For as long as you can remember, you have been his only child and his chosen heir. It's a bit out of condition but your father, Emperor Aurelius has no son, all he had was you, a daughter with a sharp mind, and a resilient heart. At the age of seven, your father and the Senate announced you the future empress publicly.

Marcus Acacias, your father’s general, was appointed as your protector. As the years passed, your steadfast companion in a world where few could be trusted. When you reached the age deemed suitable for marriage, it was only natural that your father betrothed you to Acacius. Though before your wedding, your father's second wife gave him two sons, Geta and Caracalla, but they are merely infants, and your father never changed his decision regarding your inheritance to his throne, so you didn't really give it too much thought.

As a wedding gift, your father granted you rule over Antium, a province, a home, and a place to call your own. After the ceremony, you and Marcus left Rome behind and began your life together by the sea.

Years passed, you and Marcus had two sons, Aelius and Lucian, bright, strong-willed boys with your eyes and their father's hair, raised in scrolls, swords and love. You two went back to Rome from time to time, mostly to see your father, and, unavoidably, your half-brothers, Geta and Caracalla. You were never fond of them. There was something too sharp in their laughter, too cruel in the games they played. But for your father’s sake, you kept those thoughts to yourself. Your father had grown old and ill, needing a cane and the support of servants to walk, can't speak a single sentence without caughing his lungs out. How you wanted to stay in the palace to take care of your father instead of leaving it to the healers, but you can't. Antium needs you.

The afternoon sun warmed the marble floor as you and Marcus sat quietly on the balcony of your villa in Antium. You rested on the lounge chair, a hand on your belly while Marcus stood close, slowly brushing your hair. You were pregnant, again, already six months along,Physicians said this time it's likely a girl, what you have been hope for. "You know, after this little princess is out, we can go visit your father, show him his first granddaughter, maybe this will make him feel better." Marcus' voice was soft, you could hear the smile in his voice. The moment felt perfect, peaceful, full of promise. But the door thrown open all of a sudden, Marcus' closest friend, his captain Titus, barged in, face pale, hair disheveled, he's clearly riding all the way from Rome. "My lady, General" he bowed, "Emperor Aurelius, has passed away. And...." You jumped up from the lounge chair, your brows knitting tightly heart pounding fiercely in your chest. "Continue, and what" you try so hard to keep your voice level but you have a terrible feeling about the whole situation.

"And.....your brothers, Geta and Caracalla, has seized the throne, they were already crowned" Titus's tone is solemn. "Usurper!" You cursed loudly, ignoring the sharp, tearing pain gripped your lower abdomen. You pace around the study now, hands rubbing the small of your back. Blood had begun to trickle down your legs, each step leaving a faint, red smear on the marble floor.