015: Please Commit Suicide, For Your Children's Sake
There is a saying, "All roads lead to Rome." In this saying, the place "Rome" symbolizes all things beautiful in people's eyes.
Of course, this saying also gives people hope and expectation through "Rome." In much of ancient history, what people can think of is its great civilization itself, but they are unaware of the disgrace hidden behind these seemingly great civilizations.
Since the Second Punic War, Rome obtained immense wealth. Slaves, grain continuously supplied the Empire through the Mediterranean.
Corruption and debauchery are often inseparable, and corruption is inseparable from wealth. Moreover, the aristocratic customs and moral concepts of the ancient Roman Empire, regarding noblewomen's rampant adultery, did not hold the concept of unforgivable marital infidelity.
During the time of the First Triumvirate, Caesar had slept with the wives of the other two, who both knew about it, yet it didn't hinder them from drinking together as brothers.
Even one's own sister or mother could still become one's woman. This also led to a country where concepts of human ethics, both domestically and internationally, were not very strong.
Novia was well aware of this. The most important reason for Emperor Claudius I's great fury was not Empress Messalina's wedding with her lover, but rather the fear that it endangered his own position.
This man, who became emperor only at fifty, had no prepared pool of administrative talents from his own household. Therefore, he heavily relied on his freedmen to serve as secretaries. Over time, the power of these individuals expanded rapidly during his reign.
Empress Messalina was the same. By 48 AD, most of these secretaries had also been executed by Claudius at her request.
According to the intelligence Claudius had gathered, many senators, high-ranking officials, and military officers attended Empress Messalina's wedding with her lover.
Claudius knew very well how he had obtained his throne, hence his extreme anxiety over this move. In other words, if Messalina hadn't invited so many people, perhaps Claudius might not have been so furious.
However, at this moment, the emperor's long-absent anger had been conveyed through the mages located in the city of Rome.
"Brutus, I appoint you as the new commander of the Praetorian Guard. Quickly lead the Praetorians into Rome."
Claudius pondered in the carriage returning to Rome: how to deal with Messalina? Should it be treated as a public crime, or handled as a family matter?
Since Novia was sitting in Claudius's carriage, she could see that Claudius seemed quite hesitant.
Probably because his young daughter and son, following their mother's instructions, had written letters begging their father to spare their mother's life, at least give Messalina a chance to explain.
Although she hadn't known Claudius for long, Novia understood this man quite well. Because in the first fifty years of his life, he had never received attention from others, so he didn't understand what it meant to be treated with reverence. In other words, the concept of 'reverence' simply didn't exist in his mind. This was why he previously only cared about what benefits Roman god worship and Christian faith could bring.
Clickety-clack. The wind beat against the window, howling coldly, making fierce noises.
Claudius's gaze was involuntarily drawn. He temporarily placed the letters on the table and let out a sigh.
"Novia, I request you to go tell that unfortunate woman to come to the palace tomorrow morning and explain things clearly to me."
"Yes."
Novia knew well that when Claudius called Messalina an 'unfortunate woman,' it seemed he wanted to let her off.
For Novia, this was not an ideal development. However, it was still acceptable.
Because she, the one going to deliver the message, would give this Empress a friendly 'face-saving' gesture.
It was raining outside now, the cold wind biting. The sky, houses, and the entire procession were shrouded in gloomy grey. Novia held an umbrella symbolizing Claudius, listening to the pattering rain, watching her white breath, heading towards the lover's garden where the Empress was staying.
In Rome's night, the splendidly radiant garden was adorned with gorgeous paintings everywhere. On both sides were lamps supported by magic, Greek-style statues—luxury that made one sigh was everywhere.
Novia, representing Claudius, was almost unhindered. She quickly arrived inside the master room of the garden.
"My lord, my lord, spare me! Please let me explain to His Majesty, I'm not—"
The Empress's lover was a senator, even selected as consul for the following year. But his pleas for mercy did not cause Novia any hesitation. She directly beheaded him with one sword stroke.
"You are that Novia? Never mind. Quickly take me to see Claudius. This was just an accident. I am his wife. Our children are the future masters of the Empire—"
However, Novia, fiddling with the long sword in her hand, spoke calmly to the still fearless Empress Messalina.
"Please commit suicide, Valeria Messalina. This is for the sake of your children, Octavia and Britannicus's future."
The silver-haired youth's tone was as if this was the only thing that mattered to Messalina now.
"This is..." Upon hearing this, Messalina's face instantly turned ashen. Then, trembling, she took the sword from Novia's hand. "Claudius... his meaning?"
Novia nodded noncommittally.
"Octavia and Britannicus... my children..."
Messalina tightly closed her eyes, her lips continuously quivering, her steps unsteady. Finally, tears streamed down her face, yet she still could not bring herself to thrust the sword into her own chest.
If she knew this would happen, why did she do it in the first place? Novia thought. This 23-year-old Empress was incredibly unpopular. Previously, to snatch a famous actor as a lover, she forced her rival to commit suicide. She also forced a Roman consul to his death, aiming to take his garden, reputed to be the most beautiful in Rome.
Also, every night she sneaked out of the palace, went to the red-light district under the stands of the Circus Maximus, using the pseudonym "Lysica," working the night shift.
"The performance time should be about over."
Novia grabbed the sword. The next second, she plunged it deep into Messalina's chest, killing her instantly. Then, the silver-haired youth pulled out the blood-stained sword and threw it aside on the ground.
After walking out the door, she said to the people in the garden—
Valeria Messalina, knowing her sins were heavy, too ashamed to face the people of the Empire again, has gone to seek God's forgiveness.
Afterwards, Messalina's statues were discreetly dismantled and destroyed by those dissatisfied with her. After a cremation without family present, Messalina's ashes also could not be buried in the "Temple of the Divine Augustus."
Upon learning of his wife's suicide, Claudius, without suspicion, seemed to instantly lose all emotions like sorrow and anger.
He also didn't have the spirit to pay more attention to his young children who had lost their mother. His wife had done him wrong. This sixty-year-old man could only pour all his energy into government affairs.
"Cough, cough, little Novia. You previously told me Seneca is a rare talent, right? I grant it. Allow him to return from Corsica."
In the Roman palace, full of blooming flowers, the vast land stretched as far as the eye could see. The old man, having aged considerably, tightly held Novia's hand. When a person grows old and loses their spiritual support, they probably become like this.
"Your Majesty is wise. May God protect you and wish you good health."
The silver-haired youth's tone was very calm. Her azure blue eyes, no matter when, were always as serene as deep winter seawater, like looking up from the depths of the ocean—that kind of gaze.
"And also, Octavia and Britannicus, please go instruct them... guide them onto the right path..."
"Yes."
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
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