CHAPTER TWO.
living in the garden of evil

The desolate walls of the Roman palace appeared more inviting during the day than it did in the night.

And Octavia Amulius thanked the Gods that it did.

     At night, the palace was cold, haunting, as if the spirits of the dead would be found wandering the chambers, whispering curses through the cracks to plague the minds of those deemed unworthy of their safety and solitude. Like a slithering snake weaving its way into the shadows, the sinners moved in orderly fashion through the darkness, hoping to find some poor soul to feast on for the night. The palace had a nasty habit of birthing some atrocities in the night in the form of harmful men, and yearning women looking to sin with them. Octavia often heard them in the night, and it forced her to stay alert, despite having a guard posted outside her door all through the night. She just couldn't risk being another unfortunate soul devoured by the sinners.

     But, just like Eve, Octavia took a bite of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, and was now forced to live with the consequences.

When she agreed to become the Emperor's wife, that was her taking a bite of the fruit she was told to stay away from by her father, and the Garden of Eden, just so happened to the palace she now resided in.

At least the palace felt more warm and less hollow in the day. Octavia felt as if she could walk freely through the empty hallways without fear or uncertainty. She didn't have to worry about her husband to-be hovering over her, casting her down, like a shadow that threatened to swallow her very being and consume her whole. At least, that was how it felt to be in his presence. Octavia loved to watch as the rays of sunshine peaked through the cracks of her silk curtains in the morning, and she adored strolls with Augusta in the palace garden in the afternoon. She cherished the morning chirping of the birds, and the chatter of the Roman people outside the palace walls hoping to catch a glimpse of those who stood as the optimum of royalty.

The palace was more free in the day. It sometimes made Octavia Amulius forget she was a bird with a broken and frail wing, trapped inside the perfectly preserved gilded cage of the Emperor's making.

And the forgetting was all the woman seemed to yearn for these days — to forget the freedom she once had in the palm of her calloused hands.

It was why Octavia was able to force a pretty smile on her face, and this time, feel the joy that supposedly came with it. Her gaze hovered over the beautiful architecture and the stunning artwork, her eyes occasionally focusing on the prized possessions dotted all over the palace, ranging from expensive vases to priceless gold and ceramics accumulated over the course of several decades. These days, admiring the craftsmanship, and even the beauty of such relics, seemed to be the one and only pastime Octavia had in her life that she could actually enjoy. Because when she wasn't planning a wedding she wanted no part of, or being used for pleasure, she had the palace to walk around and admire when it shined in the glistening sun, because even after all this time, she had not grown tired of admiring the beauty of ancient history.

     However, she was quick to learn joy was only temporary, because the second her gaze found Emperor Geta and Emperor Caracalla, the two brothers conversing with each other with maniacal grin planted on their lips, the bubbly feeling Octavia felt in the pit of her stomach quickly subsided. It was soon replaced by an eery feeling of trepidation. She knew that whatever the twin Emperors were discussing, with those sickening smiles on their pale faces, it couldn't offer anything more than pain and suffering inflicted on the empire they were in charge of. And Octavia said the words in charge loosely, meaning neither of them, despite being named Rome's rulers, had any idea of what it took to lead an empire and its subjects. If they did, they wouldn't be sending their valuable resources to fight unnecessary wars, and instead they would prioritise the Roman people, like Octavia had previously asked her soon to-be husband.

     A mistake she was sure to never make a second time.

"The nerve to stand there and act as if their empire is not burning to the ground because of them," Octavia sighed when she heard her sworn guard, Caius, speak from behind her.

It wasn't like he was wrong either. Octavia knew she was not the only victim of the Emperors actions throughout the years. Like Octavia, who lost her mother because of the Emperors selfish greed, leaving the woman without the medicine she desperately needed in order to save her life, Caius had lost someone too as a result of their wrath. Before he became Octavia's personal guard, he was a former member of the Praetorian Guard. He would follow Geta and Caracalla's orders and police the city, and report back any suspicious activity. Caius had once lived in the Roman city with his wife and two infant boys until he joined the guard to provide for his family. One day, he was patrolling the streets near his home when he witnessed fellow guards drag families from their homes and hang them for their crimes — the crime being treason against the Emperors.

