Watching Saul, busy with the translation and transcription of documents, moved him and smiled at the serene image of dedication.
Saul felt Marcus Tiberius’ eyes on him. He raised his own and smiled back at him.
He felt he needed his life to be just like that, working with and for his Master, feeling his presence near him, and forgetting about anything else.
“What gives you that happy mood, Master?” he asked.
Marcus Tiberius stood and walked to Saul, then gently laid his hands on his shoulders.
“I was just looking at you, so taken by your duties. It was a lovely image I wish to keep it in my mind forever.”
Saul felt flattered by his Master’s appreciation. “Then we wish for the same thing, Master.” He handed a sheaf of papers to him. “Here is your translation. I hope you will be satisfied with it.”
Marcus Tiberius perused it, going through the entire text. “You did an excellent job.” He felt an inexplicable need to stop the marching of time and tried to add that day to his memories of other moments he felt good to be in Saul’s company. Only his presence could heal the sadness in his soul, and his smile was the cure for every pain in his heart.
Needing to try to concentrate on other duties, he dismissed Saul, knowing that even with his slave out of the room, he would not stop thinking about it.
Saul walked to the garden and sat on the grass in the shade of a mulberry tree, the same one, which had given him his first and only punishment, and soothed his soul on many occasions.
It now offered him shade from the hot sun and reminded him of his home in Jerusalem. There, he would have laid down, watching the leaves gently moved by the wind, whispering a lullaby- the same one he kept in his soul to never forget his past, his roots, his life.
He closed his eyes to get it back, and his expression relaxed.
“Whatever image you see behind your closed eyes, it must be a most charming one,” a voice said. Saul turned his gaze to Cassandra.
“I was thinking about my home. Do you still remember yours?” he asked as he stood.
“I do, and I miss it, but I know it doesn't help to think about it.”
“You're right, but sometimes I feel as if it’s the only thing that keeps me alive.”
“I feel so sad when I think about you going away. I remember the day you arrived.” A flush colored her cheeks. “I think I feel…an affection for you.”
Saul exhaled. “There have been many times when I felt confused about everything, particularly at the beginning. The one thing that, for some strange reason, didn’t baffle me was being Marcus Tiberius’ slave. To me, he is not a person who took everything away from my life; on the contrary, he is the father I’d lost and the Master I’ve gained. He has been the only one who understood my feelings and made me accept my new life. Since then, he has been a guide and parting from him will be the most difficult thing I will ever have to adapt to,” he said, trying to explain his feelings. “It is not that I don't feel comfortable with Flavius; he behaved more like a friend than a Master. Perhaps this is why I feel uncomfortable about becoming his slave. He won’t represent to me the same as Marcus Tiberius does. You might think I am crazy, but I don’t need friendship from my Master. I need him to guide me steadily, and as far as I know, Flavius is not ready for that role yet.”
Cassandra had never thought of her life as a slave in those terms and considered odd to hear him speaking like that. Maybe he had a point.
What made her sad was that he didn’t mention her. He was fond of his Master more than he was of anyone else.
“Maybe you’re right. Will you miss me?” Cassandra dared to ask.
He turned his eyes to her, raising his eyebrows “Of course, I will miss you. I think I will miss everything and everybody in this house.”
She averted her gaze from him and glanced at one of the doors of the house. “I’ve got to go now. Mistress Flaminia will need me.” She kissed his cheek before running away.
Her heart raced in her chest. It was a lie. Flaminia didn’t need her, but she ran to her anyway, hoping to soon be busy, forgetting about the kiss she dared to give to Saul.
Saul found himself surprised by that kiss, but the feeling it left was pleasant. Until now, he hadn't thought about girls.
He never looked out for them the way Caleb and the other slaves did when they went to the tavern.
His hand touched his cheek. The kiss had awakened new feelings that brought a smile to his face. It was as if he could touch her lips.
He lay back in the grass and closed his eyes.
The seasons followed one another, and as the fair Summer led into fall, so the Winter let Spring take its place. As the years passed, Saul settled into his life. For him, slavery meant loyalty, and in time, he got used to it, underestimating the strength and the duality of the feelings that bound him to his Master, Marcus Tiberius.
At the same time, Flavius grew into manhood with a strong body and personality. The spoiled boy had given way to a man able to reach whatever goal he set, a man self-confident in his public life, strict but fair with his slaves, and charming with any woman.
Marcus Tiberius watched the progress of the two young men from a due distance. His worries for the futures of both faded away. Saul would find in his son a Master like he had always been, or possibly even better.
He thought Flavius would be able to soften her character, and hoped she would become the virtuous wife he had found in Flaminia.
On a fair spring day, a young man walked in into Marcus Tiberius’ house. His face bore a well-cured, dark beard, and his erect strong body had the bearing of a warrior, but he wore civilian clothes.
Marcus Tiberius looked at him and recognized his son’s crooked smile. With tears of pride in his eyes, he went to hug his son.
“Welcome home, Flavius. This house and everyone in it perceived your absence. Why didn't you let me know in advance about your return? I would have ordered the best banquet in your honor. You left a boy of fifteen and return a man of nineteen, ready to take charge of your life. You have no idea how proud I am.”
“I missed you too. It has not been easy to admit I knew nothing about life, but now I know how wrong I have been. I apologize to you for my childish behavior.”
“No need to apologize for anything. You behaved as what you were, a child. Come greet your mother. She will be beside herself with joy; she has longed for you. Meanwhile, I will order Nana to set up a special dinner for you.”
“How about Saul?” Flavius asked.
Marcus Tiberius looked at him, puzzled. “What about him?”
“Later, I need to see him, too. I owe him explanations. He needs to know that he will have a Master who can act as such. I have behaved unfairly on many occasions toward him as well. In one way or another, I have to make it up to him, but never mind… now I am going to see my mother. Is she in the garden?”
“Yes, you will find her there.” He watched his son, a grown man, stride through the house.
Flaminia sat on her usual bench, working on her embroidery as she talked to her slaves. At the sound of the vigorous steps of the sandals on the stone floor as he neared the garden, she dropped the needlework to the ground and ran to him.
She hugged him and reached up to kiss his face. “Flavius, you are a grown-up man now. So handsome. You resemble your father when I married him. She tightened her hold. “For all the gods, I have missed you so much.”
Flavius parted from her. “So have I, but it was for the best. To grow up, I needed a person who would behave severely and firmly toward me. Uncle Titus trained me for the military service, so I didn’t go there totally clueless like the majority of the others. I hope that my absence didn’t offend you.”