The house of Silvio

[Felicita]

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The siblings of the house of Silvio, and Felicita, inhabit this house. It is situated in one of Rome's finest districts near the forum and the Senate House. The house they had inherited from their adoptive parents, it was built not too long ago in the typical Roman style. With a small store on the right of the front main door, it was a large house containing a few bedrooms (two for the lord and lady of the house, the others for visitors but also for slaves), a kitchen, dining hall, resting room, an atrium with a pool of water as well as a room to worship the gods and godesses.

Felicita was resting on a wooden bed, on her stomach a plate with fruit lied, filled with apples, grapes, pears and many other kinds of fruit. It was an old habit of hers, whenever she needed time for thinking and so peaceful surroundings, she let herself bring a plate with fruit, and simply lay there, staring up at the painted ceiling, losing herself in her thoughts.

In this moment, she was pondering over the question of marriage. This topic was a very common one to her lately, her age as well as her desperate need for love, true love, made her think about it. She was now 20 years old, many of her friends already were married, introduced to the noble, hardworking life of adults. But she had not found someone to love yet, neither was she sure what love truly was, she never before had felt such, and as well she considered as with her brother being one of the most well known polititians and military men in Rome, a marriage out of love would not seem wise.

He was the head of the family, although their family was small, only containing him and her. But if she was to marry, she needed his full consent, if he would not suggest a marriage. Never before has he shown her this power as head of the family, never had he pushed her around as he needed her, but they were, almost to say, equal in their relationship, in their family. She wondered if now, that he had fame, that they had enough money, he even would suggest such, little did she know about politics and the importancy of bonding through marriage.

[Lucius Valerius Silvio]

The house of Silvio belonged not only to Felicita, but also her brother Lucius, Rome`s finest and richest General. Long had they lived in the house they owned, but early in the stage of life they lived in Greece thought lost their parents at road. From that day on they had been taken into the house of Silvio, thought as the adoptive parents were old as the siblings were brought in they soon died. As the only heir and family they got it all, with the house now as their own they grew up to fine citizens of Rome.

As the day was early and the sun stood high, covered between few clouds. Lucius Valerius Silvio came marching home along with his guards, threw the streets of Rome he had traveled to visit his sister after important business with the senator. He had thought out great plans for future, and it was time to set them at work. His sister was to marry senator Marius to establish treaty between him and the senate. Making Lucius pro consul as Marius becomes consul of Rome, with it made it surely would make them all more powerful then ever. With a slight push the doors opened before him by the guards hand, inside light and beauty was seen as his sister sat before him in the sunshine that shortly had turned up.

"Salve Sister, I come with great news."He said and stepped further in, moving as he held out his hands to her to kiss them gentle and brotherly. Lucius was glad to have his sister, as she was all he had left rather then friends. She was his only trade to make alliances with, without her he would be nothing more then a general of Rome thought still able to do things he liked.

[Felicita]

Felicita looked up when she heard her brother enter, and a smile came upon her face. She was glad to see him, for she had missed him and the company of their slaves was not satisfying her in any way. She often had felt like an outsider in Rome, although she did not remember much of her true home, Greece, Athens. But her knowing that she was not a born Roman from birth on often made her feel unsure, especially towards the people working for her and her brother, their slaves. Some of them even came from some parts of Greece. The fate of being slaves could have happened to her and her brother as well if not for the love and caress of the family Silvio, who adopted them.

But now she would not think more about it, her brother's facial expression told her that he had news, good news for them, before he even told. She quickly lifted the plate of fruit from her stomach, still chewing on a piece of grape while doing so. She quickly swallowed now, and put the plate onto the floor, standing up to greet Lucius. "It's good that you're back, brother." she spoke while moving into his arms to greet him lovingly. "News? What news might that be? You came from the Senator Marius, didn't you? What did you two speak about?" she questioned him curiously.

[Lucius Valerius Silvio]

"I have and we spoke of great deeds, we just agreed to make you his wife. You are to be married with Marius, as long he makes me pro Consul. And you sister, will be his wife, first lady of Rome."Lucius said with a smile, taking her hands in his as she approached. With these news he hoped she would be glad, cause long had she been unmarried and kept her honor well to herself. Now time had come to change life, the life for them both and Rome. If it turned the way he wanted, the people would see great wealth and glory to them all. With his sister married he would be one step closer his wishes, and she would be more richer then ever. However he hoped it would make her happy, as it would also please her husband to be, if not they both would be dishonored.

The guards that had followed Lucius went in and closed the doors, quickly they took stand and watched the siblings where they stood. Servants that had been bringing food to Felicita sonly entered with more as her brother arrived, both they served thought mostly Felicita as Lucius was gone at times. With a smile he accepted fruits as he went to sit down with her, still holding hands tight as happy he was for the event to take place. As the leader of his house, he decided the fate of those he owned.