By the end of the brutal hangings of the Roman people, Caius soon discovered his wife and two boys were amongst the guilty, thus executed for their supposed crimes.

That was when he learned his wife had been meeting late at night with a group of vagrants, hoping to rebel and overthrow the Empire.

His sons. . . They were just collateral damage in the ongoing slaughter against Rome.

When Caius had willingly open up to Octavia about what his fellow soldiers had done to his family at the orders of the twin Emperors, she did not judge, and she did not dismiss him like any other wealthy lady of the Empire. Instead she embraced her guard and expressed her dearest sympathies for what he had lost, and even commended the man for being so strong, so strong that he remained a loyal soldier to this very day. Caius had responded, stating that he wanted to give up and join his family in the next life. Why did he stay? He was assigned to be Octavia's guard, and he could tell, just from one single interaction with her when they first met a little over a year ago now, that she was worth sticking around for, and given her reasons for sacrificing her freedom, and her miserable existence stuck in the palace with a man who did more harm to her than good, Caius felt a moral duty to stay and protect her.

To lay down his life for her own was a noble act, and one Octavia would never ask Caius to do for her, and yet, he would do it anyway because at least his death would one day mean something.

     "I did try and talk Geta out of another siege. However, my opinion means nothing to him," Octavia spoke up quietly, wanting to keep her's and Caius' discussion quiet. If the Emperors were to hear of their disapproval and hatred for their future plans, Octavia would be spared, but Caius would not be so lucky.

     Caius soon stepped beside Octavia, causing for the woman to glance at the taller, older man with a gaze filled with defeat. Caius was bald headed with strong features detailed in his light skin, his electric green eyes staring down at her with a softness in his gaze that she always admired about the older man. On the outside, Caius appeared to be this vigorous and stern man, and given what had happened to his family, no one could blame him for being cold and empty on the inside as shown on the outside. Octavia, however, knew deep down, he was just a regular and loyal man who missed his family, and yearned to be with them again. Perhaps he perceived Octavia as someone who he could protect to make up for his failure to save his own flesh and blood, and maybe that was why he was kind to her and detached from everyone and everything else.

Either way, Octavia appreciated having someone like him she could truly trust in a place filled with the untrustworthy.

Octavia then let out another hopeless sigh, shaking her head. "I wish I could convince them to change their minds about perusing their war, but, they would rather let to a monkey than a woman dictate what they should and shouldn't do. That is why Geta and I disagree on most things," She replied.

"Is that what Augusta and I interrupted this morning?" Caius questioned in a rhetorical manner, like he already knew the answer. Octavia turned to him again, watching as he stared down at her with concern. "One of your many disagreements?" He whispered, raising a brow in the process.

Swallowing thickly, Octavia tried to shift her discomfort over the delicate subject of her argument with the Emperor. Her relationship with Geta was a topic on everyone's lips. They were to marry in just a few weeks, and Geta had already been filling her womb with his seed in hopes of producing an heir before the winter struck them. On the outside, to be Roman people, Octavia and Geta appeared to them as a match crafted by the Gods above. But those residing in the palace with the couple knew the truth of their legally binding agreement, and what Octavia had sacrificed in order to save her father's life, selling her very being, and now, she was Emperor Geta's personal property. She was his, but he was not her's.

     And the fights that bellowed through the palace walls were enough to keep the guards, and the maids up all night. And they had to bite down and neglect them when they heard the continuous back and forth turn physical.

     Caius would find himself standing outside Octavia's chambers, listening closely, his grip tightened around the hilt of his sword. He would listen as Geta berated her, and when he heard Octavia wince in pain, he would force himself to fight the urge to push open the doors and cut the Emperor's head off himself.

     That was the worst part about being powerless, even with a weapon in hand; he couldn't protect Octavia even if he wanted to, because he would surly lose his life if he tried, and Octavia didn't want to see that happen. Especially to a good man like Caius.

