The emperors words came to Verus and, surprisingly, he only let out a smirk. He didn't belong to the man now, he belonged to his daughter. He would not follow orders from someone who did not own him. If he went to his knees, it would be because the princess told him to, and nothing else. He would maintain that much pride, bowing to only one, instead of many. Still, his gaze was drawn to the man, before being pulled back to Claudia by the fingers digging into his shoulders. Looking back to her, he continued to stare, his mouth not opening to say a word.
At this point, he was very confused. On one end, the look in her eyes as she gazed at him told him that she felt... Sorry for him, he supposed? But her words, something that Verus had learned to trust far more than looks, spoke a different tale. When it came down to it, the gladiator found it hard to believe a mere gaze, not when it was something that concerned his life absolutely. Still, he took comfort in the fact that she didn't have him bowing yet.
He was so wrapped up in his own threats that he had missed her leaning up to his ear entirely, the sudden voice startling him, though aside from a slight jolt, he showed no other reaction. The man clearly had trained reactions and reflexes, to only show them when he wanted to, or needed to. It would be unbecoming of a gladiator, after all, to visible jump when he was startled. Still, he continued to remain silent. The words he held would not be suitable for the guards standing so uncomfortably close behind him. Atleast he knew that he was valuable enough to earn some form of comfort or another, considering that the princesses own glory now rested on his shoulders. He found it a surprisingly light burden to bear, at the moment.
The prospect of battle would have made him groan or sigh aloud, if he knew that such actions would be permitted. But they would not, so instead he was forced to put on a facade of steady resolve. It would show in his eyes though, a weary look. When it came down to it, a bedroll did not provide the rest a man needed for battle. She seemed to understand this, or atleast understand something, her words making him release a quiet sigh, followed by an intake of breath in surprise. She was going to retire with him? What did she have in mind...
Even then, in all of the confusion Verus held for the situation, his face remained calm. He didn't have the luxury of being able to freely show his emotions. Not infront of such people. He waited patiently then, for her to return, once her father had given his own approval. He was surprised by her taking his hand in her own, gently pulling him along away from the room, away from the prying eyes of the audience. He found it amusing then, that there were people going to enjoy her birthday more than her own. The comment that followed them made him chuckle softly, unable to hide that he found the emperors comment amusing.
The walk was filled with silence, as the gladiator simply followed behind Claudia, unknowing of what exactly to do. Should he speak? Should he wait? He decided to hold such thoughts until they were safely put away into her own room, for his own reasons. If he was going to speak to her, he would do it in private, where no one else was around to hear him, to judge him. He'd been judged enough in the recent years of his life.
Soon enough though, she led him through the doors to her room, Verus following behind silently, his hands handing loosely at his side, Glancing behind him, making sure the door was shut entirely, he spoke, for the first time in three days. "Forgive me, but I believe your name is... Claudia, correct? It's hard to remember names that I've never had reason to speak before. Regardless, I am curious what your intentions for me are. At this point, I'm finding myself doubting you wish to use me for physical pleasure, not by the way you've spoken to me, and looked at me." His voice was deep, though it carried no threatening tone or underlying subtleties. It held only a curiosity for what she wanted to do with him, and he believed he should be allowed to know that much.