At the flower shop in Uruk, Ana removed her hood and dashed inside, brimming with excitement.
"Grandma, the flower cake you taught me to make was a big hit! The uncle at the city gate said it tasted great!"
"Oh! And when I gave a bouquet to his daughter, she was so happy she gave me a bracelet in return!"
The kind old woman, sitting in a recliner with gentle eyes, smiled and passed Ana a steaming cup of honey water. She nodded as she listened intently to the girl's cheerful chatter.
Months ago, the bag of wheat cakes given to her by the gatekeeper had left a deep impression on Ana. Ever since, she had wanted to return the favor.
After a few missteps, Ana finally arrived at their home with a batch of snacks she could be proud of and knocked on their door.
That exchange of kindness blossomed into something even more beautiful.
The once gloomy and withdrawn girl now had friends her age in Uruk and had earned the love and affection of the neighbors.
"Mhm, little Ana is the sweetest. But remember, you look best without your hood on—so pretty."
The old woman gently patted Ana's head with a smile. The little girl blushed and lowered her gaze shyly.
"My son's busy with emergency repairs on the north wall. He probably won't be back tonight."
"I ended up making too much food. If you don't mind, would you keep this old woman company for dinner?"
Faced with such warm, hopeful insistence, Ana hesitated only briefly before nodding.
The old woman immediately brightened and began bringing the dishes to the table. Ana, ever helpful, took off her cloak and carried over the sweet soup.
Under the warm lamplight, the old woman gazed at Ana with the love of a grandmother doting on her granddaughter, constantly placing more food into the child's bowl.
"Yes, eat more so you can grow taller. When little Ana becomes a beautiful young lady, plenty of boys will like her."
Would she really be liked once she grew up?
Receiving such assurance made Ana's eyes sparkle, and she eagerly shoveled more food into her mouth.
Not until her belly was round and full did the purple-haired girl finish the hearty meal.
Before she left, the old woman, moved by the girl's company, handed her a blue rose. Her gentle gaze landed on Ana's now visibly full belly.
"Ana, there's someone you like, right? Then give this flower to him."
"The world outside is dangerous. If you're lucky enough to be together and survive, then treasure one another."
Ana's hands gripped the edge of her clothes tightly, her cheeks flushing red. She instinctively shook her head in denial.
"N-no, there's no such thing…"
The old woman said nothing more, only smiled quietly as she looked out at the heavy rain, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
"Hmm? The boy who always comes to pick you up—he's not here today?"
"Samael is… doing something very, very important…"
Ana paused, trying to explain seriously on Samael's behalf. But her head soon drooped, and disappointment flickered across her small face.
"Actually, I want to help too. I want to protect everyone…"
"Then keep working hard…"
The old woman patted Ana's head gently, offering warm comfort.
"Mm! I'll work really hard to help everyone!"
Her determination reignited, Ana looked toward the northern wall of Uruk outlined in the rainy night, her expression turning serious as she nodded firmly.
After bidding the old woman farewell, the little girl pulled up her hood, cradled the flowerpot in her arms, and ran off into the rain.
...
Meanwhile, upstairs in the embassy.
In a dimly lit room, a graceful figure tossed and turned atop a bed encrusted with jewels. After hours of sleepless fidgeting, she sat up in frustration.
"Ugh! Why does it feel like I lost out in the end?!"
"It was unclaimed! Doesn't that mean whoever grabs it first gets to keep it?! Why did I have to give it up?!"
Ishtar grabbed her hair and grumbled bitterly.
Her mind a mess, the goddess got up to open the window and clear the stuffy air in the room.
A breeze drifted in, cooling her temper slightly—until her stomach growled.
Tsk, why isn't Samael here to call me for dinner? I'm the great goddess of Uruk, aren't I?!
Aaaaah! Why am I thinking about that guy again?! It's driving me crazy!
It's all Ereshkigal's fault! Because of her meddling, all those carefully raised fat sheep—my Babylonian Treasury—gone!
Muttering like she was possessed, Ishtar gnawed on her thumb and paced restlessly across the room. The glimmering treasures scattered on the floor did nothing to calm her nerves.
