The situation in Rome was tense due to the political actions of the consuls and the harsh repression directed against the nobility aligned with Sulla's faction.
In a luxurious residence located atop an imposing hill in the center of the city of Rome,
the great consul Lucius Cornelius Cinna, known as an influential figure in Rome who sought greater rights for the Roman people, stood on a terrace, gazing at the city in the distance.
Cinna's greatest concern was the health of the consul and close friend, Gaius Marius.
Gaius Marius was an exceptional military strategist, and his influence among Roman soldiers was considerable.
It could be said that within the populist faction led by the current consuls, Gaius Marius was responsible for commanding the military, while Cinna handled political affairs.
Cinna's current headache was Marius's advanced age. If his old friend were to die, their faction would lose the spiritual pillar that held the military together.
Cinna stared into the distance, a faint unease in his eyes, as he considered the political and military consequences of the possible death of his longtime friend, Gaius Marius.
"Consul, Senator Scipio Nasica is in the resting area," a slave reported humbly to Cinna.
Cinna frowned. His subordinates had already warned him about the subject to be discussed with the patriarch of the Scipio family branch.
News of the death of the prefect of the city of Capua had reached Rome days earlier by fast horse messengers. It was a disgrace for Rome, compounded by the more recent and little-known shameful news, known only to a few, of the devastating defeat of the Admiral of Campania.
To erase this disgrace, Consul Cinna ordered two Roman legions to prepare to depart from Rome and suppress the rebellion in Capua, without giving the matter further attention. His greatest concern now was the vacuum of influence that would be left by the possible death of Consul Gaius Marius.
Gaius Marius was seventy years old and lay bedridden, suffering severe pains caused by age. It was only a matter of time before his life came to an end.
Cinna headed to the resting area of his residence and cordially welcomed the neutral leader of the Scipio family.
"Let us be direct. The crimes committed in Capua are unforgivable for the Republic, and when combined with possible collusion with Sulla, there is no way Rome can spare that young man's life," Cinna said, his face devoid of emotion.
"There is a great misunderstanding in Capua that caused the incident involving the prefect's death and its subsequent consequences," Scipio Nasica replied casually, downplaying the issue.
"A misunderstanding? Taking up arms against Rome is a misunderstanding?" Cinna responded, barely containing his anger.
Although Cinna was a seasoned politician, he was also a political strongman who attacked his enemies by any means necessary. He would not tolerate compromise if the rebellion were connected to his mortal enemy, Sulla.
"A young Roman citizen who forged himself into the elite social class and, as a result, attracted the greed of a prefect because of his wealth," Scipio Nasica said in a calm, measured tone.
Cinna's fury subsided as he listened to Scipio Nasica's words. He was not a fool easily manipulated by rumors or anger. Had it not been for Marius's failing health, he would have paid closer attention to the incident in Capua.
Senator Scipio Nasica began to recount Septimus's situation and the cause of the prefect's death, emphasizing the young man's age, which explained his impulsiveness, his origins as a Roman citizen, and his charisma and ability to lead soldiers capable of confronting Rome.
The more Cinna listened to Scipio Nasica, the more his perception of Septimus subtly changed. It was unlikely that Septimus belonged to Sulla's faction, given his background.
Septimus's life trajectory was similar to that of Gaius Marius. Both were Roman citizens who achieved their status through personal talent. The difference was that Septimus had risen to prominence far too quickly, attracting the greed of a prefect because of his immense wealth.
From this perspective, Cinna considered drawing Septimus into his own faction. If he could recruit this young talent, his faction would gain another advantage over Sulla's faction.
Cinna's expression relaxed as he thought about Septimus.
"Very well. From what you tell me, this young man is quite interesting, and I would like to meet him," Cinna said in a calm voice.
Scipio Nasica was unaware of Cinna's true intentions, but he relaxed upon seeing that Septimus's situation had a solution.
"There is no problem. That young man, Septimus, will marry a noblewoman from the Scipio family, and it is likely he will settle in Rome," Scipio Nasica said naturally.
Scipio Nasica had no interest in Septimus's opinion regarding his own marriage. If the young man refused, he would be considered a criminal of Rome.
"Although the prefect's death can be justified as an impulsive act by a young man defending his property, it does not change the fact that it remains a heinous crime," Cinna said, returning his thoughts to the situation in Capua.
Scipio Nasica tensed at Cinna's words. He knew the old fox was about to state his demands.
"He must pay five million denarii as compensation for the death of the prefect of Capua, and he must also restore the soldiers of the Admiral of Campania," Cinna said in an unquestionable tone.
Senator Scipio Nasica frowned slightly, but nodded. He did not know whether Septimus had enough money to meet Cinna's demands, but he accepted nonetheless.
Throughout the negotiation, neither of these influential figures in Roman politics showed any concern for the deaths of the soldiers or for what a young man like Septimus might think about his own marriage. In the eyes of both old men, politics was an exchange of interests played out among people of equal status.
After exchanging polite words, Senator Scipio Nasica took his leave and departed in his carriage.
That same night, Lady Cornelia Minor, lying in the same bed as Scipio Nasica, learned about the conversation with Cinna.
"Thank you, uncle. You have truly helped me a great deal," Lady Cornelia Minor said, moving her mature figure.
"Hahaha, very well. In two days, we will go together to Capua to visit that young talent and welcome him into the family," Senator Scipio Nasica said with a smile.
"Uncle, which young lady will marry that young man from Capua?" Lady Cornelia Minor asked curiously.
"I have not yet thought of a suitable young woman. My only daughter is already married, and the female relatives of my brothers are either married or simply too young," Scipio Nasica replied calmly.
The Scipio family had many collateral relatives, and it would not be difficult to find a suitable woman to marry to Septimus. In extreme circumstances, they could even divorce a married woman of the family so that she might remarry another man.
"My older brother has a daughter of suitable marriageable age," Lady Cornelia Minor said tentatively.
As the wife of the Admiral of Campania, Lady Cornelia Minor was well aware of her husband's abilities. He was not a genius, but neither was he mediocre. His disastrous defeat simply meant that Septimus was a genuine military talent with a promising future.
Lady Cornelia Minor would benefit greatly if a young, wealthy talent were connected directly to her immediate family through her brother's daughter.
"Very well. You may decide which noblewoman of the family will marry the young man from Capua," Scipio Nasica said magnanimously, while gripping her buttocks.
Scipio Nasica found no suitable women within his immediate family for marriage and therefore chose to leave the matter to Lady Cornelia Minor.