Even before Aurelia opened her eyes, she sensed that something was different. Something important was missing. Sleepily, she straightened up in her bed. By ancient standards, it was larger than average, so that two people could sleep in it without piling on top of each other.
But the place beside her was empty and cold. Through the crack of the half-open door, light fell from Gaius' study into her bedchamber. Aurelia leaned forward a little and discovered him at his desk poring over various documents.
Tired, she ran a hand through her hair, wrapped herself in her warm comforter, and toddled barefoot to him. When he heard her footsteps, he looked up and smiled apologetically at her.
"Why aren't you asleep?" asked Aurelia anxiously, stepping behind him and placing a hand on the back of his neck. Exhausted, he leaned against her and closed his eyes as if he was tormented by a severe headache. Gently, Aurelia began to massage his temples and looked over his shoulder at the documents. Although she had become accustomed to transcript by now, the continuous spelling of Romans without separation of individual words, she was still too tired at the moment and so the letters blurred into an inscrutable mass before her eyes.
Slowly, Gaius relaxed. After a while he opened his eyes, and his typical crooked grin was on his face again. When Aurelia moved back a bit from him to sit down on one of the chairs opposite him, his hands suddenly settled on her hips and pulled her onto his lap. Laughing, Aurelia put her arms around his neck. Then her gaze fell on the rings under his eyes and with a start she became serious again.
"What's troubling you?" she asked softly, eyeing his drained face with concern. Gaius sighed deeply and began to play with a strand of her hair. Light as a feather, she nudged him, and a mirthless smile appeared on his face. Then he muttered something so softly she couldn't understand him. Sternly, she raised an eyebrow. Gaius let go of her hair and gently stroked her cheek.
"The waiting is driving me crazy," he confessed softly, looking her firmly in the eye. "Every hour that passes without Macro and Gemellus making their next move, you're in danger. If they still want to eliminate me, they can't spare you. I want to finally be able to take specific action against them and ruin their plans, but to do that I need to know what they're up to"
Aurelia was silent for a moment, thinking. Then she wanted to know how he planned to eliminate the danger posed by Macro and Gemellus.
"The easiest thing would be to order them to commit suicide," Gaius replied promptly, and she stared at him in horror.
"But the most sensible thing would be a trial," he continued quickly, trying to explain to her how they would have to proceed, based on the trials of his two older brothers.
"We could use that Persian woman," Aurelia interjected, but Gaius only snorted that no Roman would believe the word of a foreign whore over that of a Roman citizen-even if the whore's testimony was authenticated by Roman citizens.
"I understand that the evidence must be unimpeachable," she replied. "But we agree that Macro is the bigger problem. To think that our safety depends on him... Mina is still in your grandmother's prison. Not a hair on her head has been harmed. No one knows where she is. We already have the girl in hand, and she is one thing above all: selfish. We give her what she wants, she'll do anything for us. Gemellus has a soft spot for her. If she contacts him and asks for a meeting, Macro and he will go for it. If we can persuade Gemellus to confess, Macro will fall."
"That's a lot of 'ifs'," Gaius murmured wearily, pulling her closer. Aurelia lovingly ran her hand through his hair.
"I know, my heart," she breathed, "and we'll need all our strength for that. So come back to bed and sleep!"
Wordlessly, Gaius stood up with her in his arms and strode to the bed. On it, he gently set her down and with her hands still clasped in his neck, she pulled him with her onto the large, inviting bed.

The soft rays of the winter sun tickled Aurelia awake. Rested, she sat up in bed. Gaius was already gone. Displeased, her eyes fell on a wax tablet lying on his pillow. Wax tablets, the ancient version of scribbles, she thought with a smirk and reached for the tablet. Her smirk turned into a smile when she saw the words her husband had separated just for her. He knew them too well. Transcript would have put her away, annoyed, at this hour.

You looked so peaceful in your sleep I didn't have the heart to wake you. Unfortunately, I have important business to attend to all day. So, you have a day off from me. I'll see you at dinner tonight.
Eternally yours,
Gaius.

She thoughtfully set the tablet aside as Belana and Nara entered her bedroom with a small tablet.
