Imperator: Resurrection of an Empire

Which was a good thing for the day was coming to an end, and starting tommorow Julius would not find himself locked within this office once again, as he would be taking to the field with his legion to help along the Pope's excommunication which would surely be coming soon, not to harm the fleeing member who belonged to the Faith of the Carpenters Mandate.

The first pope was one who preached peace and harmony even if doing so in the name of a single god.

The principality was born out of the death of the old empire but even after all these years it had not spread nearly as far and wide as Christianity had done so back in his previous world.

But unlike his previous world, the prophet and founded of the one god religion was not executed by the Roman's and so the growing religion was allowed to exist and the prophet became the first pope and ruler of the nation that sprouted once the empire fell into ruin.

These religious outcasts who beleived in the one god as opposed to many gods were left to their own devices off on the fringes of the continent, it was only in more recent years when more ambitious popes rose to the throne did the doctrine finally start to shift from one that was completly for the good of humanity and started to be tainted by the sins they sought to fight against.

Their monk orders become more militaristic in nature, as their gatherings and followers became more zealous in nature.

Then polythetizers began to travel beyond their own borders in larger numbers than ever before attempting to peacefully and not so peacefully convert the other peoples of the continent to their faith.

And most recently still see gains in conquest by allying themselves with the Ramie Kingdom in it's conquest of the Carthaginian Kingdom.

Julius did not fault the people for their beliefs, but he did fault the pope and it's predecessors who caused the flock to stray so far from their founding ideals.

As the day of rigourous paperwork was coming to an end Julius had risen from his table and walked towards the windows.

The capital of Carthago, with torchlights starting to come to life all over the city, as the fading sunlight dipped further and further over the horizon and setting into the ocean.

Having seen the city for the first time since he implemented his changes caused him to perform a double-take, the city he had seen more than a few times now, for more than a few days.

Looked now like a completely different place.

Large structures like apartment buildings rose across the city, as smoking billows rose from the industrial sectors.

numerous squares now appeared across the city allowing for more centers of trade spreading out the wares citywide and making it easier for the populace to travel for a bit of shopping.

From behind him came, Serena who still dressed in her court robes, but with eyes that were dulled slightly after a long hard day of administrative work.

"You just moved us forwards a hundred years in a single day."

He nodded slightly to her words, as the old fuedalistic ruling style of the kingdom was completly overhauled to fit better with the new provincial management style under the greater empire.

"Now though we need to prepare for a faith war, and make sure we get all possible hostile elements to leave our territory before the war begins."

She said nothing for a moment, then smiled thinly.

"Of course, you wouldnt be you if you didnt."

Turning round he decided the pair had spent long enough in this room, and after taking up his empress's hand led her from the hall, as the two ventured through the palace before reaching a private room.

~

It was only a single day since their last date, but Julius was not one to neglect his fiance and cause her to dine alone.

The private dining room, was a room nestled deep within the palace's eastern wing, and orgiionally was a guest bedroom but upon his order was repurposed to become a small dining room for the royal couple.

A single circular table had been set in the middle of the room with a pair of chairs seated opposite one another, with a simple arrangement of candles atop it's surface.

The staff having already been informed ahead of time by their Emperor were ready to assist the pair in washing their hands, and getting seated only for a second to pass before there was a knock at the door.

The butler within approached and upon verifying who was on the other side opened the door, allowing a trail of servents to enter the room before laying out a series of dishes, before they all at once with flourish removed the lids protecting the food within.

What appeared was a modest but beautifully prepared meal-Roasted lamb with rosemary and garlic, barley rye bread, along with an assortment of olives, fruits, and honey-soaked pastries.

Once the food was revealed to the couple Julius did a silent signal indicated for everyone to vacate the room which they did without hesitation.

Serena sat in shock at the scene before her, she had dined with Julius before, even doing so whilst they were in disguise alone, but now...

This meal felt far more intimate, this was a truly private meal, one being held as themselves without any possible interruption.

Julius seeing her sitting idle took charge and began to dish out the various foods onto both of their plates, chuckling a little to himself as he assumed her current state was due to exhaustion from the days long work.

Then the two silently dug into the food, with neither of them speaking simply enjoying the food before them.

Outside within the city, distant hums of the capitals celebrations were still going on-faintly echoing music, laughter, and the clatter of mugs and the joy of wine.

While here in this space, there was only the quiet bated breath between two storms.