Nara’s brow furrowed, “Why didn’t you kill him? It would have been easier, and he would not have bothered you anymore, and you wouldn’t fear him telling the truth.”
“Because I wanted him to suffer as much as possible. I’ve hated him since the first time I saw him at the engagement party. You are right, I should have killed him.”
“I know Saul, and he hasn’t tried to do anything against you.”
Claudia shook her head, nobody seemed to understand her frustration. There was nothing she could say that could make things change.
“Are you going to tell the truth to Flavius?”
“No, Mistress. You will. Now, forgive me. I have to go. Julius has arrived.” He disappeared then a shroud of darkness surrounded her.
“Nara.”
“Julius… what…?” he said, opening his eyes.
“What happened? How do you feel, son?”
“I-I…my head is exploding,” Nara replied, trying to rise to a sitting position on the floor.
“Come, I will bring you to your bed and take a look at you.” Julius helped Nara to stand. “Can you walk?”
“I guess so,” Nara took a few hesitant steps. “Master, it was an accident, really. She didn’t mean to hurt me.”
Flavius pursed his mouth as he knelt beside Claudia. “We’ll see about that. These things should never happen.”
“Claudia, please open your eyes.” Flavius patted her cheek.
When she opened her eyes and looked at him, she blurted, “I’m sorry.”
“It's fine now. Nara is with Julius. I don’t think there will be serious consequences.” He said, trying to talk with a gentle tone. “You must treat your slaves more fairly, or one day they won’t serve you anymore, and then what will you do if you have rebellious slaves in your house? Will you kill them all? Why spend money to buy good slaves if you have to kill them?”
“I-I don’t know.” she wept.
He sighed and held her to his chest. Maybe Saul was right, and the reason for her cruel behavior was because he didn’t care about her.
What can I do? I can’t stand her selfishness and ill-temper.
She was always cruel to her slaves; therefore, his behavior couldn’t be the reason for her attitude. There must be more to it that, something deep in her nature. He was forced into a marriage he didn’t ask for. Sure, the advantages for his career were not to be underestimated, but he would rather accept a more modest life, with a wife he would have liked at his side.
Flavius parted from her. “Let’s not talk about it. Promise me you won’t mistreat your slaves anymore.”
She nodded, and he kissed her forehead, then stood, extending a hand to help her up. He returned to his working room while she strolled to the garden, where she sat alone in silence. She thought again about the strange dream while she was unconscious.
Was it actually a dream, or was it true that she confessed everything to Nara? What did he mean when he said that she would tell Flavius everything?
That is impossible. I will never confess. I will do whatever is in my power to prevent Flavius from finding out the truth, even if I have to kill Saul.
Being ignored because of Flavius’ job was easier to accept than being put aside because of a slave. Nights without him, because he worked over his desk, was acceptable; wrapped in Saul’s arms was not.
She walked to the slaves’ rooms, where she found Julius and Nara.
“How is he?” she asked with concern in her voice.
“I think he will be fine soon. He just needs rest now,” Julius replied, standing up.
Claudia ordered, “Leave us alone,” and sat on Nara’s bed, caressing his hair. She spoke to the sleeping slave, “I don’t know what happened; I don’t even know if I really spoke to you when I was unconscious but, trust me, I won’t ever say anything. I am sorry for what I did to you. I hope you will feel better after a good sleep.”
She touched his face and kissed his lips. “You are truly beautiful, Nara. More than Saul.”
The sun was setting, and a golden light shone upon the trees, statues, and the water of the fountains, before disappearing into the darkness. Soon it would be time for dinner, so she went to Flavius’ room.
“Are we dining together?” She asked from the doorway, hesitant.
He looked up. “Of course. Have you ordered it to be served?”
“First, I wanted to know if you were ready to come.”
Flavius nodded and stood up from the chair, offering her his arm as he approached her.
As the days passed, Saul realized what Rufus meant by using the other senses to see. His hands became the most trustful tool to recognize faces and surfaces.
From touch, he saw in his mind the exact shape and characteristics of objects. His ears perceived the state of mind of the person speaking as if he could see their expression. From the subtle nuances in the tone of voice, he detected when someone was lying or was suppressing agitation, anger, excitement, happiness or sorrow,
He learned to use a stick to decide which direction to move in, and he memorized every corner of the house.
Cassandra’s help was needed for many things: taking care of his toilette, eating, or the food by himself. For the rest, he was satisfied and amazed with the small achievements he made every day in his new life.
He missed that he could not read or write, nor work as a translator for his Master.
As his role of confidant and advisor to Marcus Tiberius grew, new tasks were created.
Saul’s Master trusted his capability of reading the soul of people and brought him to every meeting to discern if they were in the presence of a liar.
The person who benefitted the most from this new condition of life was Saul himself. After the initial depression and hopelessness passed, he realized that his lack of sight meant not being distracted by the bias of the public face that people show. He could focus solely on the vision of the speaker’s soul. Claudia had given him not a punishment but a gift.
Early one afternoon, as Saul and Cassandra sat on the grass in the garden, he said, “I hope these days in Marcus Tiberius’ house won’t ever end. It would be painful to leave you, Cassandra.”
She held his hand in hers. “I know. Do you think Flavius will be able to take you away?”
“No idea, but he won’t give up without a fight.”
“It seems that you are the most desired of the slaves, at least for Marcus Tiberius and Flavius.”
“In totally different ways, though. What about you?”
“I don’t desire you; I love you,” Cassandra corrected.
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Marcus Tiberius wants me for the services I can give to him and because no other person in this world feels the same connection with his soul. Flavius wants me as a friend and lover. The needs are different, but they converge to the same result. They both want me for themselves, unwilling to share, and this isn’t good. A slave needs only one Master.”
“You talk too much,” she complained and reached his lips with hers.
Everybody in the household knew they liked each other. Marcus Tiberius and Flaminia encouraged them as their relationship helped Saul to accept his condition and focus again on serving his Masters.
Life stabilized until one spring morning when Flavius came, as usual, to check on his slave’s condition.
Watching Saul and Cassandra in the garden, he said, “I can see that Saul is making great progress, Father.”
“Yes, he has managed the situation in a superb way.”
“So, it is time to get him back where he belongs, to serve me.” Flavius’ expression darkened ready to fight for his precious slave.
“Try not to be so hasty in your decision, son. From my point of view, Saul has been mistreated in your house, so no deal anymore,” Marcus Tiberius replied, trying to buy more time.