Chapter 32 Southbound (Part 2)

"Calles, you finally understand this truth. What a precious life. It only comes once. How did I feel when I learned that my husband would never come back from that desolate battlefield? How helpless I was when I saw Demetrius die in such a humble way in the hands of those who came to capture me - even so, I survived. As long as I stay away from this cursed place in Rome, no one can You can live happily. In fact, I wanted to tell you this when you were about to leave Utica City for the first time." Cornelia faced Curry without any grudges under the sunset. O said.

And Curio didn't mean to argue. He just listened quietly there, and the light of the setting sun spread along the surging ocean. Finally, he raised his voice and asked Cornelia, "I took the liberty of By the way, will your lyre be played only on the anniversary of the death of the great Pompey?"

"Of course not Calles, the lyre is a beautiful thing invented by the Sun God. It can mourn, and it can also sing about the fertile earth, brilliant flowers and plants, the love between men and women, and everything worth cherishing in the world."

"I think so, maybe you lack a neighbor, yes, just a neighbor, sharing every inch of sunshine from the ocean every day. With all due respect, I will buy my assets opposite the cemetery That farm and farmland, maybe it's better this way. When you play the lyre, I will listen under the eaves over there. I don't know if this offends you..." Curio withdrew. The cloak hat suppressed the violent throbbing in his heart and asked with a trembling voice.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Do you think this is a disturbance? You are such a cautious and annoyingly weird person. Calles."

Curio also smiled in the sunshine. "Yes, I am a really weird and annoying guy, but please don't hate me so much that you choose to live next to me."

After hearing this, Cornelia covered her mouth, laughed, and shook her head hastily.

In the following golden years of peace, they really enjoyed the days of being forgotten by the world. Curio sold off the inheritance of Rome's most glorious family. He never returned. He abandoned everyone and lived in this vast, secluded and fertile land under the name of "Knight Calles", staying opposite Cornelia's house... ..

In the courtyard of Prima, the mist formed by the blue-gray morning light floated on the colonnade and pond. Lepidus, wearing a red-edged consul's robe, sat sideways on a soft chair and threw grains at the chickens at his feet. , "Father..." Leo came from the side door over there and bowed to Lepidus in greeting.

"Well. You and Turinus will both attend this meeting of the Senate. As the adjutant of the Sicilian envoy, you can go and observe." Lepidus said calmly.

"Yes, obey father."

At the same time, Corinna also walked out with a shy and nervous expression, wearing festive clothes. Her maid held a box and bag and followed closely behind her, "Father..."

"Oh, good girl, what are you doing?"

"Such a father, I want to make a small sacrifice to the god who protects me." Corinna rubbed the belt around her waist and echoed in a low voice. The high priest nodded, "Has the time finally come? Then it should be said that in a few days, the Great Fifth Day will be the most important day for you and Turinus? As the high priest, I , you have to be there, tell me, good girl, are you willing to sacrifice your happiness for the city of Rome? "

Corinna stood there in a daze, "Does the city of Rome still need to be involved with me?"

"No, no, that's good. You go with your mother. I will ask Kelly to prepare a carriage and servants for you. Leo will go to the Senate with me now. There will be a vote on the budget for the war. "After saying that, the high priest hugged his daughter and walked out.

Leo stood behind him and looked at his sister who soon became happy again with complicated eyes. He lowered his head and hesitated for a moment before saying, "I wish you happiness." After that, he turned around to follow his father's steps. .

The mother in the kitchen shuddered after hearing Lepidah's request. She looked very painful, and even her usual clear instructions began to be confused, causing the slaves to run around at a loss. "Since your father If you ask for it, then do it as soon as possible.”

Although Corinna felt a little weird in her heart, she still carefully held her childhood toys and statues. Full of happiness and longing, she got on the shoulder carriage with her mother and said, "The destination is the Temple of the Kitchen God." At this command, she tapped the bearer's shoulder with an oxtail whisk.

"Let's go!" Several bearers held the poles of the shoulder carriages in one hand and short sticks in the other, and began to quicken their pace.

At this moment, the city of Seven Hills was filled with the first smoke. On the way to the Temple of Vesta, Poti suddenly asked her daughter, "After the banquet that night, did Turinus never say to you What, or any message for you?"

"What are you talking about, mother?" Corinna asked back with a shy and curious tone.

But she saw her mother's eyes and shed tears, "Finally, finally the time has come. Twenty years ago, your father and I came to this city with hundreds of drachmas. , and there was an adopted little pigeon by our side. What were we thinking about? Setting up a foothold here? Raising our children up and fighting against all kinds of misfortunes like this? Year, another year, your father has not changed in so many years, but he has also changed, but don't doubt that he will always love any of you, everyone!" After saying that, Bodi burst into tears and smiled. He wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes with his palms and said, "I'm sorry, I'm too sad. It is said that Little Pigeon will soon go to Mauritania, a very far away country, with Fan Lundina. She may never be able to be with me again in this life. The little doves meet; one day you and Leo will leave your mother one after another; and your father, will his future destination be in the East? I can't help but feel sad when I think of this... ..”

"Mother...mama!" Corinna was also inexplicably sad. She really didn't know what happened to her father, brother, and mother in the past few days, and how they were involved with her. But before she could say anything else, Poti reminded her that the Temple of Vesta had arrived. Corinna, who was confused, could only bury her doubts in her heart, holding something in her hands, and walked slowly on the stone path in front of the temple. Over there, Zeno, who was wearing a square blouse, was carrying a water bottle for drawing water on his shoulders. , and other virgins came from that side. (To be continued...)