I had a lot of work to engage in this morning, but I was weighed down by the headache that had been nagging me. After the effect of the drinks I had last night had worn off, I was left with a banging headache that was obstinate and refused to leave. It was in the middle of the paperwork I was battling with that a scroll case slipped off; I would have loved to ignore it if not for the seal of the Borgias that was placed on it. Immediately I opened it, I recognized my mother's handwriting. its content was the same as the other ones I had received in the past months, which are stacked neatly in the corner of my office.
'My dearest son', it reads, 'I hope this letter finds you well. And I hope you are eating well. I need you to stay strong, believe in yourself, and know that you have the power to overcome every challenge. Your determination and resilience will lead you to great achievements. Keep faith in your abilities. I know you are aware of your father's health and that he is declining in age, so I urge you to reach out to your father and sort out the differences between you two. Remember, in unity lies strength and peace for our family'. Your sister sends her warm greetings. May the gods protect you."
With all my love,
Your devoted mother.
My father and I have been at odds since I came of age; we have different opinions and sees life differently. I respect him nevertheless, but sometimes it's good to breathe new air. Greece has been good to me and it shares a lot of similarities with Rome, in terms of culture and their devotion to pantheons of deities. I don't believe in these gods, but my mother and sister spend a fortune on prayers from the priest. Every Friday, my mother goes to the temple, taking with her fruits, flowers, and incense, which she burns during religious rituals and prayers.
My stay here has proved more positive than I had imagined. Greece relied heavily on trade, which brought in a lot of profit from the olive oil which the Borgia family was known for, I didn't mean to undermine the profit made from the trade of jewelry, but it doesn't come to that of sand and oil. Sand doesn't sell here at all, but in Rome, I make a lot of profit from it because of the show known as 'Damnatio ad bestias'.
In the heart of the grand arena, filled with sand, condemned souls - which are mostly slaves bought by the emperor - face a terrifying fate. The air is thick with anticipation as they are cast into the arena's center, surrounded by roaring lions hungry for their next meal; these lions are intentionally starved for this day. You can hear the crowd's cheers mixed with screams as the unfortunate souls fought for their lives against the ferocious beasts. It has always been a spectacle of fear and survival.
There's high demand for sand because of this show, this sand serves the purpose of soaking up blood and also reduces the chance of the slaves getting away, which is rather unlikely. This is one show I greatly enjoyed while I was in Rome, seeing the fear on those people's faces as they fought for their lives has a thrilling effect on its own, and the money our family gained from the show is not to be undermined.
I have been planning to go back to Rome so I can be present before the next show, but most importantly, so as to see my family after so many years.
I was brought out of my thoughts by a knock on my office door. I necessarily don't have visitors come over, so it will definitely be my servant. 'Come in,' I called out; the door opened, and Gaius, the son of Vilicia, the head of the household servants, came in. 'Hello, master,' he said. I responded with my head still focused on the paperwork before me. 'Your bath is prepared, my lord,' he said. 'Thank you, I will be there shortly,' I replied.
After I was done taking my bath,I felt relaxed, and the headache bugging me reduced a little. Before I got back to my room, my chambermaid had
graciously drawn back the curtains, inviting the morning sunlight to illustrate my chamber. The sun's ray, which gently streamed into my chamber, casting a warm glow across the room, proved that today will be perfect for a ride. And from the view of my room, the fields look lush, with the breeze gently blowing. It's an ideal day to enjoy a horseback ride.
On a part of the bed, my valet had carefully laid my clothes. I quickly got dressed and rushed downstairs to eat. On the table lay freshly baked bread,a variety of cheese, fruits, honey, nuts, sausages, hams, porridge, eggs, wine and ale. And at the center of the table, I spotted a light broth and ginger tea, which I knew the chef had prepared specially to cure the effect of the alcohol I took last night.
After indulging in the satisfying meal, I gracefully made my way to the stable to ensure my horses are tended to before I embark on a delightful ride. As I enter the tranquil sanctuary of my stable, a sense of peace washes over me; here, with my horses, is where I feel at peace most - surrounded by the familiar sight and sounds of my cherished horses. Their gentle whinnies are a symphony to my ears. My gaze falls upon my favorite horse, known as Maximus. His coat gleams like polished bronze under the sun's gentle caress, a sight to behold for anyone who lays eyes on him. Maximum possesses a spirit as fiery as the Romans sun, yet loyal as the earth beneath our feet. His mane, a cascade of ebony silk, flows with grace as he moves, a testament to his regal nature. His eyes, deep pools of courage, reflect the bond we shared, forged through countless adventures and shared moments of tranquility. I didn't really know the reason I am drawn to him this much, but I reasoned it's because he was a gift from my late grandfather.
I could feel the wind whispering through my hair as I gallop freely across the vast expense. My troubles and worries fade into the horizon, and my heart feels unburdened by the concerns of the world, leaving me with the exhilaration bursting through my veins.