled around her that she didn't even look up to acknowledge his presence as he stood at the door, seemingly not knowing what to do as he felt the air between them began to thicken with an uneasiness that he thought he felt alone, since she looked absolutely engrossed in her work that she looked perfectly content at where she was.

He took his time to look at her properly, noticing how she would always wear her armour more than her toga, as she was at the moment, while having her hair tied neatly into a long braid that rested on her shoulder. It wasn't a full armour per say, but the basics, such as the breastplate, a cape, and the couple slabs of leather that was laced around her wrists. And when she wore togas, she wasn't qualified to wear the purple ones just yet, and so only donned the whites.

He thought she would look powerful once she did.

"Have you finished engraving the way I look in your mind?"

Startled, Jason took a step back, feeling the way his face flushed with embarrassment before he quickly composed himself, clearing his throat when she finally did look up. Her gaze swept over him briefly. "You looked as if you just finished training," and he looked down to the sheathed sword he held in his hand. "Who was it you obliterated this time?"

He looked up in surprise. "I didn't know you watch me fight."

She frowned, as if disapproving of the way he said his words before turning her attention back to the parchment at hand. "Of course I do," she replied easily, scribbling on the surface quickly before moving onto the next one. "Not when you were training, but when you fight off those people who are so keen on killing me, it's fascinating to watch how agile you can be despite you lumbering around most of the time."

He felt his hackles rose slightly in defense. "I do not lumber."

"You don't, at least, not when you fend off those sad people."

He rubbed his face. "It was Bobby."

She hummed, shuffling her parchments that he was hit with the realisation that she would be looking like she was at the moment for the rest of her life, sorting through the mess that have accumulated over the years. He forced himself to listen when she spoke. "Bobby has a unique way of handling his sword."

He blinked in surprise. "You fought him before?"

"I did," she confirmed, meeting his eyes briefly before she gestured towards the chair near the window. "And sit down, you look as lost as a newborn goat standing there."

He walked towards it slowly. "What do you mean by unique?"

"He prances away from his opponents more than he faces them dead on, a coward's way of fighting one might say, but by that tactic he would be able to tire those who attack him with vigour before taking the final strike," she faced him again when he sat down. "Did you win?"

He nodded. "I did."

"Good," she stacked the last of her parchments onto the pile. "Use that tactic when necessary, but never when you're in a hurry. Fights are meant to end early, not prolonging them as long they could."

He went through the fight he had with Bobby earlier, and saw that she was right of course, Bobby was deliberately trying to tire him as Jason was doing most of the blows, avoiding his jabs by merely sidestepping everything that was given towards him. But in the end, Jason managed to defeat him.

"And you have a gift."

He snapped his head up to look at her. "A gift?"

"Yes," she waved it towards the chest on the foot of her bed, where he saw a bundled clothed wrapped neatly sat on it. "It was there when I came in, and I didn't bother opening it."

Jason stood up and made his way towards it, staring at the piece of paper where it had his name wrote on it with a scribble. He picked it up slowly as his curiosity quipped when he felt the black velvet cloth ran across his fingers, and when he tossed it in the air and caught it again in his hand, he heard the way it tinkled delicately under the cloth.

It managed to catch her attention as well when she put down her quill, eyeing the package warily. "I'm surprised they didn't deliver it to my room." He muttered as he rubbed the cloth between his fingers.

"Perhaps," she began slowly. "The giver would want both of us to see?"

"Perhaps," he agreed. He unwrapped it carefully, as if something dangerous was going to attack him the moment he unravel it fully, or a trinket that could possibly harm them both that he braced himself for the worst. But what lay inside was none of those things, instead, it was something else entirely.

A pet's head accessory.

He froze in his spot, feeling something dropped inside him when the delicate and thin chains that were usually draped on a pet's head gleamed mockingly back at him.

It was golden, where he usually saw it worn by the high consuls' pets, different from the silver and bronze the rich people from the city would allow their pets to wear all the time. But like all head accessories, it was light, almost breakable under his callused finger tips when he felt it grazing against his knuckles, its cold metal contrasted with his warming skin.

Frantically, he turned over the note to look for where it came from, but only found something else written on it.

Praetor's whore.

Jason was livid, feeling the anger that spread across his chest to his stomach, like lava smouldering his insides as he clutched the paper in hand, closing his eyes as he forced himself to calm down.

"Is that," Reyna trailed off when he showed her the jewellery but hid the note behind him, not wanting her to see what it wrote. He saw the way she studied it with wide eyes, where her dark orbs flickered along the length of it as he held it between his fingers. Then, she narrowed her eyes, her jaw clenched as he saw the same outrage flashing past her features. "What do they think I am?"

"They finally began to treat you as a compeer, so it would seem," he informed her quietly, his skin still prickling with rage as he kept his voice even. "One of them. And offering me to wear this disgrace," he paused and recollected himself so that he wouldn't throw the jewellery across the room. "To appear verisimilitude."

