“I… I don’t think I…” Saul mumbled, looking around, feeling frightened unsure about his ability as a singer. He glanced around to the people who started to turn their glances toward him.
“I haven’t asked you anything. This is an order. Sing for us…slave.”
Saul's heart started running like it wanted to hide somewhere far away. He looked around, searching for a friendly face; Marcus Tiberius glanced kindly at him, and suddenly, his heart found peace. Focusing on his Master, he sang, his voice wavering slightly as he began.
As the sweet melody filled the air, the guests were mesmerized by the siren song of the little boy standing in the middle of the room.
It was as if the gods had silenced everyone except Saul. A group of people surrounded him, oblivious to everyone else.
She stood and barged between people, forging a path to Saul. Her hand struck his cheek with the speed of a viper, the slap resounding like a Smack! in the shocked hush.
“Enough,” Claudia yelled in rage. “You shall not sing anymore, slave.”
Saul tasted his blood and waves of fear seared through his body. His frightened eyes locked onto hers.
He didn’t know what he was supposed to say or do, he looked around trying to find an explanation to what happened.
“Mistress… I…” he mumbled
“Not a single word, I warn you,” she hissed coming closer to him, to return immediately to her seat.
The guests glanced surprised at the scene between Claudia and Saul. As the song stopped, its magic faded away, and they resumed their conversations. However, both Marcus Tiberius and Flavius noticed what happened. Meanwhile, the first one stormed off, Flavius ran to Saul and wiped his bleeding lip with the rim of his own toga. “What happened? Your lip is bleeding. Please go back to Nana and see how you can help other guests. I will take it from here,”
“I’m sorry, Master,” he whispered, mumbling.
“You haven’t done anything to be regretful for. Now go; we will talk later.”
Flavius returned to the table and hugged Claudia, then kissed her cheek, brushing her hair. “Do something like that again, and I am going to make you sorry you were ever born,” he whispered, grabbing the back of her hair and pulling it.
She looked at him, unable to speak a single word, but as soon as she wriggled from his arms, defiance flashed in her glance. “How pathetic; a Master defending his slave. He annoyed me. People with that kind of voice should never sing… I can’t understand how you can like it, or maybe he lied when he said you think he has a good voice.”
“I love his voice, and all the other guests appreciated it. What probably got on your nerves was that a slave was more attractive than you could possibly be.” He spoke into her ear. “You are the pathetic one, Claudia. Let’s not attract attention. Behave like we are a happy couple since this is what the people expect of us.”
She averted her eyes and walked over to her father.
Flavius turned his head to find his father standing beside him. “I hope you are satisfied,” he said.
Marcus Tiberius guided him to an isolated spot in the garden. “What do you mean by that?” He crossed his arms to his chest, frowning.
“Is this the fine woman you chose for me? I’d rather marry Cassandra or be alone for the rest of my life. I told you she was a despicable person,” Flavius hissed.
“And you are taking Saul into the same trap,” Marcus Tiberius pointed a finger against Flavius shoulder pushing him. “Actually, into a worse trap. It is good that thought to add that condition in the contract.”
“Yes, you thought better to protect Saul, but what about me? How are you going to keep me safe from that trap? Who is the person you love as your son, is it me or Saul?” Flavius grinned trembling in his body and voice and clenching his fists.
“Don’t speak like that. You know perfectly well that this marriage will benefit your career. You are my son; that's why I think of your future. I know she is unkind with the slaves, but you can change her attitude. Remember you are the husband, and in whatever situation, the last word is yours,” Marcus Tiberius reminded him.
“Don’t accuse me now, hadn’t you arranged this marriage, this would have never happened,” Flavius rebuked.
“Let’s talk later,” Marcus Tiberius said glancing around noticing guests being interested in their argument. “This is not the time and place.”
Flavius grinned, remaining for a moment in silence. Am I really overreacting? Is it really so that I can fix this wedding and her attitude? Can we really…?
He glanced his father, feeling his stomach-churning. “I'm sorry I talked to you like that. The incident overwhelmed me, and I might have spoken in haste.”
“I know. Let’s go back to the banquet. Tomorrow is another day, and everything will look different. Then we will have the time to see things under a different perspective, and we shall talk again with clearer minds.” Marcus Tiberius placed his hand on Flavius’ shoulder.
Flavius saw that Saul was serving the guests with Nana, while Claudia sat at the table. He pasted a smile on his face and returned to her.
“I hope your father’s words made you more reasonable. Don't ever talk to me like that again,” Claudia warned as he settled into the chair next to her.
“Keep your mouth shut. I do not intend to listen to your stupid complaint. You are going to be my wife as planned, but don’t expect anything more than what is written in the contract.” Flavius whispered toughly.
She grimaced as she tried to smile at him and grabbed a cup of wine from a slave, trying to hide her embarrassment and wounded pride. Aside from the love she had for herself, she truly liked Flavius. What disturbed her was not that he didn’t like her; since she was obtaining what she wanted; becoming Flavius’ wife. He liked his slave better than her. This was something she could not understand nor accept.
Her jealousy grew. Considering that he would serve their family once they were married, meant one simple thing: Flavius would spend more time with him than her. She knew their marriage was a way for him to increase his social status. For her, it meant more; she was already in love with him.
Claudia felt desperate to reach his heart, to wipe away that annoying slave from their lives, in one way or another. Perhaps, the clause inserted by Flavius’ father in the wedding contract can help me. I am not going to share my place at Flavius’ side with anyone else, whether another woman or a slave.
“I am sorry, Flavius. I didn't think the slave was so dear to you.” She gently brushed his hand. “I want things could be better between us.”
Flavius looked at her, not quite understanding what she meant to say. He studied her face, then his expression softened. “Never mind, unless it ever happens again.”
The evening continued without any other incidents.
After the guests retired to their homes, the tired slaves restored the house to its pristine order before daylight.
“Saul, come. I have to talk to you,” Flavius motioned Saul with his hand to follow him.
Saul followed him to the patio, fearful he had disappointed Claudia, which might lead to punishment.
Flavius stopped, avoiding looking into his eyes. “I’m really sorry about the incident this evening. I can promise you it will never happen again.”
“Master, I have no idea what happened. I tried to please her, but she doesn’t like me. Please tell me if I did something wrong. What pleases you does not please her. Since she will be my Mistress, I need to know.”
Flavius looked at him and smiled. “I told you; you haven’t misbehaved. She is just like that. Perhaps she has been raised to treat her slaves with hatred, but this is not my way, not in my family and not with you. Don’t bother your mind with it. I am your Master, and I decide whether your behavior has been irreverent or appropriate. I choose whether to punish or reward you. Me, not her. Remember this.”