Chapter 291 - 288 - An Ordinary Day
The midday sun was hanging high above the capital city of carthage, its light warming the stonework and freshly repaired buildings, casting gentle shadows across market awning that billowed like sails above the winding city streets.
The city of Carthage was more alive now that it had been in decades.
And through its alleyways and squares strolled two unknown strangers.
To any who passed them, they might have seemed as an affectionate couple: a tall, rugged looking man whose cloak was a bit to fine for the region of the city he was in, and a woman whose posture suggested a high upbringing, despite her attempts to dress up like a peasent.
The two had succeeded.
No one saw the crown atop their heads, no one bowed.
And that was exactly the point.
Serena leaned closer to Julius as they slipped through the shadows of a tall archway near one of the cities outer canals.
"I still cant believe we’re doing this."
She said with a note of laughter and amusement in her voice.
"We just founded and empire, what would the world think if they could see us now bargaining over the price of roasted nuts and wines like beggars?"
"They’d think we have excellent taste in wine, that and while we might be scorned by the ruling class the actual people would flock to see a leader who bothered to see what their common peoples lives were really like."