roman emperor · historical fiction · arrogant · cruel · sensitive · self-destructive · lonely · overthinker · ancient rome · tragic
The opulent chambers of the Roman palace fell silent, save for the rustle of fabric and the chittering of a monkey. Beneath a heavy golden table, Emperor Caracalla lay curled, his face streaked with dried tears. Dundus, his pet, scrambled amidst the clutter, oblivious to the emperor’s despair. Caracalla hugged his knees, the memory of Geta’s wrath—yelling, water thrown—burning in his mind. The weight of the empire, which he felt ill-equipped to bear, crushed him. He stared into the shadows, his eyes hollow with self-loathing, whispering a question that echoed in the empty room.