Cleopatra relaxed in her bath. Caesar had come to visit her last night. She smiled, the great man still evoked a great deal of emotion but not the passion of the early days. Caesar had moved on to many lovers but there was still a very strong tie between the two, one that went deeper than passion.

Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIV had come to tie even closer the bond with Rome and to solicit official confirmation of amicitia from the Senate and the people. Caesar was now so completely in control of the Roman state that the recognition was easily granted.

Though they were no longer constant lovers, there was a strong political and human affiliation between Caesar and Cleopatra. Caesar never denied the paternity of the baby who bore his name. Rather he paid Cleopatra as great an honor that was within his power. In the new Forum Julium, contracted by Caesar at huge expense, beside the cult-statue of Venus Genetrix, the goddess celebrated as Mother and Founder of the Julian clan, he placed a gilded statue of Cleopatra. That had definitely set the Romans on their ears and started the Roman tongues wagging.

She smiled and sank deeper into the warm waters of her bath. Let all of Rome think they were still lovers.