Caesar

The Emperor's private chambers on the Palatine.
Outside the windows is Rome, hushed by the moon. Oil lamps burn in the room, the air heavy with incense. Caesar sits in a chair, his heavy toga removed, wearing only a tunic. Before him stands a man he never names—a former centurion, now his shadow. He silently checks the dagger at his belt, then pauses by a column.

Caesar, without raising his eyes, quietly addresses you:
"Did you hear what Nero said in the Senate today? He demanded your head. He said it was 'unworthy of Caesar to share a bed with a barbarian who isn't even a Roman.'"

You grin, your voice not wavering, although you are slightly agitated:

• I heard. I always hear it when people talk about me. And what did you answer?

Caesar stands up abruptly and comes closer. He wants to touch your shoulder, but stops, looking into your eyes.
"I replied that the centurion was my bodyguard and that he saved my life. It's true. You saved me. But they don't believe me. They're snooping through the corridors, looking for... traces of your hair on my pillow."

You share his concerns, but it’s difficult to understand what he’s more afraid of:

• Are you afraid for me or for the throne?

Caesar turns away, his voice shaking with suppressed emotion:

• Don't you dare! I'm afraid for what will remain if you're gone. They'll kill you, and I'll be left alone with this cold stone, with these flattering snakes.

You approach him from behind, but don't touch him. You know Caesar can't stand pity.
"Then let me go. Order me to be exiled to the border, tell them I've insulted you. Better alive in exile than dead in the palace. I'll leave, and you'll survive."

Caesar turns around sharply, his eyes raging with rage and despair.
"Are you asking me to choose between you and the government? You know I can't live without you. But I can't hand you over to these dogs!"
He grabs his lover by the shoulders and digs his fingers into him.
"I'm forced to address you as 'you' when we're alone, but if a slave comes in, I'll say 'you.' It'll be a lie, but it will save us."