I sat comfortably on a chair positioned in the garden, taking in the peaceful atmosphere. All three of the girls were seated together in the chair that was placed on the table. I observed with great interest as the four energetic children ran around and played together in the open space.
Luna had successfully given birth to four beautiful girls. Though I was quite happy and proud to be their parent, their incredibly mischievous nature proved to be quite problematic and challenging to manage. But that particular issue was not the main problem or concern that occupied my thoughts.
It was their extraordinary ability that truly set them apart. Each and every one of them had been blessed with a divine skill of remarkable power.
Brenna: the oldest and first-born of the four siblings. She has long, flowing black hair and possesses a particularly mischievous personality.
Divine skill: Eternal Inferno—an overwhelmingly powerful fire that possesses the capability to burn absolutely everything in its path. It will not cease burning or stop its destructive power unless the user themselves makes the conscious decision to stop it.
Tove: the second-born of the four siblings. She has long, beautiful black hair and thoroughly enjoys pranking people and playing tricks on others.
Divine skill: Grace—possesses the ability to restore the health and energy of others who are injured or exhausted. The more powerful and formidable the target is, the more mana is needed and required to heal them effectively.
Frida: the third-born of the four siblings. She has the same long, lustrous black hair as the rest of her siblings. She is widely regarded as the smartest and most intelligent of the four, and with enough time and proper development, she will undoubtedly surpass even her other exceptionally talented siblings.
Divine skill: ultimate defense—possesses the ability to create a protective barrier that cannot be broken or penetrated unless by a higher being or entity that is significantly stronger than the user.
Asta: incredibly loud, somewhat obnoxious in her behavior, and very much like her sister moon in personality and temperament.
Divine skill: Boost—possesses the ability to multiply her physical strength at will and according to her needs. The maximum limit and extent of this multiplication is determined by her total mana capacity.
As I watched them play together in the garden, I suddenly remembered something that had been weighing heavily on my mind and bothering me quite a bit lately. Moon, Crystal, and Melody had been mysteriously disappearing for the majority of the day, only to return just before the day came to an end.
I always felt uneasy and restless, as if something unfortunate or bad was about to happen at any moment. But I finally had enough of this uncertainty and decided to take action. I waited patiently for her as I sat comfortably in the garden, determined to get some answers.
"Darling, do you think this particular dress suits me well?" Merida asked with interest.
I turned to face her directly and after looking carefully at the dress she was wearing, I smiled warmly. It was a beautiful green dress with intricate details. It had elaborate floral patterns woven throughout the fabric and looked particularly good and flattering on her figure.
"It would look absolutely great on you," I answered with sincerity.
She smiled with satisfaction and continued scrolling through the screen displayed before her. I watched carefully as the other two did the same thing. It seemed they were actively looking for something quite particular and specific.
But Luna, on the other hand, seems to just be looking for food as usual. Looking at the tablets they were all using, I sighed heavily. After Luna had gotten irritable and grumpy because she couldn't do anything productive or entertaining, I had gotten it for her to keep her occupied. It had cost me just a couple of thousand points from my accumulated resources.
But the others, seeing this new device and its capabilities, wanted one as well for themselves. Though it isn't much of a problem for me financially or otherwise, it's the fact that they spend far too much time on it that concerns me.
Only Elsa seems to be able to control herself and practice moderation. I sighed once more and then turned my attention away when I noticed Melody approaching. She reached us and bowed lightly in a respectful gesture.
"Father, mothers," she said politely in greeting.
The others looked up from their screens momentarily and greeted her back warmly, except for Luna who was still completely glued to the screen in front of her.
I just shook my head at this predictable behavior and turned my full attention to Melody.
"Why have you called for me specifically, father?" She asked with curiosity.
My eyes narrowed with curiosity. I tried to be as serious as possible in my demeanor and expression, but seeing that even when my posture and aura changed significantly she still blinked with a confused and unaware expression, I sighed in resignation.
"What have you been doing the past few days with your sisters, and where exactly have you been going?" I asked straight up without hesitation.
She blinked a few times in thought and then smiled brightly.
"We went to explore a new land that we discovered. I even made a new friend there," she said with a genuine smile of happiness.
Hearing this explanation, I felt a little relieved and reassured. At least they're not causing any trouble or getting into dangerous situations. But this mysterious land she mentioned...
"Is it under my territory or jurisdiction?" I asked with concern.
She shook her head from side to side in response.
"It's far away from here," she answered simply.
Far away... but when exactly did they have the time and opportunity to travel so far from home?
"It was when we snuck into Clyde's ship without permission," she added matter-of-factly.
Ah I see now. I nodded in understanding as the pieces fell into place. That explained a lot about their sudden absences. The ships that Clyde has in his possession are special and technologically advanced, capable of moving at extreme speeds across vast distances.
"Well, what have you been doing with this new friend of yours during your visits?" I asked with a gentle smile, trying to seem supportive.
Her face lit up with pure joy and excitement.
"His name is—"
"Wait just a moment," I stopped her mid-sentence. "It's a male?" I asked with sudden interest and seriousness.
