Cleopatra VII: Daughter of the Nile, Egypt, 57 B.C.

3 JANUARIUS, MORNING I could feel my insides shaking. Would this sister try to poison me? Yes, I believe so. As for my other older sister, Berenice -never! She and I adore each other even thought I am eight years younger. I keep the coup and raised it toward Tryphanea as if toasting for her, but really I was watching the liquid, looking for oil floating in its surface, or powder sticking to the sides of the cup. If I suspected poison and tossed it into the pool, she would have her guards behead me on the spot. If it was indeed poison, one sip and I could die... My eyes closed as I took the first sip, as if savoring such an excellent taste, but really my thought was, O Isis, I'm afraid... My stomach turned with nervousness, or was it for the fearsome death beginning in me?