Senator Draconis Aurelius Malafides nearly choked and spat out his wine, for surely this was some kind of joke. “You are the praeceptor recommended by Severus Maximus Snappa?”
“Is there a problem, Senator Malafides?” the Greek slave before him asked mildly, seemingly unsurprised at the arrogant Roman's astonishment.
“Honestly, yes. My son needs a tutor to teach him speech, law, and gravitas... amongst other things.” The senator ran a hand through his unusual mane of hair. It was said that Jupiter himself had cast a lightning bolt on one of his long forgotten ancestors, forever cursing the Malafides family with shockingly pale blonde hair. It was one of many things that made him stand out from the typical Roman citizen. “A female both young …show more content…
Nor did she seem pleased by his visual assessment, he thought she actually seemed annoyed by it.
Interesting.
“Would it help me to be better prepared for the challenge of your son’s education if I was old and hideous? I assure you that beyond these faults you see, my recommendation has true merit.” She paused. “I was told your son had remarkable ingenium, and that you wanted no less than the best in these regards.” She gave him a knowing look.
Draconis tried to make no indication that he understood her meaning, but he sat up straighter and his eyes narrowed dangerously. “Yes, young Scorpius has an inborn ‘gift’ for learning. The point remains that I fail to see how you would be qualified in such regard.”
The young woman glanced behind her at the Praetorian Guard standing next to the columns that lead to the atrium. Then she looked back at him and said …show more content…
He leaned forward and nuzzled his face into her ear. “I have many enemies. Do not make me remind you of how this villa is always under observation. You will keep your voice down, and you will never again refer to any power I wield other than political. In the future should you make any such claim about my son, I will kill you.”
She lowered her head. “Forgive me, Senator. It will not happen again.”
“Indeed. We are in agreement,” he said, echoing her previous words. He smiled at her and she smiled back nervously. The senator pushed the simple and inexpensive palla from her head. A single curly strand of hair had escaped from her braid. He tucked it behind her ear, causing her to shiver.
“I did not mean to frighten you,” he said gently, “but it is important you remember my warning. Were my wife still alive, she could easily tutor our son without suspicion. If I am to trust you, then you must not allow any hint to give away the abilities of our kind. Scorpius has the potential to be a great mage, which is why I need an exceptionally talented praeceptor to tutor him. If your abilities are as Severus claims, then you will do nicely as a member of my household staff and teach my son well...perhaps even better than my beloved Astoria ever could have
“Is there a problem, Senator Malafides?” the Greek slave before him asked mildly, seemingly unsurprised at the arrogant Roman's astonishment.
“Honestly, yes. My son needs a tutor to teach him speech, law, and gravitas... amongst other things.” The senator ran a hand through his unusual mane of hair. It was said that Jupiter himself had cast a lightning bolt on one of his long forgotten ancestors, forever cursing the Malafides family with shockingly pale blonde hair. It was one of many things that made him stand out from the typical Roman citizen. “A female both young …show more content…
Nor did she seem pleased by his visual assessment, he thought she actually seemed annoyed by it.
Interesting.
“Would it help me to be better prepared for the challenge of your son’s education if I was old and hideous? I assure you that beyond these faults you see, my recommendation has true merit.” She paused. “I was told your son had remarkable ingenium, and that you wanted no less than the best in these regards.” She gave him a knowing look.
Draconis tried to make no indication that he understood her meaning, but he sat up straighter and his eyes narrowed dangerously. “Yes, young Scorpius has an inborn ‘gift’ for learning. The point remains that I fail to see how you would be qualified in such regard.”
The young woman glanced behind her at the Praetorian Guard standing next to the columns that lead to the atrium. Then she looked back at him and said …show more content…
He leaned forward and nuzzled his face into her ear. “I have many enemies. Do not make me remind you of how this villa is always under observation. You will keep your voice down, and you will never again refer to any power I wield other than political. In the future should you make any such claim about my son, I will kill you.”
She lowered her head. “Forgive me, Senator. It will not happen again.”
“Indeed. We are in agreement,” he said, echoing her previous words. He smiled at her and she smiled back nervously. The senator pushed the simple and inexpensive palla from her head. A single curly strand of hair had escaped from her braid. He tucked it behind her ear, causing her to shiver.
“I did not mean to frighten you,” he said gently, “but it is important you remember my warning. Were my wife still alive, she could easily tutor our son without suspicion. If I am to trust you, then you must not allow any hint to give away the abilities of our kind. Scorpius has the potential to be a great mage, which is why I need an exceptionally talented praeceptor to tutor him. If your abilities are as Severus claims, then you will do nicely as a member of my household staff and teach my son well...perhaps even better than my beloved Astoria ever could have