Meeting Destiny

It all felt like a dream. Like a never ending dream. Vitatrix lay on her bed for what felt like hours before she could realize that what had happened the day before was no dream. She was truly the heir to the Roman empire. But would it be possible for her to ascend the throne? Women could not inherit. At least not commoners and peasants. But would she need to wed? Would she be forced to marry a man she has never met? Questions kept flooding her mind. She didn't even know if the citizens of Rome would accept her as their future ruler. And what of her auntie? Would she ever see her again once she was introduced? She would have to face this alone. Then she realized she didn't have to, Hector, her best friend and a noble by birth could accompany her.

Trix immediately got up and dressed. She went about fixing her bed when she realized the necklace was under her pillow. She held it in her hand and thought to herself, this necklace symbolizes who I truly am. This was also the only way she could prove to Hector and his mother that she was of the Roman Imperial Family.

When she came out of her room Artemisia was nowhere to be seen. There was bread on the table and some fruits. Trix grabbed some and made her way to Hector's home. In her hand was a pouch that felt as if it burned in her hands.

As she walked through the streets she could not help looking at it and looking at the people around her. What were their opinions on the dying imperial family? How would they react if they found out that she, a simple girl of sixteen, was the heir to this vast empire? Would they hate her? Would they love her? And her only proof was a letter and a necklace. Well at least for the moment.

She finally reached Hector's home after what seemed to be the longest walk of her entire life. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door. A slave opened it.

Unlike most people Hector's family could afford a couple of slaves and quite a spacious house. They had horses and even a courtyard. The slave lead her to the dinning area where Hector and Juliana sat.

"Vitatrix my dear! Come sit! Eat with us." Juliana beckoned her.

Trix made her way and sat beside Hector.

"So what brings you here at this early hour?" Juliana asked.

Trix took a deep breath and said. "Could you ask the servants to leave? I need to tell both of you something of the utmost importance."

Hector shot her a questioning look as his mother dismissed their slaves.

"So whats this serious matter?" Hector asked.

Trix took out the necklace and gave it to Juliana.

"Child where did you get this?"

"It is mine. I did not know till last night. All te rumors of where my parents are and where I came from. I finally got the answers." Trix replied.

"I knew you had to be Eliana's daughter. You look so much like her! We grew up together you know. Oh and your father, he was quite the dashing young man in the day. All the ladies fawning over him. But of course his heart was always with your mother."

Hector who was quiet for the longest time finally spoke "What is going on? I don't think I understand?"

"My son, Vitatrix here is the daughter of Emperor Patricius and his Empress Eliana."

Hector was stunned. Trix could see it. It was after all not everyday that you found out that your best friend was the heir to the Roman Empire.

"So this means you have to leave?" Hector asked.

"Seriously Hector that is all you can think of? Me leaving? There is so much more that could happen." Trix amusingly said. " I also came here to ask you both to accompany me to Rome. I will be presented in a weeks time and I was hoping to see some familiar faces in the crowd. I cannot do this alone."

Hector looked to his mother as if begging her to say yes. But what would happen of their lif here? Surely Hector and Juliana could not just pack up and leave.

"It would be an honor to accompany you princess." Juliana said as she winked at Trix.

"But what of your life here?"

"We can easily say we left to visit relatives in Rome. It would also provide a good cover for your leaving as well. It could buy us time before anyone got suspicious. It would be best for your safety."

"I am indebted to both of you." Trix said bowing in gratitude. "Oh before I forget, the empress is sending an armed guard to escort us to Rome."

"Well now that is not a way to go in unannounced." Hector chuckled. "How many is she sending anyway?"

"The letter did not mention." Replied Trix.

"Well if you are to be presented at court you should learn how to act as a high born. Come let us get you ready." Juliana then lead Trix into a different room. She sent her son away to call for her seamstress as well and to prepare for their trip.

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"An heir? How is that possibe!" The tall man angrily asked his spy.

"My lord we intercepted a letter from the empress asking for the child's presence a week after her 16th birthday." The spy answered.