"Verisimilitude," she echoed his words slowly, as if tasting something unpleasant in her mouth. "But you are not a pet, and I intent to keep you that way for as long as both of us lived," she met his eyes, her stare piercing into his soul that he stilled in his spot. "Discard of it if you wish, I would not stop you if you would. But, if you want to keep it, it is not my decision to tell you otherwise. Though," she stared at the jewellery again. "I'm surprised they bought you one of the finest head accessories they could find, you could see the way how fluid those chains are, as if they are water."

Jason felt himself studying her face. "How would you know such quality?"

She appeared to be choosing her words carefully as she stayed silent for a while, making herself busy with the books. "I was a slave, and we slaves share everything we know with each other, whether or not we were gifted," she hissed slightly at the word as she slammed a book onto a stack. "To be someone's property."

He knew he shouldn't have said it, but it came out before he had a chance to reel them in.

"Does this have to do with your sister?"

She went rigid, the hand she had been reaching out for another book hovered in the air, before she slowly took it in her grasp that he saw the way her knuckles turn white as she clutched onto it tightly. "Leave."

"Reyna-"

"Leave," She glared at him, and he wanted to protest more, but only nodded silently as he made his way towards the door, clutching the jewellery in his hand.

When he opened the door, he saw Blandus had raised his fist to knock on it.

Jason quickly closed the door behind him as he faced his former teacher, bowing shallowly in respect. "Blandus."

"Jason," Blandus greeted lightly, and was about to say more when his eyes were attracted to the golden chains hanging between Jason's fingers, causing the old man to raise an eyebrow.

Jason noticed his mistake and only faced him evenly, refusing to let the flush spread across his face as he made no movement to hide the offending thing from his former mentor's sight, letting his hand hang at his side that he swore that the jewellery was getting heavier by the second.

"What do you have there, Jason?" Blandus asked casually, his expression unreadable as he smoothed down the front of his toga.

Jason ignored him. "What business do you have here, Blandus?"

"I have news for Reyna, and you, in fact. But I prefer if we discuss this in a more confined room where the walls do not have ears." Blandus chirped, sounding strangely ecstatic.

Eyeing the old man warily, Jason nodded, before pushing the door open for them to make themselves known.

Reyna took one look at them both before addressing Blandus fully. "I see you have tamed my lumbering brute, Blandus."

Jason felt a tick at his jaw while Blandus chuckled, making his way towards her desk before he stood in front of her, while Jason made himself comfortable by leaning against the door while he crossed his arms, the gold chains tinkling under his grasp. "I have been honoured to give you an invitation."

She straightened in her seat. "What invitation?"

He slid forward a folded parchment, and she took it gingerly. "A performance between pets tomorrow night."

She was already half way through opening the letter when she paused, and Jason noticed the way her look darkened as she set the paper down on the table gently. "Denied."

"You have been invited formerly, my dear Reyna," he tried. "The high consuls are expecting you and Jason to make your presence known as it would be your first time attending these games, and they were enthusiastic when they gave me this letter."

Jason knew that was a lie, and from the way her face hardened under Blandus' words, she knew it too. Jason had a feeling that even if they appeared showing interest in front of Blandus, they would rather see her suffer.

And Blandus was no fool to believe his own words.

"I understand your distaste for them, how barbaric they could be, but the High Consuls will not care of what you think," he warned her. "They will think you disrespect their generous offer, and use that advantage to tarnish your name as praetor in the future, as it is compulsory for people of high power such as yourself to attend such events. You will be terminated from this position," he gestured towards her and the mounting books. "But, I have faith in you as our praetor and I would appreciate if she stayed where she was until my dying breath."

"I am yet to be praetor, Blandus," she declared. "They cannot use this as future reference since I have no power just yet, and so, they cannot stop me."

"But they can, and they will," Blandus folded his hands in front of him. "You must understand, Reyna, they are powerful people, and one day, you will have the same authority as they do. And even then, they will try to deride you from success. You must trust me and go to this event with Jason, where he would protect you from harm."

Jason saw the way she clenched her jaw, sighing through her nose heavily. "Very well," she finally relented, taking the invitation again. "I will go, only because you worry of my safety," she let a smile stray when Blandus chuckled again. "Will Praetor Michael be going?"

"Of course, his presence is needed as much as yours," Blandus reassured. "Along with his pet."

Jason felt the need to interrupt, and started walking towards them. "He has a new pet?"

"Indeed," Jason scrutinised Reyna properly then, watching the way she arched an eyebrow at Blandus as the old man continued talking. "And the pet is a woman."

Both of them whirled onto him in surprise. "I thought it is taboo to have opposite genders as pets?" She asked carefully.

"Yes, but it is Praetor Michael's choice, and so I have no say in this."

"But the others?" Jason jumped in. "What do they think of it?"

Blandus flickered his gaze between them, and Jason noticed the way the wheels clogged inside his head as he contemplating on what to say next. "They have no say on it as well."

Jason knew he was hiding more, but he held his tongue as he waited a right moment for him to ask.

"He's expecting your company, Reyna," Blandus added, giving her a smile. "I would assume he would like to tell you how the games fully works, if you are ever confused."

