A/N - I've been getting some messages about this story so I decided to post a quick update. I hope you enjoy it.
Once Olivia locked the door behind her, she walked quickly back to her room with Marcia and Luna in tow, running almost, because she was filled with such excitement. She snuck through the villa back to her room and then closed the screen behind her.
"You like him," Marcia said, finally taking a breath.
Olivia smiled and plopped down on her bed.
"He's handsome, isn't he?" she grinned widely and blushed.
"Yes but princess: he's a gladiator, a slave-" Luna began.
"I know, I know, we can't do anything, I just wanted to see him."
Marcia walked over and sat beside Olivia, "I certainly can't blame you. He's a beautiful man- a marvel to look at."
Olivia grabbed her hand and pulled her down on the bed, Marcia squealed laughing.
"Luna, come," Olivia said, stretching for her.
Luna walked over and lay beside Olivia and Marcia.
"You two are the best friends a girl could have." Olivia kissed Marcia on the lips and then she turned and kissed Luna on the lips as well.
"I love you, both of you."
"We love you too," they both replied.
Olivia sat up and pulled off her gown, Marcia walked over to the iron stand that had her nightgown thrown over one of the hooks and handed it to Olivia. She dressed herself and then plopped down on the bed again. Marcia and Luna undressed and slipped on a pair of Olivia's nightgowns then laid beside her in bed. They fell asleep soon after.
Fitz rose early in the morning at the sound of the morning call. He was feeling quite refreshed from the food Olivia brought him in the night. His diet consisted of porridge, soup, and bread. Though Eli was an extremely wealthy man, he thought so little of slaves that he didn't care to feed them a proper diet. He fed them the same as he did livestock, only what was necessary to survive.
He did not know what to do with the tray and wine. It was a cup forged from gold and bronze, if he was found with it he would certainly be accused of stealing and the consequences would be dire in such a case. He might lose a hand, or an arm, be castrated, whipped, or if Eli was feeling cruel enough he could be crucified.
He stood from his cot and carefully hid the wine goblet underneath it. He opened the door to his small white, concrete room and looked out across the yard.
He couldn't risk throwing out the goblet because Eli kept a close count of the house to ensure the slaves and guards did not steal. Neither could he be caught with it. It was impossible to bring it back to the villa and so as he pondered what he was going to do he also wondered if Olivia knew the precarious position she put him in with her gesture.
He took a deep breath and began the day's training as he kept in mind that he needed to figure out how to return it without anyone becoming aware.
He took some water from the well inside the slave quarters then he took his breakfast which consisted of unsweetened porridge. He ate quickly and began the day's training in the humid weather at the direction of the doctore.
Olivia rolled around in her silk sheets, not wanting to leave her soft feather bed. There were two servants in both corners of her large room fanning her on the bed with large fans made of ostrich feathers. The white silk sheets kept her cool. She felt for Marcia and Luna but they were gone from the bed. She sat up slowly just as Luna and Marcia walked into her bedroom with Maia and she realized that it was Maia who sent the slaves to fan her while she slept. They were carrying a large tray of delicious cured meats, fruit, and honey artisan bread.
"Olivia, my beautiful girl, wake and have refreshment," Maia said then she turned to Marcia and Luna, "Have her bathed and scented for the visit to Senator Romulus' villa."
"Mother no-"
"Hush," Maia said. "Your father is intent on introducing you to the eligible bachelors of the capital. Senator Romulus is a fine start."
"We both know Marcus Crassus is who he's intent on," Olivia said.
"He would make a fine match."
"He's cruel-"
"He is a proper Roman man with both wealth and power. He will make a respectable husband. You will give him beautiful children and even if you hold no love for the man, you will love your children."
"Like you love Anaca," Olivia retorted.
"I love your brother more than the telling of words," Maia said.
"Even so, you don't like him. You can barely hold a conversation with the man."
Maia chuckled, "Take your morning refreshment and have a scented bath. I shall be waiting for you in a triclinium accounting for the golden dinner wares from the festivities past night."
