Chapter 157: Did Not Leave
Flavia turned at Julius and shook her head. Julius could see that Flavia is asking him to back off. As usual, he would never understand the dynamics between those two. And just like always, he retreated.
Flavia asked Julius to back off because she knew Maximus has not fainted, but he is acting cuddly as he used to when he was young. She barely felt his weight on her shoulders. He must have missed having someone around him all this time. She regretted not barging in earlier.
She regretted following her husband’s advice. He is not some Emperor she needs to be careful about. This is the boy she raised. She loves him and he loves her.
Flavia hugged him and ran her fingers through his greasy hair. "When was the last time you bathed? Should I prepare you hot water?" she asked. "You stink."
Maximus said nothing and leaned on her shoulder for some time.
"You trust me too much, Flavia. Do you forget who I am? I have Theodora’s blood coursing through me. Why do you even..." his soft voice, trailed off.
Flavia smiled. She could sense that he is trying to sound scary to drive her off, but he is failing miserably. She wanted to ask him about the "I am the reincarnation of the Great King and I am evil" nonsense he is spouting these days. But she wanted him to clean up first. He really stinks.
"You think I won’t hurt you?" Maximus asked.
Flashes of lightning lit up the room and one bolt of lightning fell on the sofa. The sofa started to burn. Julius, the lovely husband, lunged at Flavia to protect her. It was his first instinct.
But Flavia pointed at the fire. Julius rolled his eyes and went to put off the fire. A fire in the castle right now is not needed.
"Stop this!" Flavia hit his arm. "Don’t burn the room."
Julius’ heart stopped hearing the sound of the slap. His wife hit the most powerful man there is. He got too stunned to move as he stared at Maximus for observing his reaction. Soon the lightning strikes stopped. And calmness returned.