Flavius thought about it, then asked, “Do you love me?”
“Yes, Master. I love you too, but in a different way.”
Flavius chuckled. “How can you love us both? Do you know what love is?” he asked with a wide grin.
Raising his Master’s hand to his lips kissed it tenderly. The love for his Master was different from the love that bound him to Cassandra, but it moved his soul toward him. How could he explain in words what was in his heart? The only way was showing him, and in that kiss, he explained it fully.
“I think you do,” Flavius said. “I know I haven’t taken care of you as I promised in the beginning. Give me a second chance. This time, I won’t fail you. You are the dearest one to me.”
“Master, please, don’t promise something you aren’t sure you can keep. Promise me you won’t leave me; you won’t let me down. Giving you a second chance is not up to me; I am only a property. Marcus Tiberius shall decide about me and the deal between you two. I… please.
Saul’s words allowed Flavius to focus on the best way to seek revenge; finding a way to make her confess would probably be the sweetest.
“I’m going to talk to my father. I'll call Cassandra so she can take you back to wherever you want to go.”
Saul shook his head. “I can manage on my own, too, Master. Rufus trained me to use my other senses to see, and I have learned this house’s space.”
Amazed, Flavius watched him leave the room, treading with care, but without help.
Rufus did wonders teaching him the almost impossible.
Reaching the garden where his father sat on a bench enjoying the day, Flavius said, “Father, I-I think we need to talk.”
Marcus Tiberius approached him, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Let’s go to my room; I owe you an explanation. Considering the screams, I think I know the nature of the discussion between you and Saul,” he said, guiding him.
Marcus Tiberius called a slave and ordered her to bring wine, then settled in his chair.
“I know it was Claudia, and Saul probably told you I forbade him to tell you the truth.
“Yes, but first, why did you hide the truth from me?”
“It was because I feared your reaction, but it seems that Saul knows you better than I do. I was wrong, and I hope you understand that my actions were intended to protect you, not to harm you. I’m sorry, Flavius.”
Flavius eased back in his chair, “I understand, and maybe you were right. Please don’t be disappointed with Saul for disobeying your order.” He leaned forward. “Now that I know from whom I should protect him and me, he will be safe in my house. I wish to have him back.”
“Are you sure? What is in your mind?”
“My plan is to get Claudia to confess what she did, without telling her that I know, then I will bring her to justice. I want to be rid of her. I also want to know if she had something to do with my kidnapping.”
“Let’s not jump to hasty conclusions; even if it makes sense. It doesn’t prove anything yet. I don’t want you to act rashly. Maybe having Saul with you will calm your reactions.”
The slave arrived with the wine. She silently poured two cups, then left the men alone.
“So, I can have him back?”
“Marcus Tiberius sipped his wine and rolled it around in his mouth, then swallowed it. “Yes, but our deal is still on, and this is your last chance. You won’t have another one. Take care of Saul. Do I make myself clear?”
Flavius had thought it would be more difficult to convince his father. He was sure he would have stipulated more conditions.
“I understand. I failed to protect my slaves from Claudia’s mistreatment. It will not happen again.”
“Flavius, I don’t want you to use violence against her. You must understand the consequences of such an action. Don’t ruin your life for revenge.”
“I have to take my part of the responsibility. Had I treated her with more consideration, perhaps she would have never resorted to this cruelty…Who knows?” He lowered his gaze averting his gaze from Marcus Tiberius’. “Father, I think I love Saul. I love him as much as he claims to love me. I do not please my senses with his body. I have feelings which are satisfied only when we lay together; when our lips touch in a tender kiss… I cannot better explain. Do you think I am crazy?”
“No, Flavius, you’re not. And I guess you are not the first; we all feel the attraction Saul can exert on people. To me, it was clear when I saw him at the market. There were better-looking slaves on the auction, yet something in this dirty child barely covered by rags attracted me, something in his posture, his eyes. Keep your lover safe. Keep him away from the anger of your wife, as she will not accept any other in your bed.” Marcus Tiberius warned.
“Thank you, Father. It is time for me to go,” he said, standing.
At that moment, the same slave brought more wine.
“There is no need; Flavius is leaving. Get Saul. He is leaving with him,” he ordered.
“Yes, Master.” The slave hurried out of the room.
After a short while, the same slave returned with Saul. “Master, are you going to bring me back?” he asked, facing Flavius. Surprise colored his voice.
He had expected to have more time to tell Cassandra goodbye.
“Yes, we are going right away. I told you I would bring you back,” said Flavius, guiding him out of the room.
Flaminia arrived as she heard that he was departing. Cassandra accompanied her.
“Saul, I hope this is not a goodbye,” Flaminia said, smiling.
“I hope not, Mistress. I don’t believe in farewells.”
Cassandra stood at Flaminia’s side, not sure what she should say.
“Saul,” Cassandra’s voice trembled as her eyes welled with tears.
“This is not a goodbye,” he said, holding her hands.
“Promise,” Cassandra begged.
Saul smiled and clasped her hands tighter. “I promise you.”
He was confident he would be under the care of Nara, and with him, he hoped to find a way to see her frequently. He then tried to turn toward Marcus Tiberius, guessing his position. “Master, I… Thanks for everything. You gave me an education, a place in your world, a safe shelter when I needed one; I won’t forget how much I owe you.”
Marcus Tiberius hugged him. “Take care of yourself and of my son; he needs you more than you need him.”
“I know that, and I won’t disappoint you or him.”
“No doubt about it, Saul,” Marcus Tiberius said, releasing him.
Flavius and Saul left the house in silence; neither had anything else to say. Saul wondered how Claudia would react, doubting the wisdom of going back sharing the same roof with Claudia.
Flavius could not stop thinking about Saul and Cassandra and wondered whether it was a good idea to bring him back. He was afraid he couldn’t protect him the way he must and considered what the consequences could be.
At the same time, he felt an uncontrollable rage rising from his soul, a rage mixed with disgust and hatred for Claudia. He’d rather kill himself than live under the same roof with her. In his eyes, she was a demon capable of the most despicable and darkest actions just to satisfy her sadistic, selfish nature.
“Master, you should better control yourself, rather than let the hatred take over,” Saul said, breaking the silence between them. Flavius looked at him, wondering how he knew what he was thinking.
“It is not difficult to guess your feelings. Your breath got shallow, and you are squeezing my arm rather than guiding me,” Saul explained.
Flavius looked at his hand; he was indeed squeezing his arm. He let him go and wondered about Saul’s capability to understand his thoughts through the observation of his gestures.
“I know it is not easy going back to live in the same house, pretending I don’t know anything about what happened. I must find a way to make her confess.” He clenched his fist and brought it to his chest. “She will never harm you again, Saul. Concerning your duties, since you can’t see, I will have to figure out a way to make you useful. The first thing that comes to mind is that you serve as my advisor. It seems like you gained an amazing ability to read other people’s hearts. This will be helpful in my work as a lawyer. And…” he caressed Saul’s cheek. “As Titus once said, sleeping in a warm bed is more comfortable than sleeping in a cold one.”