"Accounting the dinner wares mother, why?"
She didn't remember that happening after parties.
"Your father insists to deter the slaves from thievery. The price of one golden goblet could very well pay for passage out of Rome and your father would not have it so and indeed it could afford someone, especially a slave, a good life beyond it."
As she said the words Olivia remembered she gave Fitz a goblet with wine. She smiled at her mother, "I haven't seen you in a year mother, I miss you, take refreshments with me and we'll share words."
"I really must help the accountant, your father will be displeased if I do not," Maia said before she headed off.
Olivia quickly turned to both Luna and Marcia. "We have to get that fucking cup and tray," she in a panic.
"But how all the guards are in the yard, they'll know," Luna said.
"Jupiter's cock," Olivia groaned then she turned to one of the servants behind her. "Please rest your arms," she said. "What happens if my parents suspect a slave has stolen something from the villa?"
"Well," one of the slaves began. Her name was Lysa and she was much older in age, closer to Maia's age. "Dominus commands that we gather in the yard and unless we admit to what has been taken he searches the slaves quarters-"
"And if it is still not found?" Olivia asked.
"Dominus withholds food and water from all the slaves in the villa until the culprit is found. If no one comes forward, he crucifies the first slave who thieves food or water."
"Ugh- barbaric-," Olivia said. "Gratitude, take some refreshment from my tray if you wish." she stood from her bed and walked to Luna and Marcia. She leaned forward so the other two slaves couldn't hear. "We really need that fucking cup." As Olivia said the words she had an idea. "Luna, linger around Fitz and see if you can share words. He may tell you where the cup is."
Luna nodded in response. Olivia turned to Lysa and spoke louder, "I will make a request of you Lysa, I will take a tour of the slave quarters to see if there have been changes since my trip abroad."
"Apologies princess," Lysa said. "I don't think the prince will allow you to be in the slave quarters."
"He's quite used to my antics by now," Olivia said. "Regardless, this is important so if he wishes to prevent me from future tours then so be it but I shall take this one. Please, eat quickly, we must go right away."
Olivia quickly grabbed grapes and strawberries from the plate and handed them to Lysa and Mayla since they still hadn't taken up her offer of having breakfast. They took it hesitantly but once Luna and Marcia began eating they ate hungrily. Eating from your master's plate or table was forbidden and could be punished but to be offered food by your master was not.
The group of 5 of them quickly ate the breakfast spread and Olivia changed from her nightgown into a day dress. Marcia and Luna changed as well then they quickly headed down to the atrium of the villa. Olivia and Marcia peeked out at the yard and it was bustling with slaves and guards. The gladiators were training close to Fitz's single room which was the only slave quarter that was above ground and separate. All the other slaves slept underneath the villa in large barracks, women and children together, male slaves in another barrack and the gladiators in cells for added protection since they were the most physically capable fighters and capable of causing a lot of carnage.
She took a breath and decided to just do what needed to be done. When she stepped out of the shade of the villa she tried to find Fitz. He was at the far side of the very large yard which meant that Luna couldn't talk to him without drawing attention. They were on the side of the villa where it was converted into a training ground. They were training on a sand floor and she could smell the body odor from all the large sweaty men fighting and training in the sun. On the other side of the villa were the garden and a large pool, fruit trees, and a fountain.
She walked quickly across the yard with her four slaves into Fitz's room. "We have to find it quickly," Olivia whispered.
There was absolutely nothing in his room except some outed candles on the sides of the room and a thin cot bed that looked like it offered little comfort. Olivia stooped down and searched under the cod and found the cup and tray. Olivia wasn't sure if she was surprised or not that Fitz ate the food she left him but she quickly handed the tray to Marcia to hide in her dress and the cup for Luna to hide and just seconds later two guards were behind them. "Apologies princess, you are not permitted to enter the slaves' quarters," one of the guards said. He was dressed in bronze armor with her father's sigil hammered in the breastplate.
"Don't ever presume to tell me where I am or am not permitted to enter," Olivia said.
