Livilla's Secret

*Warning: there will be a sensitive topic that's going to be said* *Read at your own risk* *I'm sorry, it is needed to be said for the story to flow* *Tho i won't dig deeper into it!*

At the break of dawn, Lepidus wake up with a start. He didn't know when he drifted off to sleep. All he know is that, he is busy replaying the events that happened in the munera in his head when he lay on his bed. Caligula's vivid expressions, Caligula almost getting hurt because of him, it pains him to think what could have happened. But thanks to that, he kept Caligula from the harm's way and afterwards finally introducing himself.

'Caligula has finally looked at me!' He remembered how it's like a thorn finally removed in his flesh. He felt so relieved. Liberated.

He sat up from his hard wooden bed, devoid of any beddings. There are only pillows, and in the pillows, he can annoyingly feel like there is something mixed in the fillings, like a sand. His sisters must have done this again. 'Brats'.

He suddenly heard a lot of clanging and banging coming from the culina disrupting his thoughts. His humble cubiculum that what once a room for a vilici, is next to it. The servi's must have woken up already. Cooking and cleaning. The unmistakable marks of a new day in Lepidus's household.

He stood up, stretching his neck with a satisfying pop in it. Naked, he looks around the bare room with no furniture on sight, just his single bed where he rose from, he found his garments scattered down the floor. After wearing it, he then went out, passing by the bustling culina, where servi's were already preparing breakfast. He made his way to a nearby fountain. He slipped his tunic down to his waist, exposing his toned chest and started splashing cool water to his face.

While he is busy refreshing himself for the day ahead, he remembered how he ask Caligula for a wish. His face turned red from embarrassment. He splashed more water to his face trying to cool it down. Then he remembered, he did not specify what kind of wish it is. He just said he'll stop by Caligula's family domus. 'Dumbass, moron', he said grumbling. He then proceeded to wash down his body vigorously, he doesn't want to look like a muddy dog infront of Caligula. 'What should i wish for? Should i really just ask for a compensation?', As he thinks about what to do, he found himself already finished washing his body. Everything has been scrubbed and spick and span. He then decided to go back to his room to put on fresher garments.

He turned around, water dripping from his face, and came face to face with the family estate's vilici. "Lepidus", the vilici named Theo said, his voice low and quiet and a bit respectful even tho he just called him in his name. Lepidus who is a bit surprised from the sudden intrusion to his morning ritual, spoke the vilici's name in simple acknowledgement, "Theo."

"The matronae are looking for you." Theo said with a hint of pity. They both know what it means, they were about to give Lepidus his daily dose of scolding. "Father must have done something again to make the wives look for me just to lash out yet again"

Theo, the vilici who also received a daily lashing out from the matronae give Lepidus an answer, "I heard dominus Aemilius broke down some furnitures when he heard that Germanicus's son became the official successor for the throne", Theo explained, "Ah, so that's why... ", then in a whispering voice Theo added, "And the dominus went out early this morning and went to the Emperor's palatium, maybe to make a protest?", Theo's unloyalty is showing for his master.

Lepidus, not tolerating the gossipy behavior, said nothing, not showing any kind of reactions. He found himself debating whether to willingly sought out the wives or not. But if he did not show up, the vilici will be the one to get punished. 'Hah, i better go then', resigned to his fate. Messing his hair even more than it is, his hands wet. "Where are they?", 'Damn conscience it is.'

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Caligula is sat on the triclinium, his eyes, fixed on the delectable spread before him. But he, who did not sleep that well last night, is busy picking on the food in his plate. His mind, elsewhere, thinking of his encounter with Lepidus, he twist and turn all night in his comfortable bed. He could still feel Lepidus's intense green eyes in him. And his husky voice, keep repeating in his head.

Suddenly, Drusus came stumbling into the room, his eyes red and bleary. His tunic, crumpled, indicating that he slept with his yesterday's clothes. His hair, messy, as if he runned his hands to his hair a million times.

Looking miserable and a look of sleepless night. Drusus sat on the triclinia, face to face with Caligula, Caligula can smell a hint of alcohol and perfume. He frowned but did not pry.

Drusus then, asked his mother, Agrippina, "Where is father?", Agrippina, answered nonchalantly, "In the palatium". Unbothered by his son's disheveled state. As if it's an everyday occurrence.

Drusus, messed his hair even more, almost pulling it out of his head. "When will he come back?". Agrippina sighs, pushed her plate in front of her. "Your father will join us later at lunch." Agrippina focused her attention to his son, "What's this all about? What's with all the questions, Drusus?"

Drusus is about to answer, but then Livilla walked into the triclinium, interrupting Drusus's next questions. His eyes suddenly changed, he gave a look of pure contempt to Livilla. "You....", he trailed off.

Livilla who walked in, in her light green palla, hair combed neatly in her shoulders, looking prim and proper like the lady that she was, is surprised by Drusus's sudden anger.

Livilla's face then paled in a heatbeat, a suspicion rose deep within her. 'It can't be', but she can feel Drusus's anger radiating off of him. Putting a pressure on her. A mixture of surprise, and guilt with a dust of self doubt, this expressions can be seen alternating in her face. Her lips started to quiver. Unsure what to say or do. Her eyes, wandering around the triclinium, there is only Caligula, Agrippina, Julia and Drusus, present.

Caligula, sensing the tension, decided to interject. "Drusus, calm down.", Drusus turned to face him, his eyes blazing with anger.

"Don't talk to me, Caligula."

Surprised by the venom in Drusus's voice, Caligula bravely continued. "Drusus, please calm down."

But Drusus's refused to calm down, his anger only intensified. "This is none of your concern, Caligula. Just act indiffirently like you've always done, go act adorably in the corner".

Drusus is full blown angry now, that left Caligula shocked by his brother's outburst.

Livilla, unable to contain herself burst into tears. Even Julia, who is watching, started to cry loudly too. The mixture of crying from both Julia and Livilla made Agrippina's ear ringing. She cut Caligula and Drusus, using her best authorative voice, she cut through the chaos. "Drusus, calm down, think about your actions". She then proceeded to look around the triclinium, seeing some two young slaves peeking, Agrippina gave them a look. The slaves afraid of what that means, scrambled to leave.

"Tell me, what is this all about,?" Agrippina asked, her voice calm but her eyes is showing a hint of anger with his son's behavior. But Drusus's response, laced with accusations, shook all the people in the room.

"I saw Livilla, kissing a man last night!" Drusus revealed. The room fell silent, only Livilla's sob can be heard, it is getting louder. The weight of Drusus's words hanging in the air.

"You are having an affair with your own brother, you have no shame!"

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AN// *Please dont hate me!!!!!*

INDEX:

1. culina - kitchen

2. matronae - respectable married women/ wives of Lepidus's father

3. dominus - lord or master (i should correct this.. ive been using dominae, but its actually dominus)

4. dominae - female master (im sorry for the confusion)

5. dominus iuvenis - young male master

6. dominae iuvenis - young female master