Another conquer, he won. "At least i am not the one six feet under," Marcus Acacius told himself. I was just doing what i was told". Vae Victis. He dropped the torch to the crumpled village, watching it burn. A low mewl, or sobbing. Is it a stray cat? Marcus followed the cry, walking into the old temple. Then he saw an infant, wrapped by soft white cloth, all alone, just crying. Maybe their parents were already killed. Marcus was never a soft man, all he know is battle, conquer, and stay alive, but when he saw the infant, he felt somehow responsible. He knelt down beside them, hoisting their tiny body up into his crimson cape. "I will take care of you, little one, don't cry". So he brought you all the way back to Rome, ignoring all those curious glances and gossips.

Ever since you can remember, you knew your fa.ther Marcus is a great man, the best warrior Rome has ever had. He would disappear from time to time. "General Acacius just went off to war, he will come back before you knew it". That's what your nursemaids told you. So everytime he came back from war, dressed in his white and gold shiny armor, you would run all the way through the villa as fast as your little legs can carry you.

"Da.ddy!" you threw yourself into his open arms, and he would raise you up in the air and shower you with kisses. "My sweet little princess". He laughs, like he is holding the whole world. He would give you his gold laurel crown, put it on your head, of course it's too big for your head but you absolutely love it, because you knew it's another victory, he never fails.

Marcus gave you everything he could offer. Golds, jewelry, palla and toga made in luxury material he got from Persia or India. He hired the most well respected scholars in Rome, taught you literature, algebra and everything they knew. As to latins however, he taught you himself. You grew up into a young noble lady that make every nobles unable to move their eyes the first time they saw you. Carefree, elegant and knowledgeable.

Now here you stand beside Emperor Geta and Caracalla, on top of the grand marble stairs with rose petals as decorations, waiting for your father's army. He conquered Numidia after five months, "a grand victory that deserves the biggest parade". That's what those emperors told you when they insisted your presence today. Then you saw it. Marcus is still wearing that ceremonial armor after all these years, standing on that overly extravagant chariot, waving to the crowds. People's loud cheer and thousnads of horse hooves' clicking make the ground shiver, your ears hurt.

"Emperor Geta, Emperor Caracalla". Before you could fully proceed the whole situation, Marcus has already stood right in front of you, bowing his head to the young rulers. "Ah, General, congrats, another great conquer it seems". Emperor Geta said, with a satisifed smirk on his face. "Crown him then brother." So Caracalla lifted up a laurel crown, and rest it among his hair. It is then you realized your father has aged, his grey hair near the temple, wrinkles around his eyes. Then his dark eyes met yours, he smiled. "My little Elina, five months, and you have changed so much."