"Apologies," the guard said. "Princess, but it is for your own safety."
"I only wanted to see where the champion of Rome was kept," Olivia said nonchalantly. "Take a few paces back. I am overcome by your stench."
Marcia tried to hide her laugh. She had no love or care for the guards who were especially cruel towards slaves of the villa.
They stepped back and allowed Olivia and her slaves out of Fitz's room. Fitz watched the group of them enter his room from across the yard. He didn't allow himself to panic, he didn't have enough sense of self-preservation to even be afraid. He waited patiently across the yard until Olivia, her squad of slaves, and the two guards that entered his room left and it seemed that there was no incident since they all went merrily about their way.
She visited her mother and the accountant and distracted them with conversation thus allowing Luna and Marcia to return the goblet and the tray then they tried to go finish her tour of the slave quarters but her mother insisted she go wash herself for their trip to the senator. She relented and went away with Luna and Marcia to the bathing pool beside her room and bathed in cool, rose water.
After she finished her bath she dressed in the ugliest gown she could find. A yellow and gold gown with a long train behind it. It was still quite beautiful on her but she left her hair semi-wet and didn't comb it in the usual Roman braids and curls.
She slipped on unfussy brown sandals and went to meet her mother in the atrium with Marcia and Luna.
"You look atrocious," Maia said as she saw Olivia.
Olivia grinned, "I think I look quite appropriate for the company we intend to meet."
Maia groaned in response, "Well there you must groom your hair but it should wait until your father has addressed the slaves of the villa."
Olivia felt her heart drop, "address the slaves? Whatever for?"
"The accountant reported a missing item. The guards are searching the slave quarters while they wait in the yard- the only two slaves missing are yours."
"Mother, you must be joking?" Olivia said. "Marcia and Luna have been with me for every moment since I've returned."
"I know my sweet but these are your father's orders."
"Well, I reject his orders. They will stay with me and if he starves them as I hear he does the other slaves then I will starve myself."
"Olivia, that is quite dramatic-" Maia began.
"But it's necessary," Olivia said flustered. "Has Anaca awakened?"
Maia nodded, "I understand your affection for your slaves but they are slaves. I hold affection for them as well but your father is the patriarch of this villa so we must obey his word."
Olivia held Luna and Marcia closer and walked off, ignoring her mother. "Don't fret, I'll protect you," Olivia said. They both nodded and moved closer to her.
There was nowhere to hide so she went directly to her father on the balcony. Her brother was beside him and she heard them speaking as she approached.
"-We should choose one to whip, that should loosen their tongues," Anaca suggested.
"Father, did you request my presence," Olivia said softly from behind him.
Eli turned around and smiled but it quickly fell from his lips. His daughter's appearance was usually exquisite, polished, delicate with barely a hair out of place.
"Apologies for my appearance, Father, I hadn't yet readied myself."
Eli smiled and nodded then turned to the guards. "I should address the slaves. Bring my daughter's slaves to join the others in the yard."
"Father, I protest. My slaves are most trusted and have been by my side since I returned. Whatever you accuse them of, it is impossible that they have done it."
"I would treat all the slaves equally-" Eli said.
"-Father please, I have the utmost affection for them and I cannot see them harmed especially when I know they have done no wrong. They are loyal and they are obedient and I must protect them, even if I must do so from you."
Eli nodded and kissed Olivia's temple. "As usual, you speak with teary eyes and I cannot deny your pleas."
Olivia smiled but she still couldn't calm quite as yet because she wasn't sure what was going on. She felt Marcia squeeze her hand beside her and they walked closer to the railing of the balcony. The slaves had shackles around their arms and stood in rows in the sand. Even the children were there, though not shackled and it pained her to see.
She took a deep breath and looked for Fitz. He was standing in the last row, quite taller than most. She waited to see if he would look up but he didn't. His eyes were lowered to the ground until her father spoke.
