<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: calibri;">The kiss to her cheek from her only son warmed Amarantha's heart greatly and it was received well. The lady of the home was able to give him that loving smile which Cassius had wanted to see from his mother. It gladdened her heart to see him doing so well. In answer to her daughter's reply, Amarantha placed a hand against her beloved son's cheek for a second and said, "The Gods have blessed me well with dreams and with a good morning dearest Ovinus. They treat our family well and bless not only me but my husband and children as well. Though, I must admit, waking up to a cold bed this morning can damped the spirit in a wife". The woman had made the comment to her husband who now appeared outside, almost completing the family aside from the one son that was not Amarantha's. A most charming smile had been given to Marcus, while the woman gazed so lovingly upon him. Only the Emperor's wife was more blessed than she by the Gods. <br/><br/>And then the call to the balcony was made, signalling the arrival of the first new slaves. Rising her chin high as did all those of noble stature, Amarantha stepped closer to the railing and peered over and down at the tanned, muscular gladiator-to-be. On the outside, the roman woman seemed nothing more than indifferent to the prospective slave, staring down at him with cold gray eyes. But on the inside—on the inside of Amarantha that vanity was stoked along with a twinge of lust for the fine body that man had. It made her cheeks flush and quickly she turned from the balcony railing. <br/><br/>"Well, he seems fit to be made into one of your gladiators, Marcus. Though I am sure he'll never be as great as Korbis... I've no interest for this any longer though, I shall go get dressed properly," Amarantha said before dismissing herself from her family's company and the slaves'. Once no one could see her, a deep frown settled on her lips and she rested a hand against her chest to still that beating heart. She would not let this conquer her. Amarantha loved her husband and that man was nothing more than a slave! The very idea was ... ridiculous. It would pass. The thought would pass, she told herself. <br/><br/>Running her hands down her chiton, Amarantha looked about for Melete. Where was that girl now and why was she not at her Domina's side to await her demands? <br/><br/><br/><br/></span>