     "It is nothing, Caius. Do not fret," Octavia reassured him, now looking down at her fumbling hands. Caius was not a blind man. He could see she was lying through her teeth, and he wondered what would've happened in her room this morning if Augusta and himself did not interrupt them.

Caius wanted to respond, but Octavia did not give him the chance before she rolled back her shoulders and approached the twin Emperor's, forcing a pretty smile across her smooth lips. Octavia was quick to join Geta at his side, causing for the orange haired man to grin from ear to ear, slowly snaking his arm around the woman's back. Octavia shivered at the feeling, but she had become a master at hiding her true feelings from the Emperor. Geta then looked her up and down, admiring every detail, from her dark locks styled to his liking to the gold and white dress Augusta had picked out for her to wear for today of all days. It was her most elegant dress for a tremendous occasion, and it was clear the woman had done well in her choice, because it seemed to catch the interest of Geta and his twin brother.

     "Your wife to-be looks radiant, brother," Caracalla was the first to compliment Octavia, his wide smirk adorned his pale features as his eyes scanned the woman up and down, a look full of lust burning in his yearning gaze. "Very desirable, indeed."

     Now if any other man were to glance at Octavia Amulius in such a manner, Geta would have their head, but his brother always seemed to get a free pass.

     However, he still made his impressionable younger brother aware who she belonged to by pulling Octavia closer to him, his grip around her waist beginning to tighten. He made sure it was known she was to be his wife, and only his. "Isn't she?" Geta gloats, planting a messy kiss to her cheek, and Octavia let out a chuckle in response to make it seem as if she was flustered by the shower of compliments to hide how insecure she felt in the midst of their presence deep down. "That maid of yours outdid herself this time, My Love," He added, his eyes fixated on Octavia.

"Her name is Augusta, My Lord," She corrected. She practically shuddered when she heard Augusta be referred as nothing more than a maid. She couldn't bite down on her tongue and refrain herself from speaking out in terms of the total lack of respect for another human being residing in the palace.

Geta and Caracalla laughed off her comment in response. "Nonetheless, she did an incredible job. But...let's hope your radiant glow is due to something more exciting...a child perhaps?" Geta changed the subject, his second hand finding its way to her stomach, his thumb rubbing gently underneath her tummy where her womb sits. He sounded hopeful.

Caracalla smiled at the couple, clapping his hands together excitedly. He always appeared so childlike to Octavia's eyes. His recent illness that spread from his groins to his brain rendered the youngest of the Emperors, well, incapacitated most of the times. He could not make any decisions without Geta because the disease that plagued his brain left him short tempered, and even a little manic. Caracalla often sought comfort these days from his pet monkey, who he played with more than being a ruler to the great City of Rome. That duty fell into his brother's hands instead. But like Geta, Octavia had a soft spot for the youngest twin brother, and cared for him as requested by her husband to-be in hopes of making him more comfortable due to his disease, despite how uncomfortable it made her feel at times.

"Does that mean I will be graced with a nephew soon?" Caracalla inquired, sounding just as hopeful as his brother, his excited eyes drifting from Geta's eyes to where his hand was on Octavia's stomach.

Geta nodded his head, "With any luck, the Gods will bless us with a son," Geta replied and turned to Octavia with a gentle smile, something she did not see very often. "Isn't that right, My Dear?" He questioned. Octavia could only nod her head in agreement in response to the Emperor's uncomfortable topic of discussion.

In the months following Octavia's and Geta's agreement to wed, Geta's desire to produce an heir was at an all time high. Almost every night he would disappear from his quarters and wander into Octavia's chambers, and every time they became entangled in the throws of self-pleasures, it was all for one thing, so Geta could plant his seed in her and pray to the Gods above that they would be graced with a son in no time. An heir to the throne once Geta's and Caracalla's time passed. He would whisper sweet nothings to her stomach at night and pray that each time was enough to give them a child. It was all Emperor Geta wanted, a son to pass his kingdom to after he died, but they had not been lucky enough just yet.