"It has come to my attention that one of you has stolen something from me," he began, speaking loud enough from the balcony for all to hear. Fitz looked up at the balcony and saw Olivia. Their eyes met for the briefest moment and she was shocked at how dark and hateful they were. She turned away quickly, stunned he would look at her that way.
"Come forward, reveal yourself and your crimes and we shall have you dealt with and move forward with our day, if you do not then all will face consequences for the crimes of one."
"What was stolen?" Olivia asked Anaca quietly.
"A jar of wine," he replied quite smug
She took a deep breath and let out a sigh. She was worried she caused this but it wasn't her and it gave her some relief, though not much.
"You should tell them," Olivia said. "How will they know-"
Anaca cut her off before she could finish and raised his voice for everyone to hear. "You have to the count of ten to admit to your crimes or I will choose the slave that will be punished and I will not stop until the true villain reveals themself," Anaca said with a grin.
"It was a jar of wine," Olivia announced and she saw the grin fall from Anaca's lips. He liked playing cruel games with people and he would much more enjoy punishing the slave for a crime they weren't even sure of instead of telling them the truth so they could defend themselves.
"Please, tell us so we can sort this out. Everyone does not need to be punished. I beg you."
"We do not beg slaves," Anaca said angrily to her then he turned back towards the slaves on the ground. "Speak now."
He waited a few seconds before he pointed to Helena. The small 9-year-old slave girl Olivia was so fond of. "Her," he said to the guards on the ground. Two guards walked to Helena and held her by the arms. "Whip her until the thief comes forward." Helena was wide-eyed and confused.
"No-" Olivia said.
Fitz stepped forward and waited to be acknowledged.
Anaca smiled, "interesting development. It would appear my champion is a thief."
Fitz didn't respond and Olivia was confused.
"Speak slave," Anaca ordered.
"I am no thief but I would rather be lashed than the child," Fitz finally said, very clearly and firmly.
Anaca smiled, "I can't have the champion of Rome lashed and scarred now can I? Who else will wet the cunts of all the proper Roman women."
Olivia rolled her eyes and left the balcony and headed downstairs to the yard. She knew her brother well enough to know he was intent on doing the most cruel thing possible and that would be to have Helena whipped.
When she reached the lower level of the villa, Anaca was still speaking.
"It does not serve me to harm my champion but a point must be made," Anaca said. "The child will be lashed until the villain comes forward."
Olivia reached Helena just as a guard was bringing forward a whip. Olivia grabbed Helena by the hand and pulled her from the grasp of the guards. They were quick to let her go once Olivia was close to them because touching the princess was forbidden.
Anaca chuckled from the balcony, "I tire of your antics sister. Let the child go."
"You will not have her harmed," Olivia said. "Or any other children."
She looked up to Eli, curious if he would intervene but occasionally she would forget that Anaca picked up his cruel tendencies from Eli.
"I see no reason to hurt the children," Eli said.
"Father, must you always listen to the pleading words of my sister?" Anaca said in disgust.
Eli chuckled, "I would prefer not to vex her before her meeting with Senator Romulus."
Olivia rolled her eyes and took Helena and the other children away from everyone else and brought them back to through villa to the garden with the help of Marcia and Luna.
"Olivia, you must properly ready yourself to meet the senator," Luna said.
Soon after they heard a lash and screaming from the other side of the villa. Then another and another. It sounded like a man was being lashed and she wondered if it was Fitz.
"Stay here," she said quickly to Marcia and Luna.
She walked quickly from the garden with the children and back to the other side of the villa. The screaming continued but this time a male house slave was being whipped against the wall as Olivia peaked out from behind the wall.
There was blood draining down his back and his pants were wet from pissing himself. As the seconds ticked by the screaming continued and when Olivia couldn't take it anymore she stormed out from behind the wall and across the yard and grabbed the arm of the guard and took the whip from him. "ENOUGH!" screamed.
The guard looked up to Eli and when he raised his hand, letting him know that it was in fact enough he moved to the wall and began to loosen the chain that held the man against the wall.
Olivia dropped the whip on the floor.
