The entrance into Rome was slow and tiresome, taking most of the rest of the day. People constantly came to touch Magnu's wagon, admire his son and smile at him, and attempt to get more than a glimmer at the two women as they rolled along. Brogus had left the box and taken the mules in hand, to avoid any sort of panic and accident.

As she looked out over the people steadily milling, Cornelia realised she had become accustomed to the steady routine of her life in Picenum, and the relative peace. ROme had seemed very different from afar; now the smells of unwashed bodies, sewage from the Tiber, and noises of hawking reminded her of a very different experience. Life teemed and pulsed, yet suddenly it all seemed quite bothersome compared to an open road across an open field. Fortunately, the Villa lay outside the city walls, so they would not be forced to abandon the Raeda, and use litters.

Looking at Sextus, she was pleased to see that he was enjoying the attention. She was not so sure Porcia was. Well, they were really coming to admire Magnus and his son, so POrcia could just sit back and relax.


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The dinner hour had started by the time the family entered their atrium, and were met by a group beaming servants, all pushing to see Sextus's daughter, though they were obviously glad to see The Man himself.

"Right right, you'll all get a chance to see!"Magnus boomed out. "We aren't going anywhere for a while, and I am sure my daughter-in-law would love a bath. We ALL would!"

"When you have had a bath yourself, I want you to deliver some messages for me," Cornelia said under the ruckus to Dacia as the maid unwrapped her palla.

"So soon Domina? Don't you want me to bath you?"

"Yes. So soon. And no. Lydia can do it. "

" Yes Domina."

Cornelia then twitched Porcia's arm and led her back towards the main quarters. Quickly the under-steward caught up, skittled ahead nodded.

"I have your bath prepared Domina, and that of the Lady Porcia. I was sure that would be your first stop."

"Fancy a promotion do you?" Cornelia asked, her dark eyes showing nothing, but her insides wondering if something was off. She had been gone along time, and infiktration could have happened in her absence.

"It is natural I would want a promotion Domina, but that requires more than preparing your bath, I think.,"he replied with an easy smile.

"Quite,"she responded, and then turned the corner into the private quarters section.