No one's even making sure I eat… And that guy's off in the Underworld—who knows what shady stuff he's doing?
She paused for a moment, her gaze drifting to the luxurious gem-studded bed. Her expression darkened further.
"Achoo!"
At the same time, standing before a stone door and habitually arranging the bath supplies, Samael was suddenly hit with a chill and sneezed hard.
Inside, before the dressing table, Ereshkigal touched the snake skin on her wrist. Her cloak lay scattered on the floor. As her eyes met the reflection of two figures in the mirror, her mind exploded like a thunderclap.
The goddess blinked, as if awakening from a dream. Instinctively clutching her chest, she turned sharply toward her beloved pet—now clearly something far beyond a mere animal—her gaze intense.
"Samael, you still haven't told me… why did you take on a human form?"
"Because Ere loves humans the most. I thought… if I became human, maybe you'd like me a little more!"
The ancient serpent looked at her with hopeful, sparkling eyes.
"So that's why…"
Ereshkigal exhaled, relieved. A blush crept onto her cheeks as she turned away with a soft huff.
"Well… whether you're human, a snake, or some other magical beast… I like you just the same."
"What matters isn't your appearance—it's your soul."
"Then I want to stay like this. With hands, I can hug Ere-sama… and I can talk to you."
The ancient serpent hesitated, then pleaded earnestly.
The goddess of the underworld shot him a coy glance, then pointed firmly toward the door.
"Then get out! I'm going to bathe!"
"But… I want to bathe with Ere-sama…"
"No, you cannot!"
"Why not? We used to—"
"Shut up! Out! Out!"
With a flood of flustered protests, Ereshkigal's cheeks turned crimson. Her teeth ground audibly as she shoved the dawdling Samael out of the bath chamber.
Huff! Peace and quiet at last!
Once the door was shut, she returned to the mirror—only to feel her face burn even hotter.
Unbidden memories of their past life surfaced again and again, leaving her fuming as she glared at the door and muttered under her breath.
"Idiot! You were a snake before—now you're something close to a god. How could it possibly be the same?!"
Outside, Samael clutched his wildly thumping heart. Cold sweat soaked his back as the relief of dodging a catastrophe filled his eyes.
Thank the gods he'd reacted fast—he'd nearly stepped on a landmine.
No matter how close he had once been to Ereshkigal—eating, sleeping, inseparable—that was as a pet. A lover was a whole different matter.
Even a pet as close as a friend, who shared everything… it wasn't the same!
All the questionable things he'd done in his snake form—if she ever found out—she'd skewer him a thousand times over in a rage!
That was exactly why, even when Ishtar had dosed Ereshkigal with a love-boosting spell, he still hesitated, never daring to cross the line.
It was a job that could cost him his life. Good thing he finessed his way out of it.
Otherwise, both he and Ishtar would've ended up strung up like dried meat in front of the Temple of Fever.
...
Half an hour later, the sound of running water finally stopped.
Still waiting outside, Samael was finally granted permission to re-enter.
It was already deep into the night. As he followed behind his mistress, the ancient serpent glanced longingly at the familiar bed, then spoke softly.
"I want to sleep with Ere… I still have so much to say to you…"
Ereshkigal recalled all those times they'd brushed skin against skin. Her face instantly turned beet red.
"I can't?"
Samael's expression fell, his eyes dimming as he turned to leave.
"Come back."
Just as he reached the door, the goddess called out—voice tense, lips pressed tight.
Delighted, the ancient serpent immediately turned around and rushed to the bed, eager to slip under the covers, rekindle intimacy, and maybe even enjoy another chance at "chest-cuddling."
Now that his identity was out, he had to start changing her impression of him—not as a pet, but as something more.
Because if the truth ever came out, all the things he'd done as her "snake" would land him right on a skewer.
"Don't move!"
But before he could get close, Ereshkigal—still flushed—raised a hand to stop him. As Samael froze in place, she gritted her teeth and gave a huff.
"Change back!"
So… in the end, still just a pet?
Looks like the road to changing her impression and rising above his station was going to be a long one.
Coming to his senses, Samael shifted back into his serpent form and slithered onto the bed, unsure whether to laugh or cry.