A New Life

"From today onward you should get used to being called 'my lady' or 'your highness'. I know it's a stretch Trix but it's the cards you have been dealt." Artemisia scolded Trix as she started to groan at the thought of being called anything other than her name.

She had been having lessons with Juliana for the past two days and they left tomorrow at sunrise. The clothing Juliana had ordered made for her were packed and ready to go. She constantly wore the necklace that symbolized her inheritance. She didn't want to but Artemisia and Juliana insisted. They said that it would help her accept the truth. And it would give her a chance to think and realize that she was truly the heiress of the Roman Empire and she had a responsibility to the people.

Trix could not help but question her readiness to take on the responsibilities expected of her position. Would she be accepted by the people of Rome? Or would she be forced to wed a man she's never met? Would she be hated or loved? Would people believe that a girl was the last heir to the Roman Empire? She remembered lady Juliana and her soldier husband. They had eloped for the sole reason that she had been promised to another man but her heart lay with the dashing soldier. She had to leave her family and sever all ties with her family. Would she be forced to make that choice just as she had found her parents? Surely the emperor's daughter would be allowed more freedom.

"Vitatrix! Are you there?" Artemisia called her attention. "You must listen child."

"My apologies auntie. I am just worried about the future."

"I know it's difficult Trix. But we all have our destinies. If there was any other heir you would have grown up never knowing of your family. You would have lived out your days here. And you would probably become a healer after I have passed. But it is not how the gods have intended for things to happen. You not only hold your own fate but the fate of the entire Roman Empire as well."

"I know auntie." Trix sighed. "What were you saying before I spaced out?"

"I was telling you of our plans today. You will go out to the soldiers. Take Hector with you. They have with them a white stallion. You will enter Rome riding it. You will go to them and they will teach you to ride it as a noble woman would. Then after you will go to Juliana and your etiquette lessons will continue. Then I want you to take a good night's sleep. We leave at sunrise."

Trix quickly finished her meal and dressed. Her clothes were no longer the worn out work clothes she used to wear. They were now of a higher quality with crisp colors and she had a gold band on her arm. She had new sandals. All of which were provided for as the Empress had sent money for her new things. She immediately then rushed out the door saying good bye to Arthemisia.

She rushed through the streets when she remembered Juliana's instructions. She was to walk gracefully and like a proper lady of Rome. Practice for when they arrived. She tried it for a while, then she saw a couple of kids she and Hector had grown up with and she felt like a fool. So she decided to just run along as he normally would.

She then bumped into someone. She looked up and saw the last person she wanted to see Juliana.

"Young lady what are you doing! A proper lady does not run through the streets with her hair all tangled up!" Juliana scolded. "Come let us put you to order! Honestly Vitatrix if you don't get used to acting proper you will become the laughing stock of Rome."

Juliana grabbed her by the arm and dragged her to their home. Throughout the entire walk she scolded her on acting properly and that it was part of her responsibility to do so. She scolded Trix on how she needed to present herself to the people of Rome as a strong woman that would yield to no one. Someone capable of ruling the nation.

As they got to the house she saw that Hector was already up and practicing his archery in the courtyard. He stopped as he saw his mother dragging his best friend while scolding her. He laughed and Trix threw a glare at him.

When Juliana finally stopped talking Trix finally said "My lady I understand that I should be practicing every possible moment. But please consider what people would think when they see me, a simple commoner, trying to act like a woman of noble birth. It may threaten the secret we keep. Thus threatening the Roman Empire itself." Trix tried to speak eloquently so that Juliana would forget her transgression.

"Very well. You have a point." Juliana sighed.

"Thank you." She bowed.

"Trix you are to bow to no one but your parents. Please remember that.Go I know you have other things to do."

Trix walked up to Hector and said "Hector come with me. I have riding lessons with the soldiers this morning. I can't go unaccompanied."

The pair then left. They walked through the city being careful that they were not being followed. They used small sides streets that would reveal to them if anyone was following them. Finally when they reached the outskirts of town they headed beyond the hill where the soldiers had set their camp.

As they approached General Cato met them. "Your highness." He bowed. "Shall I show you to your stallion?"

Trix nodded in reply.

He led them through the camp to a makeshift stable the men had made. And there stood a white horse.

"What's his name?" She asked.

"Well he is yours to name."

"I'll name him Mercury." Mercury then neighed in approval.

"He already likes it!" Hector said from behind her.

They then got a horse for Hector. A brown one named Phoenix. She was taught to saddlle her horse and how to care for him. Hector who was the son of a Roman soldier had been taught this during his childhood and was already quite competent in doing so. He was simply there for support.

"Alright Lady Vitatrix its time for you to learn how to ride him." Cato announced.

Trix suddenly grew nervous. She has never ridden a horse this big. She had ridden ponies and donkeys but not a war horse.

"You'll do well Trix." Hector said as he held her by the shoulders. Hector had always been sweet to her, but she had only noticed now that he liked to touch her that way and she didn't mind. If anything she actually liked it.

She took a deep breath and mounted it. At first the stallion seemed like it would run away with her on ti. Then it began to calm down.

"She's a natural!" One of the soldiers exclaimed.

They rode the horses around the camp and a little throguh the forest and roads before turning back. Upon their arrival back at camp it was midday. The soldiers then invited her to eat with them. She accepted their invitation and joined them.

"May I speak my mind my lady?" One ofthe soldiers asked.

Trix nodded.

"Well we expected to meet some self absorbed little lady that loved nothing but herself. Instead we found you. We never thought that you would have been brought up like the rest of us."

"Well I was never meant to be found. Ummmm... What's your name?" Trix asked the soldier.

"Octavian my lady."

"Call me Trix, Octavian"

"I beg your pardon your highness but it would be disrespectfull of me."

Trix simply nodded to him. She was lost for words. No one had ever treated her with such regard and respect.

After eating with the men Trix and Hector headed back to the city for her lessons with Juliana.

She was so tired that she felt like it was simply routine for her. After her lessons she headed home and instantly fell asleep.

The next day she woke up before dawn. Her things were all packed and ready to go. A soldier by the name of Gaius had stayed the night to help them bring their things to the army camp.

As they exited the city she looked back at what had been her home for the past sixteen years. It may as well be the last time she saw the city. If she ever returned she would not be the same.

** comments please ** what you think will help me a lot **