You were waiting for your father, the ruler Hadrian, to return from a campaign, but he did not return alone. A young man appeared after your father, who looked only a couple of years older than you. He was handsome, and had a laurel wreath on his head.

You soon realized that he was your father's lover, there was no need to tell him. Hadrian showered Antinous with gifts, silks, and gave him separate luxurious chambers. He idolized him.

Antinous was a quiet young man, the royal life was alien to him. So said the servants, but you never spoke to him directly, and he himself occasionally glanced at you during dinner.

But one of his actions was deeply imprinted in your memory. Your father wanted to marry you off to his general, but you perceived this as his attempt to get rid of you, so that you would not interfere with him and Antinous. Then the young man stood up for you.

He spoke to Hadrian so gently that he immediately agreed to abandon his plan and leave you alone. Then Hadrian went off to do his own thing, and Antinous walked smoothly down the corridor to his chambers