Even for Alaric, who had grown accustomed to seeing countless beauties of all races, personalities, and charms across multiple worlds, Pandora was an unparalleled vision.
She lacked the lofty and natural air of the gods, yet possessed a mortal beauty, one so dazzling it could rival the allure of divinity itself.
Even Artemis, whose charm was considered unmatched among the gods, now seemed no more than her equal when placed beside Pandora.
Such almost inhuman beauty was proof that Pandora was the gods' perfect creation.
Alaric, being a man of firm will, quickly pulled himself out of the pull of her allure.
But when he glanced at Epimetheus again, he was startled to find the Titan's gaze completely fixed on Pandora, eyes wide and unblinking, as if he wished to devour her whole.
At this, Alaric couldn't help but cover his face.
As expected, everyone has a weakness.
Originally, upon seeing Epimetheus earnestly instructing Prometheus's beloved humans, and speaking to Zeus with no flattery, sometimes even openly cursing him, Alaric had wondered how such a seemingly decent Titan could have committed such a blunder in myth.
Now it was clear: Zeus had played the better game.
The old schemer had seen straight through Epimetheus's fatal flaw, his untouched innocence, and used the lure of a woman to strike right at it. Unsurprisingly, it worked like a charm.
With great effort, Epimetheus finally tore his gaze away from Pandora and said to Zeus, feigning reluctance.
"I thank Your Majesty, King of the Gods, for this gift you have so graciously brought me, but I must decline your kindness."
"King of the Gods, huh? Whose side are you on? You think just saying no will fool anyone?
That look on your face practically screams, 'Please persuade me, please persuade me, please persuade me.' Honestly, what a useless teammate!"
Alaric raged inwardly, feeling sorry for Prometheus to have such a brother.
Sure enough, after repeated persuasion from Zeus, Epimetheus finally (reluctantly) agreed.
At least he retained a shred of caution, for before agreeing he told Zeus, "If you swear that you have not sent Pandora to bring ruin to me or to humanity, I will accept this gift and take her as my wife."
But this tiny sliver of vigilance had long since been anticipated by Zeus.
Putting on a wounded expression at such mistrust, Zeus said with righteous indignation.
"I did not expect that, as descendants of the same forebear, you could misunderstand me so deeply.
As King of Olympus, I should not casually make oaths. But if swearing will put your heart at ease and mend the rift between us, then I am willing."
And so, he loudly swore an oath, finally setting Epimetheus's mind at rest.
Inwardly, however, Zeus mocked the late-bloomer. Pandora herself carried no deliberate malice from the gods, in fact, to avoid suspicion, she was left pure and unsullied, blessed only with the gifts of the gods.
Other than basic common sense, they had taught her nothing, keeping her mind simple.
Epimetheus could never imagine that their true weapon was not malice, but Pandora's seemingly harmless, indeed, potentially beneficial, "curiosity."
Once Epimetheus agreed, Zeus was overjoyed. "Then today shall be the joyous day Epimetheus gains his bride.
Let us strike while the iron is hot, this very day we shall hold a wedding under the witness of the gods."
Epimetheus, apparently eager to claim Pandora, agreed at once.
Truly, the barbaric gods of ancient Greece treated marriage with astounding casualness.
As Alaric silently grumbled, Epimetheus was whisked away by Hephaestus and a few other gods to be dressed and adorned.
Naturally, Zeus and the rest did not linger; they returned to Olympus, to descend only when the ceremony began.
Pandora, however, was left behind with several divine attendants. Before leaving, Zeus spoke to her with pointed meaning.
"Remember what I told you before: although that box is a gift to you, you must never open it."
Pandora agreed respectfully, yet inwardly her curiosity about its contents only deepened.
Because of Epimetheus's care for and reputation among humans, though all were captivated by Pandora's beauty, they still respected their teacher and felt genuine joy for his marriage.
They began helping prepare the wedding festivities of their own accord.
Of course, these men, who had never before laid eyes on a woman, naturally stole glances at Pandora each time they passed her, their eyes filled with longing.
Fortunately, Epimetheus's standing in their hearts was too great, and with the gods' imposing presence as matchmakers, none dared act rashly.
As for Pandora, she felt both fear and delight under their gazes, delight that her womanly charm was affirmed.
Among the blessings bestowed by the gods, besides beauty and allure, she had also been given the uniquely feminine traits of vanity, jealousy, and the love of beauty itself.
Yet soon she noticed something strange: there was only one man among the humans who did not sneak glances at her.
He looked at her openly, and his gaze held no desire or longing, but rather a clear sense of pity.
'Am I not attractive to him at all?' Pandora thought with growing dissatisfaction. 'Even the King of the Gods looked at me like he was about to drool, what's with this man?'
Her vanity stung, Pandora began to feel not only displeasure toward this peculiar man, but also deep curiosity.
So she approached him and asked, "Tell me, do you think I am beautiful?"
This man who had been openly observing her was none other than Alaric.
Though he had seen the divine creation up close and sensed from afar her strange nature as such, Alaric had no intention of studying her closely at this moment.
Until the box was opened and disaster struck, Pandora would certainly remain under the gods' watch.
The surveillance might not be airtight, and Alaric could exchange a few words with her, but stealing her away was utterly impossible.
Once the box was opened and calamity followed… well, tools that have served their purpose are rarely guarded so closely.
Still, he had no wish to involve himself with Pandora now, so her approaching him of her own accord left him momentarily stunned.
Especially when she asked that question.
"Do you think I'm beautiful?"
To ask that so bluntly to a stranger, was she not embarrassed?
Of course, Pandora was a direct creation of the gods.
Though she looked like a young maiden, she had lived only a few days and had been given nothing but common sense.
It was understandable that she could ask such a question with such guileless boldness.
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