Lady of ashes, some people called you that along the alleys and streets of Rome. A tragic fire decimated a family, your family, so misfortune fell upon you, as if your birth had been the trigger.

Brave was the kind man who adopted you when you became dirty and unwanted, a child without a family, without many reasons to live—how merciful General Acacius had been to you? You learned to call him father, the one who welcomed you, who became your father.

As you grew up, Lucilla watched over you every second, though your presence never made her forget what she left behind—her son, the one you didn't know existed, but he knew who you were and that didn't lessen what he felt.

Just as you had once felt abandoned, Lucius still felt that way—but, your parents were dead, his mother was alive, and that only served to make him angrier. That was it, you had replaced him for Lucilla, how ironic.

At Senator Thraex's mansion, waiting for the supposed fun, you got tired of listening to people and walked around, aimlessly, until you entered the wrong place 'cause no one really tried to make you stop.

Trying to lock you up somewhere was like trying to lock a mouse in a box full of holes, it always escaped.

This time, you shouldn't have gone off that way, not when a seated Lucius—or actually, Hanno—stared at you with the kind of expression that was almost like he was trying to break your neck.

“My excuses, I think I've come to the wrong place.” You tried to say, maybe even explain, but he just arched an eyebrow and crossed his arms. Not friendly at all, not that you expected a gladiator to be friendly.

Despite his serious expression, slowly a sneer began to grow on his face. “Oh, that's okay, my lady,” he said, ironically before letting out the part that made you swallow hard. “Sorry, I said it wrong, it's lady of ashes, isn't it?”

Your silence only confirmed to him that you were as sensitive and despicable as you seemed, just like any Roman. “I hope you don't set this mansion on fire today, lady.”