"Good morning, milady," she was greeted, and Aurelia rolled her eyes, silently accepting her cup of milk. Fortunately, Gaius had had some ham brought to her as well. For unlike the Romans, who preferred honey and cheese, Aurelia needed a hearty breakfast. While Aurelia ate, Nara and Belana rummaged through their chests, picking out clothes, jewellery, and shoes that would carry her through the day. Soon enough, Aurelia pushed her breakfast aside and let Nara help her into her clothes. Apparently, a simple blue silk tunic was appropriate for a day off.
Just as Belana was combing Aurelia's hair, Drusilla burst into her room followed by Julia and Agrippina. In the mirror, Aurelia calmly watched her husband's sisters and raised an eyebrow. Drusilla began to giggle.
"Good morning," Aurelia said gracefully, giving them a bright smile through the mirror and wanting to know what she could do for the three of them.
"Gaius thought a day at his private spa would do you good," Julia replied calmly.
"Because our dear brother is right, as always," Drusilla interjected with a giggle. "And we too require a day of relaxation and lounging, we will accompany you"
Aurelia frowned. All she could think of about Roman baths was that they had once translated a lesson text in Latin class in which some senator had been found dead in the baths. On the other hand, she hadn't had a spa day in ages. So, she turned to her sisters-in-law and nodded in agreement.
"We should invite Clementina," Agrippina added quietly, and as the other women were quite taken with the idea, Aurelia drew up a curt invitation and a messenger set off with it immediately.
Once Aurelia was done for the day, they moved from the bedroom to an equally spacious living room that Aurelia had never set foot in before. Fascinated, she looked around and enjoyed the simple elegance of the room. The room was neither stuffed with objects nor spartanly furnished. It was simply comfortable.
Drusilla noticed Aurelia's appraisal of the room and nudged her playfully.
"I guess my brother couldn't get you into his bed fast enough on your wedding day and hasn't let you out of his bed since, has he?" she teased Aurelia affectionately, who immediately blushed with embarrassment.
"That's one way to put it," she admitted sheepishly, and the three sisters snorted with laughter, which Aurelia fell into shortly after.

An hour later, Clementina entered the chambers of the most powerful couple in the Roman Empire and looked around with shy glances. Before Drusilla could raise her as well, Aurelia asked where the palace's baths were located, and Drusilla forgot about Clementina's lowly origins compared to herself.
The baths were in the west wing of the palace and were gigantic. There were sweat rooms, pools of cold, lukewarm and warm water, massage and relaxation rooms, a gym each for men, praetorians and women, and an entire beauty salon. Because whether it was pedicures or manicures, waxing or plucking and countless other beauty treatments. Aurelia just let her friends pull her along and enjoyed the Roman pampering.
They were just playing something like antique frisbee without the pregnant Agrippina when a girl appeared in the doorway, head bowed, waiting to be addressed by one of the ladies. Quickly, Aurelia tossed the flying disc to Clementina, indicating that she would sit out for a moment. Hastily she ran to the waiting girl and inquired the reason for her sudden appearance.
"I have been sent to inform you, milady, that you must now get ready for dinner," the girl huffed nervously in a heavily country accent she knew from Vespasian. Aurelia gave her a mild smile.
"What's your name?" she wanted to know quietly, and the girl swallowed hard, but continued to keep her gaze stubbornly lowered.
"Prunia, milady," the girl replied softly, and Aurelia gently lifted her chin so that she finally had to meet her gaze.
"Thank you for letting me know, Prunia," Aurelia said kindly, the unease slowly disappearing from the girl's eyes. "We were having so much fun that we lost track of time during our game".
Then she let go of the girl and turned apologetically to her friends.
"Will I see you tonight?" asked Aurelia to the group. Drusilla rolled her eyes.
"What kind of party would it be without me?" she returned theatrically, laughing uproariously. Julia rolled her eyes while Clementina unblinkingly placed the frisbee on a table beside her. Aurelia nodded and left the room. Prunia followed her like a small shadow. The latter was still behind her when Aurelia reached the door to her chambers. Questioningly she turned to the girl.
"Is there anything I can do for you?" she demanded to know. As an aside, she noticed that there was no guard at her door. So, Gaius was not there.