"No slave, whether gladiator, man, woman or child shall eat or drink until the thief comes forward."
Eli made his command and then he walked from the balcony to the interior of the villa. Anaca followed him and Olivia headed inside as well. Luna and Marcia met her back in her room. They combed her hair and pinned her curls up. She added some jewelry to her neck and arms and that's when Maia appeared.
"You know," she said with a smile, "I expressly remember when you were gifted this dress. You were very animated in your distaste for it. You thought it was hideous and should be burned."
Olivia didn't smile, "you seem quite content after the display earlier."
"I hardly concern myself with Eli's business with his slaves. That is not my place."
"If father so wished it he would take you outside and he could tie you to the wall as he did that slave and he could have you whipped just as he did that slave. The act of it would be no crime. Would you like it if it concerned no one that you are harmed?"
Maia's smile fell, "your father has never hurt me."
"But he could if he wanted to. It is only in the grace of his love that you are treated any better than a slave."
"I am no slave," Maia said angrily, "I'm a proper Roman woman of royal blood."
"Father, Anaca and I are of royal blood. You married into royalty," Olivia said.
Maia's lips tightened into a firm line but Olivia didn't care, she needed her mother to have a wakeup call about how fragile their position was. She had no rights except the ones extended to her by Eli. She was as much his property as the slaves were but she never seemed to realize that.
"You are seeking a fight to avoid visiting the senator but I will not hear it. Change your gown into something more remarkable and if you do not I will hold your slaves responsible," she said before she turned and walked out.
Olivia took in a deep breath, "why did I return?" she asked herself. "This is no place for me."
"Do not think about it," Marcia said. "You must change your gown."
Olivia nodded in agreement and changed into a pretty draped gown and then went to meet her mother and father in the atrium. They boarded the carriage in the yard. Olivia didn't bother looking for Fitz and she doubted she could see them from where she was.
The carriage driver pulled off moments later and she headed to Senator Romulus' villa for a meeting. She smiled politely and managed to get through the entire interaction without incident.
Fitz finished his bath as quickly and thoroughly as he could. The men stunk and he was grateful he didn't sleep in the cells with them. They didn't have any evening meal or water and he figured the men would be dropping like flies by the morning. Food they could go without but water was entirely another story. He took a clean cloth subligaria and wrapped it around his groin then he went to his room and closed the door behind him. A house slave had already lit the candles in his room. He lay slowly in his cot and tried to prepare himself for hunger. He'd been hungry before so he knew what it entailed but thirst wasn't something he could resist.
Olivia sat on the chaise in her room barely eating the feast set on the tray in front of her. The honey-roasted leg and ribs of a pig, dried salted fish, and arugula with cheese, fruit and bread, and olive. Marcia and Luna ate and drank wine and water as Olivia tried to figure out how she could get food to Fitz. Truly, her slaves weren't allowed to eat but she knew her father didn't expect her to actually starve them, nor would she starve the children. She had ordered them fed with honeyed porridge for their evening meal and in the morning she planned to do the same.
She wasn't sure what it was about this gladiator that intrigued her. She was usually disgusted by gladiators, they were the most base, cruel and brutish men she'd known. Many of them didn't have a thought in their head unless it was about food, fucking, killing, and drinking wine.
She wasn't sure if he was really different but at face value, it seemed that way. He was cleaner and smelled significantly better than most gladiators. Apart from the fact that he was beautiful, he seemed much more pensive and reserved than she would expect from a man like him.
After Marcia and Luna ate she got up from her chair in her room and ripped a piece of the cloth from her drapes and brought it over to the tray. Marcia and Luna looked at her confused until Marcia realized.
"You mean to feed him?" she asked.
Olivia nodded as she picked up pieces of dried fish and roasted pig and placed them on the cloth. She didn't need a repeat of the morning and she realized if she were to not cause him or any other slave harm, she needed to be smarter about how she showed her affection. She added bread, olives, and fruit before she wrapped the edges of the cloth and tied it so the food wouldn't fall out. Marcia quickly walked across the room and took Olivia's leather flask. She poured water from Olivia's jug into it so this time no dinnerware would be missing.
