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- 02/15/2021
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Rome - 35. Chapter 35
Three years have passed since I last saw my father. On one of my trips to Rome, Duccius told me he had died, I cried. I always hoped he would have accepted me before his end. I guess he never could get past his initial hate. My grandfathers died within a year of each other. Mother stayed at the Villa near the ocean, Duccius would probably retire there, one of these days. Aumen said not to be surprised if he asks you to take that Villa for this one. Junius is growing up in his father’s footsteps. The last time they were here, he went hunting with his father. Duccius said he wouldn’t kill a rabbit.
I was happy the gods had blessed me far beyond what I could have ever hoped. My trips to Rome continue, and now I stay at my home, which Grandfather Gaius left to me. When the men went to the city, they stayed there as well. Apollo has blessed the people who helped make my Villa what it is and me. Aeneas confessed that Apollo didn’t send him, but he didn’t want to be part of the group going to the slave auction. I couldn’t blame him, he has been a good friend.
At the midday meal, Aumen mentioned that none of the men ever mention anything about women. I thought about that for a long time. None of the men ever talked about marriage or asked if they were married, could they still live here. I thought about it for a day without coming up with an answer. The following day, at the midday meal, I asked Aumen and Aeneas why the men and they never showed any interest in women.
“I can’t answer for the men. I never missed having a woman around. Before I was captured, I saw men who wouldn’t or couldn’t do what they wanted because of their family. If I were in their position, I would’ve done the same. After I was captured, I thought my life was over until you bought me. For a long while, I thought there was no way I could afford or have the freedom to pursue a woman. Who would want to marry a slave? Now I’m happy, so why change.”
“When I was free, I saw a girl I liked. Her father didn’t like me. My parents weren’t rich. They had a plot of land to raise a few goats and plant some vegetables. My mother did the best she could. I have an older brother, he married a girl, and when she saw our home and what she had to do, she left him. My experience with women wasn’t good. My mother was like a slave in our house. My brother’s wife said she was from a better family and didn’t know how poor we were. The father of the girl I was seeing hired some men and sold me to a slaver. You know the rest.”
I wondered if the other men had similar experiences.
“Why haven’t you married?”
“When I was fourteen, I went to the Temple and prayed to Apollo. My mother told me that when she became pregnant, she prayed to Juno to have a son who was an intellectual. I had the habit of going to the Temple whenever I could. The old priest there took a liking to me. We’d sit, and he’d tell me about the gods. Each god had a story, I’d listen, ask questions. I selected Apollo as my god. Since that time, I believe Apollo has found favor with me. I don’t need a woman. I have Apollo. He has blessed me, and in turn, he has blessed you. Most men marry to create someone to be like them. I have you all to be like me.” I laughed as I said the last part.
We still had slavers stopping at the Villa when they have young children. The men have adopted several, and I hear ‘yes father’ a lot. I wonder when I’ll need to expand the rooms again.
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
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