WARNING. This novel is not for those who cannot stomach brutality. It is filled with tragedy and only tragedies targeted to one man...
Lucius Aurelius
If you seek a happy ending, this novel is not for you. If you seek a rags-to-riches story, this novel is not for you. If you seek a haven for your peace of mind, this novel is not for you. There is only one thing this novel can provide you, a promise of a full recollection of the tragedous life of Lucius Aurelius. Every little misfortune, every minor mistake, every major life changing calamity he experienced... it will be taken note of, none shall be missed nor forgotten. Hence, all ye who come here who bears faint of heart... leave now, for this is your final warning.
But...
If you are still here...
Very well...
It all begins with a certain family.
• • •
The phrase, "All roads lead to the Empire." is paved by those whose money funds the creation of these roads. The spread of this famous saying is all thanks to one family, the Aurelius Family. An old, wealthy, and enourmously influential family, whose roots began before the Calamity first struck the world of Aeterna. Their gilded roads provided a path towards a safehaven for those escaping the terrors that unfolded during that bygone era. And now, it guides the armies of the Empire to victory against their age old nemesis, the Holy Kingdom.
And the first of many tragedies begins when the latest patriarch of the Aurelius Family, Gaius Aurelius Septimus Viator, falls in love with his maid. A wonderful maiden by the name of Aeliana. Forgive us for being unable to provide the maiden's full name. It appears that all records have been scrubbed clean of it. No one dares to even speak of her. This is certainly the work of the patriarch's main wife, Messulina Fulvia. As Patriarch Gaius grows more and more fond of Aeliana, Messulina's jealousy slowly drips out of her like a poisonous purplish ooze. She plans for various events that she hopes ends with Aeliana's demise. Malevolent and treacherous schemes slowly string out like a spider's web.
Sadly for her, Aeliana is unlike an ordinary maid.
With absolute brilliance, she thwarts every scheme Messulina makes. With impeccable precision, she is capable of pinpointing a strategy to subvert her opponent. With gleaming intelligence, Aeliana shows that she is not to be trifled with. And against all odds, Gaius and Aeliana's love finally bore fruit. And should this have been an ordinary story, perhaps this ends with a happy family life with Messulina being defeated by the indomitable Aeliana. Unfortunately, this is but start of all their troubles.
On the day that Aeliana was to give birth, the Aurelius Family's midwife was incapable of arriving to the scene due to an accident resulting in her death. To supplement this problem, Patriarch Gaius called upon the only available maid with experience in delivering children, Mrs. Livia.
"Aurghhhh... Ughhhh... Please, help me."
"Don't worry M'lady Aeliana. With my honor, I will do my absolute best to ensure the safety of the child..."
"AAAAGHHHHHH..."
Unbeknownst to Aeliana, Mrs. Livia whispered under her breath.
"... but not yours."
Truth of the matter is, Mrs. Livia is a maid not under the Aurelius Family's employ, but rather a personal maid brought by Messulina Fulvia herself. Mrs. Livia is about to commit an act to force an accident causing Aeliana's death during childbirth...
And kill the child should they survive.
A wretched plot unfolds, but Mrs. Livia did not know how little she had to do for this plan to succeed.
"... wahHHH... WAHHHHH"
A healthy baby boy...
"... Oh god..."
... would be too much to ask for this story.
The crying baby is finally out of his flesh jail after 9 months of imprisonment. Arms and legs of crimson crystalline splendor. A sorry sight, no parent would want to see on their children.
The door to the room slams open.
"My child... Where is he?..."
Mrs. Livia, stunned by the baby's predicament, abandons the plan of ending his life upon the entrance of Gaius. Slowly, she presents the boy to patriarch.
"God above... Why? WHYYY!?" Voice laced with horror and pain, Gaius could not understand why his son was in such a state.
The poor babe was afflicted with Originium Poisoning, not a rare occurrence ordinarily. It is simply what happens when organic matter ripe with life comes into contact with Originium. But to be afflicted with it from the womb... it is simply not the norm.
"... Mrs. Livia, prepare my child's body for implants. I don't care how much what you have to do, make sure he will have a normal life. If not... I will make sure my son's birthday will be a day of mourning for your family"
"Yes Patriarch."
"Aeliana... how is she?"
"... Patriarch, it must be because of the boy's condition. Her organs have been infested with Originium... She died during childbirth M'lord..."
Tears ran down the face of the Patriarch as he hands the sole fruit of the love between him and Aeliana to Mrs. Livia.
Night turns to day as the operation on the baby boy's body was finally finished. Gone are the crimson crystals that infested his limbs... Along with any of his limbs. In its place are silver metallic implants that resemble sockets for attachments. This beautiful baby boy, bereft of any appendage, quietly slumbering in the arms of his father.
"From today onwards, your name shall be Lucius Aurelius, my 7th child."