Augustus was numb.

' Maybe he's speaking the truth. Maybe he should die. '

Negative thoughts fogged his rational thinking while a tear spilled out of his eyes. It was Cassius who was handcuffed but it felt as if it was his soul and mind which was grappled with guilt.

Aurelius had his jaws clenched and he knew very well that what that old man was trying to do. He was manipulating Augutsus. Therefore, he shook his shoulder with force and for the first time, addressed him with his name, " Augutstus! Remember, a calm sea doesn't make a skilled sailor. Life is throwing adversities because you're strong enough to handle it. Don't think about this dog! You've to look after Justus and Highness Rithambara. You can't just die. "

Augustus revived a bit of his sense hearing to Aurelius's words. He was right! He did wrong by accusing his mother but justice won't come to her by killing himself. Moreover, love of his life and his son were waiting for him. His Rithambara left behind everything to accompany him. She took it all upon herself with an easy smile. When Eagles attacked, instead of blaming him for her safety, she fought like his comrade. While he was troubled with traumas of past, she pressed his head softly in order to soothe him. She showered him and Justus with pure love when he didn't how to quench his thirst of guilt. Yes, He made mistake of trusting wrong people but it wasn't right if he would kill himself.

Cassius was infuriated with Aurelius's audacity of trying to rain on his parade. He glared at him which Aurelius gladly returned but afterall, he wasn't letting it go easily.

" You don't need to worry about your wife and your filthy son. My daughter is in Florence and by now, she must have taken care of them. "

This was enough for Augustus to pick himself up. Even before Cassius could fathom anything, he was on his toes. He gritted his teeth, " I swear, if anything happens to my wife or my son, your daughter would regret taking birth. "

" And what if she has already killed them? " Cassius chimed in.

Augustus picked up the sword and made his firm decision. Old Cassius's bloodied face reminded him of the insults he threw at his son infront of his courtmen. His heart filled with bitterness by just remembering that scene and his hold tightened on the sword.

His eyes bled rage and he shouted intensely which echoed in the battlefield. It was a matter of few seconds when his sword punctured Cassius's body and the latter vomited more blood when his internal organs recieved the piercing blow.

A last agonized scream came out of his mouth which slowly and gradually silenced the battlefield. Every Sicily soldier lost his enthusiasm when they heard about King Cassius's death wheras, soldiers of Florence hooted and cheered zealously.

Augustus fell down on his knees infront of Cassius's lifeless body and stared at it intensely. No enthusiasm, no cheerfulness, nothing! His stares were blank like inactive volcano but his mind was burning with hot magma.

Enthusiasm of winning Rome was perished by betrayal of his loved ones.

Valentina and Marcus! Two people whom he trusted to moon and back betrayed him. He had spent around two years in guilt, pain and mourning over a lady who did it all for crown.

The blanket of love in which he had wrapped Valentina's memories was now creating itch over his soul. He didn't know how to throw it off!

Her soft voice was colliding in his mind and the bloodied sword fell down from his hands when he thought about other betrayer. Marcus, his younger brother. The one who took care of Justus, who supported him through his thick and thin. He was never interested in dirty politics to get the crown or that's what he told him. He was always interested in arts or that's what he painted infront of his eyes.

He hated his mother for crimes she never did. What was the use of his strategies and righteousness when he couldn't distinguish between cheaters and a care taker.

He remembered how his mother sobbed hard infront of him to believe her words but he ignored it. The past memories shook him up and he screamed loudly. It was not an enthusiastic cheer of a warrior who had won the war rather, it was a regretful roar of a son who had let down his mother. He was lost in guilt and phalanx, formations, win, nothing mattered.

A tear found it's way through his eyes when he thought about it and this time, even Aurelius couldn't contain his emotions and cried along with Augustus.

It was a very rare sight for people to witness tears in eyes of winning side but only if they knew!

Regret kills soul.

Soldiers of Florence were thrilled but seeing their leader sad, poured cold water on their enthusiasm. They didn't celebrate the way they should have but this is life! Regret, guilt, pain, longing, suffering are undeniable part of it and after coming in terms with this, Augustus braced himself for the future voyage because there was a long journey ahead of him.

Frosinone witnessed everything in a span of two days. Bloodshed massacre, cheerfulness and even regret.

Army led by king Atticus was successful in monoply as Victor army was no match to them and finally,

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Augustus was in Rome for his coronation ceremony and this was the day, he was expecting his family to join him. Truly, what a place it was! Even the air around had artistrocatic feel and the architecture of palace left everyone spell bound. Sitting on the throne of this palace meant having superiority above everyone. From Sicily, Corsica to Florence, everything belonged to Augustus to rule.

King Atticus couldn't be anymore proud of achievements of his son. The day Augustus arrived in Rome, he didn't have the glow of a winning warrior, instead, he looked very tired.

The moment he saw Atticus, he started sobbing.

Only Augustus knew that how painful it was for him to recite the whole incident. King Atticus knew that Athena was a righteous lady but circumstances made her an enemy for Augustus but he knew that blaming would do more harm than good. He consoled him like a good father repeating that he wasn't at fault. It was Marcus who was to be blamed.

Felix and Linus ( Augustus's brothers) had a scowl on their faces but they knew better than to protest. Augustus had granted them the permission to stay in Florence in order to look after the empire over there.

Augustus was standing with Aurelius and king Atticus when he heard the voice.

" Father! "

Augustus could recognise his boy's voice amidst thousands of acouasm.

There was an instant splash of happiness on his face while he grinned and stooped down on his knees to embrace the running bundle of joy in his arms.

The bliss and calmness which he felt was much needed. He peppered Justus with kisses and smooches all across his face. Scooping him in his one arm, he further extended his vision to find his lady love but his breath hitched. He stood there unblinking inhaling in the gorgeous lady. He couldn't believe it!

His ' yellow fabric ' was now draped in floor length gown which was shimmering in sunlight. Well, she herself looked like a sunshine in that exquisite gown and the way she walked with grace and determination, made him forgot that she wasn't a native Roman queen.

He came back to his senses when Justus giggled seeing Rithambara while she turned red as her husband was openly ogling at her without any shame. Only he had the capacity to make her feel so shy. She cascaded her eyes down and cleared her throat to gain his attention.

Augustus hugged her hard infront of everyone forgetting all his worries but his eyes went rigid on Marcus standing behind. Rithambara could feel his tight hold across her shoulder and her heart went out for her husband.

Marcus had tears brimming down his eyes who had literally begged Ritha to let him see his brother's crowning ceremony in Rome. After lot of persuasion, she agreed.

She could feel Augustus's tension but she knew that what she was about to say could further tense him but nonetheless, she spoke, " Valentina is dead and it's me who killed her. "

She was expecting an outrageous reaction from Augustus but he didn't do anything like that, instead, much to her shock, he spoke firmly " I'm glad and she died for the good. "

All this while, he had his eyes firmly set on Marcus. Ritha was about to ask something when king Atticus reminded them about the coronation ceremony.

Without any emotion, Augustus pointed his index finger at Marcus and spoke, " that disgrace wouldn't attend my ceremony. "

Marcus's heart broke but there was absolutely nothing he could do about it.

Trying to cheer up her husband, Ritha chirped, " so, finally my Prince is Rex of Rome. "

Grinning at his wife, Augutsus replied, " and you're the

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