[Felicita]

Felicita's facial expression in the moment her brother told her she would be married to the Senator Marius was easy to describe: shocked. She was staring at him in the first few seconds, not sure how to answer, what to say. To be honest, she had expected anything else but this, but him already telling her she would have to marry Marius. At the matter of her wedding, she had expected him first telling her of his plans, of her possibilities, but this came too rash, too surprising, already the final desicion. Here it was, the first time her brother had played his bonus card as being the head of their family, she had no power against his word now.

"Senator Marius? But brother, I hardly know him, I only have seen him once or maybe twice. How... how can you be sure this marriage would work?" She asked Lucius, but in truth, she thought that it probably would not be the wrong decision he had made. Marius was a young, attractive man, he was powerful, has much influence on the Roman plebs. Indeed, he would be a good catch for her, her brother had thought right. Still she would have preferred Lucius asking her first before already arranging their wedding. So, she continued "If you think it is for the best of our family, I surely will marry him, Lucius."

She let go of his hands, sitting down onto her bed again, looking up to him. She was not hungry anymore, the fruits a young slave girl had brought in would not please her, but she waited for her brother's reply, as well as to tell her more about what the two men had planned. She wanted to know more about if they already had planned on which day her wedding was to be hold, or if they had planned more about their rule together, them taking over the Senate and whole Rome.

[Lucius Valerius Silvio]

"I am sure it will work sister, you are a great woman that any man would love to marry and he`s a man attracted by many which is also very rich. I believe you two will be a great couple together, no doubt."Lucius answered with a smile to his sister, still sitting beside her as they spoke to one another. She surely seemed shocked by the news, but he hoped she would like to be married with the senator. After all it was already decided, and both seemed to be a perfect match for each other. However she seemed to like the idea after some time had passed, gently he moved closer as he stretched his hand to touch her cheek."Do not worry my sister, I am sure you will like him." He said, looking at her deep into the eyes as he cared for her the most.

Lucius was happy about what was to happen, to have his sister married would surely improve the status of their house. Felicita would become the greatest and richest lady of Rome together with her new husband Marius, as Lucius then would be consul and General. Making his power and the alliance with the senate stronger, with having it done the plans who was made could be set at work. "About the wedding itself we thought you could decide when its to be held, after all its your wedding also, but I would suggest to have it as soon as possible if we want our plans to go like we want."

[Felicita]

"Well, brother, I believe once I must marry. And if it helps you and improves our lifestyle, then... I happily agree, brother." Felicita said, although it had not made much difference if she would not have agreed. Lucius as head of the household would have made her, there was no other chance for her. But she was happy, she could agree with the decision Lucius and Marius had made. She would marry Marius, and become Rome's First Lady with being wife to Marius as well as sister to Lucius. She would learn to love Marius, she just hoped he truly was a good man as Lucius had told her.

She had heard of many of her friends that their husbands beat them, betray them, simply use them to produce an heir for their family. She did not want this to happen to her, since she was a small girl she had wished for a loving man, and a marriage not only based on duties or cruelty, but on respect at least if not love. As she hardly knew Lucius, she could not tell if he would be able to provide such a marriage to her, if he would treat her fairly and well.

"And yes, Lucius, I believe the wedding is to be hold soon, better sooner for you to succeed in politics than later or never." Felicita agreed and went on "But many arrangements are to made then, and... and I need to get to know him before, don't I? Will we invite him?"

[Lucius Valerius Silvio]

"Yes, yes. He should come, so that we are able to discuss it further. However I already took the opportunity in inviting him to our house, he will be here shortly so I better suggest you go and prepare yourself." He said, glad about her accepting the marriage he had purposed. Somehow he knew they would be a good match for each other, with both having their honor in hold. Senator Marius was a descent man as they both had been close friends in past, growing up together they had as fighting apprentices they had been. Now touching her cheek as he looked at her he smiled, wondering what she thought but possible to see her happy. She seemed glad even nervosity was within them both, a great future was ahead of them but only they could decide the outcome."I am glad you accept, sister."

With that being said he stood up, taking her hands in his as he dragged her with him. They both would have much to do, after all the senator was coming to their house and a lot was to be prepared. The correct food, the fitting cloths and the best decorations was to be chosen. At least the senator would not appear at once, still time they had to do ready things needed. It was time to talk about future, as many great things was to be decided.

[Felicita]

"He will come now, why so soon? Then we have much to do now." Felicita stated, not replying to his other words. She quickly walked with him, she first would dress herself in different, proper clothes. It was so much to do, that she had not even time to think of what was going to happen this evening, that deep inside she was horribly nervous about meeting her future husband, the man she will be marrying within the next days.

"Prepare a proper meal for us, do not save with spices and meat." Felicita ordered to the slaves who were employed in the kitchen. "Put fresh flowers in the vases in the atrium and the surrounding main rooms." she told the next couple of slaves, and went on "And prepare enough wine and liquors for us." After having this done, she let go of her brother and hurried to her own rooms. "Much to do, brother, better hurry." She told him without looking back.

