"My sister, Rome is now at its most critical moment, and what our uncle Gaius Caesar has left us is slowly being devoured by those who are consumed by profit. Pen @ fun @ pavilion wWw. ｂｉｑUｇE。 info I'm at a loss for what I can't do anymore. Now, sister, I beg you to do one thing for me, for the people of Rome. ”

The early spring sunlight shines through the gaps between the leaves and sprinkles on the ground, forming dappled spots of light. Octavian, whose face was still pale, sat in the courtyard and talked sadly with his sister Octavia.

"What do you want me to do?"

Seeing her brother's pale and cold face, Octavia instinctively remembered something dangerous and terrifying. Over the years, seeing what Octavian had done, his feelings for his brother had become more and more unfamiliar. The innocent and talkative Turinus of his childhood seems to have faded away, and even lived as a shadow in his memory. She didn't know what Octavian was going to do at the moment, but she asked helplessly.

"You have to be mentally prepared."

Octavian's expression instantly became serious. He narrowed his eyes at Octavia, who was still innocent in front of him.

"You name it, as long as I can do it."

Octavia took a deep breath in her heart and responded.

"I want you to marry Anthony."

！

Octavia almost screamed, she looked at Octavian in front of her, expressionless, and could not imagine that this man was her brother.

"Why?!"

Octavia had planned for the worst in her mind, thinking of all possibilities, but she didn't think that Octavian would ask her to marry the beast. Not only was Antony many years older than himself, but crucially, he was now Octavian's enemy. Octavia couldn't understand her brother's crazy thoughts and actions. Her eyes widened, and she questioned her brother if he still had some affection.

"Because right now, only you can save Rome. Antony's army is overwhelmed, Agrippa has gone to Africa, and I am not strong enough in Italy to resist Antony's march. Only if you can, marry Antony, end this war by marriage, Italy will have time to breathe and recover, and I will be able to re-govern my country, my army. My sister, our uncle, gave us everything that could not be discarded, and the people of Rome could not survive under tyrants. I must bring peace, freedom and prosperity to Rome, and for now, only you can help me. ”

Octavian was affectionate. But Octavia still didn't understand, and the more Octavian did this, the more agitated Octavia's emotions became, almost on the verge of collapse. Octavian's words hurt not only herself, her life, but also her last hope for this family, which was completely shattered. He is nothing more than a puppet and a tool to be used in this struggle. How many times Octavian used himself against Appis, and now, his brother uses himself to ease the contradictions of the struggle. Yes, marrying Antony is equivalent to Octavian's alliance with Antony. Then, naturally, the Italian crisis was resolved. However, it is still themselves who are sacrificed......

"That's for your lust and selfishness!"

Octavia replied angrily, tears of sadness almost welling up from the corners of her eyes. Why does it always hurt, this home is like a devil's cave full of intrigue, the ornate decorations and the floor are so cold.

"My sister, you have to mature. It's not for myself. Imagine what Antony would have done if he had captured Rome? Will they be kind to our family? Will it give us a comfortable life? My sister, no, no ruler would allow his former enemies to survive in this world. He may not dare to do anything to us openly under the pressure of public opinion, but the means in the secret make you unable to guard against it. The gladiatorial tournament has begun, and only those who survive to the last can get out of the sand pit of the arena. That's the rule. And I, I should say we, need a little time to turn the deficit back again. ”

Octavian said sincerely.

Octavia, on the other hand, just stared at her brother with resentment, not understanding why it was always herself who was hurt. He is always a victim of struggle. But for a moment she suddenly remembered what Apis had said to herself—the Colosseum had begun, and no one could escape the race of death...... How similar these words are to what Octavian said to himself today.

Octavian actually had his own intentions, he didn't really want to marry his sister to Antony. Octavian knew his opponent and knew Antony. He knew that with the current situation, Anthony would not accept Octavia. With Antony's character, not only would he not accept Octavia as his wife, but he might even be able to defeat Octavia, because Antony would now think that he was strong in the army and economy, and could defeat Octavian without an alliance.

And once Antony rejected the offer, Octavian could use it to make a big fuss. You know, it is a well-known thing for Antony to fool around with the Queen of Egypt over the years, Octavian's plan is that once Antony refuses to marry, he can spread rumors that Antony's heart is no longer in Rome, and his rejection of a Roman woman is equivalent to refusing to recognize his status as a Roman citizen, not a pure Roman, how can he be expected to make achievements in Rome? Perhaps the capital would be moved to Alexandria, putting the Egyptians on an equal footing with the Romans. The rejection through Octavia caused outrage among the Roman populace, and this was one of Octavian's plans.

Of course, if Antony really married Octavia despite Cleopatra's objections, it would be a good ending, at least, the crisis in Italy would have been resolved. You can concentrate on dealing with Appis.

Only, for whatever purpose, Octavian could not tell Octavia the truth.

……

"It's a conspiracy, it's too obvious, but I can't just reject it, I can't accept it. Octavian still had some ability. ”

Despite Octavia's objections, Octavian ultimately made this cruel decision. As soon as the news broke, Anthony couldn't sit still. Just to Octavian's surprise, this time, Antony's arrogant and unscrupulous personality did not explode, but dealt with the problem very calmly.

However, no matter how calm he was, Octavian's olive branch left him in a dilemma. On the one hand, Anthony knew that he could not lose the hearts and minds of the people, and he could not reject Octavia outright. On the other hand, he knew that the queen of Egypt was sometimes big-minded, and Cleopatra could not accept such an offer.

Think about it, if you marry Octavia, then, what is Cleopatra? A simple mistress? A Roman woman was above herself, and Antony knew that Cleopatra could not accept such an outcome. However, the legion is fighting abroad and needs the financial support of Cleopatra, and if he returns to Egypt with Octavia at this time and deposes the queen, firstly, he is emotionally unwilling to do so, and secondly, Egypt will rebel because of it...... Antony suddenly felt that Octavian's move was like a sharp knife, hitting the nail on the head.