Angelica nodded, still blushing at the thought of being near Sharky.
"And what is the main reason, Father?" she asked softly.
Zeus leaned back on his throne, fingers resting against the armrest. "Good. Then listen carefully."
Athena straightened at once. Angelica swallowed, her heart still fluttering from her confession.
Zeus rose and began pacing slowly across the vast silver hall, lightning murmuring faintly around him.
"When you accompany him," Zeus said, "you will first speak casually. In the middle of conversation, sigh, naturally, and mention that a god of Olympus, Phobos, has recently died."
"Do not speak of it openly. Let it sound incidental."
Athena nodded, already understanding the intent.
"Then, you will say that although Phobos died, no one truly mourns him. He lost his right to Olympus the day he allied himself with Skarn, a traitor to all realms."
Angelica looked away slightly. Phobos had been cruel to many goddesses; sympathy for him was rare.
