As the period of Saturnalia approached, Rome was bustling with preparations for the festival.
Women began to prepare the necessary food ahead of the celebration, and children ran through the streets singing songs.
The festival of Saturnalia, honoring Saturn, was one of Rome's biggest festivals—something the whole city could enjoy together.
"To be able to do nothing and just enjoy ourselves for seven days. Where else could there be a better day?"
"Don't even think about resting, dear. Do you think our family can survive for a week on that pathetic little wage of yours?"
"No, I mean, still..."
However, this year's Saturnalia was different from the usual.
There were two events that had the Roman citizens burning with excitement.
Although the contents of the two were different, the person who started them was the same.
Lucius Julius Caesar.
"So, did you buy Caesar Palmolive too?"
"Yeah, it's a shame you can enter only once... well, with good luck, maybe I'll win."
"I've already thought about where I'm going to spend the prize money once I win."
"Even if you win, you'll just blow it all at the brothels anyway. Why don't you just give it to me instead?"
"At least the prostitutes give me something in return. Why on earth would I give it to you?"
It was the lottery you could enter by buying Palmolive.
As the stock of Caesar Palmolive completely ran out again, the fronts of the shops were packed with customers waiting for restocks.
Some shop owners even secretly registered names without making customers buy Palmolive at all, to the point where Caesar's subordinates had to step in to keep an eye on them.
Meanwhile, another piece of news was also heating up Rome.
"I still can't believe it. Did you hear about the veterans' fund?"
"What is a fund, anyway?"
"It sounded like some sort of organization that supports veterans."
"Are Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey really creating something like that?"
"Obviously, only Pompey's soldiers will be able to receive it."
"No, they say they'll support them regardless of which general they fought under."
"What? Why would they do something like that?"
The Roman citizens could not easily believe this news about a fund for the veterans.
No matter how rich Crassus and young Caesar were, there seemed to be no reason to create such a thing.
But there were tens of thousands of veterans in Rome.
From the middle classes who answered the Republic's call to the poor who enlisted in the army to earn money.
They welcomed Caesar's announcement with open arms.
"First he promised to share his money through a lottery, and now he's offering support to us!"
"He's a thousand times better than those senators!"
"I knew he was great just from his father, Gaius Caesar."
With the situation turning out like this, the ones put in a difficult spot were the Senate.
They had refused to distribute land to Pompey's veterans, citing various reasons for years.
"To think Lucius Caesar would make such an announcement..."
"The citizens are focusing their anger on us. This too must be a scheme plotted by the young Caesar."
"But he's not exactly inciting the citizens, is he? Lucius Caesar is merely using his own money to support them."
"What about the lottery? That is blatantly promoting gambling!"
The one taking the lead in criticizing Lucius Caesar was Cato.
Having maintained his silence until now, he began attacking the lottery relentlessly.
"Lucius Caesar has been engaging in a price war over Palmolive with Crassus!"
As usual, he wore only a toga, without even a tunic beneath it.
"And to sell more of his Palmolive, he came up with this lottery! He's collecting money from hundreds of thousands just to give a fortune to one person. What is that if not gambling?"
Cato waved his hand.
While Cicero and the other moderates kept their silence, it was Cato who dominated the room.
"Lucius Caesar's sudden announcement of support for the veterans is a trick to divert attention from this gamble!"
"So he used the support for the veterans as a shield to block attacks on the lottery."
A few Senators nodded.
It was a scenario that made perfect sense.
If that isn't the reason, why would he give his own money not just to Pompey's men, but to every veteran?
"Then Senator Cato, what is it that you propose?"
"It is simple."
At the Consul's question, Cato replied, waving his arm.
"Summon him to answer questions before the Senate."
"A hearing?"
At Cato's words, a murmur swept through the Senate.
For the Senate to hold a hearing against a young man not even twenty years old was unprecedented.
"On what grounds?"
"Is it not obvious? Call him to account for corrupting the morals of Rome. We will question Lucius Caesar directly for his crimes!"
