Imperator: Resurrection of an Empire

The sun had barely begun to rise when a royal envoy arrived at the palace gates, bearing the seal of Carthage—the once-great kingdom that had fallen to the Ramie conquerors.

Julius recognized the symbol immediately.

Queen Serena.

The last ruler of a fallen kingdom, living in exile within the Romanus port city of Nova Carthago.

She had requested an audience, and Julius was not one to ignore a woman with nothing left to lose, especially not one who had helped him with his own recent war in the Greecian Peninsula.

As he entered the throne room, she stood waiting, a regal figure draped in a flowing crimson gown, her golden hair braided intricately down her back.

Though exile had robbed her of a throne, it had not taken her pride as she always viewed herself to be the Queen of her people living in exile while also a hopeful candidate for the position of the 2nd Empress to rule on Julius's left hand side.

"Your Majesty,"

she greeted, her voice smooth, though her sharp emerald eyes betrayed the desperation behind her visit.

Julius took his seat, studying her.

"Queen Serena, I did not expect to see you in my halls so early. Tell me, what brings the Queen of Carthage to The Eternal City?"

She did not hesitate.

"I come with a proposition."

He smirked.

"A proposition?"

Her jaw tightened, but she pressed on.

"As you know Ramie took my home, the home of my people. Now my people are scattered while most live under the rule of a foreign monarch, the Carthaginian armies were beaten from within and by betrayal. But I still have loyalists living in the shadows, nobles who would rather see a Carthaginian queen return than live any longer under foreign rule."

Julius leaned forward on his throne, intrigued.

"You want Romanus to go to war for you? For me to loan you my legions to retake your homeland?"

"Yes,"

she admitted, her fingers clenching into fists.

"Ramie is weak. Our grand fleet has already crippled their economy with our repeated raids along the coastline, and the blockade of any shipping they might try through the south sea. Their armies are stretched thin, trying to keep control over my lands while the people continue to resist, and the Principality next door making brazen moves as well. If we strike now, we can take them before they even realize the blade is at their throat."

Julius tapped his fingers against the armrest of his throne.

"And what does Romanus gain from this? Surely, you do not think we fight wars for sentiment."

Serena took a step forward.

"I offer Carthage to you. Not as an ally, not as a vassal—but as part of Romanus itself. A full integration. to become another province of Rome. My kingdom becomes yours, to rule as you see fit. In return, I ask that my people even the ones who would not flee when given the chance be given the chance now to exist within your growing nation, to reap the rewards that such a rule provides to the people, such that they do not fade into history as refugees and slaves as they are made to do now."

Silence filled the chamber.

Zeff let out a low whistle.

"That's quite the offer."

Miri frowned.

"An entire kingdom, simply handed over? There must be more to it."

Glancing to his right, Julius saw the newlywed couple of his advisors, who commented on the exchange of words, but they just like he knew this was mostly just a formality, he had purposely gone to Carthage to get the Grand Fleet, and then took the majority of the Capitals peoples with it to live in exile and train his own peoples In the way of naval warfare.

Now if they were to return but with Julius behind them, he would not be seen as a conquering foreigner but a liberators, freeing them from oppression and fighting beside them rather than against them.

"There is,"

Serena admitted.

"I do not ask for a crown. But I also know I cannot live without your majesty. I would humbly ask a place in your court, a role in your administration, and... if possible by your side. er... I can advise you on matters of the southern kingdoms, help govern the lands that were once mine and ensure your reign is a legitimate one."

Julius studied her.

The fire in her eyes was genuine.

This was not a plea nor a fake out.

This was a calculated gamble, a strategic confession if you will.

"Why now?"

he asked.

She lifted her chin.

"Because I know you're preparing for war already. The rumours of Yurasia have spread far, and while we were like sisters during our time together I know I am not her equal, she is the one who should sit on your right side, I would just humbly ask to be allowed to sit on the left. Romanus does not move lightly, and yet your legions are stirring. You will go to war soon, whether you accept my request or not. I am simply offering you a second front—one that will only strengthen your kingdom, and help it to grow into an empire."

