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‘Marcellus has served in the military,’ said Hieronymus.
‘And you have not,’ said Damocles.
‘There are no legal conditions for becoming emperor,’ said Claudia. ‘Furthermore, I am not allowed to serve in the military. That is not a fair comparison, nor a reliable measure of competence. Now, where is my dear cousin? I wish to speak with him at once.’
‘You will find him upstairs,’ said the consul. ‘He has installed himself in your father’s chambers, rather expediently.’
‘He’s done what?’
Furious, Claudia bounded ahead, followed by Gia, as she climbed the figure-carved staircase to reach the upper level of the palace.
‘What kind of man would move into my father’s private suite without my permission?’ she hissed, as they raced up the steps.
‘A sly one,’ said Gia. ‘He’s muscling in.’
‘I’ve met Marcellus only once, as a child, but now suddenly he thinks himself family? Such people are the worst kind of vultures.’
‘What do you know about him?’ asked Gia.
‘Not much. I’m sure he spent his days at war reclining in a litter at a safe distance from any battlefield.’
Claudia hurtled around the corner, past a series of statues of the Charities and Graces and under an arch, bursting through a pair of carved doors to behold the notorious Marcellus.
‘Darling Claudia!’
He quickly crossed the room towards her, drawing her into a dramatic sweeping embrace, an inescapable lock of a hug that suggested a familiarity they didn’t share.
Claudia made a face at Gia over his shoulder.
‘That’s enough,’ growled Gia, gesturing with her sword.
Marcellus quickly backed away, baring his palms.
‘This is Gia, my gladiator and guardian,’ said Claudia. ‘She’s quite protective over me, you’ll find.’
‘You should ask, before you touch the empress,’ said Gia.
‘Empress?’ said Marcellus.
Claudia barely recognized him – tall and muscular with fine robes and a mop of curly hair, grinning at her broadly with all of his teeth, as if she was telling a hilarious joke at her own expense.
‘That’s right,’ she said, stonily.
Marcellus chuckled, the sound draining away until it was just a faint gurgle, like water down a drain.
‘You are serious, cousin?’
‘You find it amusing, that a woman should seek power?’
‘No… I just can’t fathom why a woman would involve herself in politics if she didn’t have to,’ he said.
‘Then why are you here, if you have no interest in it?’
Marcellus made a puffing noise. He looked winded, offended that his heroic arrival was not being celebrated. He had clearly hoped for a better welcome, from a more accommodating princess.
‘Forgive me, cousin. I didn’t mean to offend. I merely remembered you as the chubby little girl who begged me to play with her. You were so very sweet… I did not anticipate you being my competition.’
Claudia stared at him coldly.
