"My lord… your wife is there to see you, she is waiting for you outside".
Curia Cornificia, Anko, Afriki
Last month of 575
He twisted his lip at the interruption.
He reluctantly took his leave of the advisors, bowing to them.
"I'll be back in a few moments," he said before leaving.
'What will he want now?' He thought on his way, until he reached the exit of the Curia.
There, standing at the bottom of the steps, stood his wife, both her brown hair and the bluish cloak she carried over her shoulders dancing in the wind, as her heavenly eyes were fixed on Philipart's face.
The man sighed, and with heaviness came down to stand in front of her.
"What's the matter?" He asked with a dull expression, anxious to get back to the meeting.
"Are you really going to be like this every time we talk?" She crossed her arms, leaning on one leg, giving him a look that showed noticeable disappointment.
Philipart didn't answer, instead, he looked him straight in the eyes, tired.
"What have you come for?"
Nazly sighed and rolled her eyes at her husband's stubbornness. She had no choice but to get straight to the point.
"Ho-Honey," she tried to sound sweet, "I know you think a lot of Arcadio, he has been with us through thick and thin... But I have come to realize that he will not bring you anything in the fight against the Senate, instead, he will harm you the most."
Philipart frowned at his words.
"Huh? Why do you say that?! He and his family have always supported us!"
"Calm down please, let me explain... Arcadio has no political or military knowledge! The only thing he knows is to follow orders. True, he has been a great person, but he hasn't the slightest idea of how to lead a legio or how to act at the negotiating table. It's not worth risking our lives with someone who has only good intentions.
Those words were enough for Philipart to understand the seriousness of the matter.
He could not, he refused, he did not want to accept that Nazly was right.
"Because of confusion, fear or lack of knowledge, he could betray you if he finds himself in a critical moment, which is where people show their true personality."
"Sto-Stop it please," he gritted his teeth, bringing a hand to his head, staring at the ground.
"Because of his inexperience, you'll always have to be behind him, teaching him how to do things, are you really willing to make that extra effort? You need capable people, people who can act on their own, not someone who has to be told what to do."
"Bu-but he..."
"You're going to let your feelings get the better of you by risking the lives of everyone here! They're putting the safety of their families on you for your support! You're going to let them down by letting the past get the better of you?!"
His words pronounced at full wind caught the attention of the guards and passers-by walking nearby, who, driven by curiosity and morbid curiosity, approached, surrounding the couple.
"Come on, my love, tell them, here to everyone, that you are going to risk Afriki just because of your appreciation for someone you know will bring you nothing in the fight against the Senate," she took a few steps back, leaving Philipart in the middle of the crowd."
[Magister, is it true what this woman says?] [Are you capable of that, sir?] [We are putting our future in your hands]. [Don't make us regret it]. These were the words uttered by those around him, incessant, invading his burdened mind.
Oh come on, what are you going to do? People keep asking you for explanations.
You know your wife is right.
You love Arcadio, but you can't deny that he won't really help you at all.
It hurts to accept that, doesn't it?
People come and go, and now you find yourself in this complicated situation in which you must choose very well with whom to enroll.
You put your hands on your head, you shake it from one side to the other, do you want them to shut up? So tell them, even if it hurts, what they want to hear.
Go on! Deny your friend, deny him! Throw away all the years of friendship, years of mutual trust and support.
But don't forget... he entrusted you with the care of his family.
"Shut up!" His breath hitched, his jaw trembled.
His gaze wandered over all those present in despair.
"No, it's not true what he says! Arcadius is an inept man and a sucker who will only bring evil to our region! Me! Only me! I proclaimed myself the only Imperator of all Afriki!"