Chapter 58. Do What I Have to Do

AURELIA

The trumpets blared once more, and the crowd fell silent as Caesar addressed them. I kept my head down this time, my gaze fixed on the scene before me. Was this a dream? Had I really just witnessed Claudius rise from the dead—and Julian’s fall? It couldn’t be real. I’d had too many strange dreams lately. But never one where my betrothed lay dead.

“We have a winner!” Caesar’s voice rang out, though it sounded distant, muffled under the roar of the crowd that erupted afterward. They cheered, but I couldn’t even hear it. My eyes were locked on the men in front of me.

I watched, numb and speechless, as soldiers poured into the arena, seizing Claudius from Julian’s lifeless body. Claudius struggled a few times but eventually allowed himself to be dragged away.

My gaze drifted back to Julian, lying utterly still. I felt as though a knife had been driven into my chest a thousand times over, yet I couldn’t cry. I just stood there, staring, feeling hollow.