     And Octavia was thankful that this was the case. The woman knew what she had signed up for when she agreed to become Geta's wife, and bear his children, but it was an act she was not ready for just yet. She wanted to be a mother more than anything else, but she didn't know if she could love the child of a mad man. She wasn't sure if it was in her bones. However, a year has passed and there has been zero signs of pregnancy. Octavia was starting to think she was barren, and her body was not built to bring children into the world. Truth is, she didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing, but if it prevented her from carrying Geta's children, then she remained thankful nonetheless.

Octavia was even more thankful when she begun to hear the roaring cheers coming from the Roman people outside the palace, saving her from the uncomfortable topic of conversation. This caused for Octavia to let out a gentle sigh of relief before she forced another smile, nodding her head politely towards the entrance into the palace. "It sounds like the General has arrived. Shall we?" She suggests.

The twin Emperors said nothing in return. Instead Geta hooked his arm around Octavia's as they began to walk beside one another, followed by Caracalla who walked closely behind them as they neared the entrance. As they stepped outside into the public eye, the common people who spotted them lit up the moment they caught a glimpse of Octavia standing by the Emperor's side. Octavia waved back at a few individuals who were calling out her name, this time, a genuine smile forming across her lips when she saw the joy pool into their excited eyes when she noticed their very presence. It made Octavia feel strange. She never quite understood why something as little as herself could strike such positivity into the Roman people. It felt almost foreign to her. She doesn't think she'll ever grow used to the attention any time soon.

     Octavia Amulius slowly turned her attention to what was ahead of her. She watched as General Acacius was whisked up the path towards them in a beautifully crafted chariot, the praetorian guard blocking off the townsfolk so he could reach the steps of the palace without too much fuss. She listened as they chanted his name, and clapped their hands together, just as joyful with the safe return of The General. Octavia smiled when she saw the familiar man approaching, dressed in gold and white attire, waving to the crowd that surrounded them. It was a relief to see him looking well, and alive, especially after the long and cold months of war he had forged on behalf of the Emperors. It was a joy to see another familiar face after so many months spent wondering if he would return at all.

Once the chariot had come to a stop, Acacius stepped down and began to walk up the steps to Octavia and the Emperors, blood red rose petals dropping from above on the white stone as he continued to approach them. After Acacius reached the top step, he stood before the three of them and raises his fist to his chest as a sign of respect. "Emperor Geta..." He greeted the eldest of the two before turning to the other. "Emperor Caracalla," the youngest of the twin brothers remains emotionless, as someone in his condition often did. Lastly, Acacius turns to Octavia, a ghost of a smile forming across his lips. "Lady Octavia," He greeted the woman, a kind look swimming in his dark eyes.

Octavia stepped away from Geta and then stepped closer to Acacius, taking his hand into her own, before she placed her other hand gently on top of his. "We are delighted by your safe return home, Acacius," She informed, an endearing little grin etched at the corners of her lips, a look full of kindness and sincerity burning in her gaze.

"As am I, My Lady," Acacius replied. He then held onto Octavia's hand and placed an affectionate and respectful kiss to the jewel of her ring — the same ring gifted to her by her father. It was the only piece of jewellery she would wear on her fingers nowadays.

     It quickly became apparent that Geta did not favour The General's affection towards his betrothed because he quickly reached out and gently pulled Octavia back to his side. "General Acacius..." He trailed off, trying to keep the attention away from his sudden and unexpected action towards his bride to-be.

     Acacius lowered his gaze for a moment, peering down at where Emperor Geta's hand was wrapped loosely around Octavia's wrist. He watched as she slowly wriggled her hand out of his grip, and he had to fight back the urge to react to the unnecessary action taken against the woman, biting down on the inside of his cheek, trying to cloud the judgement he felt deep within his bones. Acacius had grown quite overprotective of Octavia in the past year. Her father served loyalty alongside him in the Roman army for many years, and while Florian Amulius could no longer protect his daughter, Acacius had promised, because of his close connections and the trust he had with the Emperors, he could look out for Octavia in the midst of all the faltering chaos within the four walls of the Roman Palace.

