The moment he took her hand and turned completely away from the frightened boy; a bad feeling came over Aurelia. They could not leave Gemellus like this. Determined, she stopped and gently held Gaius back. She gave her husband a quick glance to make sure he would let her. Light as a feather, she ran her fingertips reassuringly over his arm, then turned back to Gemellus and stepped towards him with a serious expression. Uncertainly, Gemellus looked up at her. Slowly and gently, as with an injured animal, she sank down to his eye level.
"Macro used you, Gemellus," she explained in a calm voice to the still trembling boy. "His plan was always to become first in the state. From the beginning, he intended to eliminate us and then you, as soon as you gave in to his desire to marry Agrippina out of gratitude. You are very young, Gemellus. Don't let him take you down with him!"
Calculatingly, Gemellus' puffy eyes bored into hers. After a while, when he thoughtfully let his gaze wander to Gaius, he seemed completely changed. Gemellus seemed calmer to her, less torn inside and almost as if he could see for the first time the burden that had been on Gaius' shoulders for over nine months. But the most important thing was that he finally believed them.
"There are many things I still need to think about," Gemellus said in a hoarse voice. "But from now on I will concentrate on the really important things and no longer cower in this maelstrom of darkness."
Nodding sympathetically at him, she rose gracefully and fixed one by one the Praetorians present.
"If even a word of what has transpired here today leaves this room" she stated calmly, looking deeply into the men's eyes. "I will see to it that it was the last word that ever passed your lips. Do you understand me?"
The men saluted her hastily, thus expressing their understanding. In thanks, she nodded gravely to them, then reached out to her Gaius. Wordlessly, his fingers slipped between hers and together they strode out of the cell. As soon as they reached the bright atrium of her palace, all fear finally fell from her and gave way to a new feeling: exhaustion. With difficulty, she tried to control her surging tiredness and concentrated entirely on putting one step in front of the other. Silently, they traversed the remaining corridors and finally reached the place where they could be themselves. With the familiar click, the heavy wooden door latched behind them. Gaius immediately pulled her into his arms and buried his face in her hair, while Aurelia wearily leaned her head against his chest, closed her eyes and breathed deeply of his familiar scent.
"I'm sorry," he whispered in her ear. Sluggishly, Aurelia opened her eyes, rested her head on the back of his neck and returned his gaze. Dark shadows had formed under his eyes.
"Can you promise me something, please?" she asked softly, and he raised his eyebrow questioningly, but nodded immediately.
"Next time you are faced with such an important decision, please talk to me about it and don't just decide anything," she asked him earnestly. Tentatively, he brushed a strand of hair from her face and assured her to seek her advice in the future. Relieved, she snuggled up to him again. After a while, he murmured a small "thank you" to her. Questioningly, she looked at him.
"For pulling me from the brink," he explained with a subtle smile, leaning his forehead gently against hers.
"Gaius," she said tenderly. "I love you with all my heart and if I had to, I would drag you out of Tartarus myself"
His soft laughter vibrated in her body.
"I hope it never comes to that" he replied, and the fine smile twisted into his typical crooked grin. But it did nothing to hide the dark shadows under his eyes. Concerned, she eyed his familiar face and took it gently in her hands.
"You work too much," she observed, frowning worriedly. Gaius rolled his eyes and nonchalantly explained that politics did not knock on the door and ask if it was convenient for her to appear now or if she should come back at a more convenient time. Although she wanted to remain serious, she could not suppress a smirk. Laughing, he lifted her up and spun her around despite her half-hearted protest.
"Today I'm off," he declared solemnly and carefully set her back on her feet.
"Then you should use your free time and get some rest," she replied, still a little dizzy, grabbing his hand and pulling him into the bedroom with her. Without argument, he dropped onto the bed and blinked lazily at her.
"Will you tell me a story from the future?" he inquired like a little boy and Aurelia laughed for the first time that day. At the same time, she sat down beside him and pondered while he rested his head on her lap. Lost in thought, she ran her fingers through his full, blond hair.
