Beginnings

That was five years ago and still the smell of blood makes him queasy. It not only makes him queasy but also gives him anxiety, like he just commited a crime. Albus averted his eyes from the mirror and walked barefooted down the stairs.

Olivia was cleaning the wooden table with all her might. She nearly scrubbed the top layer of black paint off the table. Livia was a dedicated worker, even if Albus didn't want her to be. Albus never felt comfortable owning a slave, especially if it was a woman. He felt bad commanding her to clean the toilets or to go out to get groceries. Even though Livia had it better than most slaves.

She had a name, her own bed and most importantly he didn't beat her like most owners did. His parents taught him that all creatures are equal under the eyes of the Gods and were all created for their own significant purpose. Under the Roman rule this seemed less true though.

Livia was in fairness a beautiful woman with blue eyes with yellow sparks in the middle, almost like lightning. She has dark brown hair which fell lightly on her shoulders and never seemed to be out of place.

When she exhaled to keep her hair out her eyes her hair in front of her face would temporarily lift up a little like it was dancing in the wind to then land back in the exact same place. She didn't like to put her hair in a bun because that wasn't 'ladylike' and she couldn't shine her true qualities as a woman even though there was nobody around to impress.

She had an athletic physique from walking around all day cleaning things but her chest wasn't that small. Albus often caught himself staring at her while she was cleaning. When he noticed this he would immediately avert his eyes in embarrassment. One does not bethroth a slave. He sat down at the table and greeted her.

''Good morning Olivia. Had a good night's rest?'' said Albus. ''Fine, master'' Olivia said, she gave him a quick glance. ''You look good in your toga'' She continued. ''Why thank you'' Albus replied. ''When do you think you'll go out?'' She said whilst twirling her bracelet.

''I don't know, maybe in a few hours'' Albus said. Albus looked down and ate a few bites of his salad, it tasted good. ''Where did you learn to make a salad like?'' Albus said whilst devouring his salad. ''In my home country'' Livia replied coldly. ''What is your home country?'' Albus asked. ''None of your business'' Livia said angrily and gave him a cold gaze.

Albus quickly averted his eyes, he didn't like her looking at him with that cold stare. Why is that question bothering her so much he wonders. Everytime Albus questioned her past she wouldn't give a straight answer and get as far from him as she could. ''You'll have to tell me someday'' Albus says whilst staring at his plate hoping not to get a smack.

She merely looks at him but gives no response, it wasn't worth one. Albus took his eyes off his plate and looked at the bookshelf. OLivia wasn't just a maid but when he was smaller she taught him how to read Greek and how to speak it. She used to say it's beneficial to the Roman people's culture and foremost to honor Albus' ancestors.

Albus' parents didn't talk a lot about his ancestors but they always seemed to resent the Roman people and despised going to the altar. Maybe that's why they moved so far from the capital leaving him alone with his maid. Albus still had lingering thoughts about his parents.

The most prevalent one is the question why did they go. They had a stable life in the capital, nothing to really worry about. Albus' dad was an event manager for fights in the Colosseum and his mother was a teacher for the Emperor's children.

But at the age of three they suddenly disappeared. The centurio told Albus that his parents went to the front to fight against Sparta or so he was told. But Albus didn't believe this, his dad was never a fighter though he seemed strong. And his mother couldn't lift a finger if she wanted to.

Albus was distracted by the snapping of someone's fingers. ''Yes Olivia?'' Albus said curiously. ''You ought to go soon Albus, otherwise you might be late.'' She was right. ''Alright, if you get the carriage ready I'll be out of your hair soon enough.'' Albus was just about to head upstairs when he turned around and said.

''But I'm not leaving this topic go Olivia, you will tell me.'' Olivia just sniffed angrily ''I do not have to tell you anything, I will get you your carriage ready.'' Albus quickly twirled around his axis and went back to the table where he quickly took another bite of his salad. When he was done doing that he got up and was about to open the door when he heard some yelling outside.

''Let go of me!'' it was Olivia's voice.

''You're ours now little thing!'' You could hear the sound of 2 or 3 men laughing meddled with Olivia's screaming.

Albus had to do something.