Flavia Gemina discovers that her father Marcus has decided she should be betrothed. With that in mind, he requests that Flavia start acting more like a lady, and to stop running around with Jonathon, her Jewish friend, Lupus, Jonathan’s mute sidekick, and Nubia, her former slave. She suspects her father’s new strictness is a direct result of his interest in a new woman, Cartilia. She decides to investigate Caritilia to find out if Cartilia is trustworthy. Meanwhile, everyone gets very excited when some wild animals escape from a ship in the harbour. While they are watching a Saturnalia ritual, Nubia, because of old advice from her father, calms a lion about to pounce on a young boy. The incident prompts Flavia to have a dream where she is told to mimic Hercules in accomplishing twelve tasks which when accomplished will give her the evidence she needs against Cartilia. During the investigation, the quartet confuses Cartilia with her younger sister Diana. Some of Diana’s behaviour confuses them until they discover she’s desperately in love with Aristo, Flavio’s tutor. In following the twelve tasks, the only evidence they uncover is Cartilia’s divorce from her ex-husband. Cartilia had told Marcus her husband was dead. This causes a rift between the two, much to Flavia’s delight. However, Marcus’ grief over the misunderstanding causes Flavia to rethink her strategy. A fever rapidly spreads through the city, striking her father, herself, Jonathon and Lupus. Everyone survives including Flavia, thanks to Cartilia’s vigilance in staying by her bedside. Flavia’s attitude to Cartilia completely does an about face. Tragically, Cartilia’s household is hit by the fever, killing both Cartilia’s father and Cartilia. Both Marcus and Flavia are heart broken. But because of Cartilia’s influence and independence, Marcus realizes Flavia needs her freedom and releases her from confinement.