In more way than one, Octavia Amulius had become the daughter General Acacius never had — the child he always wanted after he met his wife.

Nonetheless, Acacius held back his true feelings towards the mad Emperor, who had his metaphorical and physical clutches on the woman from the very moment she agreed to be his bride, before he parted his lips to speak once again. "I have taken Numidia in your names...that your dominion may eclipse that of every Emperor that came before you," Acacius declared. Octavia could see in the man's eyes, he was hoping this would be the end of the Emperors using him to lead their never-ending crusade. Octavia wished she could warn the man that this was not the end, but now was not the time to flaunt her unflattering opinions.

Caracalla then turns to Geta, nodding his head. "Crown him with laurels, brother," He requested politely.

Geta left Octavia's side and turned to one of his and his brother's many disciples, picking up a glistening golden laurel crown, the metal crafted to resemble one of flowers and leaves. Geta approached Acacius, and Octavia watched as the Emperor hesitated before he slowly lowered the golden crown on Acacius' head, causing for the large crowd surrounding the castle to erupt into cheers and applause. Octavia smiled once again before she clapped her hands together, sharing in the Roman people's excitement for The General to finally be recognised for all his hard work for the Emperors. It had been a long time coming, and Octavia was proud to see the man graced with the acknowledgment he always deserved.

     Shortly after, Geta declared they should continue the celebration inside without the prying eyes of the public. Octavia obliged and followed her husband to-be, her arm linked onto his own until they were back inside. That was when Geta broke away from her to fetch some spiced wine (his favourite). Octavia stood with Acacius and Caracalla in the meantime, smiling and thanking the maid who had just delivered a cup of wine for herself. The woman then lifted the rim of the cup to her lips and took a sip of the viscous red liquid, the taste burning the tastebuds on the tip of her tongue for a moment before it dissolved like warm honey down her throat. Although it was Geta's favourite, it sure wasn't her particular taste.

     "In honour of your conquest..." Geta began to speak, marching back over to the rest of them with a cup for himself and another for Acacius, handing the beverage over to The General. "We will throw a ball tonight, followed by games in the colosseum," He announces proudly.

     However, for Octavia, the mere thought of having to witness violent games in the Roman colosseum left a bitter taste in her mouth, and it wasn't because of the wine she had been occasionally sipping on. Octavia always disapproved of violence, especially when it was used as a public spectacle to entertain others, and when she said others, she meant it only entertained the Emperors, their madness finding pleasure in the death and the bloodshed that stained the colosseum floors. Her distaste in the spectacle was no stranger to Geta either, who gave the woman a unsatisfied stare when he saw the pure disgust washing across her dark features.

     She wasn't the only one either. Although he was better at hiding his discomfort than she was, Acacius was not too fond of the games either. "I require no parties or games in my honour. Serving the senate and the people of Rome is honour enough for me," He replied before he made an attempt to clink his glass with Geta's, but the Emperor hesitated to commend such a gesture.

     "You are too modest, Acacius," Geta laughed, clearly amused by the man's refusal of games being held in his honour. "Does not suit a General as accomplished as yourself," He states, clinking his cup with Acacius' shortly after he had spoken. 

     "The glory is yours, not mine," Acacius nodded his head, forcing another smile as his eyes darted between the twin Emperors. "I only ask for some rest-bite from war, to spend time with my wife," He then requested, hoping the Emperors would grant him the rest he wanted. Octavia knew she would in a heartbeat, but it was not her decision to make.

Geta did not say anything in response. He simple put down his cup and turned around. In the meantime, Caracalla decided to make his voice heard. "Your wife, yes. Remember the privileges we have granted her?" Caracalla asked, rushing his words like a scared and disheveled child. "Where is she now to ignore such an occasion?" He continued to question, his shaky voice almost demanding an answer to a question that sounded so rhetorical.

