Yes: my slave, Verania

I just take the time to satisfy myself that Aleka and Torix have recovered their farm - which, fortunately, hasn't been burnt by the barbarians - and that they have sufficient means of living. Their mother hugs them goodbye, I promise them that I will send news from her, and we leave for Rome.
Even these days, when barbarians raid every part of the empire, Rome remains the most prodigious city in the universe. This is what I say to myself while, having disembarked at Ostia, we approach the southern gate of this immense town, trying to count the famous Seven Hills. Even if I have only been there two times in my life, I perfectly recognize the shape of Mount Palatine, where the imperial palace stands, and where we are supposed to be received by Emperor Gallus. I'm accompanied by Aurelius and the barbarian queen who, having fully recovered from her wound, walks chained between two ranks of soldiers. My servant Verania is of course part of our little caravan.
We find the gate occupied by a crowd of soldiers. Apparently, there is a big turmoil in town. Aurelius recognizes one officer and calls out to him.
"Yes, there is trouble in Rome," the man explains. "The emperor has been murdered this morning."
"What? Emperor Gallus has been murdered?"
"No, Emperor Gallus had been murdered last month, didn't you know? I'm talking about his successor, Emperor Aemilianus, who has been murdered today. His widow and teenage son have fortified themselves on Mount Palatine, and the partisans of the new emperor, Valerianus, are besieging them right now."
This all puzzles me a little, but Aurelius looks at me shrugging: "Rome will always be Rome!"
However, this change of emperors could change a little the reception I expected to have.