Agave, Matea and Pryne arrived Rome at early morning taken the same path as Arete, but they were two days behind Arete, on the exact day of the festival. The Pankration contests already started in the Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre of the city, next to a large statue of the Emperor Nero. Pryne wore a veil and rough cloak to cover her hair as it might attract unwanted attention.

The city was busy with crowds and merchants selling various items and food. As much as those street food look appetising to Agave. She noticed the aediles kept touching Peggy.

“He looks handsome, but his muscle isn’t lean enough.” The aediles then look at Brownie and Blackie with his judging eyes, “Hmm… these two are just average.”

“Excuse us! You’re the Roman aediles, do you know the way to the palace?” asked Agave, recognising his attire with his pale red toga.

The man evaluated the voluptuous but short lady on her bright yellow silk tunic. Her golden cuff bracelet and the thyrsus did caught his eyes. Thinking that she must be a wealthy lady from a foreign land that just arrived at Rome with two servants.

She asked for the way to the palace instead of the Colosseum or the Hippodrome. She must be a guest with some political influence.

The aediles politely pointed her the path to the Palace without asking further.

Nah! It’s the greatest quadrennium festival! Of course I know where to find the best food in the whole city! The kitchen in the Palace! He he he.

They continued to walk through the busy plaza, heading towards the Palace.

“Ya know, Mate, I wonder have you met Arete’s boyfriend named Chlorus? I heard that he proposed to her about three years ago, but got rejected. Right after that, he was sent to serve Rome. I hope he is still doing fine. We’ll go to the palace and say hi to him and make ourself his guests.”

Matea knew about Chlorus, three years ago, on the day she first arrived Syracuse, his troops found her with a pouch belonged to Seneca. They accused her of stealing that pouch. She fought them, and he captured her after she harmed his soldiers. She failed to answer Apollodorus questions about what had happened to Seneca, and the old man kept her in the dungeon.

“Oh, yeah, I think I saw him that day at Eretria, accompanying that Roman Empress.” Added Agave.

“I had no clue who you’re talking about. But I did saw Arete kept duelling with a Roman General that day. He is kinda handsome, why is she rejecting that man?” Asked Pryne.

“Well,” Agave sigh but smile cynically, “That’s her, always wanting the best of the best. Not just about the looks, the physique, or the loveliness of a man. Also about the status, and heritage. Probably he wasn’t good enough for her. After all, he’s just a soldier. She’s like — Ahem, I, Arete of Syracuse, the only daughter of the lord, shall only marry to a strong and influential king who will bring prosperity and peace to the people of Syracuse! It’s my duty to make the best use of this union to my city-state… — Something like that.” Said Agave whimsically while adjusting her pitch lower to mimic Arete’s voice.

Pryne was in doubt, she turned to look at Matea, who lightly nodded, agreeing what Agave had said. Indeed that was how Arete would say and behaved.