The Lost Heiress

Long before before the forces that mold society decided to change history as we know it, a woman reigned in the highest seat in the world as Empress of Rome.

She was mistress to all of the known world, a ruler, a warrior, and a woman.

Her rise was not easy, her life was even harder, plagued with pain and suffering. This is her story, the untold story of Vitatirx, The First Empress of Rome.

In the city of Clusium, a young girl with no mother or father grew up with the most notable healer of their village.

So well known was the healer Artemisia that it was rumored she tended to the late Roman emperor in his last days, and by her side as she served the ailing sovereign was the child Vitatrix.

The child's origins were unknown to the people of Clusium.

One day the healer simply returned with a baby in her arms saying she had found the child in a wicker basket by the side of the road.

Everyone believed her and every one fell in love with Vitatrix or as they liked to call her, Trix. She had beautiful brown hair that tapered at her waist and bright eyes that shined as though she had captured the sun.

There was much talk about Trix as she grew older.

Many believed that she was an illegitimate child of the emperor with his favorite servant. Others thought she might be from the gods themselves, because of her great beauty and her eyes that had shined so brightly. As she grew from a girl to a lady on her 16th birthday she could not help but search for answers.

"Hector, Hector!" Trix called her childhood friend as she ran along the cobbled streets of Clusium.

A boy about 21 years old with a large built and black hair and gray eyes turned to greet her. Hector was the son of a roman soldier and a woman of noble birth.

"What is it Viatrix?" He grumbled.

"Oh don't be so sour at me. Its my birthday you know!"

"It does not mean I have to be nice to you." He turned to walk away.

Trix ran after him and grabbed him by the arm and asked "Very well, tell me what happened?"

"She is promised to be wed to the son of a merchant! I found out this morning. Oh how my heart aches. I feel as though it has been ripped from my chest and thrown to the dogs to eat!"

"Poetry suits you well my friend. Ever considered becoming one?" She chuckled "There are many girls out there. Who knows you might marry the daughter of a senator of Rome one day!"

"You are right Trix. She might not be the one for me. Oh that reminds me, come I have a gift for you it is at home. Mother helped me pick it out!"

The pair then headed towards Hector's home, one of the larger, more lavish ones in the city.

They quietly snuck past the servants and made their way to his room, where he had hidden his gift to her.

He gave her a small dagger with a leather sheath that could be easily concealed under her dress or displayed on the belt on the waist in order to deter assailants.

Trix then began to make her way home with Hector and his mother, Juliana, who had both been invited to dine with them for that evening.

Hector and Vitatrix had known each other since they were children. Hector had once thrown mud at the young girl and this eventually led to them becoming friends. From then on the pair had become insprable.

"Happy bithday my dear Vitatrix! May you live all your days in joy and in love!" Artemisia raised her glass toasting to Trix.

As the night went on and Hector and Juliana went home Artemisia and Trix were left to set things in order.

"Auntie what happened to my parents?" Trix asked as she cleared the table after their evening meal.

"Child have you not asked me that question a thousand times?" replied the healer.

"But auntie everytime I have asked you have given me but one answer and I do not believe it to be true."

"Very well wait here." Artemisia then went to her room and came out with an object in hand. "This is a pendant that has been passed down your family for generations."

Trix reached out and in her hand she held a gold necklace with the symbol of the emperor's family. It was surrounded by diamonds and the pendant itself was one half of her hand. She stared in awe. She could not believe her eyes.

"Am... I...." Trix managed to say.

"It is not as the rumors say. You are not the late emperor's daughter but rather his cousin's. Our present emperor, Patricus' daughter." Artemisia explained.

Trix coulnd not take her eyes off of the necklace that burned in her palms. Emotions started to rush at her.

She was surprised, and angry, and afraid, and happy all at the same time. She was shocked at the fact that she, an ordinary child, like any child in the city of Clusium was actually descended from the royal line.

She was afraid that this may become reason for people to want her dead. Or worse to take away everything that she loved. She was happy because she could still meet her parents, she actually had a family.

She was angry at Artemisia for keeping the truth from her.

She was angry at her father and mother for sending her way. Then it came to her, her mother. Was she still alive? Who was she? Was she a servant at the royal household? Or was she a noble woman that slept with the once senator?

"Auntie am I an illegitimate child?" Trix asked.

She feared the answer. She feared that the healer would say she was the child of a servant or worse some whore from a brothel.

"Oh no my child. As a matter of fact quite the opposite. You are the first and only surviving child of the Emperor and his Empress. Your mother feared that your being a first born female would threaten your life as it is seen as a bad omen. She feared that it may cause revolts and uprisings as your father at that time was the emperors heir." Artemisia explained as she tried to calm the worried Trix.

Trix was in shock.

That would mean that she was the sole heir to the Roman Empire. But why was the healer telling her this now? Why after all this time? She looked at the woman who had raised her. She had taken Trix in as her own despite the threat it might pose to her own life.

"Auntie, why are you telling me this now?"

"Vitatrix your mother has come to the age where she can no longer bear child. And you my dear are their sole heir. I must take you to the palace to present you to your father. I received this letter a month ago from your mother." She handed Trix a parchment with a broken seal of the empress.

Artemisia,

I bid you my dear friend to aid me. I am no longer capable of producing an heir for my husband. The emperor does not wish to take a mistress to produce a child. I have told him of our daughter. I told him that I sent her away in order to protect her from those that wish to take advantage of such a young and innocent child.

I ask you now my most loyal friend to prepare her to be presented a week after her 16th birthday. Dress her up. Teach her the mannerisms of court. Explain to her the circumstances of her birth. Hasten for we have little time. As I write this to you plots on who the family have been discovered. I will send a guard to protect you. Come and do your duty to Rome.

Your most loyal friend,

Eliana

Empress of Rome

Trix was speechless. The fate of her family and of the empire was in her hands. She was the sole heir to a dying regime. Was she capable of the task required of her? Would she be able to one day ascend to the throne so many craved for? She did not know. She did not believe so. Noble men studied their entire lives to inherit estates and she was to inherit a nation.

"Auntie may I tell Hector and his mother?"

"Yes my child. Juliana was once a dear friend of your mother's and father's growing up. That was till she eloped with a roman soldier beneath her class. I believe she may be restored to her former position for helping care for you. Go to their house at first light and tell them. Ask them not to send a letter to Hector's father. We know not who will see it."

Vitatrix retired to her cot she had much to think about as she slowly fell into her slumber.