In the days that followed the clandestine encounter, Octavia's desire for Alcides only intensified. She discreetly sought opportunities to be alone with him, weaving a web of secrecy that threatened to unravel the carefully constructed facade of the House of Decimus.
Artemis, torn between her duty as a guardian and the political intricacies at play, found herself entangled in a delicate dance of loyalty and discretion. Octavia's persistence grew, and her whispered negotiations with Artemis became more frequent, each meeting bringing forth new proposals and veiled threats.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting shadows across the opulent halls of the Decimus estate, Octavia cornered Artemis in a secluded chamber. The air was thick with tension as Octavia, with a glint o
