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‘Then I shall merely scowl at them, like this.’ He gave her his most fearsome face, which was so comical she couldn’t help but laugh at him. ‘Then they will know they have wronged you.’

‘You look ridiculous,’ she said.

‘Then why are you blushing, Empress?’

The prince reached out, running his thumb along her jaw.

Caught off-guard, Claudia froze.

His dark eyes were fixed on her with great determination.

She felt him leaning in, his eyes fluttering shut…

‘Not… here,’ she said, pulling back stiffly. ‘Not in front of my guards, in a litter on the dusty road.’

‘Apologies,’ he said, though he didn’t look sorry at all. ‘I got carried away with the mood of the moment.’

She met eyes with Gia before they continued along in silence.

‘This is getting out of hand,’ said Gia, when they were alone in bed. ‘You have practically agreed to have his child, now you will go travelling with him? He almost kissed you today!’

The creak of the bench sounded outside and Claudia made a motion with her hand, signalling for Gia to lower her voice.

‘I know,’ she whispered. ‘You were right. I thought I could stall him, but it is getting to be too much. If I keep rejecting him, he will become suspicious eventually. He might even call off the alliance. If I make an enemy of the prince now, when he is visitor to my city, my rule is over.’

‘Then what do you suggest?’ asked Gia.

‘I have to hold the line between politely encouraging his affections and keeping him at bay. I will tell him that physical affection is off the table, until marriage.’

‘And then what?’

‘I wish to approach him with an offer, a marriage of convenience with you as my consort. But I must first determine if he is trustworthy. Will he be open to the arrangement or will he be scorned and vengeful? I cannot be sure without knowing him better.’

‘Then we need to determine his true character,’ said Gia. ‘What was it he said when you discussed the graffiti before? Something about him being misunderstood back at home? Perhaps he has a secret of his own?’

‘Exactly. In my company, he is always performing. He is presenting his best side, of course. I need to know who he is when he isn’t trying to win my favour, but he won’t reveal himself easily to me, much as I would not reveal myself easily to him. The shield of Minerva does not show me what is happening inside his mind.’

‘You think he might confide in someone else?’

‘I was thinking perhaps Cassius could befriend him?’ said Claudia. ‘What do you think?’

‘My brother? Why?’

‘The prince has only his attendants here in Rome, and he spoke to me of his loneliness. He might be forthcoming about his real feelings in company with a fellow warrior, preferably over an amphora of wine, or several. I might learn something useful.’

‘Such as?’

‘Such as, he displays strange proclivities in the bedroom, or abuses substances to great excess, or he has a wife and child back in Persepolis who are waiting for him to return. Something Prince Darius may be more inclined to share, man to man.’

‘How are we to introduce them, without the prince knowing we’re setting Cassius up to spy on him?’ said Gia. ‘I wouldn’t want to put my brother in danger.’

‘I have thought of that. Tomorrow afternoon, the prince and his staff will be with me at the Theatre of Pompey. Cassius can accompany me as my guard. I will approach him to ask for his assistance in getting the prince to open up. With Cassius taking your place, you will be free to perform reconnaissance while the prince is out of the palace. It would be an ideal moment to enter his chambers and examine his belongings, in case he has anything incriminating in his possession. If you get caught, just say it’s an imperial order, for security.’

Gia did not appear convinced by this enterprising plan, but she didn’t refuse her either.

‘How long will I have?’ she asked.

‘I’ll keep him entertained for as long as possible,’ said Claudia. ‘We won’t return to the palace until you join me at the theatre.’