Suburani: Sabina x Lucilius

Chapter 2: Cena - a rewrite

Chapter 15 Cena rewrite

Lucilius' pov

It's the ninth hour of the day and I'm stuck here sitting next to Cantaber at his dinner party. Surrounded by the suffocating excited shouts and clapping of the guest as the dancers enter the dining room. A joy I would have much rather partaken in. Instead my mind is cluttered with stress and anxiety. I have to find out the truth about cantaber. This dinner may be my best chance. I shift my body off the side of the sofa to face him. "When do you visit the mine during your journey in the province of Tarraconensis? My manager told me the mine was the biggest in the province." I say carefully. He glances at me and orders his slave to bring him wine. With a seemingly forced smile plastered across his large face, he shouts, "Ha! Surely you don't want to learn about the mine, tribune? Eat the dormice and drink more wine!" ah he is trying to get me to stop asking about it, i'm onto something. I take a moment to watch his body language. The palm of his hands have a sheen to them, like they're sweaty. Despite being reclined on the sofa his body is noticeably tense like he's stressed about something. I push a bit further, "how much gold do you get from the mine everyday, Cantaber? I know you manage the mine for nero." his smile falters. He leans closer to me, "Really? You don't know who? You're clever?" [sorry this makes no sense, i tried my best] he whispers, failing to mask the anger in his voice. He continues, "surely you know my guards lead the wagons full of gold directly to the emperor's mint? [Mint = money factory] you know however the carts are nearly empty? Also I manage the farms better than the mines." [might be swapped lol] he's strangely defensive when I ask him about the gold. I don't respond, with everything I've learned I'm sure he's absolutely lying. I settled back against the arm of the sofa, I shouldn't push any more today lest he get suspicious. If what Sabina said was true, he's bringing the gold to a warehouse before the emperor's mint, that's the place I need to check. ...Sabina... Why can't that girl out of my head? Everytime i close my eyes she is there, standing outside her apartment. Laughing with such joy the air around her seems brighter. It was the day we met. The day I met the most beautiful girl I had ever laid my eyes on. A girl untainted by the corruption of greed and power of high society..... I'm pathetic. I've fallen Madly in love with the one kind of girl I can't be with. I'm better than this. I have to put my position over my feelings. But... am I able to? I barely know this girl and she's already all I can think about. I'm supposed to be focused on exposing the cantaber and getting into the warehouse yet... I can't stop. Oh great Minerva bless me with your wisdom, help me overcome this forbidden crush. [im cringing so much rn]

Sabina's pov

I wonder how Lucilius is doing at the dinner party. I had overheard the servants talking about how they saw him and Cantaber having some sort of tense conversation while getting more wine. I hear Alexander awkwardly shift around in his chair. I had run into him in the kitchen while I was going to wash the dirt from the garden off my hands. "I told you that you were crazy, Sabina. Alexander says sweetly. [he actually does this in the book] "I know that I made a huge mistake. Can you forgive me?" I sigh "Of course, I forgive you Alexander." I say watching his face light up. "I was just angry because you think I like the Tribune after I had only talked to him. [Just because she talked to a boy doesnt mean she likes him kind of thing. Cough cough including alexander cough cough] "however understand that Cantaber is dangerous. The situation is serious. I will be a loyal friend not only to your plan but to all danger." he nods silently, his face is calm but his eyes seem sad. He gets up out of his chair. "Im- im gonna head to bed" "ok" i respond softly as he walks off.

Alexander's pov

That bastard flirting with sabina. She's too blind to see it, Woman can't understand the truth. Its my job as the man to teach her. She may not think he was flirting but I know the truth. I clench my hands, anger boiling in my blood. I have to keep her away from him. Oh sabina my love dont worry i will save you from this blubbering fool. A large smile spreads across my face. She loves me afterall. We will soon marry. Ahh! I can't wait! Hang on sabina soon we will finally be together!

sorry for any weird sentences I tried my best but I suck at translating.