Julius considered it, he knew the Queen had feelings for him, he was pretty sure she knew he was the same but about her, but previously he'd heldback fearing the potential risk, but Yuri's capture changed all that, he had sworn if she came back he would accept her, hell he'd accept them both and let the consequences be damned.

Ramie was indeed already weak even though they had insider help Carthage did not fall as quietly as they had hoped.

If they fell, the southern seas would belong to Romanus exclusively.

The Carthaginian ports, the rich trade routes, the fertile lands—all of it, absorbed into his growing empire.

But could he trust Serena?

Could he risk splitting his focus while Yuri's captors still eluded him?

He glanced at his advisors, while also eyeing his system.

Zeff looked amused, as if he enjoyed the sheer audacity of the proposal.

Miri was cautious, as always but with a hidden look of adoration on the brave queens part to 'publically' confess.

Julius exhaled slowly before turning back to Serena.

"I will consider your request. But know this—if I accept, Carthage will no longer exist as an independent nation. There will be no return to the old ways. The people will become Romans, not Carthaginians living under Roman rule, can you live with that?"

She nodded.

"I understand."

Julius stood.

"Then go. Rest for now. I will send my answer to you soon, after reviewing all of the facts and information you have provided to us here today."

Serena bowed her head, then turned and left, her movements still carrying the grace of a queen, even one living in exile.

As the doors closed behind her, Zeff chuckled.

"I like her. She's got more backbone than half the kingdoms we've crushed combined."

Miri sighed.

"And yet, this complicates everything. Can we afford to fight two wars at once, especially when we don't even know when we'll need to set out to save Miss Yuri?"

Julius clenched his fist.

"We may not have a choice, if we miss this opportunity someone else might take it first.."

~

As political matters weighed heavy on the capital, the hunt for Yuri continued.

The shades moved like ghosts, chasing the faintest whispers across Achae.

The war-torn land was a treacherous place—routed soldiers and rogue mercenaries ruled its ruins as the Germanic forces stormed their way across the lands, and every path was riddled with ambushes as those left alive turned to banditry to eek out a living robbing those who passed by of their food, weapons, and clothing.

But still, they pressed forward.

Finally, after a week of silence hearing nothing of note, a report arrived.

Yuri had been spotted once more.

One of their spies, a leaf—a merchant who had been watching the northern roads—had seen a heavily guarded convoy moving through the warzone.

Unlike normal military transports, this one was small, discreet, its soldiers wearing no national sigil or identifying marks.

A female prisoner had been seen inside a cage cart.

A woman bound and chained to prevent her from even moving an ince while being transported.

The convoy was heading north—toward the border with Francia.

Julius read the report, his pulse hammering in his ears.

"They're moving her,"

he muttered.

Zeff frowned.

"If they're taking her to Francia, it means the young prince must be involved. He's trying to acquire her, or worse—trying to make her disappear."

Commander Berta nodded.

"Then we have to act before she crosses the border. If she enters Francia's capital, she'll be untouchable without starting a full-scale war."

Julius exhaled sharply.

"We've already got our best on the case, if anyone can do it the shades can, and if she does slip over the border they'll keep trying until we have not choice."

~

The had deployed its best infiltrators into Achae, moving faster than the enemy could react.

Scout teams rode north, racing against time chasing after the caravan that was reported.

Romanus' spies bribed, threatened, and eliminated anyone who stood between them and Yuri's trail.

And as the chase unfolded, the army prepared for something greater.

Julius had yet to decide on Serena's request—but even as he debated, the grand fleet continued its raids against Ramie all while still also assisting the final proceeding in the Greecian wars.

The southern seas burned with the fires of piracy, and Carthage's exiled sailors whispered of war in the shadows.

Romanus stood at the crossroads of two conflicts.

One for conquest.

One for love.

And soon, the world would know the true fury of its rising emperor.