She just nodded her head in confirmation. My eyes narrowed as I got serious and focused.
"Then tell me more about him immediately—"
Aphrodite POV
Laying comfortably in my grand and luxurious palace, I couldn't help but frown deeply with displeasure. All the men in the entire world could only dream wistfully of experiencing my extraordinary beauty, the only exceptions being Hades and now also Hephaestus.
I frowned once more with growing frustration. Ever since our official divorce was finalized, he hasn't even looked in my direction or glanced at me once. In fact, he appeared even happier and more content than before we got married, as if he had fallen deeply in love with someone else.
I got up slowly from my bed with determination. How could any man possibly not covet me and desire my attention? I am without question the most beautiful and captivating person in the entire universe.
I left my bedroom behind and walked slowly through the long halls of my palace. The place had become eerily empty and desolate ever since my divorce from Hephaestus. Where there were usually magnificent crafts and creations of Hephaestus displayed everywhere throughout the halls, now there was absolutely nothing remaining.
I kept walking with purpose until I finally exited my home completely. Now I walked around the grounds of Olympus and headed directly for Hephaestus's home with determination. I never thought or imagined I would return to that particular place again.
Arriving at his dwelling, I heard as usual the familiar clinking and clanging sounds of metal being worked. I forcibly opened the gates with my own hands and entered without invitation.
His home was quite simple and modest in its design. For someone that makes a bunch of elaborate and complex stuff regularly, he sure keeps things surprisingly simple and unadorned.
Walking around the grounds carefully, I finally arrived at the smith where he worked. I opened the heavy door slowly and there I saw him diligently making something with great focus and concentration.
I looked closer with growing curiosity. It was an accessory of some kind, a beautiful and intricate one at that. In all the time we had been married together, I have never seen him create something so absolutely beautiful and well-crafted.
I smirked to myself with satisfaction and confidence. Of course he was trying his best to win me back with his impressive work. I walked forward with a confident and purposeful stride.
"Hephaestus," I called out to him clearly.
He didn't stop his focused forging work and he didn't even bother to turn around to face me.
"Please leave immediately, I am busy with important work." He said calmly and without emotion.
I frowned with displeasure at his dismissive response. Then I came to a sudden realization in my mind. He's probably just playing hard to get and testing me. But manipulative things like that won't work on me, the goddess of love and beauty who understands all such games.
"I-"
"Leave now," he said this time much more coldly and with finality.
He stopped his forging work completely and turned fully around to face me directly.
"I won't ask again and I mean it," he said this time with intensity, his flames burning and scorching the very place around us.
I paused hesitantly in my approach. The intense heat started to burn and sear my delicate skin painfully. I took multiple quick steps backward in retreat, and seeing his fierce and fiery eyes blazing with anger, I finally decided reluctantly to leave.
"Tch, what's wrong with that stubborn fool," I grumbled bitterly to myself.
How could he possibly treat me like that with such disrespect? Just wait and see, I'll have my revenge on him eventually.
Erik's POV
"I like him quite a lot," she said while blushing noticeably.
My eyes widened considerably at her unexpected words. Even the girls looked up suddenly from their screens with surprise, with the notable exception of Luna who remained focused.
"You what?" I said coldly and with shock.
She continued blushing even more deeply. She put her palms on her face bashfully and shook her head from side to side.
"He's really nice and kind to me. He's always calm and composed, collected in his demeanor, and a remarkably good craftsman with exceptional skills," she added enthusiastically and took out a heart-shaped box to show me.
My eyes narrowed with interest at the object she presented. It looked exquisitely made with incredible attention to detail. Its craftsmanship is undeniably better than mine, which bothered me.
She opened it carefully then pressed a small button on its surface. And there Melody's beautiful voice was heard emanating from within. She was singing a hauntingly beautiful song with perfect clarity. The plants around the garden began to bloom vibrantly in response.
My eyes widened with astonishment at this display. It can even preserve and keep the magical effects that Melody's voice naturally has. I tapped my fingers thoughtfully on the table surface.
Someone with that level of skill, is extremely useful and valuable to have around. But…
"Did he confess his feelings to you?" I asked directly.
She paused for a long moment then shook her head negatively.
"He seems—unconfident in himself." She said with some sympathy.
Unconfident in himself?
"Is he perhaps ugly in appearance wise?"
She contemplated carefully for a moment before speaking her answer.
"He seems to be deformed physically," she said lightly and without judgment.
Deformed physically? That must be the underlying reason for his hesitation. How could someone possibly not like my wonderful daughter? The man is probably just scared and afraid to be rejected harshly.
I nodded with understanding.
"I want to see and meet this man first before I give you my blessing for this relationship," I said firmly.
She smiled brightly with happiness and nodded enthusiastically. Watching her disappear from view, I sighed deeply with mixed emotions. I won't stop or prevent my children from getting married and finding happiness, since they themselves can see clearly the truth in people and their genuine character.
I just have to make absolutely sure they're at least strong enough to protect themselves.