Coriolanus Act 4.3.3

Scene 4.3.3

The quiet rooms of Martius

Coriolanus hologram played on the bosom of Virgilia. It was one of the novelties that the Nobles lady induced in when their men are at war. They grabbed these vids of their lovers and had it recorded to be played in the privacy of their room. Unlike the others which were more graphics, Virgilia’ vids of Caius was during his time with the son and when he was with her. He had disagreed to be recorded but she had her ways during their early months of marriage. She held the upper hand to his lust and with that she could command his will.

“I pledge my privacy to you, but I stand by my stand never to reveal more than my upper body to it.” Coriolanus was a puritan in the thoughts. He was that except when beneath the covers, he was a demon in the making. He was relentless in his needs and cared not for any excuses or feigning excuses to be let off. It was all fun then, until she was carrying his child. He came in that night soon after the announcement to tell that he was being posted to the base for training. She agreed to let him go but he must have her one that night so that she could remember.

“No, Virgilia. I cannot do such. You must be preserved for the child’s sake.” Caius had declined her advances. “Its mother’s advising to us.”

That was the start of her nightmare in her marriage life. She was soon to feel in between them was the older lady who held the key to their marital bliss. She could only Caius with her in the room, and once outside, he was her mother’s son. Even when Caius junior came to live with them, the young baby was soon absorbed by the older lady. The mother of her husband had offered to take care of Caius Junior, while she was to breed him more.

But the lust was not the same. It was only sex then on. Caius was onto her, but she was only compliant like a whore. Her payment was the marriage and son. When he was not around, she had her own escape of selfish sex. It helped her clear the frustration she had for Caius.

“Mother!” Virgilia heard her son scream. She jumped off the bed and reached for her dressing gown. She slipped it on and then turned off the vid machine. She kept it hidden back in her drawer before she stepped to the room door. It was locked which was why Junior could not come in.

“Junior, what is wrong?” Virgilia held her son into her arms when she had admitted him into the room.

“It’s grandmother. She wants me to enroll to the army training camp. I told her I would go when father comes back to fetch me there.” The young boy was of the age to get enrolled but he did indicate before he would only go if his father takes him there. He said with his father leading him, the academy would know of his status.

“Its okay, Junior. I will speak to grandmother.” Virgilia told her son and then saw the older lady walking towards them. She was not alone but with her lover, Menenius. That old charmer was more open with his visits then since Caius had left the house. Before this and even during the war, he was more discreet with their rendezvous in the late hours of the night and the exit before dawn, but of late, he had even appeared at supper to breakfast. She knew of his exploits; Lady Valeria was in the long list but that lady was in the long list of many others too.

“Virgilia, would you be more decent?” Lady Volumnia remarked at her son’ wife in her dressing gown which was to her intimate and should be only seen in the room. Menenius gave out a low cough and excused himself down the stairs. 

Virgilia stood up and adjusted her gown before she reached for the door.

“Junior, I would like to …” Lady Volumnia words were greeted by the door of the room closing on her. She was upset but since she had a guest in the house, she would not take it up then. She went down the stairs and met the old charmer in the library. She walked in and stood beside him.

“She is becoming more impudent by the days since Caius departure. Her earlier behavior when he was at war could be termed as bearable, but of late, she had become a rebel.” Lady Volumnia heaved in her breath on completing her words. Menenius reached out with his hand to held her’ and when whispered.

“She misses her husband like you do for your son. I am sure Caius is alright. He just needed some time alone before he comes back. We would then mass up a front which would topple those other Consuls.” Menenius smiled. “Vengeance would be ours.”

“How fare your spies that you send to watch over him?” Volumnia asked.

“They reported that he is doing well.” Menenius lie through his teeth like how he did with his role as Consul. He will say whatever was needed for the ears. Volumnia then walked off to the fireplace where her husband hologram was hovering above. She did missed him, and all those years, she had maintained some form of celibacy but when her son was married, she summoned her own courage to look for a new lover. Maybe it was coincidence or fate, Menenius appeared in her life. Initially, it was the late suppers and then she yielded. Soon she got used to the snoring and then presence of waking up to a man in her bed.

“Menenius, I need some personal rest tonight. Please go home.” Volumnia sighed. “Your home.”

Menenius nodded and took his leave. He had been with the lady since her son had left. It was not his intention to be there most of the time but she was insistent. She had mentioned of her fear if the Commoner would come to the house. She had quoted insecurity and lack of courage. He had agreed and from then, he became a household member until that evening.

Volumnia sighed in relief. She had enjoyed the company of the old charmer but of late, she felt cramped. With her daughter in law then showing her some of the rebellious nature, she needed some breathing space to ease up on the pressure. She took the seat facing her husband hologram.

“You are a bastard!” Volumnia cursed at him. “Why must you marry me? Bastard!”