Marius’ father eyed them and turned to his son. “You should breed them.” Marius almost choked on his wine, and his father smiled. “What’s wrong? They are young and healthy, nothing better than breeding your own slaves, right? This way, you can keep them or sell them.”
Marius just nodded, determined not to argue. “I will think about it, father, thank you for the idea.”
Kyle came back, Brianna trailing behind him and he made her kneel further away, to monitor the lamps and candles, and Marius’ father turned to him. “A slave girl? What on earth were you thinking?”
Marius replied, his voice clipped. “She came with her mother.”
“Ah! I am surprised they allowed her to live at all...”
Marius knew what he was referring to. Slave girls were killed, usually after birth, and he just shrugged. “You just told me to breed them. She’ll grow up here, it’s very much the same.”
His father looked at her. “Pretty too...”
Marius shuddered, closing his eyes. “Yes... but I don’t touch children...”
His father smiled, raising his glass. “I know. Well, in a couple of years, she can have children with your precious Kyle, too.”
Marius didn’t reply, chewing his anger.
Clavius came to the rescue, distracting his father with some inappropriate topic, and his mother turned to him. “How are you doing, son?”
“I’m fine... it’s just strange to be idle here in Rome... I like action.”
His mother smiled. “I know... but you need to think about settling soon?”
He nodded, anguished at where this was going whilst dinner was served, Kyle and Lisandra putting the different meals in front of them, serving more wine. Kyle then knelt behind Marius to tend to their needs if needed. He threw a quick glance at the little girl, but she hadn’t moved, carefully watching the lamps and candles.Good.
Gaius, Marius’ father, turned to him. “Son, your mother is right. You need to settle soon, and by this, I mean your marriage, of course.” Marius shut his eyes, pained, just to look then at Clavius, who just shrugged. His father continued. “You are a grown man, Marius, you can’t procrastinate this any longer. Next week, I’d like you to come and attend a dinner party at our house where I will introduce you to some ladies, all possibly quite suitable to be your wife.”
He sighed. “Father... I might go on other campaigns...”
“So what? She’ll stay here and wait for you. All wives do that. But I can’t have my son be unwed and live the life of a bachelor, not with your status.” His eyes pierced him. “Especially not now when Lucius gifted you his whore.”
Marius fumed at his words but decided not to argue, very much aware of Kyle’s presence behind him and he gestured to him to fill his cup. He was drinking again too much and knew he shouldn’t, but his nerves were on edge. Kyle walked next to him, and their eyes locked briefly over his cup. Marius fought the urge to just reach out and touch his hand, but he knew it was not possible and drank instead deeply.
The meal continued, his father endlessly listing possible brides, and he was annoyed, wanting away from it all.Wife... just what I need, a woman in this house whom I should bed and have children with...The whole idea seemed horrendous, and he drank more, Clavius raising his eyebrow at him, gesturing to slow down. He shrugged, his mood dark, but stopped, knowing that he would not even be able to get up if he continued.
They were over with desserts, and his father turned to him, slightly frowning. “You drink too much.”
Marius’ eyes blazed, but he forced a smile. “Why, thank you for pointing it out, father. I wouldn’t have noticed it myself.”
The old man smiled at him. “Mocking me? Well, that’s a first but I’ll take it’s the wine. Just make sure you don’t make a habit of it.”
Marius opened his mouth, his face veiled with anger, but Clavius jumped in. “Anybody fancy going to the arena tomorrow?”
Gaius turned to him. “Might be a good idea. Marius?”
He brooded, trying to kill Clavius with his stare. “Fine...”
Clavius beamed. “Excellent! Some killings, races, good fun!”
Gaius rose. “Well then, I believe it’s time for us to go. Don’t forget next week’s dinner party. Be at your best and try not to drink too much. The ladies are all of respectable families and I expect you to have chosen your wife to be by the end of the dinner.”
Marius rose, slightly swaying, his eyes dark. “Of course, father.”
Gaius just smiled. “Don’t bother escorting us out, your good slave can do it, he can at least walk straight.”
Marius blanched but Clavius was at his side at once, grabbing his hand, which he had fisted. “It was a lovely evening, thank you.”
