In a room adorned with elegant wooden furniture covered with beautiful animal skins, the two ladies of the Scipio family and Senator Nasica were seated while they curiously observed the cakes made of sugar and wheat flour that were in front of them.
The small cakes were an invention that Septimus recreated from the modern era with the purpose of pleasing his slaves, and in this meeting they were used as luxury appetizers to receive the guests from Rome.
At that moment, Septimus, together with two guards, entered the reception hall.
"It is a dessert which I have named cake, and it is edible," Septimus spoke in a calm voice, interrupting the curious appraisal of the three members of the Scipio family.
Senator Scipio Nasica and the two beautiful women turned to observe Septimus.
Fausta looked with approval at the heroic figure of Septimus, quickly forgetting her previous reluctance to enter into marriage.
Lady Cornelia Minor also looked at Septimus, appreciating his figure with a great coquettish smile.
Senator Scipio Nasica, on the other hand, observed Septimus with scrutiny, analyzing the character of this young man. He had heard much about this young man during the journey and in Capua, but it was the first time he saw him in person.
"You must be Septimus," said Scipio Nasica with a slight friendly smile.
Septimus introduced himself to the senator, and the two beautiful women also presented their names and family status.
"Young man, I have negotiated with Cinna, and he agrees to mitigate your problem in Capua," spoke Scipio Nasica kindly.
Septimus and Scipio Nasica began to discuss the agreement proposed by Cinna and the arrangement of a political marriage that would benefit both families.
The idea of marriage for Septimus with a lady of the Roman upper class was not very pleasant, but he had several ways to control his new wife, preventing her from engaging in libertine activities that would damage his reputation.
Septimus did not want his nominal wife to cheat on him with other men, and if Fausta attempted to deceive him, he would help her suffer a fatal accident.
After Septimus had enough power to challenge all of Rome with absolute force, he could arrange an accident for his wife. After all, in this era it is common for people to fall from their horses and break their necks.
At this moment, Septimus needed time to reinforce the foundations of his power in Rome. The agreement reached by Cinna could be broken when the balance of power shifted between both sides.
"I accept the demands of Consul Cinna, but the 5 million denarii will have to be paid within three months; I do not have that much money at this moment," said Septimus after thinking carefully.
"Hahaha, you are a very sensible young man, there is no problem, Consul Cinna will agree," responded Nasica with a smile, knowing that Septimus had accepted Cinna's conditions.
The atmosphere of the conversation was pleasant between both parties.
"I have veteran legionaries who can fill the ranks of the fallen soldiers of the Admiral of Campania," said Septimus with a deep gaze.
Septimus wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to infiltrate his clones into the region of Campania.
"There is no problem as long as they have clear origins," responded Scipio Nasica with a slightly cunning smile.
Up to that moment, all parties interested in Septimus believed that he only had between 2,000 to 3,000 soldiers.
Senator Nasica and the nobles of Capua were unaware of when Septimus had recruited so many troops without drawing attention.
Septimus could only lie and tell the senator that his soldiers were vagrants and veterans recruited from all parts of Rome.
Although the explanation was ambiguous, Senator Nasica decided not to delve further into the matter.
That night, the delegation of the Scipio family rested in Septimus' villa.
The young Fausta cast a seductive glance at Septimus and was invited to walk around the villa by the host, ending the walk in the bed of a modern-style room.
While Septimus kissed and embraced the beautiful Fausta on the bed, his attention was also directed toward the clones in charge of the daily tasks of the villa, who were watching the other guests.
The 20 slaves were kept away from the Scipio family delegation. Septimus considered them his exclusive women, and knowing the libertinism of the Roman upper class, he temporarily removed the slaves from the residence and left only the clones in charge to attend to household tasks.
It could not be avoided if Senator Nasica had lascivious ideas about the slaves; a Septimus burning with fury would turn him into a eunuch and inflict unimaginable torture on him without giving him the opportunity for a quick death.
Lady Cornelia Minor met with her husband, who appeared pale from lack of sun exposure after a long confinement.
Sextus was ashamed and joyful to be able to maintain his position as Admiral of Campania after his humiliating defeat; he did not have much hope of keeping his position.
The next day, the delegation of the Scipio family prepared to depart, leaving the young Fausta in the villa.
"Young Septimus, I hope that the wedding ceremony is organized in the city of Rome; I have many friends interested in meeting you," spoke Senator Nasica in a kind tone.
"Also, do not forget to send 2,500 soldiers to my headquarters," said Sextus with a slightly impatient voice.
Sextus had been released along with the soldiers who surrendered with him and was very eager to regain power; he needed the support of the new soldiers recruited that Septimus offered as compensation.
"Do not worry, I will keep my word, and I will be departing to Rome in two weeks," said Septimus with a calm expression.
Septimus planned to travel to the city of Rome with the purpose of buying a hill and establishing a castle that would be a symbol of his power.
The idea of establishing an imposing castle in the style of the Middle Ages in the center of Rome as a display of his power and authority excited Septimus.
The delegation of the Scipio family withdrew from the villa with destination to the city of Capua.
On the other hand, the young Fausta was delighted with Septimus; the previous night they had engaged in sexual relations for a long time, leaving her completely exhausted.
The young noblewoman was also satisfied with her new home, with a style different from other Roman villas; she was already pleased with the comfort of the villa.
Fausta knew the source of Septimus' wealth and knew that her new young husband had considerable money, and with the influence of her family, Septimus in a few years would easily become a senator, and the possibility of becoming consul was not ruled out.
Septimus knew the thoughts of this vain Roman noblewoman, and as long as she did not cheat on him with other men or bother him, Septimus was willing to keep her as entertainment.
Now the objective of Septimus was to prepare commercial caravans to restore the sale of white sugar throughout Rome.
It was also time to open another source of income; Septimus intended to begin with the manufacture of paper.
Since the upper class in Capua discovered that beet was one of the key ingredients of white sugar, the price of beet had been rising in the market. Septimus, anticipating this, had purchased a large quantity of beet, filling the warehouses before the incident with the prefect, and using the labor of his clones, he processed it into white sugar before it spoiled.
If Septimus wanted stability in his sources of income, it was necessary to trade another revolutionary product of the era. For this reason, the idea of creating a paper workshop arose.
But before that, Septimus needed to occupy a large portion of the lands surrounding the villa.
The replication ability was a secret that Septimus guarded jealously.
It was necessary to give an identity and clear origins to the large number of clones that lived in the villa. If they were only a few hundred, it would not be necessary, but with thousands of men highly trained in combat, it was necessary to find a way to establish them legitimately, avoiding suspicion.
Three days passed, and the state of emergency in the city of Capua was completely lifted.
The city of Capua opened its gates to merchants and travelers entering and leaving the city. A large number of men who had been forced to serve as guards in defense of the city were demobilized to their former jobs.
Senator Nasica, together with Sextus and his wife, did not stay long in the city of Capua, resting only one day before departing quickly.
The Senate of Rome must designate a prefect in charge of the city with the purpose of administering it. Senator Nasica planned to present someone from his family for that position.
Nasica belongs to the neutral faction, remaining on the margins of Cinna, but the Scipio family was numerous, and there were members who sympathized with the ideas of Cinna. It was not difficult to find a member of the Scipio family who belonged to Cinna's faction and could be supported to occupy the position of prefect of Capua.
On the other hand, Septimus, knowing the situation, decided to wait half a month before sending the caravans and to let the news spread and be assimilated throughout Rome.
As the saying goes, bad news travels faster than good news. It would take more time for the news about the pardon of the crime of the death of the prefect to spread.
Knowing these circumstances, Septimus could only first prepare his journey to Rome.