<span style="font-family:Assistant">Three nights had passed before the gladiator had been able to keep his eyes open. Maximus Naevius had left his home behind for his little journey that one called work, while Cassia herself remained behind the walls of her home - only visiting the ludus of her husband whenever it was required. She fulfilled her duties as usually, ate her meals within the presence of her slaves, and took great care of her appearance like she had always done. There was not a single sign that was able to tell that the Roman woman's thoughts were drifting off ever so now and then. That she was distracted and not as concentrated as usually, because she had been thinking about the man that was sleeping in the very back of her home.<br/>
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Upon hearing that the young gladiator's health was growing stable, Cassia had planned a visit. After her lunch, she strolled through the home that one would call a mansion, until she arrived at the spare room that was now being used to tend to sick slaves, and in this rare case, a gladiator. She did not knock before she entered - for that simply was not appropriate in the eyes of the conservative lady. One could care for a lower class human being, but it was ridiculous to offer them more than necessary. In fact, she was already treating him better than necessary. She clenched her jaw unwittingly as she imagined the opinion of her circle of friends. Her husband's circle of friends. And while she should not care, she could not help but wonder.<br/>
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"Wake up." Her voice was louder than expected. After she had shown a glimpse of kindness mere a couple of days ago when she had stood up for the fighter's health, it suddenly started to become more obvious that she wanted him to know his place. Little did the man know, that Cassia had her plan set in stone. A crafty, little plan. "You have fought well and you have been rewarded days of rest, but you are to move on. You will be washed, you will be given fresh clothing, and you will be granted a warm meal. Once you have been taken care of, you are to return to the ludus to train. I have a very important task for you in mind." She paused for a brief moment, and furrowed her eyebrows slightly - as if she was thinking deeply. "You are to set an example. Your fellow gladiators will envy you upon noticing how I am treating you." <br/>
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If Maximus desired for her to be in charge, she would lure all of them into her caring embrace. An experienced young woman that longed for power, was a dangerous woman. A cunning little fox. And if this man, Aelius, could be the key to what she desired - then why should she not put him to good use? "I do not rely on loyalty that has yet to be proven, but for you need me to survive, I will share this with you: my dear husband, who has not had a champion-level gladiator in ages, shall feel the pain of failure and humiliation once I present the newest Champion of House Naevius to the Arena. You, Aelius, are to become the trophy of a woman, for not a single man, not even my husband, will stand in my way to success." For years, she had been mere a pawn of Rome, but from today, she would become one of the many players - and she would rise.</span>