Just as Cato was speaking, a man stood up from his seat.
"Esteemed fellow Senators, we need to be cautious!"
Cicero shouted in a loud voice.
"Whatever his intentions may be, the young Caesar announced that he will support the veterans. In such a situation, if our Senate summons him for a hearing, how do you think the Roman public will view us?"
"..."
All the Senators kept their mouths shut and looked at each other.
Cicero's words were correct.
Now that Lucius Caesar had gained popularity among the citizens, attacking him recklessly could invite a backlash against the entire Senate.
"That is exactly what the young Caesar is aiming for!"
Cato shouted again.
"He created a situation so that we would be too afraid to attack him. The Senate is the guardian of the Republic's traditions and order! If we fear the backlash of the public, how can we lead state affairs? We must pull the weed out before it grows."
Fierce debates went back and forth, and finally, a conclusion was reached.
It was a hearing in everything but name.
***
"They strongly recommended that I appear before the Senate."
Senate basically beat around the bush, but the message was clear: they wanted me there.
"But it has no coercive power. You could just ignore it, Young Master."
Felix said, staying close at my side. We were walking together toward the Senate.
Last time, we only went as far as the Senaculum, the waiting area for Senators.
We couldn't enter the Curia Hostilia, the Senate house itself.
It was the first time I had entered the Senate in person.
No matter how much I prepared, I couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
But that wasn't the only problem.
"Sir Caesar, you absolutely must not go to the Senate!"
"Those bastards will threaten you to stop the support for the veterans!"
Dozens of people were following closely behind Felix and me.
A crowd large enough to fill the narrow streets of Rome followed behind us.
"It's all right, everyone. It's not an official hearing anyway."
I answered, smiling at them.
Roman politics was always like this.
Due to the unique system of patrons and clients, many politicians led their own factions.
These people visited their patron daily to express gratitude and frequently asked for help.
As the number of employees I hired increased, combined with this recent support for the veterans, the number of people following me naturally increased as well.
The problem was that I didn't want this kind of factional politics.
It would look weird if I dragged a horde of veterans right to the front of the Senate.
Passing through the Forum, I stopped them.
"I will go alone from here. If I go to the Senate with all of you, I will be suspected of trying to cause a riot."
"But...Will you truly be alright?"
The supporters all looked at me with worried eyes.
To an outsider, it would look like I was going to be martyred or something.
I nodded calmly.
"The Senate is the guardian of the Republic's honor, stability, and order. What do I have to worry about? Please, everyone wait here, and I will be back shortly."
"If you say so, Sir Caesar, we understand."
Leaving the still-anxious crowd behind, I started walking again with only Felix beside me.
"You did well, Young Master. If you had taken them to the Senate..."
"I'd be called the second coming of the Gracchi brothers. Even I don't really want that."
Well, it was actually normal behavior in Rome during this era.
It was a common sight to see people dragging their supporters around and having street brawls.
But I didn't need to use such crude methods.
"Coming to the Senate was the plan from the beginning."
"The Senate will accuse you of luring the Roman public with the lottery and leading them to moral depravity, Young Master."
Felix said.
"Of course, putting forward the support for the veterans can soften that attack. But the Senate won't back down easily."
"They probably won't."
"Then what do you intend to do?"
"The answer is simple. I just have to admit my guilt."
"Pardon?"
I chuckled, looking at Felix's flustered face.
"You'll see soon enough."
***
"Before we begin our questions, I would like to make this point clear first. Lucius Caesar, son of Gaius Julius Caesar."
Consul Lepidus said.
Befitting a Consul, he wore a toga with a purple border.
Beside him sat the other Consul, Tullus.
The Roman Consul, a position with a one-year term, was basically held by two people concurrently.
It was the position possessing the most powerful Imperium in Rome.
Becoming a Consul was the dream and ultimate goal of every Roman politician.
"The Senate calling you here is not an official hearing. Therefore, you will face no disadvantages even if you choose not to answer."
"Yes, I understand. Honorable consuls and esteemed senators. Thank you for calling me here today."
