After some consideration, I decided I would craft the new boss with a scythe. I mean, it fit the back story for him. I brought out my notebook and quickly sketched out what I had in mind. It had a shaft that was roughly two meters long and had ornate patterns that were etched into the metal. In the end, it wasn’t anything too special, but for now, it would do. Once I had a general idea crafted out, I spawned it in the field next to him and let him go about his day.

A yawn split my lips as I pushed myself away from my desk and stretched out a bit. I relished the feeling of my muscles stretching out as I tried to figure out what I wanted to do with the rest of my day. I didn’t really want to train right now, and Nyx was hogging my bed, wallowing in her sadness. A part of me wanted to go in there and cuddle with her, but I should let her work through it on her own terms.

Perhaps I could go for a walk. It would do me wonders, and it would give me a chance to explore my office space. Outside of my changes, I know that the praetorians have been busy expanding this place. It’s a good thing that the magic here keeps the walls from collapsing. Otherwise, they may have a long time ago.

I walked to my office door and peeked into the lobby. In the middle sat a small fountain constantly spewing water out of the top, and a single battle mage sat at one of the benches. Their cloak shrouded their appearance, so I wasn’t sure who or what they were. I felt I should make it a point to learn their names if they have one, but it was tough to communicate with them.

“Do you know when Alessia will be back?” I stepped out of my office and closed the door behind me gently to hopefully not wake my daughter before I spun around to hear the mage’s response.

Sadly, the mage only shook his head, and my mood fell slightly. “Oh, okay, I appreciate it.” I sighed as I walked through the lobby. I was really missing her, but I was doing my best to not let it get to me. She was married to her work, and I fully understood that. When I was a line cook, I was the same way, grinding close to seventy hours a week. So, I would never hold that against her. But I still missed her.

I followed the red velvet carpet down the length of the lobby and glanced around. Next to my office door was a desk with a single undead that sat there, much like a secretary, but without all the phones ringing. I didn’t need one, but Alessia insisted I make one, so I did. Whatever made her happy is all that mattered to me.

I pushed through the lobby and switched my mental gears to my praetorians. Originally I designed them to be my bodyguards, but they became more akin to my personal legion, with the palatines becoming my guards. In the end, that didn’t bother me all that much, but I need to update them. Currently, I have hoplites to act as the defensive arm, a vanguard, mages, and assassins, but I have gaps that need to be filled.

I know that I will need calvary in the future, not to mention that I want to create a ranged division that doesn’t have just mages. But includes archers and what other ranged units I could get my hands on. I do also want to create an engineering corp as well. At that point, I think I will have a pretty decent combination of troops at my disposal, and it would stop me from tampering with my legions more than I already do. Plus, it gives Octavian free rein, so it works out.

I made a mental note to let Alessia know what I had in mind when I saw her next as I wandered out of the lobby and down the connecting hallway. Two hoplites stood guard by the door with their massive shields resting on the ground and the butt of the spear resting on the ground at the position of attention. “Hello, gentleman,” I called out as I glided past them. They both gave me a curt nod, and I smiled back as I pressed on.

I wonder how Ajax is doing. I haven’t seen him in a while, though to my knowledge, he was still active and training. The last I checked, he was still in charge of defense and fortifications. But I wasn’t really all that close to him. I shrugged the thought away as I turned the corner and bumped into something.

“Empress?” A feminine voice reached my ears as I staggered back a few steps. Not out of surprise, but just to make sure whoever I bumped into was okay.

I glanced up and froze for a moment as my eyes landed on Alessia’s face. For a few seconds, I stared as my mind tried to process what I saw for a moment. Confusion quickly morphed into shock, which melted into elation. “Alessia!” I almost shouted as I rushed over to her and threw my arms around her. My heart was racing in my chest as I laced my arms around her back and nestled myself into her chest.

“Needy, are we?” Her tone took a teasing edge as her arms made their way around me, pulling her into me.

“What’s a girl to do when I’m left all alone?” I closed my eyes and stood there. The loneliness I felt quickly faded as it was replaced with sheer happiness.

“I missed you, empress.” Her hands clenched my cloak, and I felt my heart flutter in my chest.

“I missed you, too, Alessia. So much.” I really missed her. She has been a staple in my life for so long that it was getting harder to see it without her in it. With each passing day, I needed her more, and I was perfectly okay with that.

We stood there for quite some time before I pushed away first. “Alessia, come with me. I’m going for a walk.” I reached out and took her hand in mine, interlacing our fingers as I tugged on her.

“As you wish.” She gave me a beautiful smile as we walked hand in hand down the hallway. Usually, I would be against doing something like this, but at this moment, I didn’t care. I was just happy that I had her back.

“How did your training go?” I cast her a glance and drank in her features. Her flesh looked softer than before and more human-like. Her hair had darkened slightly and looked like rays of moonlight in a clear night sky.

Her golden eyes beamed slightly as she thought it over for a moment. “It went as well as I could have hoped. I brought four new palatines online, which brings us up to six. I want more, but that won’t happen for quite some time.”

I tightened my grip on her hand and marveled at how solid she was. She felt almost human. “I’m glad that it went well. But I’m in no rush for more right now. Six is plenty for the time being.” I mostly said that since I didn’t want her to leave again for quite some time. I wanted to be greedy and keep her here with me for a while longer.

“As you wish, Empress.” Her eyes glimmered slightly, and it felt like her body was humming.

Hearing her call me empress bothered me slightly, but I was also in a really good mood and wanted her affection. I stopped in the middle of the hallway and glanced around to ensure no one was in sight. “Alessia, darling.” I spun on her and pressed my hands into her abdomen. Shockingly, I could feel abs under my palms, which alone sent a small spark of desire off my chest.

She froze up slightly, and her eyes went wide as she stepped back, but I followed her backward. “Yes, Empress?” She stammered slightly as I pushed her back into the wall and leaned slightly over her.

I left one hand on her stomach and the other, I placed it by her head. “Alessia, call me by my name when we are by ourselves.”

Her eyes darted to my arm before they went back to my face. “But..”

“No buts.” I saw something flicker in her eyes, and I knew what it was in a heartbeat. It was an act of submission, and it set a fire off deep within me. But it was hard to describe. Usually, I’m not a greedy person, but at that moment, I wanted to take her all for myself. I slowly trailed my hand up from her abdomen and fought the desire to strip her. Slowly, it traveled up and over her breast, and it took every ounce of willpower that I had to not grope her.

Eventually, my hand came to rest under her chin, and I pressed my nail in to tilt her head up to me since it felt like she was shrinking under me. “Alessia, I’m telling you to say my name.” My voice dropped an octave as I gently pressed harder into her. I don’t know what came over me at this moment, but I wouldn’t argue with it. It felt so hot to stand here and do this.

She stared into my eyes, and I could see dozens of emotions flicker past before she broke the silence. “Of course…Calixa..”

When my name left her lips, I melted slightly, and I leaned in and pressed my lips against hers as hard as I could. Thousands of sparks danced across my flesh as she met mine in a frenzy. It all felt so right. She belonged to me, and I wasn’t going to let her go.