"What would you like to hear about?" she asked back and immediately he replied, "Britannia - what do you know about this mysterious island?"
Aurelia laughed softly, but then abruptly became serious, wishing she had paid more attention in English class. But even then, she had been more interested in the history of the country than in any population figures or national dishes.
"I've never been there, but the landscape is beautiful," she began, and Gaius eagerly absorbed her every word. Suddenly an idea struck her.
"In about 1500 years there will be two kingdoms on the island, each ruled by a queen. Mary will rule in the north, and Elizabeth in the south."
"What strange names," Gaius interjected and Aurelia rolled her eyes in amusement. Playfully annoyed, she asked him if he even wanted to hear the story. Betrayed, Gaius promised not to interrupt her further and closed his eyes.
"They are relatives, cousins even. But they are required to fight each other for the rule of all Britain. One day Mary must flee her country and seeks refuge with Elizabeth. However, she can only see one thing in Mary: a threat to her own rule and imprisons her. 18 years later, Mary was executed for treason, while Elizabeth went down in history as one of the greatest queens ever. Under her reign, art, literature and theatre flourished. One stain, however, clung to her image forever: Mary's execution."
Thoughtfully, she fell silent and looked out over the beautiful gardens of her palace.
"Do you think history always repeats itself?" she asked but received no reply. Surprised, she turned her attention back to Gaius, whose breathing had become even. Gently, she lifted his head and lay down beside him. Immediately he grumbled in his sleep, pulling her close and burying his face against the crook of her neck. Although his hair tickled her, Aurelia held still, hoping he would continue to sleep. Shortly after, his breathing became more even again. Carefully, she wiped his hair from her face and blew a light kiss on his hair. Everything felt so right with him.
"I promise you that your history will not repeat itself," she whispered, then smiling, she wrapped her arms around his body, closed her eyes and listened to his quiet breathing until she too fell into a deep, restful sleep.

When someone timidly but vehemently shook her shoulder, Aurelia was reluctantly roused from sleep. Confused, she blinked up into Nara's startled face. At her neck, Gaius's soft hair tickled and dispelled her weariness. On the sidelines, Aurelia noticed that by now it had begun to rain heavily. Thunder rumbled softly from the distance. A thunderstorm was approaching.
She looked questioningly at Nara, who had silently scurried to the threshold and silently indicated that she should follow her. Gently, Aurelia detached herself from Gaius, who hugged her pillow and slept on. Smiling, Aurelia shook her head and quietly followed Nara out of the room.
"Lady Agrippina sent me to fetch you," Nara breathed. Surprised, Aurelia stopped.
"The child is coming," Nara declared softly and with a start Aurelia was wide awake.
"Take me to her at once!" she begged and hurriedly made her way to her friend.
A crowd of slave girls had already gathered around Agrippina, frantically running around the room gathering all sorts of things while Agrippina sat on a strange chair doing breathing exercises. As soon as she caught sight of Aurelia, her eyes lit up with relief. Immediately, Aurelia rushed to her and grasped her friend's hand that was outstretched towards her. Frightened, Agrippina clung to her and immediately Aurelia asked what was wrong.
"The child is wrong," Agrippina gave out pressed and Aurelia swallowed. "Please stay with me. My sisters won't have the strength to go through this"
Aurelia gently squeezed Agrippina's hand and stood beside the birthing woman to give the midwife the space she needed.
Soon Agrippina's cries rang through the room and Aurelia wanted nothing more than to be back in her bed safe and warm in Gaius' arms. But Agrippina needed her and so she pushed all thoughts aside and concentrated entirely on standing by her sister-in-law.

Hours later, the midwife caught the crying child, who was touched at the same moment by the first light of the rising sun. Immediately Agrippina wanted to know what sex her child was.