"The lord has hired me as your maid and secretary, milady," the girl murmured and swallowed. Aurelia eyed the girl from head to toe. Prunia was thirteen at most. The many freckles gave her features something cute, the brown eyes seemed as uncertain as they were clever, her hair possessed a very light shade of blonde. Aurelia frowned, glanced quickly around the hallway, hastily opened the door and stepped inside. As soon as the door clicked shut behind them, she felt less watched.
Aurelia rushed into the bedroom and was surprised to find Nara and Belana already waiting for her. Prunia joined them without a word. Aurelia looked thoughtfully at the three slaves and sat down on a chair, sighing. Soon she was engaged in an animated conversation with Belana and Nara, with Prunia even joining in from time to time. Smiling, Aurelia looked at her girls and was pleased that they were less and less strangers to her.
That evening she had chosen her favourite colour, blue, and so she was dressed from head to toe in blue silk. The discreet earrings and necklace perfectly matched her engagement ring, which had once belonged to Gaius' mother Agrippina. Her hair fell down her back in perfect curls. Her maids had done a very good job.
Her heart began to flutter when she finally caught sight of her Gaius in the atrium. As she floated down the stairs to him, he devoured her with his gaze. As soon as she reached him, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her passionately. Completely out of breath, they parted.
"Good morning," Aurelia gasped, and Gaius laughed softly. Before he could say anything, the first guests appeared in the atrium, demanding their full attention. A gaggle of women quickly gathered around Aurelia and engaged her in a lengthy conversation. Even during the twelve courses, she could barely exchange a word with her husband, who was right beside her. Sometimes he played inconspicuously with a strand of her hair.
No sooner was the meal over than the strict order broke down. The guests rose and gathered in chattering groups. Gaius was immediately hogged by several senators and Aurelia discreetly retreated to the outskirts with the other women. Soon she lost sight of her husband.
After what seemed like an eternity, she had finally rediscovered Gaius, who stood alone with his back to her. Just as she was about to walk towards him, she froze as if struck by lightning. A beautiful woman approached Gaius and smiled seductively at him. Because of the loud music, Aurelia could not understand the woman's words, but from her expression, she was flirting shamelessly. Just then, she placed her hand on his forearm. The things women did to get his attention, Aurelia thought with amusement.
"It hurts to see those two, doesn't it?" a dark voice whispered in her ear from behind, its warm breath brushing uncomfortably against the back of her neck. Restrained, Aurelia half turned to face the speaker and looked over her shoulder directly into the cold eyes of the Praetorian Prefect.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, prefect," Aurelia said politely, already wanting to move on. But Macro unobtrusively held her back by the arm.
"But my dear, I'm talking about your husband and my wife," he murmured in her ear. "Their affair began almost three years ago and since then they can't do without each other"
Disbelieving, Aurelia shook her head. Macro's wife still had her hand on Gaius' forearm. Why didn't he finally push her away?
"Why do you think I stood up for Gaius so strongly?" asked Macro forcefully. "It was Ennia and I who found a way for him to circumvent Tiberius' will. We got Gaius to where he is today - at the head of our state. He knows that, above all, he owes everything to Ennia. Probably plotting their next meeting as we speak."
Aurelia was in chaos. She did not want to believe him. But what she saw and heard suddenly seemed logical. Had she not read of this affair in Suetonius or Tacitus? Was Gaius lying to her? Was he toying with her? Or was he using that Ennia to get something on Macro?
"You don't want to believe me," Macro purred in understanding. "Do you really think Gaius is interested in you? You really are very beautiful, that will make things easier for him. But in truth, he is only interested in your inheritance because he will need money soon, a lot of money. Whatever he may have told you, there's one thing you must never forget: there's no better actor in the world than your husband. You should not put too much trust in his words, or you will only be disappointed and hurt."
Nausea rose in Aurelia and a slight tremor gripped her. Gaius could have any woman he wanted. Why should he settle for her in the long run? Especially when women as beautiful as they were moralless, like that bitch of Ennia, would willingly give themselves to him at any time? Would he weaken sooner or later?
"Excuse me," she murmured, and Macro immediately released her arm. As if in a trance, Aurelia walked through the crowd of people oblivious to anything but the dull ache inside her. On her face, the dignified smile of a perfect hostess was firmly tacked on. At some point, she couldn't stand the people blurring into each other anymore and unobtrusively retreated into the garden. Cool October wind blew in her face and cleared her thoughts. Exhausted, she sat down on the first available bench. By now her whole body was shaking like a leaf. Completely confused, she buried her face in her hands. Inside her, a relentless war raged between her mind and her heart, threatening to tear her apart.
