After Etruscilla's departure, I took Dia in and gave my blessing for her and Achillas to marry. It had been my hope that Etruscilla and me would be equally blessed, but it was not to be. I have prayed to the gods for her continued well being for months now in the hope that one day we would meet again.

"I beg your pardon, Sir," Dia says as she approaches. "I just wanted to let you know that I am taking leave to go to the other villa."

"But Achillas is not here to escort you."

"I know. If it is okay with you, I have asked Lydia to accompany me."

"No, that will not do. I will go with you myself."

She looks stunned. "Are you sure? You have not been there since..."

I wave a hand to silence her.

"Go tell Lydia that you are going with me. Quickly now, before I change my mind."

She scampers off and returns momentarily.

"Shall we then?" I ask her.

She nods her head and we walk out of my own villa's gates and onto the road that lies in the direction of the Villa of the Mosaic Columns. I do not know what has promted me to go there now after all this time. Perhaps it is my emotions finally giving in to my common sense once again. After all, I have been the caretaker of the villa since Etruscilla has been gone. I promised her I would take care of it. However, I have not been able to set foot near the place since that aggravating encounter with her husband, Claudius. Dia senses my tension and remains silent as we continue on toward our destination, though I can tell she wants to say something about the situation. I pray she does not give voice to those thoughts for now.