Lucius Cinna was a calculating lord, the third son of the Cinna Household. From a young age, he demonstrated a sharp mind for politics, and his family's influence was well known even in Rome. As he grew, his father and brothers became more deeply involved in the intricacies of the Senate, leaving Lucius to manage the family's affairs. He married Lunaria, the third daughter of a lesser patrician house, the Goetia Household, which once held dominion over the Elba Islands. Though they were minor in the broader scheme of Rome's aristocracy, the Goetias had always held sway over the islands.
He led a content life with Lunaria, and they had a daughter, Lucia Cinna, whose beauty rivaled the finest women in Rome. Their days were spent overseeing the Cinna holdings in Corsica. However, tragedy struck one fateful afternoon when news from Rome arrived—a plot had been orchestrated against his family. His brother and parents had been assassinated in the capital, raising tensions between the factions. Eventually, the Romans, after securing their own gains, decided to deescalate the matter by placing the blame on Lunaria's house. The Julii and Cornelii conspired together to close the case, sentencing Lunaria's father as one of the culprits.
With his eldest daughters already married off and their respective families now holding claims to the Goetia lands, Lucius was left with the Elba Islands. By virtue of his daughter's inheritance, the islands came under his jurisdiction as a form of compensation. But with his wife's death in childbirth, leaving Junius as his sole heir, Lucia alone could legally hold the lands, but only if she married.
As each year passed, marriage proposals flooded the Cinna household, with suitors seeking the rights to the islands. While it would have been practical to marry Lucia to one of these countless households, Lucius chose to wait for the perfect opportunity.
The Dominatus Household had already sent a proposal for their third son to marry Lucia, but Lucius rejected it. He knew they desired the Elba Islands as much as anyone else, and their offer came with too many strings attached. The wolves of the Dominatus House were never satisfied.
However, as Lucius looked at the young man before him—Victor, a promising figure—he felt something different. Victor had the fire of someone who sought glory not for his house, but for himself. His ambition was clear in his eyes. While Victor had a good sense of business, he also masqueraded it well. Lucius could tell he was a prominent warrior, unafraid to act outside his family's interests.
But for all of that, Victor still needed the approval of his father—or, at least, his guardian, his uncle.
Lucius smiled, seeing the potential. "If I marry this young wolf to my daughter, with an agreement between the two, he would have to survive the war first," Lucius thought. But if Victor succeeded, the Cinna Household would gain an alliance, the Elba Islands, and perhaps even the rebirth of the Goetia name.
Lucius grinned widely as he prepared his proposal.
He leaned forward, his voice calm but edged with authority.
I can release the debt and give you the Shipyard as you wanted
Lucius began, his eyes locking onto Victor's with a piercing gaze.
You'd still have to deliver the ships, I need them, after all. But as the old Roman saying goes, 'Where there's a whip, there's a way.'
Lucius paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in.
The Shipyard could be for both of us. You'd work on it as much as you like, but in the end, the profit is what matters. Business is business. You see, your family approached me years ago, seeking my daughter's hand in marriage. They wanted your brother, Pompeo, to marry Lucia, but I rejected them. They were looking for gain. You know as well as I do that Lucia has the right to rule the Elba Islands. Her mother was a Goetia, and now, with Junius as my heir, only she can carry the Goetia name. But for that, she needs to marry.
Lucius straightened in his chair, his eyes cold and calculating.
- In truth, I rejected their proposal because it would have meant nothing but backstabbing. But you, Victor, you're a lone wolf, aren't you? If you make a Matrilineal Marriage to my daughter, not only will the islands be yours to command, but my daughter will be well married.
Lucius' voice softened, but the gravity of his words remained.
- Of course, you'd need to survive the war first.
He leaned in, his face close to Victor's.
- So, here's my offer: You convince your family to engage with Lucia. As soon as the Sponsalia is completed, I will forgive half of the dowry debt, and you will have free reign over the shipyard. But you must deliver the ships on time and ensure profits are split 50-50. You'll become a Goetia, inherit the Goetia possessions on the Elba Islands, and, as per our agreement, pay us a tribute of 500,000 Sestertii from the region's taxes for 5 years.
Lucius paused, watching Victor carefully. His proposal was flawless—almost too good to be true. Victor would gain everything he wanted, but he'd also have the freedom to make his own decisions, separate from his family's constraints. The Cinna Household would cement their influence over the Elba Islands, and the Goetia name would be reborn.
Victor considered the offer. While it was tempting, it came with its own burdens. The 500,000 Sestertii might seem small for a region, but the Elba Islands had been abandoned since the fall of the Goetia House. The amount of work required to rebuild would be staggering.
And then, there was the other problem, the marriage. It tied him to Lucia, forever.
Victor's gaze drifted toward her. She was as stunning as he had heard, and for a moment, he wondered if this marriage might not be such a bad idea after all. This would guarantee his interests and cement the Dominatus House as a dominant force in the province.
But the more he thought about it, the clearer the path ahead became. The Elba Islands, though abandoned, could be rebuilt. There was just one way to raise the funds quickly: through pillaging.
Lucius's counteroffer was honey-coated, but with ridiculous interest. But it was achievable.
Victor inhaled deeply before responding.
- I'm afraid that as much as I would like to accept right away, I'll have to consult my uncle first.
Victor said.
But when I return, I'll bring either a favorable answer or another proposal.
Lucius's grin widened.
- Go, little pup. But don't be too late. The war is upon us, and time is not on our side.