Genesis

The sun never did set on the Roman Empire, but one could say that this season would bring with it the start of a time of dusk. The backdrop of a foreboding epic was set and lines scripted as winter fell upon the great empire.

Behind the public eye, the recently appointed Roman Emperor, Antoninus Pius, shared intimacy with a beautiful young woman by the name of Calliope. Already a man of his early fifties when it came time to reign, Antoninus had started his relations with Calliope a few years ago when he decided to visit the northern region of the empire. Although the empire was at an all-time high time of peace, Antoninus would choose to rarely ever leave his estates in Rome, Calliope being one of those few exceptions. He had only been in office for two years when he received news that would alter the course of his life greatly.

"Come come, my king," Calliope sweetly called to Antoninus as he dismounted his horse. Calliope had prepared a simple, yet elegant picnic for the two just outside of her small cottage, where the extensive countryside that she resided in offered a tranquility that could not be achieved elsewhere.

Though aging, Antoninus was still a very fit man, even praised for it in fact. A tall, strong, jet-black haired man of a normally grave, yet wise countenance, Calliope never failed to bring out the soft side in him. Calliope herself was a tall young woman in her mid-twenties with clean, blonde hair and stormy gray eyes. Though young, she was self-educated and knew much about the Greek gods and mythos that were well before her and Antoninus' time. One of Antoninus' favorite things to do with her was sit and listen to her beautiful voice tell stories of the past with such detail and execution it was almost as if she lived through it herself. Because of this connection, Antoninus would sometimes call Calliope his "young goddess" in reference to her similarity to the goddess Athena.

"If you would so have me," Antoninus replied kindly, stopping shortly to give her a polite bow and take his seat next to Calliope on the simple fabric laid out on the grass.

"What grand feast have you prepared for us this fine afternoon, my young goddess?" he asked with a jovial smile on his face.

Calliope rummaged through a large weave basket and giggled lightly as she pulled out a large wheel of cheese. "Your favorite, of course! Freshly prepared this morning by Decius' wife."

Decius was one of the few Roman soldiers posted in the village Calliope conducted most of her business and was seen as more of a paternal figure in the community. His wife, subsequently, was also a role model of the village.

Calliope proceeded to pull out a variety of foodstuff, such as bread and bits of meats, and place them around the cloth. Antoninus helped arrange the food, all the while engaging in smalltalk. Once everything was laid out, the two ate together, enjoying the food as well as each other's company.

"I have news of great joy, Antoninus," Calliope said as she leaned into him and placed a soft hand over his.

Antoninus turned his hand over to grasp Calliope's and rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand affectionately, "What is it, my young goddess?"

Calliope squeezed the emperor's hand lightly and bit the bottom of her lip, clearly holding back much excitement. With her free hand, she rubbed her stomach.

"I am with child."

A mix of emotions rose up from within Antoninus. Very few knew of his visits to the northern part of the empire, but not a soul knew of his affair with the Germanic woman. It was not uncommon for emperors to bear offspring with concubines and other women, but here, with a woman he truly loved, it felt wrong. He still loved his wife, Faustina, but Calliope brought with her a youth that Faustina had lost long ago. It would be all too sudden for Antoninus to reveal his relations with Calliope and that a child had been conceived, but he could not stand by and leave her to her own. Not when she was expecting his child.

Circumstances aside, Antoninus was indeed pleased with the news. It wasn't too early in the relationship as to be unexpected and it represented the genuineness of their feelings for each other. With a warm smile, the emperor embraced Calliope.

"This is indeed joyous news, my love. I could not be prouder learning that you have conceived. May the gods bless us and our child."

1 year later...

Some time had passed since Emperor Antoninus Pius discovered the conception of his and Calliope's child, to which he had later learned of it being a boy. In the time since, Calliope was brought into the heart of the empire to live near her lover. Brought in as a concubine to the emperor, her soon apparent pregnancy was disregarded from possibly being the Emperor's and dismissed as the result of a prior relationship. Now that she lived in the capital city, Antoninus was able to watch over his secret lover much closer while continuing to conduct his duties as emperor with little disruption.

Born the fifth of August, the baby boy was christened Adam, baptized at birth. Small in size, the babe had a head of wispy blonde hair and amber eyes that radiated with joy whenever he wasn't asleep. His cries were loud, his tantrums, rambunctious, but in his moments of quiet, he was tranquil and wide-eyed, observing and taking in all that his new eyes could.

Though Calliope was relieved of her courtly duties to the emperor after her delivery of Adam, the emperor had still made the time to visit, be it in the secret gardens of the capital or the small residence that was afforded to her.

Antoninus tickled the round belly of Adam as he held him in strong arms, the jovial baby receiving well the affectionate gesture with laughter. Calliope leaned against her lover's side with an arm wrapped around his.

"Our son has a strong laugh. I feel he will make a great politician!" Antoninus bellowed heartily with a strong laugh of his own.

"My king..." Calliope soothed, "How it elates me to hear you claim him. Lately, I've feared your abandoning of us..."

Still amusing himself with his son, Antoninus' mood was not faltered with the solemn remark made by Calliope.

"What makes you say that, my young goddess? Though from a legal standpoint, our child may not have a claim to the throne, I will do my best to see that you and him are set to live well lives after my time comes!"

Calliope lowered her head against the emperor's arm, "I am honored that you would see to such a thing, but I am afraid that there have already been rumors spread of our past relations..."

"And what about it? Not a soul knows this boy is mine, and I will dispel any charge of suspicion from the people who would dare think otherwise!"

"That... that is what I fear, in part, my king..." Calliope lamented. "I know not how long I can continue knowing that, to the people, this boy will be no more than the son of an imported whore. I only wish... I only wish there was a way he could one day love you as a father in public without fear of suspicion from onlookers."

"Calliope."

Antoninus' bright mood had come to a slow halt at Calliope's grieving words. His eyes dropped and countenance darkened.

"I have already taken on two adopted sons in lieu of my deceased natural progeny to honor the dying wish of my predecessor. They are both heir-apparent to the throne and adopting another son would surely upset the Senate... I am sorry, my young goddess."

The young woman unwrapped her arm from around the emperor's and pulled away. Adam has picked up on the sudden change in tone of his parents and had, in turn, hushed himself. After a shared moment of silence, the baby in Antoninus' arms began to cry. Calliope extended her arms out to the emperor.

"I think it is best the boy return to his mother. It is now apparent his father wishes to have no business with him."

Antoninus looked down at the babe with a heavy heart, understanding his words carried more weight than he had intended. He returned the child to its mother and promptly rose to his feet.

"What of you, Calliope? If you've no place in my company, what are you to do now?"

The young woman rocked her son in an attempt to ease him, but it was to no avail.

"I will take ou-... my child far from here where we will live a quiet life, likely continuing on as peasants, as that is the life I've known thus far."

Antoninus hung his head once more, "My young goddess... those words pain my heart and sink it to unknown depths. All hope is not lost. I will stay true to my promise of your security should you choose to stay. You've still my heart, and the boy, my love. I would care for you from afar, no one has to know."

Adam's cry diminished into a quiet whimper as a tear drop splashed his rosy cheeks.

"My king... I fear that is no different than abandonment, in my eyes..."

Seeing as his words and sentiment were exhausted, Antoninus saw that he could no longer attempt to persuade his once-lover to stay.

"Then I wish you and your son well, Calliope, lives blessed with prosperity and forgiveness."

For the first time, Antoninus Pius caught a grave tone from his young goddess.

"... We will see..."