That's why he knew exactly how hard she worked to become who she is. He was there when she secretly took a job at a casino to earn quick money; he was the one who picked her up by the ear with a scolding but helpless smile.
He never abandoned her. He simply chose a different way to protect her. He wanted Hera to understand how the world worked, to walk among ordinary people and see how they think, to experience the weight of power and privilege, to recognize the cracks in the system. Only by doing so could she learn how to fix it, how to lead, and how to protect others.
He allowed her to stumble so she could grow, to see the ugly side of the world so she would never be naive, and so that no one would ever be able to take advantage of her again.
