Mount Olympus, within the golden palace, a furious roar echoed through the chamber.
"What is the meaning of this!"
Zeus stormed into Aphrodite's chambers, his face dark with rage.
Lazily reclining on her bed, veiled in sheer fabric, Aphrodite covered her lips with a soft laugh after hearing the God King's grim recounting of events.
"Your Majesty, whether desire comes first and emotion follows, or emotion arises before desire, love never springs from nothing. The reason you won the favor of those three goddesses was because they had already wavered. The power I bestowed upon you merely amplified that faint inclination."
The fire in Zeus's chest gradually melted away under her gentle words, until he could no longer bear to keep his stern expression, nor scold the alluring goddess before him.
Aphrodite smiled, studying the young God King outside the canopy, a trace of wistfulness in her eyes.
"Who would have thought that despite your beauty, your strength, your authority, your charm, and even your sweet words, you failed to stir the heart of the Goddess of Justice? Instead, it was the trace of hostility you showed that little one which made her cast aside the dignity and pride of the gods."
Zeus's face twitched, his gaze dark and humiliated.
"You mean to say this king lost to that sort of thing?"
"Perhaps it was only a matter of first impressions—you fell one step behind."
Propping her jade-like chin, Aphrodite let out a soft, soothing laugh.
"But here, I'd say you're far ahead."
The intoxicating fragrance filling his senses stirred the God King's desires, unfulfilled in the Cilician marshes. His eyes grew predatory as he gazed at her delicate form beneath the sheer veil, his hand reaching for the pale wrist resting by the bedside.
Yet Aphrodite only giggled, her supple arm slipping through the gap without a trace, evading his grasp.
"My king, I wouldn't mind sharing a lovely time with you. But let me remind you—when you won over the three goddesses, it was through the convenience of love. This feeling is fragile and subtle, something that requires care and companionship to truly hold. Otherwise, you may not even keep what you already have."
Zeus, already leaning over the bed, froze. The fire in his eyes dimmed.
"Very well. Stay here on Olympus for now. If there's anything inconvenient, speak to me directly. I'll go tend to Demeter and the others. They are all my beloved wives—how could I neglect them?"
The God King left with a smile, shutting the door behind him.
But in the corridor, his expression sharpened, his face set with cold determination.
Without desire and emotion, one remains untouched. Could it be... you are the same?
He glanced proudly at the towering peaks of Olympus, a confident smile tugging at his lips.
Hmph. Now that you've entered my domain, don't think you can slip from my grasp...
As he departed, Zeus casually wove a sealing spell over the door, as though caging a precious canary.
Inside the now-quiet bedchamber, the Goddess of Love rolled languidly across the velvet sheets, a playful smile on her lips.
Giggle. True to her bloodline, the pursuit of power could so easily suppress carnal desire.
But there was something she hadn't said.
For Themis to erupt with such fury at the slightest provocation... it couldn't have been mere affection.
Aphrodite turned toward the window, curiosity glimmering in her eyes.
So, what sort of child could not only surpass the God King in every way, but also capture the heart of the Goddess of Justice so soon?
Come to think of it, I'd rather like to meet this little one myself.
She rose slightly, her graceful curves outlined beneath the light, a teasing smile playing at her lips.
But for now... he's probably quite busy.
Shall we call this a little gift between us before our meeting?
...
Before the Waterside Treehouse, the hellhound crouched low, one head turning to bare its fangs at the small figure that had crossed the warning line.
The little nymph who had guided the way was left aside, face pale with fear. She darted into the bushes, clutching her head and trembling.
Yet her restless curiosity made her crane her neck toward the half-collapsed treehouse.
Ever since Samael had gone inside, he hadn't come out. And strangely, though that terrifying being had already left, the tremors from within the house had only grown stronger.
The vines linking the structures shuddered endlessly, the trees entwined with the house groaning as dead leaves fell like drifting butterflies.
What's going on inside? Fighting? It sounds fierce... I really want to see.
But that huge dog at the door looks far too terrifying.
As the little nymph fretted, faint words drifted out. She pricked her ears, catching fragments of indistinct chanting.
"Public Law One... Laws are gifts of the gods, binding and universal... no individual may create... special laws... for personal gain..."
"Public Law Six... No sentient being... may be sentenced to death... without trial..."
The meaning eluded her, but inside, the female voice seemed to bite down on her lips as she recited, her tone growing increasingly distorted.
Hmm... Lady Astraea seems to be reciting the Twelve Laws she's refining, one by one.
So what is this... a trial?
"The union of the sexes... procreation... is... the foundation... of civilization... ugh..."
"Under the witness of Mother Goddess Gaia... men and women... through marriage... establish family bonds... ah... relationships under the law. Neither may harm the other without cause... They shall respect and support each other. Glory... wealth... hardship... and trials... must be shared... by both!"
As her voice rose to a piercing pitch, slicing through the morning mist, the young nymph half-dozing on the branch jolted awake with a shiver.
They've been inside for a whole day and night. What crime are they judging? Why hasn't the verdict come yet?
She stared at the fierce three-headed monster crouched like a guard by the door, each head watchful and alert. Swallowing nervously, she thought, Forget it... if I go alone, it'll eat me for sure.
No... better find help first!
Anxious, the little nymph fluttered her translucent wings and flew deeper into the marsh.
Inside, soft sunlight filtered through leaves and vines, spilling across flushed, rose-colored skin.
Two entwined figures stirred awake, their heated bodies pressed together, eyes meeting as they propped themselves up on their arms.