Marcellus was in the middle of a bath. Days had passed since he had given Placidia her engagement ring, and he had mostly spent his time since then managing the nation's affairs. Assuring that the people of his realm placed the agricultural improvements that he had designed all over the borders of the Western Roman Empire.
He had finally gotten some reprieve and had decided to wash the sweat and grime from his body. However, when he was in the middle of the bath, enjoying its warmth, he suddenly got a major headache. In that moment He felt as if his brain was being pierced by a million needles, causing him to reel back in agony as he suffered through the ordeal. He cursed that fact that he was alone in the Palace's bath chamber, and because of this there was nobody to come to his rescue.