Chapter 138: The Heirs 2
Chapter 138: The Heirs 2
A procession was gathered at the Antioch port to welcome the guests from Rome.
There were so many important people that Marcus, the governor, personally led his subordinates to greet them.
Cato, who came off the ship first as the representative of the Senate, smiled brightly and approached Marcus.
“Marcus, or should I say something else now? The great Mesopotamicus.”
“Don’t be so formal with me. It makes me more embarrassed. Just call me as you used to.”
“You are really humble. There are countless people who become arrogant as soon as they get some power, but you are always the same. That’s why I like you.”
“I’m just grateful for your constant trust and support, Cato.”
Marcus assigned a local nobleman and a guide to Cato.
Their mission was to guide and entertain Cato, who was interested in cultural heritage and records.
Cato was excited to enjoy a rewarding tour and laughed heartily.
After sending off Cato in a carriage, Marcus finally saw the faces of Sextus and Pompeia.
The two bowed politely and expressed their respect to Marcus.
“Greetings to the conqueror of the East, Mesopotamikus. I am Sextus Pompey Magnus Pius, the son of Pompey Magnus.”
“I am Pompeia Magna, the daughter of the Pompey family. It is an honor to meet you, governor.”
Marcus smiled broadly and accepted their greetings.
Then he put his hand on Sextus’s shoulder, who bowed his head, and spoke in a friendly voice.
“Welcome to Antioch. If there is anything uncomfortable while you stay here, just let me know.”
“Thank you. And this is a small gift for you. Please accept it.”
Sextus signaled his slaves to bring a golden statue of Mars that he had prepared in Rome beforehand.
It was a masterpiece that anyone could tell was made by a famous craftsman.
“I’m already grateful that you came to the wedding, but why did you bring something like this…”
“I thought this kind of work was necessary to honor your achievements in subduing the East. Especially for you, governor, who are praised as the incarnation of Mars himself.”
In fact, this statue was commissioned by Pompey a few years ago for himself.
But given the situation, Sextus got his father’s permission and switched this statue as a gift for Marcus.
There was also a meaning that he wanted him to know that he was different from Gnaeus.
Marcus gladly accepted the statue and invited them to sit in the same carriage with him.
A satisfied smile appeared on Sextus and Pompeia’s lips at the obvious special treatment.
Of course, Marcus’s reason for riding in the same carriage with them was not only to entertain them.
He intended to figure out Sextus’s personality through conversation and compare him with Gnaeus.
“How do you feel about coming to Antioch? Does it feel exotic compared to Rome?”
“I’ve always wanted to come here someday since I grew up listening to my father’s stories of war. It’s a great city that is not inferior to Rome, and there is a lot of vitality on the streets. I think this is proof that you are ruling this place very well, governor.”
“That’s not true yet. The people are probably excited because of the wedding. By the way, what do you think of this wedding?”
Sextus’s eyes flashed.
He felt something like a test in his question.
But he rather hoped for it.
He didn’t answer hastily but took a breath and slowly gave his answer.
“I think this wedding has a lot of meaning in many ways. First of all, as it was mentioned in the Senate, it will boost the pride of the citizens that Pharaoh becomes a Roman citizen and marries according to Roman customs. In fact, public opinion is very good in Rome.”
“That’s good news.”
“This wedding will also make your reputation soar even more in Rome and the East. It might not be an exaggeration to say that there is no higher place for you to go up.”
“That’s too much. In fact, there are still many local nobles who are dissatisfied with Rome. If they openly rebelled, I could just sweep them away, but they don’t do that either. It’s a headache situation.”
Sextus tilted his head and asked.
“Are you saying that there are people who oppose you, governor?”
“Why not? The nobles who have been rooted here for hundreds of years don’t like me, a newcomer, exercising my authority.”
“I see… There are many people who value their pride more than their reason in the world.”
“That’s an accurate expression. There are too many people who have too much pride for their abilities. They are always the ones who cause trouble.”
