The night at the Hestia mansion was especially lively. The banquet proceeded seemingly peacefully, with all the girls laughing loudly as they chatted.
Hestia, wearing a broad smile, watched the scene from a distance, seated beside Yuri, who looked very relaxed. His eyes sparkled whenever the girls burst into laughter, and the goddess couldn't contain the warmth spreading through her chest at seeing him so integrated into that world which, for so long, had been hers alone.
But, like all good moments, this one also had to come to an end.
As the night wore on and the moon took over the sky, Ryuu, Syr, and the catgirls from the Hostess of Fertility stood up reluctantly, knowing they had to return to the tavern before it got too late. Warm farewells were exchanged amid laughter and tight hugs.
"You should stay a little longer…" Yuri said, half-joking, half-serious, as Ryuu gave him a knowing look and Syr smiled sweetly.
Tione, however, was especially reluctant, resisting her younger sister's playful tugs.
"Come on, Tione, don't be such a pain…" Tiona insisted, practically dragging her sister away.
Ais and Lefiya also said their goodbyes.
In the midst of all those farewells, no one seemed to notice when a certain green-haired elf silently approached Yuri. She leaned in beside him, whispered a few words, and then walked away just as gracefully as she had arrived.
Yuri stood still for a few seconds, staring at the empty space where she had been, before smirking slightly, as if keeping to himself a secret he shouldn't — or didn't want to — share.
The night then continued, now much calmer.
After everyone had left, family life at the Hestia mansion returned to its usual pace. They cleaned up the mess left by the banquet together, shared a final cup of tea, and talked about trivial things, until the night grew increasingly dense, silent, and comfortable.
The lights of the mansion dimmed one by one, plunging the rooms into a cozy semi-darkness.
Hestia, letting out a long yawn and with half-closed eyes, returned to her room, believing that Yuri would soon follow for a well-deserved night of rest.
But as soon as he entered the room and closed the door behind him, she suddenly turned around, her eyes shining in the dim light, and immediately bared her small, adorable fangs, biting her lower lip in an expression somewhere between jealousy and teasing.
"Yuri Winters…" she began, her voice slow and accusatory, crossing her arms beneath her ample chest. "You're having an affair with them, aren't you?"
Yuri raised an eyebrow, surprised but amused.
"An affair…?" he repeated, stepping closer to her, while she took small steps backward, though her gaze remained firm.
"Especially with the Sword Princess!" she accused, puffing out her cheeks like a sulky child. "The way she looks at you… it's so obvious! Not to mention those waitresses… you're way too close with them!"
Yuri chuckled, but before he could answer, Hestia's expression tightened even more as she sniffed the air around him like a small, territorial beast.
"And besides the looks…" she leaned in, her nose practically pressing against his shirt. "There's a strange scent on you… I know this perfume. You've been with… them, haven't you?"
Yuri laughed again, this time more openly, and suddenly pulled her into his arms, wrapping her in a tight embrace.
"Do you really want to know the truth?" he asked in a low, provocative voice as he leaned his face close to hers.
Hestia widened her eyes, then narrowed them defiantly.
"Yes!" she replied, puffing out her cheeks even more, as if ready to scold him but also… eager.
Yuri couldn't resist and gently pinched her cheeks, tugging at them as if playing with a child.
"So cute…" he whispered, smiling even more.
She let out a frustrated grumble, trying to wriggle free, but he held her waist more firmly and easily lifted her, walking towards the bed.
"Then you'll have to…" he leaned in, brushing his lips against her ear.
Hestia immediately blushed, shivering as she felt his warm breath on her skin.
"Y-Yuri…! I-It's already late… let's… rest a bit first… tomorrow we…"
But he didn't listen, leaning in even more and gently laying her down on the sheets, keeping his body above hers.
"Didn't you say you wanted the truth?" he teased, staring into her eyes with that mischievous smile that made her melt inside.
"Yuri… you bastard…" Hestia tried to complain, but was cut off by a surprised moan when she realized that, in the blink of an eye, Yuri had already gotten rid of his clothes — and hers too.
"W-When did you…?!" she exclaimed, shocked to notice they were both completely naked.
"Secret…" he replied with a playful grin, leaning in even closer until their lips met in a kiss that started gentle but quickly deepened as he began moving his hips, joining her in a deep and possessive way.
"A-Ahhh~ Y-Yuri…!" Hestia moaned, clinging to his shoulders as if that were the only anchor keeping her conscious amidst the overwhelming tide of sensations.
The room was filled with sighs and moans between long kisses and heated caresses. Time seemed to lose all meaning, and finally, after more than an hour, Yuri climaxed and lay down beside her, possessively pulling her close. Both were completely exhausted.
Hestia, overwhelmed with pleasure, barely had the strength to move. She simply rested her head on his chest, listening to his rapid heartbeat and feeling completely safe and loved in that moment.
After a few minutes of comfortable silence, she looked up and, with a lazy smile, lightly pinched his waist.
"How many times…" she murmured with mock irritation, "…do I have to tell you not to be so rough?"
Yuri chuckled softly, running his fingers through her dark, silky hair.
"What do you want me to do?" he replied, kissing her forehead affectionately. "It's hard to control myself… you know how much I like you, don't you?"
She sighed, closing her eyes for a moment before opening them again and looking at him seriously.
"Changing the subject…" she began in a firmer tone. "Now I want you to tell me… what exactly is your relationship with those girls?"
Yuri didn't avert his gaze, nor did he try to soften the truth. He slowly ran his hand along the goddess's bare back and answered naturally:
"Except for Lefiya, the Amazon sisters, Syr, and the catgirls… all of them are my lovers."
Hestia stayed silent for a few seconds, absorbing those words, until she let out a long sigh and pinched his waist hard, this time more aggressively.
"Yuri…! You're such a scoundrel, you know that?!" she exclaimed, puffing her cheeks again, but now with an amused glint in her eyes.
He laughed heartily, pulling her even closer and showering her face and neck with kisses.
"I know…" he confessed, with a wide, sincere smile. "But I promise… I'll make you happy for the rest of my life, for putting up with my shamelessness."
She couldn't hold back a laugh and lightly pushed him away.
"You better… or else…" she said, making a threatening gesture with her fingers, as if she were about to cut something.
"Understood!" Yuri replied immediately, pretending to be scared, but soon leaned in to steal another kiss from her.
(End of the chapter)