Having answered that, I looked around the interior of the Senate.
So this is the famous Senate.
This was the institution that had ousted the Roman kings and became the center of power.
At the same time, it was the core of the Republic's finances and defense.
Hundreds of Senators were looking at me with curious eyes.
I didn't think I'd draw this much attention even at the Senaculum.
I was definitely making my mark today.
"Then we shall begin. Is there any Senator who wishes to ask a question first?"
Senators were not all of equal standing.
The meetings were mostly led by the Consuls, followed by the Princeps Senatus (the most senior Senator), former Consuls, and elder Senators.
When the heavyweights with massive factions set the stage, Senators with no presence simply had no choice but to follow.
That's why today's scene felt even more unique.
"Lucius Julius Caesar."
Cato, dressed in a black toga, spoke up.
As expected, the bull charged first.
"Not long ago, you made an announcement that you would support the veterans. That action in itself is worthy of praise."
"You honor me, Senator Cato."
Ignoring my answer, Cato continued.
"But just before that, you announced something called a lottery. A promise to pick one of your Palmolive buyers and give them a massive fortune.
I consider that to be blatant gambling and a scheme to corrupt public morals. You came up with such a trick to win the competition against Crassus."
Contrary to my expectations, Cato spoke in a calm tone.
I thought he would yell at the top of his lungs, but this is surprising.
"Our Senate, as the guardian of the Republic's order, cannot help but express concern over such actions. What will happen if others now copy this lottery business you started?
All of Rome will become addicted to gambling, lose its strength, and slide into depravity. Do you have anything to say to this?"
"..."
Everyone's gaze turned to me.
From the Senators to the Consuls and other magistrates.
How I answered would determine my fate.
A single word could ruin me—or propel me to glory.
That was Roman politics.
"I completely agree with Senator Cato's words."
In the heavy silence, only my voice rang out.
"I organized the lottery event to give some of my profits back to the people.
But looking back, I have come to realize that, just as Senator Cato said, it has created a serious risk to Roman society."
A murmur swept through the Senate chamber.
Of course, they hadn't expected me to respond like this.
From Catiline to countless other Roman politicians, there were innumerable instances of receiving the Senate's reprimand.
The victims' reactions were mostly the same.
They tried to justify their actions somehow and defend themselves from the Senate's attacks.
But I had no intention—or need—to do any of that.
Because I had a different purpose for coming here today in the first place.
Cato, momentarily flustered by my answer, soon grinned.
He seemed to think I was trying to surrender.
"To openly admit your faults is truly an excellent attitude, young Caesar. We Senators merely seek what is necessary to protect the morality of Rome..."
Cato's speech continued.
The gist was simple.
To protect Rome's traditions, the Mos Maiorum, and that I should reflect on the mistakes I had committed.
"You have repented for your own mistakes, Caesar. But reflection alone does not erase the damage inflicted on the Republic. What do you intend to do about this?"
I took a deep breath.
The true intention hidden in Cato's words was probably this.
Cancel the lottery yourself.
If the Senate forced the cancellation of the lottery, the citizens would revolt.
But if I canceled the lottery event, the citizens' anger would turn on me.
Criticism would pour in: they'd say I'd staged a sham with no intention of paying out.
If that happened, not only my business but the political reputation of the Caesar family would hit rock bottom.
All the Senators were waiting silently for my answer.
In the suffocating silence, I slowly opened my mouth.
"To undo the harm I have caused the Republic, I would like to make this proposal."
I turned my head and looked at the Senators.
"The Senate should take charge of the lottery."
"What?"
"What do you mean, the Senate takes charge of the lottery?"
A murmur spread throughout the entire chamber.
All the Senators sitting in their seats wore flustered expressions.
Cato was the same.
He opened his mouth to say something, but I cut him off before he could speak.
"First, please listen to my proposal to the end."
I stood up from my seat with a faint smile.
I intended to make an offer the Senate could absolutely not refuse.
"I'm sure you'll all agree."