Julia had been on her way back to Palatine Hill from the marketplace when a boy suddenly grabbed her and pulled her into a dark alley. She dropped her basket and tried to push him away.

“Listen to what I have to say,” he whispered.

Julia decided to listen, but she remained wary.

“I am sorry, but I had to get your attention,” he said. “You are Julia? Of the Quintus family? I am Felix, slave to the praetor Pius.”

Julia’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “What do you want with me?”

“We know you have a special place in the Quintus family and among the equestrians. We need you.”

Felix proceeded to tell her about the rebellion, how for the past five years various slaves of elite families had been planning an uprising but needed someone on the inside to finally execute their plans. Julia listened and said angrily “I will not take part in this rebellion. Stay away from Quintus and Cornelia, or you will be sorry.” She saw Felix’s eyes darken.

Felix, angry, replied before running away, “You may have lived a good life Julia, but the rest of us have not. Remember your place. You were bought! You are nothing but a slave, no matter how they treat you.”

Julia had no time to think about what happened as she noticed the kitchen had gone into disarray during her trip. She stepped into the hallway and peeked through a door. Julius Caesar! Here in Quintus’ house?

“Congratulations on your victory in Spain,” Quintus was saying. “I am glad you have returned unscathed.”

Caesar smiled. “I have always admired you, Quintus. You are not a magistrate yet you easily maneuver all of these political traps. I trust you will always make the right decisions.”

“Your triumphs and the games you held in honor of your daughter brought you much support,” replied Quintus. “After you defeated Pompey and his sons and pardoned Cicero, it was clear who was the better general.”

“And have I done well as dictator?”

“Of course. The citizens love you. Otherwise, your temple to Venus Genetrix would be empty, instead of being filled daily with worshippers who thank her for sending you to us.”

Caesar laughed. “I have no doubt that I have your full support.”

Julia could tell Quintus was worried; she had never heard him speak like that to anyone before. The Roman elite seemed to already be in a precarious state even without a rebellion.