"It's a boy, milady," the slave answered with a smile and handed the wriggling boy to a younger woman who immediately began to wash and swaddle it. Agrippina leaned back in her chair with relief. Quietly, Aurelia congratulated her friend and stepped back. Shortly afterwards, Agrippina held her tiny son in her arms and eagerly absorbed the sight of him. She quietly murmured some words into his ear that Aurelia did not understand. Suddenly Agrippina looked up with a rapt expression on her face and her eyes bored into Aurelia's.
"Would you like to hold him?" she asked happily, and Aurelia nodded timidly, stepping up to the two and taking Agrippina's son in her arms somewhat awkwardly but carefully. The little one reclined comfortably and snuggled up to her, smiling. Aurelia had always found it difficult to deal with small children. She herself had always been an only child and when other girls her age were completely excited about a baby, Aurelia had just stood by and felt sorry for the child who was cuddled, pinched, and taken for a fool without asking. Silently she looked at the small, round face. Everything about him was just tiny.
"You haven't held a new-born much, have you?", Agrippina wanted to know with interest and Aurelia shook her head. Before she could answer anything, the door was pushed open, and Agrippina's family poured into her chamber. The little boy moved restlessly, and Aurelia immediately gave him her undivided attention. Quietly she began to tell the boy one of her favourite fairy tales. Gently, an arm wrapped around her waist from behind and Gaius' familiar scent rose to her nose. Smiling, she looked up at him. Quickly he pressed a kiss to her temple, then rested his chin on her shoulder and looked at his tiny nephew.
"What would you call him, Gaius?" Agrippina's voice brought them both back to the present. Gaius carefully ran his hand over his nephew's cheek and examined him. Then he calmly returned his sister's gaze and with a curt nod pointed to his uncle Claudius, who was standing somewhat awkwardly next to his mother Antonia and his wife Messalina on the other side of the room. Agrippina's gaze darted in the direction Gaius had pointed and she snorted in amusement. The little one began to whine, and Aurelia realised too late how much her body had tensed at this scene, which somehow seemed darkly familiar, as if she had read about it before. She studied the little fellow with his few reddish-blond fluffs on his head.
"One Claudius in the family is enough, isn't it, uncle?" said Agrippina gravely, stretching her arms demandingly towards her son. Immediately Aurelia handed the boy back to his mother and crossed her arms in front of her chest. Out of the corner of her eye she perceived Messalina murmuring something in Claudius' ear.
"How about Lucius?" inquired a man completely unknown to Aurelia, who sat next to Agrippina and stared at the little boy with fascination. Thoughtfully, Agrippina eyed the man and Aurelia saw her force herself into a smile that she thought looked affectionate.
"Lucius Domitius Ahenorbarbus," Agrippina murmured, stroking her son's cheek gently. "I like that name, my little Lucius."
Thoughts raced in Aurelia's head. Domitius Ahenorbarbus, something rang a bell, but she had never heard of a Lucius Domitius Ahenorbarbus, who was also Agrippina's son. She knew a Gnaeus Domitius Ahenorbarbus, the biological father of emperor Nero. Nero, who had been adopted by his mother after her marriage to her own uncle. Nero, who must have previously borne another name. Nero, who had his younger adopted brother killed. Nero, who needed four attempts to kill his mother. Nero, under whom the first persecutions of Christians had taken place in Rome. Nero, who allegedly had his favourite slave operated on so that he could marry him. Nero, the last emperor of the Claudian-Julian dynasty. Nero, the psychopath.
The longer she looked at the peacefully sleeping baby, the more she realised she was right. Lucius was Nero. She had held Nero in her arms. Suddenly the air seemed very thin, and she struggled desperately for breath. At the same time, nausea rose in her and all she wanted was to get away from this child whose future frightened her so much. Mechanically, she pushed Gaius away from her, made up an excuse for Agrippina and, without waiting for an answer, calmly left the room. No sooner had the door closed behind her than she began to run. But she could not run away from her mind. Everywhere she looked, she saw scenes she had read about emperor Nero.