"And do we know who this child is? And when exactly does she turn sixteen?"

"I have sent my best men to find out my lord. They will send word any day now as to where and who she is."

"I want her dead before she can even reach Rome. This child will ruin our plans." Another angry voice said. This time it was of an old man.

"If the romans are to findo out that their emperor has an heir they will regain confidence in them. We do not want that!" This time it was the voice of a woman.

"Deal with her Savi! I did not free you to disappoint me. Fail us and I will sell your entire family to the ends of the world!" The tall man said.

"Yes my lord. I will not fail you" Savi answered as he bowed out of the room.

" If this girl is allowed to take the throne all our hard work to keep the empress sterile will be for nothing. So much has been sacrificed for us to lose our chance now!" The woman said.

"I am aware of that. Savi will deal with her. And if he so happens to fail there are many assasins throughout rome who would be more than willing to do as we ask." The tall man answered.

"The girl's death will also weaken the emperor and his wife. It would leave them vaulnerable and it would give us a better opportunity to strike. Not all is lost. This is an opportunity, not an obstacle." The old man said.

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"Keep your head high Trix. You are a woman of noble birth. You are the daughter of the emperor. People look up to you." Juliana ordered the new princess-in-training.

Trix struggled in acting like a noble. She was brought up by a healer in a healer's cottage, not in a nobleman's home.

"You should float through the room. No no no not like that. Gracefully my dear. Slowly and gracefully. You have all the time in the world." Juliana scolded.

"I do not have all the time in the world madam. I have one week. And we leave in 3 days. How will I learn all this?" A frustrated Trix said. "We've been at it for hours and I can't even walk like a noble let alone speak or act."

"I will continue to teach you as we travel to Rome. And do not fret. All you need is to act as though you grew up in a noble home during the presentation. Then we can work on the rest." Juliana comforted Trix. "Come now back to work."

Trix returned home exhausted. After Juliana was satisfied that Trix had gotten all the basics down Juliana's seamstress measured her for new clothes for the trip. All made from the finest materials. Juliana had always been offering to have clothes made for her but she had always managed to politely refuse by saying that she had no use for them. As she entered their home she found Artemisia setting out food for their evening meal.

"Good you are home!" Artemisia greeted her. "We must talk about the arrangements for your trip. I'm guessing you've told Hector and Juliana?"

"I have auntie." Trix groaned.

"Well you should ask Juliana's help on learning the basic etiquette of a Roman noble woman."

"She took that job all on her own. She has even ordered for clothing for me to wear."

"May the gods bless that woman. She truly has a good heart. Well on other matters your guards have arrived"

"My guards?"

"Yes. Your mother sent 30 of Rome's best soldiers. I met them this morning. Tomorrow you, Juliana, and Hector will come with me and I will introduce you to them."

"Alright auntie. I'll tell them in the morning. Right now I'm famished. Juliana worked me to the bone with lessons."

Trix and Artemisia ate their meal and headed off to bed.

The next day Trix woke up and rushed to Hector's home. He told them the news and the agreed to meet in Artemisia's home after Juliana and Hector dress up.

They all walked together to the outskirts of the city. Where the Roman guard awaited to meet the heiress.

"General Cato allow me to introduce the daughter of Emperor Patricius and Empress Eliana, the Princess Vitatrix." Artemisia announced to the soldiers. "And these are our friends Lady Juliana, daughter of senator Julius, and her son Hector."

General Cato was not as Trix expected to see. Instead of some old man he was young and he looked strong and handsome. He was about 24 years old and he had brown hair and dark eyes. He was probably a noble born as his armor was of the highest quality. Something most soldiers could not afford.

"It is my pleasure to serve my future empress." The general bowed and all his men followed suit. He reached out to kiss her hand and Trix's heart beat faster than ever before.

Beside her Hector looked on with a feeling of envy.

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Savi watched from the trees as the girl was introduced to the general. He would not strike now. He would wait till they were on the road where they would be most vulnerable. Then with this girl's death the Roman throne will be secured for his masters and he and his family could return home.