Suddenly a hand rested on her shoulder, and she flinched. Caught, she raised her eyes. Agrippina was standing next to her, looking down at her sympathetically.
"May I join you?" she asked gently, and Aurelia shrugged disinterestedly. With a small sigh, Agrippina sat down next to her.
"What did Macro say to you just now that threw you off the rails like that?" she wanted to know quietly, and Aurelia avoided her gaze. "Did it have anything to do with my brother?"
Aurelia closed her eyes and tried convulsively to hold back her tears. But it was too late. Warm, sticky tears were already making their way down her cheeks. Desperately, she turned to her husband's sister and sobbed softly. Hastily, Agrippina looked around on all sides and pulled Aurelia into a tight embrace. Aurelia lost control of her body. She trembled, sobbed, and wept.
"Whatever he told you about my brother, don't believe a word he said," she whispered urgently in her ear, stroking her back gently.
"I'm so afraid of him telling me the truth," Aurelia returned dejectedly. For what seemed like an eternity, Agrippina just held her, murmuring soothing words into her ear. Eventually, the trembling of her body finally subsided, and the tears dried up. Embarrassed, she moved away from Agrippina a bit, wiped her face with her hand, and smiled sheepishly at her friend. Silently she thanked her, and Agrippina took her hand.
"You were the only one there for me when I was completely at my wits end," Agrippina confessed in a quiet voice. "If you need me, I will always be there for you."
Resolutely, Agrippina rose and contemplated the path to the brightly lit villa.
"We should go back," she said seriously, and Aurelia nodded. Belana was already waiting unobtrusively at the entrance and quickly fixed Aurelia's face in the shadows. She would show no weakness in front of Macro. As soon as Belana withdrew without a word, Agrippina hooked up with her and together they entered the banquet hall. A drunken senator staggered towards them and grinned meaningfully at Aurelia. Before he could reach for her, a tall figure interposed himself between them and the senator immediately vanished with an innocent air. Concerned, Sabinus turned to her and quietly inquired if all was well. Aurelia gave him a grateful smile and nodded, then she was already pulled on by Agrippina.
Gaius was again engrossed in conversation with some toady, but to Aurelia's relief, they were all male. When their eyes met, he winked at her conspiratorially. Aurelia nodded curtly at him and followed her friend, who luckily didn't want to bring her to her brother.
As she half-heartedly listened to the conversation between Gaius sisters and Clementina, she tried to ignore Macro's watchful gaze. All at once, she became incredibly angry.
"I'll be right back," Aurelia interrupted Drusilla, turning on her heel. As soon as the door closed behind her, she began to run. It wasn't until she reached the door of the gym that she stopped and frantically jiggled the handle. She immediately gave in. Carefully, she made sure she was alone.
Relieved, Aurelia slipped into the room. The sight of man-sized training dummies calmed her. Determined, she grabbed one of the swords hanging on the wall and began to take out her frustration on one of the dolls. How she had missed having a weapon in her hand. But with her wedding and the move to Gaius' palace, Vespasian and she hadn't gotten to train.
Suddenly a sword was drawn from its scabbard behind her and without thinking she whirled around. Metal met metal with a clang. Gasping, she returned Clemens' reproachful gaze.
"Do you have the slightest idea what would have happened if Macro had found you?" he hissed softly, sheathing his sword again and reaching out demanding his hand for hers. Betrayed, she handed him the sword, which he immediately tidied back into its holder on the wall. Why was he here?
"I'm sorry," Aurelia said meekly. "I needed to cool off."
Clemens closed his eyes and shook his head. Quietly, he explained that Gaius had sent him unobtrusively in search of Aurelia. She hadn't realized how long she had been here. Outside, the sun was just setting.
Silently, they left the room and made their way back to the revellers who would soon be leaving.
"I saw Macro talking to you," Clemens interrupted the silence and Aurelia winced. Not trusting her confused mind, she remained silent.
"Talk to Gaius," Clemens sighed, then fell silent as well.
To her relief, most of the guests had already left. Nevertheless, she put on a light-hearted expression and joined Agrippina, who was watching the proceedings from the sidelines.