     "There are victories yet still to come," Geta interjected, walking back to his previous spot beside his brother with a sword held in his hand. "Persia...India..." He listed as he tapped Acacius on both sides of his shoulders before he forced the serrated edge of the blade into the man's neck, a maniacal grin ghosting across his lips, a taunting look glistening in his eyes. "Both must be conquered," He instructed calmly, but they all knew it translated to a firm order otherwise they would have Acacius' head and replace him with a new Roman General.

     Octavia shuffled uncomfortably from where she was standing, wincing at the sight of the blade in Acacius' neck, watching as the edge of the sword nicked his skin and caused for him to bleed. She wanted to protest and push the sharp blade away from the man's neck, but to act out in such an unflattering manner, well, let's just say it would've earned her a fair enough punishment in the eyes of the mad Emperors. And, so, Octavia stood in silence, swallowing the thick and agonising lump that had previously formed in the back of her throat, her grip around her wine glass beginning to tighten as the blade continued to slice into Acacius' bare flesh.

     And yet, the man remained unfazed by the sword digging into his neck. Acacius didn't even flinch, or show any signs of pain. Instead, all he did was speak. "Rome has so many subjects. She must feed them," Acacius told them, shoving the blade away to reveal the fresh wound imbedded in his flesh.

     Geta scoffed in response to Acacius' previous statement, nodding his head as he parted his lips to speak. "I see you share the same beliefs as my betrothed..." He replied, amusement lingering in his words as they trickled off his tongue. Geta then laughed, sparing Octavia a humoured glance. "Maybe we should remind you of where you stand in the empire, General," He added, but his words came out as more of a threat than a statement.

     "Acacius just wants what's best for the Roman people," Octavia interjected, trying to sound reassuring and almost uplifting, hoping to ease the tension rising between the Emperors and The General.

     "They can eat war!" Caracalla declared proudly, raising his voice in the process as it bellowed through the room and bounced off the palace walls. His proud declaration was soon followed by Geta throwing the sword from his hand and into the pond across the room, a loud splash echoing throughout the room.

     Once again, Octavia Amulius had gone ignored by the Emperors. But that was nothing new for a woman like her — ignored and neglected, even if her opinion provided some sense.

     "Your triumphs will be celebrated as a tribute to the Roman people," Geta informed, lifting his hand in front of Acacius, his lingering stare being enough to strike fear into anybody. This caused for Acacius to remain silent before he pressed a respectful kiss to the large ring on Geta's finger, forcing another smile soon afterwards.

Geta wanted to make it clear where The General stood, and that he had no power over the Emperors, and making sure Acacius showed his respect to those who did not deserve it was the biggest humiliation of all.

Releasing a sigh past her lips, Octavia clapped her hands together and allowed a small and reassuring smile to form across her lips. "Now, if we are past the formalities, I would be honoured to show The General around the palace. You have not seen it in a while, and we have acquired some exquisite artwork and relics you may like," She suggested, turning to Acacius with a hopeful glint shimmering in her copper eyes.

Octavia and The General exchanged a series of lingering glances for a moment before Acacius nodded his head, smiling back at the woman. "I would be honoured, My Lady," He replied earnestly, putting down his glass of wine along with Octavia.

Truth is, a turn around the palace was code for a well needed talk and further catch up.

Neither Geta or Caracalla protested against Octavia's suggestions and allowed her and Acacius to venture off on their own, all while they continued to celebrate the victory of their newly acquired land. It gave Octavia a surge of relief when she found herself far away from them both, but most importantly, far away from Geta and his endless string of taunts, and talks of a future heir. There came times in her life where it all just became too much for her to handle at once, and soon enough, she needed to vacate his very presence. If it was on her own, or if she was granted with the company of an individual she found herself to be much more comfortable with, Octavia did not mind. As long as she was no longer being suffocated by Geta's very existence as he towered over her smaller frame, then she would be at peace.

And The General was the gentle company she needed more than ever.

