Heir of Aurelian

Chapter 173 Playing The Part Of The Villain Part I

It had been some time since Marcellus had first united the two halves of the Roman Empire into a single state. During this time many things had changed, and rapidly too. It had only been a handful of years since the man was just another General in the Roman Army.

Yet during the past few years, advancements into every major field had taken place. Education was undergoing a monumental reform in so far that its subjects were now being based on a modern elementary curriculum.

Whereas the industry of Rome, while still being largely conducted by slave labor, had seen a massive increase in water and animal powered tools/machines. Crucible steel had become a common sight, among the greatest armor and weapons that Rome could offer, and for the first time in centuries there had been a major effort into the reconstruction of roads.

The Frontiers had gained an increase in fortifications and soldiers present in the region, making them much safer than they had been in centuries. With agricultural yields at an all-time high, it was now time to invest in the expansion of the region's infrastructure.

From Britannia, to Gaul, and all the way to eastern most borders, Marcellus had ordered a substantial amount of his treasury to be spent on infrastructure initiatives. Not just roads, but aqueducts, plumbing, bridges, and other major works.

? Northern Gaul, in particular, received a massive investment as it was now a vassal state owned by the Suebi tribes safeguarded the region for Rome. Barbarians of all denominations entered Suebi lands, and traded with Sigefrida's elder brother, who was named High King of the Suebi.

All the while, Marcellus sat back in Rome and read reports of his ongoing aggressive expansion. Currently, his wife Placidia was handing him a cup of purified water, which had become a common drink after water purification plants were established across several of the Empire's major cities.

"Are you perhaps too busy to spare a moment for your dear wife?"

Marcellus looked up from his papyrus document before kissing the hand of the young woman. An act which caused her to flush in embarrassment. After doing so, he smiled and asked what was on the woman's mind.

"Is there something that I can help you with, dear?"

Placidia returned her husband's smile and nodded her head before casually sitting on the side of his desk as if it were the most natural thing in this world to do.

"Pulcheria has been pestering me about her father. I dare say he died when she was still rather young, and in truth, I have very few good things to speak about when it comes to my brothers. Arcadius was not as cruel as Honorius, but he was neither bright nor courageous. Like Honorius, his entire reign was a joke, leaving it to hands of better men than himself. Yet, I fear it would be unwise to speak to the girl about her father in such a manner."

Marcellus merely scoffed when he heard this before taking a sip from the glass of water. After doing so he placed it on a coaster before responding to his wife's concerns.

"She should learn sooner or later about the truth, should she not? I mean, the girl is in her teenage years already. Surely she can handle that much. She's fairly bright, albeit a bit too religious. I suppose she takes after her mother in that regard, because no offense, but your brothers were two of the dullest men I have ever met in my life."

Marcellus barely knew Arcadius if he was being honest. Neither did Placidia for that metter. The two of them had been raised by Stilicho in the Western half of the Empire, much like Honorius. Arcadius, on the other hand, had been raised in the eastern half of the Empire, and a far way away from the rest of the family.

Apparently his a severe lack of intelligence ran in the family, because even though Arcadius was raised under a separate tutelage from his brother, the man was still just as inept in nearly every facet of life. Luckily, both Placidia and her niece, Pulcheria, did not seem to fall into this mold of blatant stupidity.

It was with this in mind that Marcellus sighed heavily before giving his wife a proper answer.

"Do you want me to tell her the truth? I doubt you want to be the person who tells Pulcheria what a failure her father was. She might detest you for it. Whereas with me, she already hates my guts for being a 'filthy' pagan. I don't mind telling her that her father was a dullard and that she's lucky she didn't inherit such a trait."

A slight giggle erupted from Pulcheria's lips as she heard this, causing her to nod her head before teasing her husband ever so slightly.

"You know what? You do make a superb villain. I suppose it would be best for you to give the girl a proper talking to about her father and uncle. Perhaps after learning about your relationship with my family, she might be able to understand why you are the current emperor and not a member of my father's dynasty."

Marcellus scoffed when he heard this, before standing up from his seat and placing down his documents. He was quick to follow Placidia to where Pulcheria was hiding about within the palace. Though he didn't like playing the role of the bad guy, sometimes it was necessary for one parent to assume the role, and since he and Placidia were now raising her nieces and nephew as their own children, naturally he would have to play the part of the villain.

Thus, with a heavy heart, Marcellus was about to have a rather serious conversation with his niece about why her father, and her uncle. It was bound to be a conversation that would cause the girl to become furious with him, but it was better to squash fanciful notions before they settled themselves into the girl's mind.