Sextus nodded as if he agreed.
Sometimes there are people like that.
They are not unaware of the situation, but they still bring about their own ruin.
Gnaeus, his brother, was one of them.
He could have just endured and let it go, but he couldn’t do that and provoked him.
But Sextus was different.
He had half given up on becoming the heir of his family, so he didn’t have much pride to uphold.
Sextus was a prudent man.
He racked his brain incessantly to understand the intention behind Marcus’s words.
Maybe Marcus was warning him not to act like his brother.
“Most people lose their arrogance when they realize their position. Many nobles who support you will fill the seats at this wedding. When they see your majesty and grandeur, the nobles with twisted minds will come to their senses. I wonder if you are hosting this wedding with that intention in mind.”
Marcus nodded slowly and closed his mouth for a moment.
Pompeia seized the gap and changed the topic with her incessant chatter.
Marcus kept the conversation going by giving appropriate responses and took his eyes off Sextus.
He was a man who knew how to paint a plausible picture with enough wit.
He didn’t even try to hide his efforts to win Marcus’s favor, so it was clear to see.
‘Well, he must want to show me that he is different from his brother.’
If he had a chance to inherit the power of Rome’s greatest family legally, anyone would go crazy for it.
Considering the situation, Sextus was doing well in keeping his balance until the end.
Despite his young age, he showed no signs of wavering, which made him much more qualified than his brother.
‘It’s still awkward to evaluate these young hopefuls. I need to consider more than one or two things.’
Marcus licked his tongue slightly so that no one could hear him.
He felt the passage of time and nostalgia when he saw these young heirs trying to impress him.
In the past, he was no different from Sextus.
He was in a position to be evaluated by Pompey or Cicero, who had already established their families.
But now he was in the same position as Pompeius in the past, so he couldn’t help but feel the change of environment.
He would meet and evaluate many heirs of nobles in the future.
Marcus’s eyes suddenly turned to the small carriage that followed behind them.
‘That’s right, there was one more person I had to see.’
It was a busy day with a lot of thoughts because of an unexpected variable.
But Marcus felt a new wind blowing.
His eyes didn’t leave the small carriage that no one cared about until they arrived at the palace.
※※※※
The banquet for Atia’s family was held the day after he greeted the guests.
It was worrisome, but if he moved up the schedule, it would naturally attract attention.
Marcus didn’t want to expose Octavianus’s existence that much.
The invitation was for Atia, Julia’s cousin.
She attended with her daughter Octavia and Octavianus.
Atia was a refined and cultured woman, as most women of the Julii family were.
She was one year younger than Marcus, but she still retained her elegant beauty despite being the mother of two children.
“It is an incomparable honor to be invited to dinner.”
“I should thank you for coming all this way to congratulate my sister’s wedding. I’m sorry I couldn’t greet my wife’s cousin sooner.”
“It’s nothing compared to the villa you gave me as a gift. Come on, you two should greet the governor too.”
As Atia finished speaking, Octavia and Octavianus bowed politely as if they had been waiting for it.
“My name is Octavia. It is an honor to have dinner with you, governor.”
“Yes, nice to meet you. I think I saw you once when you were a child, but you’ve grown up very well. I wish my Sophia would grow up like you, a cultured lady.”
“You are too kind.”
Octavia lowered her head deeper as if hiding her flushed face.
She was not as exceptionally beautiful as Julia, but she had a charming appearance with a kind impression that made people feel comfortable.
“My name is Gaius Octavius Thurinus. I thank you for allowing me this honor of sitting at the same table with the great ruler who pacified Mesopotamia.”
Following his sister, Octavianus bowed respectfully with formal etiquette.
He had not yet been adopted as Caesar’s son, so he used his plebeian name Octavius.
But even though he was still a boy in his early teens with an innocent appearance, his manners were not inferior to any noble family.
