Imperator: Resurrection of an Empire

The midday sun was hanging high above the capital city of carthage, its light warming the stonework and freshly repaired buildings, casting gentle shadows across market awning that billowed like sails above the winding city streets.

The city of Carthage was more alive now that it had been in decades.

And through its alleyways and squares strolled two unknown strangers.

To any who passed them, they might have seemed as an affectionate couple: a tall, rugged looking man whose cloak was a bit to fine for the region of the city he was in, and a woman whose posture suggested a high upbringing, despite her attempts to dress up like a peasent.

The two had succeeded.

No one saw the crown atop their heads, no one bowed.

And that was exactly the point.

Serena leaned closer to Julius as they slipped through the shadows of a tall archway near one of the cities outer canals.

"I still cant believe we're doing this."

She said with a note of laughter and amusement in her voice.

"We just founded and empire, what would the world think if they could see us now bargaining over the price of roasted nuts and wines like beggars?"

"They'd think we have excellent taste in wine, that and while we might be scorned by the ruling class the actual people would flock to see a leader who bothered to see what their common peoples lives were really like."

Tossing a silver coin over to the merchant who had a startled look on his face having overheard their conversation.

Having caught the coin the merchant blinked, then watched as the couple disappeared down the road carrying the new purchased jug of wine and satchel of nuts.

His cart had never been visited by nobility before, let alone by the very King and Queen of the nation.

As much as he wanted to raise questions, the fact that their liege was playing at being commoners wasn't his place to judge.

~

The two wandered towards a quiet street lined with food stalls and a row of makeshift musicians playing mismatched instruments.

A child strummed a three-stringed lyre, another beat rhythmically on a bowl turned upside down.

Serena stopped in front of them, watching enjoying the sounds of the chaotic music if you could even call it that.

Julius stepped back just far enough to let her blend into the moment.

She smiled, kneeling down, and offered a few coins along with a whisper.

"Keep playing. You sound like the wind over the sea."

The children's faces lit up like the sunrise.

Julius watched the exchange silently, heart tugged at the scene before him.

Serena was of high-born nature sure, but deep down she always dreamt of the commoners life, she had been raised up to become a queen but never given the choice of being what she wanted to be.

Now she was getting that chance, she could enjoy all the sights and sounds she wasn't allowed to before locked In the ivory tower.

After her donation was given they sat on a street bench sharing the wine and nuts along with a purchased honey-bread loaf, and simply enjoyed the surroundings.

No one asking them for orders, advice, or the filing of reports.

They just sat there watching the people, watching the lives they protected.

While enjoying one another company.

Children running through the streets playing pretend with wooden swords as the Imperial Legionaires rushing after the barbaric forces of the world.

The sight caused the pair to chuckle that the kids were quick to adapt having declared themselves knights and soldiers of the empire before the day of its founding was even over.

They joked with one another as they witnessed an elderly couple arguing over apples, about how that would be them in a few decades, while Serena teased Julius about a baker who was scolding his daughter after having chased off a young man who was trying to woo her, citing how he would be just like the father trying to fend the world of men away from his daughter.

All around them they got to see how the nation was being reborn in more than one way.

~

Julius was playing hookey yes, but at the same time as he wandered around the city with Serena he was still doing his own job.

Marketplaces were being upgraded, homes reconstructed into apartment complexes.

The city ambiance was already high he was just causing it to get higher.

~

Serena broke the silence between them as they continued to watch the city before them.

"We should do this more often."

Turning to look towards her.

"The hooky or the bread?"

She elbowed him lightly.

"The pretending. Being no one for a change, just being... us."

"I don't think we're pretending."

He said.

"We are us. Just... without all the weight today."

She nodded, biting her lips thoughtfully.

"Do you miss it?"

"The wars?"

She shook her head.

"Being just a man. Not an emperor. Not the face of a nation."

Julius was quiet for a while ruminating on the question.

"I don't miss being powerless,"

He finally said.

"But I miss being anonymous. I miss being someone who didn't have the weigh every word."

"And yet, you gave them words that shook the world."

Serena whispered.

"They believe in you now, Julius. Even the people who once fought us... they're yours. Ours."

He looked back at her, the firelight of a nearby brazier catching the amber in her eyes.

"I know, Thats why I needed today. Before I become something even more... more than I was before."

She reached out slipping her hand back into his.

"You already are."

~

They continued to walk on hand in hand, blending into the crowd, occasionally joining in with revelers, with Julius being incited to drink as Serena was incited to join in a street dance.

Having only been versed in the repetitive slow moving dances of high society by the time she was freed Serena returned to his side panting trying desperately to catch her breath, but all the while a smile was plastered across her face that would not fade.

Seeing him in his semi drunk state she poked fun at him declaring he better not go off with one of the tavern girls for the night lest she be forced to do the same.

"Don't worry about that I know my own limits well enough, but if you every betray me, just know that I will have a court portrait painted with you in that particular dance pose for all the world to see till the end of time."