Nila stayed until evening and it came much faster than expected. The sun disappeared behind the hills and twilight slowly set in. Everyone said goodbye to Nila at the door and Amaya barely held back her tears.
The door was opened for Nila and Luca suddenly stood in front of it, just about to enter the house. He looked at his aunt in surprise, then a warm smile crossed his face and he lovingly hugged her. Amaya's heart softened at the sight and she wished that she would also be in his arms now.
"Unfortunately you're late Luca. I already have to go. But come visit me soon and bring Amaya with you." Luca promised her and grinned at Amaya, who stood shyly and returned his smile. Then Nila disappeared from the house and the heavy door squeaked shut with a thump. The dark void stayed behind and held Amaya captive. Unconsciously she started to tremble slightly and wrapped her arms around her body. Luca watched her and approached her as the rest of his family went into the dining room. "Are you not well?", he asked and put his warm hand on her forehead.
"Yes Lord." - ,,You are tired. Go and lie down." She wanted to contradict him and go to her mistress, but she suddenly lacked the strength. Yes, she was really tired. "I'll let Terra know." Luca watched her walk up the stairs and then followed his father and sister into the dining room. Terra was already waiting for her and looked around questioningly when Luca came into the dining room alone. ,, Where's Amaya?" she asked impatiently. "I told her to lie down. She's very exhausted. You should take better care of your slaves, Terra." - "You had no right to do so. she is my slave And I certainly haven't overworked them. All slaves work as long as Amaya - some even longer!".
Luca knew that it was useless to discuss with his sister. "You know that Amaya is used to a different life. Just pay attention to her. And now enough. I have today don't want to argue with you." Terra wanted to contradict him, but she knew that he was silencing her. And in Rome she had to submit to the men of her family. No matter how much she wanted to say to her brother, she swallowed those words angrily.
The next morning Terra woke up early. Today was the day. The day Tristan, her favorite gladiator, would be in town at a festival. It would be a big show before the games in two days and every gladiator would be at their best.
Excitedly she got ready and then dug out the new tunic she had bought for Amaya. Her slave was supposed to be the most beautiful tonight and many Romans hadn't seen her yet and were awaiting her with great anticipation. She found Amaya setting the table for breakfast as usual and held out the new dress to her. "Put that on tonight. I will have high expectations of you and I hope you will live up to them!". "What's up tonight?" Terra's father just walked into the room and asked the question, which Amaya was also just imagining. "The town festival." - "You don't go there, Terra. It's not for young girls." Terra stubbornly crossed her arms over her chest. "Everybody go. I don't go alone either. Amaya is coming with me." Nathan shook his head and sat down.
"Father please! I'll be back when it gets dark. And I won't drink wine." Amaya stood uncertainly to one side. She held the beautiful dress in her hand. She didn't want to go to the Roman festival and hoped that Nathan would stick with his opinion. He remained stubborn. No matter how much Terra begged him, he wouldn't let her go to this festival and Amaya was sure he had his reasons. Luca also came into the room and kissed his now crying sister on the forehead. "What do you have now?" he asked, more out of habit, and sat down next to his father. "Father wouldn't let me go to the festival!" - "That's today?" Hope brightened in Terra's eyes. ,,Yes! Are you going there too, Luca?"
"No, I don't have time. And you shouldn't go either." "You conspired against me!" Terra ran out of the room crying. Amaya was relieved not to have to go to the party and followed her mistress to give her the dress back. She entered Terra's room and found her in front of her cosmetic table "Your dress, mistress." She looked at Amaya in the mirror and held her hair up to see how a hairstyle would suit her. "Put it on."
"But mistress I can't accept that. It would be a shame to wear it for housework." Terra let her hair fall and turned around. "You won't wear it to chores, Amaya. You'll wear it to the party." She looked at her mistress in confusion. "We're still going to the party, Amaya. I've waited too long for this day to let it be ruined now. Father and Luca won't find out about it , roger that?!". Fear overcame Amaya and she nodded. Satisfied, Terra turned around again. "We'll leave when it starts to get dark and pretend we went to sleep." Amaya felt uncomfortable, but what else could she do but carry out her mistress' command? I've waited too long for this day to let it ruin me now. Father and Luca won't find out about this, understand?!".
Amaya was afraid and she nodded. Terra turned around satisfied. "We'll go when it starts to get dark and pretend to have gone to sleep." Amaya felt uncomfortable doing this, but what could she do but carry out her mistress' command? I've waited too long for this day to let it ruin me now. Father and Luca won't find out about this, understand?!". Amaya was afraid and she nodded. Terra turned around satisfied. "We'll go when it starts to get dark and pretend to have gone to sleep." Amaya felt uncomfortable doing this, but what could she do but carry out her mistress' command?