Livia was a cruel woman. She couldn't deny it and likely could never have fought against it. She had Xena's rage and Callisto's insanity flowing through her, though she didn't know the depth of all of that yet. She was a contradiction in so many ways and she had given herself body and soul to Ares. And the God of War had shaped her into his Champion, though some would call her his toy. He had made her exactly how he wanted her. A strong warrior woman of Rome would would do his bidding always. And yes, Ares had used what was already there and made her cruel. And made her love the power that came with who she was.
"You enjoyed it then, the lies, the trickery. Because it got you what you wanted ultimately and less because of what you did. And you wanted her to die because she had your face and she was wearing it with more dignity. Did you enjoy being her?"
The woman's hands found her back not long after she stepped into the baths. Good girl. Oh she'd have noticed the vial, and Livia's cruelty was having her hands so close to the object of her true desire. Working at the tension in the other Roman's shoulders, brushing against the chain holding the vial, time and time again until Livia said otherwise. And Gaia should know better than to cross her. Better than to try and assume the vial would be handed over so easily.
Besides which, this was nice. This was relaxing. Gaia was good at this and it had been a long time since Livia had let anyone this close. Oh she still had the power, but nonetheless.