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In the might of Rome, she was ruled by two emperors, Emperor Geta and Emperor Caracalla. Twin rulers who ruled Rome under a mighty fist, many called them crazed tyrannical rulers that no one could tame, much less themselves. Of course, that was before the Empress Arabella graced the lives of the two Emperors. Empress Arabella was brought into the twin rulers' lives when they were mere princes. A promise between a loyal Senator and Emperor Septimus Severus: at first, Prince Geta and Lady Arabella were indifferent to each other, knowing their duty, but they had no care or love for each other. Both knew what was needed from them and would proudly fulfill the duty without love. They both thought it was okay and did not need the comforts of love.
Caracalla, the younger twin, was always a sickly child, which caused him to be overprotected by both his mother and older twin brother. Both understood his fragility and, in their efforts to protect him, didn’t allow many people around him. So when the time came to succeed, their father, and mother left the plains of living. Geta took it upon himself to become his brother’s sole protector. There were times when this would cause complications between the brothers because Caracalla could not understand why there were certain days he couldn’t be with his brother during Gladiator fights, Senate meetings, or even enjoying the company of concubines. He wanted to experience the benefits of being the Emperor of Rome; He wanted companionship. That all changed once Arabella married Geta; while the couple tolerated each other and were only seen together in public, Arabella and Caracalla found solace in each other.
Arabella knew from her husband what the Older twin's restrictions on his family were like, so she could sympathize with Caracalla about their frustrations of not having certain liberties due to Geta’s paranoia. She noticed when both brothers grew tense with their different views regarding the empire. Felling the tensions, Arabella took it upon herself to take Caracalla away. She would always ask him to accompany her in the gardens, where the two would spend hours lounging. She would read numerous great hero myths to Caracalla as the younger emperor leaned on his good sister’s shoulder. Enjoying the comforts, something he missed from his departed mother. At first, Geta was weary of his brother and wife spending so much time together, thinking something nefarious would transpire, but it all changed when it came to their birthday celebrations that year.
Both emperors were happy in their celebrations, more Caracalla, because Geta eased the restrictions and even allowed the concubines to flock towards them. Arabella gifted Caracalla his most treasured friend, a monkey that he named Dundus. As Caracalla enjoyed the musing of the people in his feast and his new friend, he saw his brother stare at his wife in what seemed in shock before lifting her in joy and kissing her. It was later discovered the Empress was expecting a child, and everyone was overjoyed… all but Caracalla. He did not want to share his brother and sister; if they had a child, they would soon forget him and push him away into the shadows again. Who would comfort him when Geta was pressing down on his restrictions? Who would be his loyal protector and ensure he keeps his vow to their mother daily? Caracalla did not want the babe, but alas, he could not be angry when he saw both Geta and Arabella lean closer to each other. So much so that Geta dismissed the concubines, not wanting to risk anything or offend his wife. Even if Caracalla protested. Not when Arabella's stomach swelled, and tiny kicks could be felt whenever Caracalla and Geta pressed their cheeks to her belly.
Indeed, it was not when the new prince was born, screaming his lungs out to announce to the world that he had arrived. Seeing both Geta and Arabella's joyful tears as they welcomed their son. He was a perfect copy of his father except for the eyes; those were his sweet mother’s eyes opened and stared at his uncle—a lovely, chubby, cheeked babe who stared at his uncle with pure love and admiration. Caracalla, too, then wept as he held his nephew. That is when Caracalla understood the pain and effort Geta took daily to protect him. So Caracalla vowed always to protect his nephew, little Gaius. Much to everyone’s relief, Geta’s headache proved correct. Little Gaius always follows his uncle in creating mischief in the palace, only stopping when Empress Arabella catches them and lightly scolds them both. This always ended with a kiss on their cheeks as she whispered to her boys.
“What am I ever going to with you both, my troublemakers.”
Yes, life was good for the Emperors and their family… until it wasn’t.
It had been a cold winter, and many were sick from shivers and fevers. Unfortunately, not even the royal family was immune. No one knew who it was, but a servant who was ill went into Caracalla’s chambers long enough to infect the emperor, who succumbed to the sickness, leaving him tired and coughing in bed. As Geta again grew paranoid, he ordered healer after healer to heal his brother. Empress Arabella took the tool to accompany her brother, feeding, entertaining, and reading. Last but certainly not least, little Gaius, his messenger to the outside, came daily to report to his uncle about the news in the palace.
Today was no different. As Geta set out for the Senate, his wife and son went to greet and awaken Caracalla. Arabella and Gaius walked in as the chambers opened, allowing her son to break free as the little boy ran to his uncle’s bed. Smiling, the young empress walked to the window, pushing open the curtains to allow the warm sun of Rome to shine through.
