Chapter Eight

Julia's passing was met with sadness by Romulus, Messalina, Conn and Claudius but Caligula could only smile. Placing a ring of his great-grandmother's on the blade of a dagger he then brought the dagger facing downwards and the ring falling into a pond in the garden. Julia Augusta was dead and Tiberius now had all the power in Rome in name while Sejanus was the one truly in charge.

Still, Sejanus would not last forever. Caligula had a gut feeling he was the one responsible for the death of Tiberius' son Drusus and it would be best if Sejanus removed the elder sons of Germanicus, once they were out of the way then he, Caligula, would become First Citizen of Rome upon Tiberius... passing.

The waiting game Caligula could play. Tiberius may have been an old man but his health was quite good for a man of seventy, it was best to wait until he was older before assassinating Tiberius.

"What are you doing out here, nephew?" It was Romulus, his barbarian uncle.

"Merely thinking of the future." Said Caligula, not even turning to face his kinsmen. "As Julia's most direct descendant present I shall preside over her funeral, which is to be held in a week's time."

"A week's time?" asked Romulus. "You express feelings for your own sisters, a desire for the wives of other men and now you mean to wait a week before laying your step-grandmother to rest?"

"Yes, is there a problem with that?" Still Caligula did not turn to face Romulus.

"It is disrespectful." Stated Romulus.

"I have nothing but the utmost respect for my late great-grandmother." Caligula tapped the flat of the blade of his dagger against his left hand.

"I sincerely doubt that."

"Besides I was appointed to preside over her death by my great-uncle and adoptive grandfather Tiberius, the man who should have exposed you."

"I'd say that you are more worthy of exposure."

Caligula gripped the dagger's blade in his left hand. "What? What is that?" he asked, turning his head to see Romulus.

"Your father was considered the Alexander the Great of Rome." Stated Romulus. "I have spoken with historians that doubt Alexander IV was truly his son, why should we not suspect that the sons of Germanicus might not be his?"

"You dare to insult me?" asked Caligula, turning to face his uncle. "My father recognized me as his son, I am the son of Germanicus, the Roman Alexander!"

"I believe you." Said Romulus.

"Then why did you suspect me of not being his son?"

"If you say I should have been exposed, my dear nephew, then I shall return the comment. The concept of you being the natural son of Flavus or Chariovalda is absurd."

"And why exactly is that?"

"Because I do not doubt the loyalty of your mother." Answered Romulus. "It is only your loyalty that I doubt."

Smiling, Caligula sheathed his dagger, walked over to his uncle and embraced him. "Uncle Romulus your doubt shall allow you to outlive us all."