"Ah~ so delicious~…" Aphrodite leaned back in her chair, licking a smudge of cream from her lips, a satisfied expression on her face. "This might be the tastiest cake I've ever had since descending to the lower world. Don't you think so, Astraea?"
"Mm, I agree." Astraea's movements were graceful as she dabbed her lips with a handkerchief.
"Glad you both enjoyed it." Charlie smiled faintly, clearing the dirty plates from the dining table.
After breakfast, he had served a Christmas edition cake he bought in the Planar World: Sword Art Online as dessert.
It was the first time Astraea and Aphrodite had tasted modern cake. Unsurprisingly, both immediately loved it.
It should be noted that Orario's civilization was equivalent to Earth's medieval era in Charlie's previous life. Thus, its cuisine was far behind the 21st century.
"Hey, Charlie! Give me Est, and I'll introduce you to Harmonia, how about that?"
Aphrodite hugged the petite Est from behind, captivated by the Holy Sword Spirit's cuteness.
As a Goddess of Beauty, her love transcended race and gender. In short, she embraced the principle of free love!
"Don't even think about it. I won't hand Est over to you, Aphrodite." Charlie replied firmly from the kitchen, without turning around.
"Stingy~ Hey, Est, come with me. If you're willing, I'll pamper you so much~" Aphrodite cooed, trying to entice Est.
"No way. I'm Onii-chan's sword. I won't leave him no matter what."
Still expressionless, Est slipped out of Aphrodite's embrace and hid behind Aishia, who was reading a book by the window.
"Oh my, it seems I'm disliked~"
Aphrodite pretended to sob, then plopped back onto the sofa across from Astraea.
"You're quite free, Aphrodite?" Astraea made small talk, her tone calm as usual.
"Well, my children are busy preparing for Harmonia's world tour." Aphrodite replied with a slight grumble. "The tour lasts about two months or so? It depends on the travel pace. Anyway! Before leaving Orario, I want to make the most of this time to make Charlie mine!"
She flipped her hair with a haughty expression, openly revealing her plan.
Most Familias in Orario were Dungeon-exploration types, though there were other types like business, industrial, medical, and even nation-based ones.
Clearly, Aphrodite Familia fell into the second category: entertainment. Aphrodite Familia consisted of many beautiful men and women whom Aphrodite had persuaded to join using her charm.
No, it wasn't just Aphrodite; Freya and Ishtar also used their innate charm as Goddesses of Beauty to recruit individuals who caught their eye into their Familias.
"Haaa…"
Charlie could only sigh at Aphrodite's stubbornness. Meanwhile, Freya had given up on him and shifted her focus to Bell, as in the original story. His relationship with Ishtar, however, was hostile due to conflicts in the Entertainment District.
In short, he had connections with all three Goddesses of Beauty, directly or indirectly.
(Thankfully, only Aphrodite actively comes to cause trouble, and I won't see her for two months. The only issue is Ishtar's revenge.) Charlie thought to himself.
Even so, he wasn't afraid of clashing with Ishtar Familia. He had the strength and confidence to face any challenge.
Finished washing the dishes, Charlie walked out, drying his hands. He glanced at Aishia.
"Aishia, watch the house. I'm going to buy flowers."
"Mm." Aishia looked up, nodding lightly in response.
"I want to come." Est said emotionlessly, tugging at the hem of Charlie's shirt.
Charlie crouched in front of Est, gently patting her head.
"Est, stay with Aishia to guard the house. I want some time alone."
"Okay." Est nodded obediently, not arguing.
"Then, I'm off. Goddess Astraea, Aphrodite."
Before leaving, Charlie didn't forget to bid farewell to the Goddess of Justice and the Goddess of Beauty.
"Be careful, Charlie." Astraea smiled softly, not questioning his purpose for buying flowers.
"Hey, hey, hey, I heard something incredible!" Aphrodite exclaimed in disbelief, jumping up from her seat. Her pride took a heavy blow. "You're buying flowers? Are you going on a date or something, Charlie? Who's the woman?! What kind of woman has filled your heart when even I couldn't?!"
Her anger was evident because Charlie was buying flowers for another woman, while all her attempts to seduce him had failed to shake his resolve.
"For my late wife."
"Eh? You're married?" Aphrodite couldn't help but ask again, thinking she'd misheard.
Her face showed pure shock. After all, Charlie still looked like a teenager, around 16–17 years old. While marrying at that age wasn't unusual given this world's relatively backward civilization, adventurers generally didn't marry young because their Dungeon work could lead to death at any moment.
"Yes." Charlie answered curtly. Ignoring Aphrodite's shock, he left promptly.
"Aaaaaa…!" Aphrodite clutched her head, sitting in a state of hysteria. "What a pity!"
"Is the news of Charlie being married that shocking to you?" Astraea asked, observing Aphrodite's exaggerated reaction.
"Of course!" Aphrodite exclaimed. "You know, Charlie is the most extraordinary man I've ever seen, even greater than Ottar from Freya Familia! I had planned to take his virginity! With that, I could brag in front of Freya and Ishtar. But… Haiz…"
She looked disappointed and regretful, letting out a resigned sigh.
"Aishia, is what Charlie said true?"
Turning to Aishia, Aphrodite asked, though she already knew the answer.
"Charlie didn't lie. You know that because he can't lie in front of gods." Aishia replied plainly, tilting her head in confusion at the obvious question. She unwittingly shattered Aphrodite's delusions.
"Tch. Fine, no use wallowing in regret." Aphrodite bit her fingernail. "Even if I can't take Charlie's virginity, as long as I win his heart, he'll be mine even after he dies and joins me in Heaven."
She began to chuckle, imagining the future she desired. Unfortunately, Aphrodite didn't know that Charlie was effectively immortal.
While not truly invincible against all forms of death, Charlie had a long lifespan and wouldn't die of old age.
In other words, Aphrodite's dream of meeting Charlie in Heaven after his death would take a long time—or might never happen.
"…"
Astraea's brow furrowed, displeased by Aphrodite's words. Then, she recalled her recent conversation with Demeter at the Divine Bathhouse. Instantly, a faint blush colored her cheeks.
Unfortunately, Aphrodite was too engrossed in her own world to notice the anomaly. Otherwise, as the Goddess of Beauty and Love, she would have surely sensed Astraea's current emotional turmoil.