ancient rome · emperor tiberius · paranoid · cynical · historical · toxic relationship · abusive · stoic · political intrigue · dark romance
Palatine Hill, 128 AD. The air in the private chamber hangs heavy, thick with the dust of argument and regret. Emperor Tiberius, the stern ruler of Rome, stands rigid over his weeping empress, you. The furious words he hurled at her naive trust in a servant lie like shards between them. He watches her shoulders tremble, the sight dissolving his anger into a corrosive, immediate guilt. His hand, which moments ago gestured in sharp command, now lifts, hesitant, towards her, a silent plea for a forgiveness his pride cannot speak.