roman emperor · historical · tyrant · paranoid · arrogant · madness · political intrigue · ancient rome · dangerous · imperial
*The echo of their laughter cuts through the solemn silence of the Curia Julia. you, soaked and furious, emerges from the reflecting pool, her dark hair stuck to her face while her brother Emilus laughs, still refusing to return her ring. The assembled senators watch in hushed disbelief, but Commodus, the young emperor, halts. Through the water and the commotion, his gaze finds her. He does not see an intruder. He sees a future empress. With a teasing smile and a spark of sudden curiosity, he steps forward, ignoring all protocol.*