She ducked her head, and Jason saw the way her jaw tightened again. "I've heard enough rumours to know how the game works."

Jason was then reminded of the reason why he was kicked out of her room earlier, and sent her a worried look even if she didn't see it.

But Blandus noticed, and glanced at him knowingly.

Jason only pursed his lips.

"Will that be all, Blandus?" She questioned from as she looked up, boring her eyes onto the both of them instead. "I would like to finish some work if I were to attend that performance, so that I wouldn't worry about them later on."

Blandus nodded. "Of course, thank you for your attention," he then turned towards Jason. "A word, my boy."

When Jason glanced at her, she only stared at him back, and then he turned around and followed Blandus out of her room.

The moment they clicked the door closed, Blandus expression turned grave. "Keep an extra eye on her from now on."

Jason felt himself stiffen as he immediately went into defense. "Will she be attacked?"

"Assassinated again most likely," Blandus grunted. "I heard some whispers, from the mouth of my fellow senators, and I would not be surprised if they strike when she would be asleep, since from what you reported to me, they have little success when you are always by her side protecting her," Then, he clicked his tongue. "Boasting was never a wise decision when it comes to the amount and strength of your assassins."

Jason noticed the problem he would have to endure if he was going to protect her at night. "You do realise she would eviscerate me herself if I were to sneak in her room while she sleeps? Not only that, I would lose what little trust she has in me for abusing her privacy."

"Yes, yes, I have thought of that," Blandus ignored the withering look Jason shot him. "But you have to make sure she will be safe, even if it would be the last thing you would do. I need her to come to the performance."

"Which reminds me," Jason gave his mentor a stern look. "Are you sure she wasn't Praetor Michael's pet?"

Blandus looked down to the golden jewellery he had been holding for the whole time. "She has you now, does she?

Jason bristled, clutching it tighter. "I am not a pet."

"As she was," Blandus told him evenly. "If she was a pet, she would not be elected praetor in the first place. No one wants a tainted slave as their next person in power. Now, my boy," Blandus clasped his bicep and Jason had to leaned slightly to hear the next of his words. "Protect her, and prevent her from getting one scratch of any sword. She is a beacon towards all women that ever existed, you have to understand how much it means to have a representative for them. Kill those assassins if you must."

"But how do you suggest I do that?" Jason hissed, eyes searching for anyone that was near them and hoping there wasn't. "She hates me."

"I did not raise you to be a proper soldier for vain, son of Jupiter, you have to trust your instincts," Then, Blandus straightened himself up, shooting Jason a smile. "Now, I must get going. My schedule is as demanding as hers and this is the only time I have a break until the performance would start. I must get going," he nodded towards Jason. "Jason."

Jason bowed at him. "Blandus."

And then, the old man left, leaving Jason alone in front of Reyna's door as he ran his fingers through his hair, letting a sigh escape his lips.

Then, he almost jumped a foot in the air when the door yanked open, revealing Reyna. He let out a breath of relief and was about to say something when he noticed the look on her face.

"I can look after myself at night," she informed him levelly. "You have done your part during the day, you need rest more than I do."

He realised that she heard every word he and Blandus uttered and raised an eyebrow. "Were you eavesdropping?"

"No, I just happened to hear what you said." She replied flatly.

He ignored her jab and instead planted his free hand on the door while he leaned into it, giving her a pointed look. "You chose me as your personal guard for a reason, and I intent to play the part."

"And you have, I have never been proud," she deadpanned, and he almost scowled at her then. "But I do not need you hovering by my shoulder at all times."

"Why do you chose me as your personal guard if you hate me so much then?" He finally burst out, all the conflicted thoughts he had been hiding from for the past year raptured through. "You degrade me as if I am a slave, treat me like dust, and yet you chose me as someone who will be in your presence for the whole time," he searched her face. "Why?"

She stared at him then, her expression unreadable. She opened her mouth, as if expecting to say something but only shook her head. "Go rest, I will call for you when I need you."

And then, she closed the door again, leaving him to glare at it with his jaw locked.

He heaved out another sigh, closing his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Of course," he grumbled, letting his hand fall to his side as he whirled around and made his way towards his room, making sure the head accessory would stay hidden in his palm that no one should ever see him walking around with it. As he walked down the long hallways, passing by people of all ranks without so much looking at them, he vowed to himself to never see this offending thing again.

He went inside his room, marching towards his bed where he knelt on the floor, reaching out for the box he had pushed back at the far corner of the bed and hidden beside one of the legs, and pulled it towards him effortlessly.

It was a small box, just the size of his palm, and had little contents in it that sometimes he forgotten that it was there in the first place, when he first shoved it there the moment he gotten the room when he was only five. Opening the lid, he deliberately ignored the rest of his belongings from home before dumping the golden jewellery in it, and then pushing it back to its hiding spot.

He rose to his feet, brushing away some of the dust before stripping off his breastplate.

If rest was what Reyna wanted for him, then he was going to do it properly at the baths.