It was easy to guess how much Atia had invested in education.
Marcus examined Octavianus in detail without showing it.
He didn’t look ordinary even though he was still a cute kid, maybe because he was conscious of the fact that he was the first emperor of Rome.
No, objectively speaking, he was clearly different from the Egyptian prince of the same age.
“Yes. I saw you once when you were just born, but you probably don’t remember. You look very smart, and I’m sure you’ll grow up to be a great politician.”
“Thank you. I will do my best.”
“But you look a little pale. Are you not feeling well?”
“I, well…”
Octavianus tried to act calm, but he was still just a boy in his early teens.
A trace of shame that he couldn’t hide crossed his face.
As Octavianus hesitated, Atia explained the reason for him.
“He got seasick on the way here, and his body hasn’t fully recovered yet.”
“It wasn’t that bad. I just… felt a little nauseous.”
Octavianus had been teased for being weak since he was young, and his expression was not very comfortable.
In Rome, where the martial spirit was strong, it was expected that men should have robust bodies.
No matter how knowledgeable or cultured one was, if one couldn’t achieve military glory, one couldn’t reach the highest position.
Pompey, Marcus, and Caesar, who were considered the most powerful men in Rome, were also people who had firmly established their base militarily.
Octavianus felt inferior about his frail body.
He was so weak that even Marcius Philippus, who remarried Atia, didn’t pay attention to him.
Thanks to that, Octavianus grew up under his grandmother’s care with Octavia.
And this time, he wanted to show his manly side and gain recognition from others, but he collapsed from seasickness as soon as he boarded the ship.
The young Octavianus felt so pathetic that he was on the verge of tears.
Marcus, who saw through his feelings, gently stroked Octavianus’s head.
“Being born with a weak body is nothing to be ashamed of. Rather, it’s something to be proud of that you try to overcome your shortcomings by working hard. You just have to focus on the field that you are confident in. Then you will become someone who no one can ignore.”
“Thank you, governor. I will keep that in mind.”
Octavianus swallowed the tears that were about to come out and nodded.
“Well, then let’s enjoy our meal happily.”
Marcus changed the topic naturally and sat down first.
The others also took their seats and enjoyed the banquet in a friendly atmosphere.
Julia mostly talked with Atia or Octavia.
While the women chatted with each other, Marcus asked Octavianus almost the same question he had asked Sextus.
“How do you feel about coming to Antioch? Isn’t it a bit different from Rome?”
“Yes. But I found it more interesting that different ethnic groups live together. There are many foreigners in Rome too, but they are clearly divided into citizens and non-citizens.”
“That’s an interesting observation. How did Antioch look to you with its diverse ethnic groups?”
“I think there would be various benefits if people with different thoughts and cultures are linked in an equal relationship. But at the same time, the possibility of conflict also increases, so I think you have to balance them well as the governor who rules them. Maybe this is just my imagination. It’s not a prediction, but just a possibility…”
Atia, who happened to hear her son’s words, looked surprised.
She quickly checked Marcus’s expression and intervened in the conversation.
“I’m sorry, governor. He is still young and tends to blurt out whatever comes to his mind. Please don’t mind his childish nonsense…”
“No, I’m listening with interest, so don’t worry. Octavius, how do you think we should deal with those people?”
“I don’t know much about that. But if I had to say something… maybe it would be best to pit their interests against each other so they can’t unite.”
Marcus smiled brightly as he heard a satisfactory answer.
He had felt that Sextus was not a bad talent, but Octavianus was on a different level.
The boy in front of him showed signs of growing into a genius of intrigue.
As he thought that far, he felt something rising in a corner of his chest for the first time in a long time.
He didn’t want to send back the gem that came rolling into him after the wedding.
He made up his mind and offered Atia an irresistible proposal with a calm voice.
“Octavius seems very smart for his age. How about letting him stay in Antioch for a while and study? I’ll teach him myself by keeping him by my side.”