Little Gaius climbed up the bed and gently shook his sleeping uncle.
“Uncle Cara, it’s time to wake! The Sun is shining!” exclaimed the little one, growing confused when his uncle did not stir.
Pushing his uncle with more force, Gaius tried again, “Uncle, it’s time to wake…”
Again, there was no movement. Learning to touch his uncle’s cheek, Gaius furrowed his brows. His uncle was cold. Turning, he faced his mother, who was tidying Caracalla’s desk from last night's activities.
“Mama… Uncle Cara… he’s too cold.”
Arabella swung her head at her son’s words, her breath hitching as she turned, her eyes filled with worry. As she quickly walked to her brother’s side, she gently shook his shoulder and leaned to kiss his cheek. Riling back from the shock of the coldness, she breathed heavily. Turning to her son, she smiled weakly before calling for his nanny.
“Take Gaius to the garden. Gaius, go with your nanny and pick some lovely flowers for Cara, please,” commanded the Empress.
Waiting for her son to leave, she then ordered healers to be brought and her husband to be called back. She climbed into the bed and gathered Caracalla into her arms as she rocked the stiff and cold emperor.
“Please, please wake sweet boy. Please, Cara, don’t do this… please.”
As healers rushed to assess the emperor, Arabella grasped Caracalla’s hand, pressing a kiss, whispering, pleading with the gods for him to wake. Unfortunately, the healer, finding no pulse, remorsefully turned to the empress, shaking his head. Arabella gasped, tears filling her eyes as she tried to deny the news.
“No…” she whispered, tears falling.
As her breaths grew shallower, she turned to her brother, shaking her head. She rose, gathering him into her arms and pressing her cheek to his cold one as her heart tore in two.
With a wail of anguish, she cried for her brother, “NO! Please, please… Cara, wake up! Please!”
Geta, who came back rushing, froze at his wife's screams as he too sharply inhaled before sprinting into the room, His love holding his brother, crying in despair as he too shouted.
“No, Brother! You are not gone! AWAKE! Cara… CARACALLA!” cried Geta, taking his brother’s face and shaking him. Arabella cried as she pleaded with Geta to be gentle.
The whole palace froze, hearing the grief vibrating through the walls.
Days later, the remainder of the royal family rode a carriage through the streets of Rome. Loyal senators convinced the royals to do a funeral procession around Rome so the empire could also express their grief to the fallen co-emperor. To show the people the humanity of the empire and bring them closer to it. Although Arabella initially pushed against it, hearing the Senator's plea, somberly agreed, as did Geta. Grasping her husband's hand with a deadly grip, the Emperor, Empress, and prince rode behind Caracalla’s body. As the Roman People watched their remaining Emperor and his family ride, they threw flower petals while shouting their support for the Empress and prince. In her grief, Arabella pressed her body to Geta, tears flowing down her cheeks as she raised her face toward the sky. Her veil covered her face as flower petals fell around her. She just wanted her brother.
The day ended when Caracalla’s body was placed in the pavilion, lighting the pyre that burned the younger twin emperor as his loved ones stared in worry, disbelief, and grief—thinking about what the future entails, a world without Caracalla.
With a sharp breath and cough, Caracalla awoke from his slumber. Turning, he noticed he was in his chambers, his desk a mess, and curtains close. Revelied from his nightmare, the emperor rose from his bed and ran through the halls towards his brother’s chambers. Bursting through his entrance shocked his brother and good sister.
“Brother! Worry not, I am-”
“Caracalla! What are you doing, brother? You are sick, and stepping through these cold tiles will only harm you.” interrupted Arabella as she scolded her brother.
Caracalla grinned as he saw his beautiful sister rushing to her, and he kissed her cheek.
“Sister! Do not cry for me yet… I am alive.” he comforted her, remembering her grief.
Geta and Arabella looked confused at the younger twin's words. Shaking his head, Geta responded by gathering his brother and leading him back to his chambers.
“Of course you are alive, brother, but you will cause me more headaches if you do not lie back down and recover from your sickness, at risk of getting worse.”
Lying his brother down, Geta smoothed the younger twin’s hair as Arabella placed the sheets on top of Caracalla.
“Where is Gaius? He needs to see that his uncle is alive, and I wish to see my nephew, " Caracalla ordered.
“He is still sleeping, Cara. I will bring him later. Rest now. I do not know what you dreamt, but you are very much alive. But remember, you are sick, and we need you to get better.” Arabella comforted as she kissed the emperor’s cheek.
Smiling, Caracalla snuggled in the warmth as he watched his brother and good sister walk in arms out of his chambers, perplexed by the events. He was alive.