Marcus held Claudia's soft, gentle hand as he guided them on to the floor and in to the crowd of nobles who were already dancing. They took their positions, holding each other in the normal dancing procedure. Marcus' eyes fell upon Claudia's and for a moment it felt like they were the only two people in the room. The music fell kindly on Marcus' ears. A slow rhythm, which Marcus was grateful for. As much as he had quick feet on the battle feet, the ball room was a completely different ball game. They slowly and gracefully glided across the floor, as did several other revelers. And, although, Marcus felt it was only the pair of them in the room, he could feel the onlooking glare of the onlooking senates and nobles, as they looked on with a mixture of smiles, shock and surprise on their faces. He could also sense the watching eye of Caesar looking down on them from his chair. 

Marcus wanted to say something to Claudia. This beautiful specimen who held his shoulders' like no-one had before. He too was careful with his grip on Claudia's waist and made sure he didn't hold her too tight and damage her delicate frame. But for the life of him he couldn't find the words to say something. He could have said anything. He could have complimented her on how she looked, or how her day had been so far. Instead, he settled for something he would later curse himself for. 

   'I was sad to learn of your fiancee's death, my lady. I mourned him.', said the General with a sympathetic look on his face. 

He immediately cursed himself. He hoped he had not brought back any grief or sadness to the woman in his arms. Brutus did not know what it was like having lost a loved one. For he was from an orphanage and never really knew his family. However, he knew what it felt like to lose men on a battle field, and he classed his soldiers as part of his family. So, he could only imagine what pain she went through, or even still going through, having lost the man she was betrothed to. After he finished cursing himself inside, Marcus focused back on his dancing and hoped he didn't look like too much of fool in front of the spectators watching them.