"I have to thank you for steering me away from them," The familiar sound of Acacius' voice snapped Octavia out of her thoughts. This caused for the woman to glance back at the man as they walked down a long and empty hallway. It was so desolate, you probably wouldn't be able to even hear a whisper. That's what made the palace so peaceful at times. "I am at my end with those two," He sighed, a sense of sadness befalling onto him.

     Octavia continued to stare at the man, a sympathetic look washing over her face. She could see the sadness, the pain, the exhaustion, all evident in his lost gaze. "I cannot imagine the toll this conquest has taken on you. Going away for months at the time, being away from your loved ones. I cannot even imagine how much death you have been forced to witness, Acacius," She replied in a melancholic manner, offering her empathy.

"The sight of mothers, daughters, wives, all mourning the men we had to kill to give those two the victory they're hunger for, it was unfathomable," Acacius admitted, a hint of despair displaying itself in his shaky voice. It was strange to see a man often fuelled with strength, become so beaten down by the war curated by the Emperors. It had finally taken its toll on The General.

Octavia stopped in her tracks in the middle of the vacant hallway, reaching out and stopping The General along with her. She then removed her hand and allowed her eyes to soften. "I am truly sorry. I wish there was something we could do to stop them. Caracalla, his infliction prevents him from making any clear decision on his own. But Geta, his hunger for power can never be satisfied. I have tried talking him out of this crusade, but I am slowly learning my opinion is not favoured by him," She explained, looking down at the ground when she thought back to her conversation with her husband to-be earlier the same day.

The woman practically winced at the memory of Geta's anger, his frantic shouting, and the sound of the glass shattering when he threw it across the room.

She was just grateful Acacius had not picked up on her sudden shift in demeanour.

"As admirable as your sacrifice was, My Lady, I truly wish you had not made it," Acacius confessed, speaking freely with her. Acacius could always say what he wanted in her presence without fear or judgement from the other. Her father was his second is command, and he had watched the woman grow up since she was a little girl picking at daisies outside her family home. It pained The General to see where that little girl had now ended up.

Octavia gently smiled, well, it was more like a half smile as she reached out and held onto Acacius' hands. "You know if I hadn't, my father would be dead," She retorted kindly before she let go of the man's hands and they returned to walking down the hallway, taking a left turn into a room filled with beautiful artwork. However, the thought of her father still remained in Octavia's mind, forcing her to speak again. "How is my father?" She asked, her voice quiet.

This was why they had to speak alone without the lingering presence of others. No one could know that Acacius was still speaking to a traitor of the Emperors and their empire. Whenever The General returned to Ostia on the outskirts of the Roman city, he would take a detour to where Octavia's father now resided, and both men would fall into deep discussions on behalf of Octavia, who desired to know how her father was as she cannot see him anymore. But to be caught fraternising with a betrayer like Florian Amulius would cost Acacius his head. It was a risk, and one The General was never frightened of taking.

"He is...well," Acacius informed, and Octavia felt the weight lift from her shoulders when she heard what she needed to hear. "When we last talked, he was hoping we could find a way to free you from this torment. He misses you dearly, Octavia."

Octavia hummed and nodded her head. "As do I. But I will not have you or my father risk your lives to rescue me. I am not a damsel in distress, General. I made my choice and I must reconcile with it, one way or another," She protested, trying her best to force another smile to hide the sadness she felt deep down. That sadness hasn't left her since the day she made her deal with Emperor Geta.

     Octavia Amulius didn't know if it ever would.

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authors note.
Ahhhh I'm so sorry for the very late update. Christmas and New Year's kinda took over my life but I hope you guys had fun over the holidays and Happy New Year from me!!! And what better way to celebrate the new year with a new chapter???
BUT I'm having so much fun with this book at the moment and fleshing Octavia's character and her relationships with the characters out more. And there will be a ball in the next chapter (which will be very fun hopefully) and we will see her relationship with my girl Lucilla, which is a core relationship in this story and more on that will be revealed as this story continues. AND Octavia and Lucius are meeting soon I swear (chapter four) I just want to establish major relationships and foreshadow some big subplots 🤭

Until then I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and I'll be updating again very soon!!!