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‘Where is Gia?’ she asked of the advisors.

‘Who?’ said Hieronymus.

‘My gladiator,’ she said. ‘My guard.’

‘Oh, her. I have asked for her to be kept away, so you are not distracted,’ he said, pointedly. ‘You can socialize with your friend later, Princess. For now, there is important work to be done.’

Claudia glared at him, stupefied that he could be so ignorant to their respective positions.

‘Empress,’ she corrected. ‘And Gia is not merely my friend. She is a member of my court. She is my trusted confidant and protector. There are no rooms in this palace that are closed to her, if I am in them. Please, go and fetch her.’

One of the younger advisors scurried off eagerly.

‘Very well,’ said Hieronymus stuffily. ‘Let us return to the topic of the confirmation.’

‘Go ahead. I am listening.’

‘First, there’s the question of who will ride beside you. Ordinarily, it would be the wife of the emperor, maybe a sibling. In your case, perhaps you could be persuaded to have Marcellus accompany you.’

‘I don’t think that would be appropriate.’

‘Why not, Princess?’

‘Empress,’ she said again, firmer this time, her eyes widening in warning. ‘He challenged me for rule. He is my opponent. I have not sought to punish him for that, but I don’t wish to reward him either.’

‘Oh,’ said Hieronymus shiftily, ‘well I’m afraid Marcellus has already been asked, and he was keen to say yes.’

As if magically summoned by the sound of his name, Marcellus emerged from the throng of bodies.

‘Wonderful day, cousin!’ he said, cheerily. He’d smartened up since his appearance at Senate House, with fresh robes and a medallion that gave him an imperial look. ‘I hear we shall be riding together in tomorrow’s parade. I am honoured indeed.’

She didn’t offer up her hand this time but he took it anyway, kissing the back of it as he gave a deep, respectful bow.

‘Regrettably, I must—’ Claudia began.

‘It would be the perfect opportunity to launch ourselves as a couple, don’t you think?’ he said.

No words left her lips as she stared at him, speechless.

‘If we are to marry, it is important that the public sees the strength in our union,’ he continued.

‘You and Marcellus are to marry?’ said Hieronymus, just loud enough that he was heard by all those present. ‘Why didn’t you say so?’

The room erupted into a flurry of activity, congratulating her on a union she hadn’t consented to.

Marcellus was smiling and shaking hands, as if it was real, as if she had agreed.

But she had not agreed.

At this exact moment, as her advisors cheered and applauded, crowing about the impending wedding, Gia walked in.

Over the din, Claudia saw a handmaid approach her, pointing to the empress to share the news.

‘No, no, no,’ Claudia said, in a dull voice.

Cassius and Dominic appeared behind Gia, along with Athena, all of them looking equally surprised.

Gia’s eyes found hers. She frowned, raised her palms as if to say, ‘what the fuck?’