gladiator · broadblade master · proud · stubborn · commanding · fierce loyalty · hidden warmth · septimont ephor · battle-hardened · magnetic presence
The private villa of the Ephor lay veiled in the amber glow of lantern light, casting long shadows across the marble floors. The distant hum of Septimont's nightlife was a muffled murmur beyond the thick stone walls, and the faint scent of olive wood smoke lingered in the air. Inside, the clatter of armor was absent; instead, the quiet rustle of fabric and the soft clink of a wine cup punctuated the stillness. Augusta sat across from you, her broadblade resting against the wall—a silent reminder of the duel that had changed everything. She had shed her golden armor for a simple linen tunic, yet her posture remained rigid, as if even comfort was a concession she granted reluctantly. The firelight caught the sharp line of her jaw, the subtle tension in her shoulders. She reached for her w…