Page 24

Unlike the men in the palace, she didn’t appear to have any difficulty recognizing Claudia as her ruler.

‘I am up, thank you… uh? Sorry, what is your name?’

‘My name?’ said the girl. ‘Did I displease you?’

She looked terrified. Claudia realized that when an emperor asked for a servant’s name, it was rarely to praise them.

‘Not at all. I just realized that I don’t know your name, and I feel that I should, if I’m going to be any good at this,’ she said.

‘It’s… Aurelia,’ she said. ‘I’m Aurelia.’

‘Thank you, Aurelia.’

Aurelia’s gaze lingered. She chewed on her bottom lip, looking at the ground a moment before she looked up eagerly.

‘Your cousin Marcellus has not yet risen from his chambers,’ she said in a whisper.

‘Is that so?’

‘He was up until the early hours, drinking like the barrel had no bottom,’ said Aurelia.

‘That is extremely useful to know,’ said Claudia.

‘The man whose job it is to wake him up is also still slumbering in his bed… I do hope he isn’t late.’

‘That would be terrible indeed.’

They exchanged a small, wry smile.

‘I should also tell you that there are people gathering in front of the palace already.’

‘For Marcellus, I assume?’ said Claudia.

‘No, they say they’re here for you.’

‘For me? Are you sure?’

‘I am certain. They are calling themselves a cult of women.’

Claudia heard Gia stirring behind the curtain and saw Aurelia’s eyes darting over her shoulder.

Claudia suspected that she had registered a presence there. She was obviously a sharp mind, the kind of person who didn’t miss much.

‘Then I’d better get ready,’ Claudia said, quickly.

Aurelia bowed and skittered away.

When Claudia closed the door, Gia appeared from behind the curtain, wearing only underclothes.

‘A cult of women, is it?’ she said. ‘It is only right that you are worshipped, but I insist on being first in line.’

Gia reached out, trying to pull her back under the canopy.

‘Don’t tempt me,’ said Claudia, dodging her embrace. ‘As much as I long to stay in bed and forget the world, the people are waiting.’

‘Fine,’ said Gia, smiling sleepily. ‘I will have to learn to share you, for the good of the world.’

‘We’ll have to be on our best behaviour today. Aurelia already suspects that I have someone in my bed.’