"Where have you been?" she asked, slightly irritated, and Aurelia just shook her head slightly. Now was not the time for this conversation. Reluctantly, Agrippina dropped the subject.
"Do you think they're sleeping together?" asked Aurelia quietly, and Agrippina looked at her in confusion.
"Well... Gaius and Ennia," Aurelia returned in a pained manner, gratefully taking a goblet from a passing slave. From the taste, it was thankfully not wine, for that would only worsen her mood right now and cause her newly scraped together control to collapse.
Agrippina shook her head thoughtfully. Then she said softly, "I don't think so. But you can only learn the truth from Gaius, you cannot trust Ennia. So, talk to him."
Aurelia sipped her goblet, then quickly changed the subject. Macro had already gotten dangerously close to them. Soon he lost interest in their girl talk and slipped out of earshot. Aurelia smiled to herself.

At some point Sabinus and Clementina joined them to say goodbye. Soon more guests joined them and at some point, Gaius joined them. Aurelia tried not to let her tension show and was glad that Gaius kept a reasonable distance between them in public.
Eventually, the last guest disappeared. Agrippina turned to Aurelia with an encouraging smile and pulled her into a sisterly embrace.
"Talk to him," she whispered in her ear. Letting go of her, Agrippina wished everyone a good night and disappeared towards her chambers. With a conspiratorial smile, Gaius turned to Aurelia.
"Shall we?" he asked seductively, offering her his arm. Tiredly, Aurelia returned his crooked grin and let him escort her upstairs. While he began to chatter about anything and everything, Aurelia remained silent.
As soon as the door fell shut behind them, her artificial exuberance fell away from her and she resolutely broke away from him.
"What's wrong?" asked Gaius in alarm. Aurelia just snorted and left him standing there. Annoyed, she took off her jewellery and sent her waiting slaves away. At the edge, she perceived that Gaius was doing the same. Once they were truly alone, he repeated the question. Aurelia ignored him and began to brush her hair. But this simple activity did not calm her. Her eyes kept wandering to the waiting Gaius behind her in the mirror and her hands began to shake uncontrollably again. Frustrated, she put the brush away and reluctantly turned to her husband.
"Talk to me Aurelia," he asked her softly and a hysterical laugh escaped her throat. Because talking was always so easy. Gaius eyed her irritably and Aurelia swallowed a biting answer.
"Did you sleep with her?"
Her voice was only a low whisper, so afraid was she of his answer. But Gaius only stared at her uncomprehendingly. Effortlessly calm, he asked her to repeat the question louder.
"Did you sleep with her, yes or no?", Aurelia shouted out her confused feelings and he looked like she had slapped him. With his mouth open he stared at her, then he started to laugh.
"So that's what Macro whispered to you," he snorted, but Aurelia just glared at him angrily and crossed her arms in front of her chest. Trying for a more serious expression, he came a little closer to her. Immediately, Aurelia backed away from him, and in one fell swoop, the fear she had felt at first in his presence because of the ancient lore about him was back. Instantly Gaius grew serious.
"No," he said quietly, and Aurelia winced. "I haven't even flirted with her, and I don't plan on changing anything because I love you with all my heart. I've never been attracted to her because she's just as fake as her husband. Ennia is scheming, pompous and artificial. She thinks she's smarter and prettier than everyone else and until she met you, she let everyone feel it. Aside from her turn-off character, she's too old for me and married"
Aurelia noticed how she relaxed further with every word. In his eyes she could see his deep sincerity. How could she have doubted him for even a second? Crying, she threw herself into his arms.
"I'm so sorry," she sobbed, burying her face in his shoulder. Reassuringly, Gaius put his arms around her and pressed her tightly against him. Completely broken down, she kept murmuring how sorry she was and that she should never have doubted him. Gaius just held her close and gently stroked her back.
"So that's their plan," Gaius murmured, gently brushing the wet tracks from Aurelia's face. "They're trying to drive a wedge between us so they can use you against me like Sejanus managed to do to my older brothers."
A new determination flared in Aurelia. No one would ever come between them.
"I will never doubt us again," she promised, and Gaius' mouth twisted into a fine smile. "Never again will I be deceived by my mind, and from now on I will listen only to my heart"