"How are we meant to see him without getting caught," Luna asked.
"I don't know," Olivia said. "I would not have you come with me. I can't risk it."
Marcia shook her head. "No, I will always follow you, Olivia."
"As will I," Luna said. "But this time I will stay back so no one will come looking for you."
Both Olivia and Marcia nodded. Olivia quickly went to find a dark cloak on the wall where her gowns and clothes were hung up. She gave Marcia a cloak as well as she hid the food under her cloak while Marcia carried the water they both headed down and quickly and quietly went to the yard. The guards were not in view and just as the night before it was so late they had gone to have an evening meal, bath, or sleep. She had to be careful because sometimes guards would linger and she didn't want to get caught because that would cause more problems for Fitz than it would for her.
Once Marcia checked and confirmed the yard was clear they both rushed over to Fitz's room. The candles were lit and she could tell as the light peaked through the bottom of the door. Marcia pushed in the door quickly and quietly. They stepped in and closed it behind them. Fitz was sleeping on his back. Olivia moved her hand with the food from under her cloak and leaned over to him.
"Wake up," she whispered.
Fitz opened his eyes and grabbed her by the collar. He flashed to his feet and pushed her against the wall. Olivia dropped the food and the cloth opened and some of the food spilled to the floor.
The moment Fitz recognized her he let her go and dropped to one knee. "Apologies princess," he said.
He was a light sleeper and had to be since he could never truly relax or let his guard down. When he looked on the floor he saw the food and realized why she was there.
Marcia quickly stooped to the floor and picked up the cloth and food from the floor.
Olivia was frightened she had to admit, he was a large strong man and a gladiator but she quickly calmed herself.
"No, apologies to you. I woke you- please don't bow-you're not at fault."
Fitz didn't move from the ground nor did he look at her. He wanted her to leave. She had already caused enough problems for the day but the smell of the good was quickly filling his room and he was hungry.
Olivia waited for him to speak but he didn't.
"I brought you an evening meal," Olivia said. "You must be hungry."
Fitz didn't respond to her.
"If you do not stand then I shall kneel as well and then we'll both be kneeling and not sharing words."
Fitz relented and stood. Marcia placed the food on his cot and took the water flask from under her cloak and placed it beside his food.
Olivia waited for Fitz to take it but he didn't.
"You're not hungry?"
"I do not wish to eat from you," Fitz said as he stepped back and put more space between him and Olivia. She smelled slightly sweet and fresh as if she'd just had a perfumed bath.
"Why not?"
"Are you so dimwitted that you do not realize what you could have caused this morning,"
Olivia's mouth fell open, insulted. She was only trying to be kind to him. "Dimwitted? I realized my error before it was found out."
"What if you hadn't?"
"I did," Olivia defended.
"But what if you hadn't," he said angrily with his teeth gritted together.
Olivia stared into his mouth and wondered how he had such perfect teeth. Fitz realized her attention was suddenly elsewhere when her eyes lost focus.
"You're as clueless as a child," he said before he stepped over to his cot and sat down.
Olivia shrugged off his insult, "are you going to eat? Or at least take a drink."
"I do not wish to know your nor do I want your affection. If a guard should find you in my room at this very moment, I will be crucified."
"You ignored my question," Olivia said. "I didn't bring a goblet or tray, only a cloth, and the flask is mine so no one will miss it. I'm sorry I was not careful before. Please eat."
She turned towards the door to leave him.
"Please never come back," Fitz said to her as she left his room with her slave.
Olivia heard him but she didn't respond and quickly closed his door and then returned to the villa.
Once again, once Olivia left the room he ate the delicious food she left him. The honey-roasted pig was divine, and the salted fish was tasty as well. After devouring the meat and fish he ate the bread and olive and fruits. He was careful to take just a few sips of water. Depending on how long Eli and Anaca were intent on starving them, he would need it, especially if Olivia actually listened to his words and never returned.