[Lucius Valerius Silvio]

With a slight nod the general returned to his sister, watching her curious as she leaved. A lot surely was to be done as the senator was to come, the future husband of Felicita. Lucius looked forward tot he wedding that was to be held, not only would it improve glory to him and her but also to the family name and status in the roman public. It pleased him also to have his sister married, as long had she waited for a man and husband. If she got what she wanted it would please them all, not only him but also the senator as he wished for a wife that could show love in other ways he experienced earlier.

"Take your time sister, no need to stress. Still some time before he comes."Lucius shouted after his sister as she went to get dressed differently, as well the changes in the house was being made. All the orders she had given was sonly set at work by her unpresence, the servants went to clean it all, placing flowers where needed and sitting places along with more. He himself gently went over to the couch close by, sitting down as he waited for his own sister to come back. The fruit she had laid away he carefully took up while he started eating the rest, it tasted good and he clearly understood why she had eaten it.

[Felicita]

Felicita peered out of her room for one second, glaring at her brother. "If you were going to meet the woman you will marry within the next few weeks in very little time and had no idea of this until now, you would be stressed as well and be in a hurry, dear brother!" she shouted towards him, before disappearing behind the wall again. She was searching in her wardrobe for a fitting dress, her most trusted slave was following her, offering her help.

The other slaves were working on the meal by now, and prepared the drinks. The whole house was in uproar, busy, running around. Felicita herself, while being dressed in a beautiful, light red dress, felt nervosity grab her. She had not talked to Marius ever before, only seen him a few times, sometimes from afar, sometimes talking to her brother. How would he be? Would they find enough topics to talk? Would her brother truly stay right with his opinion of them being a perfect fitting couple? What if not? She would not be able to deny the marriage, not now anymore, it only was her brother's decision.

[Lucius Valerius Silvio]

Lucius laughed by his sister respond, he still was on the couch as he heard it but kept on eating shortly after. His gaze curiously followed those what went around him, the slaves was busy as much was to do even time they had. Still he kept eating, thought after sometime a pair dots was seen on his cloths. After a short moment he had made them dirty again, it all now needed to be changed again. Gentle he stood up from where he laid, placing the plate beside him as he had things to do. Quickly the servants was called to him by a clap with his hands, orders were given and sonly they went off to find fitting cloths.

As he waited he walked around, waiting for them to come back. The waiting made him impatient thought his eyes were on something else, the servant girls that passed from time to time made him interested. However quickly he forgot about them as the servant he called came back with cloths, with a smile and nod he thanked them but had to choose what was best. When the decision was made he went to get it on, the cloths he now took on was both white and red. Representing the house as the head of family, not only was it red and white but also attached gold."Now sister, are you finished?"He called out, still not finished himself as some jewelry was missing.

[Felicita]

Felicita was now finished dressed, her servant had helped her putting on the dress, and she had put on the finest necklaces and jewelries she possessed. She now hurried out of her room to check on the work of the slaves, if they had forgotten nothing and did everything as she wished for it. To her brother's words she answered "Yes, brother, I am finished." She called out to him, her mind fixed on anything else than his words actually, she was by far too nervous to go on with small talk with her brother.

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One hour had passed, and Felicita had hurried almost to say for nothing, enough time there had been to prepare the house for the high visit of Marius. Felicita and her slaves had decorated the house properly, put flowers in the vases, dusted and cleaned the carpets and furnitures and arranged the chairs, benches, beds and tables in a fine order. The cooks had prepared the finest food and had arranged it on porcellain plates, and the best wine was poured into beautiful glass bottles. The house and especially Felicita were awaiting the high guest, the senator Marius.
Felicita was now sitting near the front door, with a glass of wine in her hand, and said to her brother "I hope this meeting will turn out to be as fine as we can only hope for it to be. For us both I hope this."

[Senator Marius]

As the brother and sister of the Silvio House were speaking inside, the senator Marius had just arrived the doorstep of their house. Guards he had taken along, thought unarmed as no fight was to take place on the event of speaking business. With a slight knock the servant of his touched the door, telling the people inside he had arrived. Sonly as the doors opened and he was let in, a great sight met him. Felicita that was for him to marry were beautiful, like a spell she cached his eyes quickly even calm he still stood.

"General Lucius."He said with a smile upon his face, reaching out his arms as he wanted to greet his friend with a hug. Not long after his gaze was once again turned toward Felicita, she surely was an interesting woman who he believed would become a good future wife. Her looks were good and her moves seemed amazing, if the deal would succeed it clearly would please them all. She was exact what he had been looking for, a young fitting woman to love."And you must be Felicita." Marius answered while he slightly nodded, reaching to kiss her hand as she came forth.

[Felicita]

Felicita immediately got up when Marius las led into the room, she looked down at her clothes and stroke them smooth before looking up at him again. She waited for the two friends to greet each other before she stepped a little closer, shy and nervous inside but did not wish to let it show.
She looked up at him when she reached out her right hand for him to kiss as it was custom in Rome. "Indeed. I am very delighted to at last meeting you, Senator." She answered him with a slight smile, hoping she was not disappointing her future husband. She did not love him from the first moment on, but she liked him, he was acceptable as a husband, powerful, attractive, and surely no brute as she feared.