The Life of a Princess

Trix and Hector waited nervously for the emperor to speak. The soldiers had returned to their barracks and Artemisia was led by a servant to her chambers.

"Hector" the emperor began "first I would like to thank you for being a fierce protector and friend of my daughter. Artemisia would write to us about you. Although I had no idea that you were Juliana's son."

"Her death breaks my heart. We were friends. We grew up together. Well she was first engaged to Patricius." The empress said gravely.

This came as a shock to both Hector and Trix. If the couples had not defied their parents both of them would not exist.

"The last time I spoke to Juliana we were planning on marrying our children to each other." Eliana chuckled  as she saw the disturbed reactions of the how youths before them. "Clearly we will not insist on engaging you to one another, but the people will talk. And they will make things up. One of those things could be a romance between the two of you."

"Although there is a point in what your mothers had proposed. Hector is the heir of a very powerful family and possibly he may someday become a general if he chooses to do so." The emperor explained.

Trix was taken a back. How could anyone suggest such a silly thing? Hector was hector, her best friend. They had grown together. They had played in the mud and made fun of each other. She had also caused his mother's death and he probably hated her.

"Well you two are silent. Please speak up. No one will harm you." Spoke the empress.

"The idea is just so far fetched mother." Trix reasoned. "Hector and I have grown up together. We are friends, not lovers."

Instead of Eliana responding it was Patricius who spoke. "Sometimes my child the best lover you will ever have is your best friend." Then he turned and looked lovingly at his wife.

"Might I speak your grace?" Hector suddenly said.

"Of course my boy! Within these walls you are safe and my speak your mind. No need for the formalities. Just call me uncle." The emperor answered.

Hector nodded and asked "What will happen to me now sir? My grandfther has not even acknowledged my existance. My father was a lowly soldier. He has only recently risen in the ranks."

The emperor smiled at the boy as he tried to hide his worry.

"You will live where for the time being. But I am sure that the moment he discovers your relation to Vitatrix he will welcome you with open arms." The emperor assured him. "It is a choice between you and his bastard son. I believe he would rather have you as his heir."

"I thank you uncle for your genrousity." Hector said as he made a deep bow.

"Well I'm sure you both need your rest. The servants will lead you to your chambers. And later after our mid day meal you both will be presented to the senate. Two children of Rome have returned!" The Emperor announced

Hector abd Trix were then quickly ushered by thwo servants in separate directions.

Trix was led to a set of rooms that the emperor and the empress had given her. It was composed of a sitting room, bed chambers for her and her maids, her own baths, and a garden.

The sitting room was elegant. It had a table made of ivory in one side that was surrounded by cushoned chairs. On the other end there was a large mirror.

The next room was her bad chambers. At the center was a large bed. There were three large chests in the room to hold her clothing and a table for her to put her personal items on the side of the wall to the right. To the left of the room there was a dining table.

Trix walked over to her bed and lay for a while to let things sink in.

Suddenly she was jolted awake by a knock on the door. Two maids then entered. They gave a low bow. They stayed with their head down until trix realized that they were waiting for her to order them to stands straight.

"Your grace, your parents have assigned us to your service along with 20 slaves, 5 servants, and 15 guards. You have also been assigned a cook and a stable master to care for your horses." Announced one of the maids.

A slave then entered through one of the doors and set her mid day meal. Trix went over and ate her meal. 

Her maid went over to one of the large chests and opened it while the other set to fixing her bed.

"What are your names?" Traix asked her maids.

The maids were shocked.

"My name is Cassia ,your grace" Cassia bowed

"And I am Fausta , your grace" She then joined Cassia in a deep bow.

"Well I'm glad to have you both with me." The two ladies then returned to the tasks they were doing as Trix finished her meal. 

Her plate was immidiately cleared by a slave while Cassia and Fausta led her to the baths. It was a large pool with a marble floor. Light was let in through windows on the roof that also allowed for privacy. With the help of her maids Trix stripped and took a dip in the warm pool. 

As Trix felt the warm water envlope her shw felt the stress and the dirt from their travels wash away. Two slave girls then came in to scrub and wash her. Trix moved back as they entered the pool.

"Your grace. Please let them wash you." Fausta spoke from the other end. 

Trix then tentatively stepped towards the slaves and allowed them to wash her.

After she was washed and dried and dressed a guard entered and announced that he was to escort her to the emperor and the empress. 

Cassia strapped on her sandals and she followed the guard with Cassia and Fausta trailing behind her. She wore a red dress that had gold trimmings. She wore a gold bracelet and the necklace that Artemisia had shown her when she learned of her true birth.

They were led through two large doors and into a great throne room. She gave a deep bow and everyone followed.

"Rise child." The emperor ordered. "Are you prepared daughter?" 

"Yes father." Trix replied.

The emperor rose with the empress and they started to walk towards the grand entrace. Trix suddenly noticed Hector who was dressed so dashingly. He smiled and winked at her and Trix suddenly felt confident. As if the fear had been driven away. 

Hector saww trix as she entered the room. She was an image of beauty. She had two maids following her who were also beautiful, but he knew all eyes would be on her. She shone like the sun and her hair fell gently behind her.

Their party was led by the emperor and his wife out of the palace. When he caught Trix's attention he could see the fear in her eyes. He immidiately smiled and winked at her and she smiled back. 

They were greeted in the courtyard by two chariots. The emperor and the empress rode on one and Trix and Hector shared another. He heard Trix stifle a laugh. He knew that they were encouraging rumors of their engagement. 

During the ride to the senate building they were greeted by cheering crowds. Children ran along the streets. Hector held Trix who was still in shock at the number of people that had come out to greet her. 

When they arrived at the Senate building they sat at chairs reseved for the royal family. The senate then begun their proceedings. Hector listened intently, but he could see Trix slowly falling asleep. He kept nudging her awake. Finally as the proceedings came to an end and the emperor rose from his seat.

"Senators of Rome." Came his booming voice. "Today you gather for the benefit of our empire. Today as you do everyday you serve our empire. But today I have the pleasure of announcing the return of two children of Rome."

He looked towards Hector. Hector knew this was his signal to rise.

"I present to you, Hector, son of Aquila, Grandson of our own senator Julian, through his mother Juliana." Aplause rang through the room as he was introduced.

An old man then walked towards the center.

"My emperor I thank you for bringing back my grandson." He then turned to the other senators and said. "My fellow politicians and nobles, before you all I would like to announce that Hector, my grandson will be my rightful heir." 

The other senators nodded in agreement with his decision. Senator Julian then made his way back to his seat and Hector did the same. He could see that his grandfather was already at the end of his days as he struggled just to walk. Hector felt bad that he had never gotten to know the senator while he was at his prime.

When the crowd settled the emperor spoke once more.

"Senators, people of Rome. It has been no secret that my wife and I have struggled to concive in recent years. Today, before all of you I present my daughter and your future Empress, Vitatrix."

Hector watched as Trix rose so graciously. She was a far cry from the energy filled girl he had grown up with. She was a woman, and his soveraign. 

Hector could not help feeling unsettled as he realized had he was harboring secret feelings for his childhood friend.

Trix stood in front of the crowd. She was nervous. She struggled to keep her head up. She looked at Hector who was smiling at her. She could see the handsome man he had become. But she knew that after today their friendship would change drasically and that life would be completely different.