This gives me so much Lost Army's vibes (totally recommended book btw) but instead of the ...

It gives so much 'virginal flower paired with the hypersexual hooligan' this looks like written in the 60s lmao I rather prefer watch Grease if I felt for sth like that at least it has campy songs lol

I feel u so hard. I don’t really like Leonides much. I see where he’s coming from and am sympathetic to his upbringing and situation, but he’s just too much of a coward for me to root for him. Aquilas is the much better option honestly, but I’m also mindful of his idolisation of Vivia. It’s never a good thing to be deified, especially by someone who is attracted to you and seeks to become your family.

Totally. I do sympathize with Leonides context, could never understand such harsh reality though, it is beyond my imagination not being a free person for great part of your life. I do try to get an idea of where he is coming from and why he'sacting like he does. As a character, he has good potential for complexity. If anything he could be a great friend or ally to Vivia but never ever a romantic partner. As for Aquila, agreed 100%, putting someone on a pedestal would never work for a genuine relationship. He needs to come down to Earth. I do still prefer him and I see him working around his own beliefs to battle this issue. And as for Vivia, man she should take a bit more on her sister's. She has the privilege of coming from a household that does support females being lectured and finding a profession even if it's under the pater potestas care. I hope she gets a grip on herself and starts realizing that even as a vestal, she only has herself to make it thru that harsh world (specially for women), even with some inherited privileges, she must learn to use them to her advantage. Gurl learn herbal medicine pls, make yourself a name as a medical or nurse within the priestesses so you don't need a man to fend for yourself I beg you, and start reading people's intentions with a bit more distrust and wit.