Selene, the Moon Goddess, voluntarily giving up her position was definitely a lie; she, like Helios, was likely coerced and enticed by Zeus, forced to relinquish her place.
Similar to the Sun God, Zeus wouldn't truly eliminate deities representing the most important celestial bodies of a region. Although Artemis inherited the Moon Goddess's divine position, she primarily oversees hunting, and Selene will continue to manage the moon's operation in this world as Artemis's subordinate deity.
However, regardless, Selene's replacement by Artemis and Aphrodite was already a foregone conclusion. Artemis's thoughts were solely on matters related to her divine duties; for her, it didn't matter who became the King of Olympus, posing no threat to Zeus. As for Aphrodite, there's no need to mention her; she's merely a pretty face. Zeus, that old lecher, probably promoted her just to get his hands on the most beautiful goddess.
After Aphrodite arrived, Zeus, under the guise of introducing the new main deity to the gods, stayed with Aphrodite in front of Hera, and his other hand was constantly caressing Aphrodite, taking advantage of her.
However, this situation was quickly broken as several other male main gods, captivated by Aphrodite, such as Poseidon and Apollo, also approached Aphrodite, showering her with flattery. Two generations of one family quickly began arguing over this woman.
Seeing this, Ares quickly avoided the center of the storm and ran to Hecate's side, watching from a distance.
"Aren't you going to contend for her?"
Hecate was just chatting with her cousin Artemis when she saw Ares avoiding them like a plague god. Hecate asked curiously,
"The most beautiful woman in the world is right there."
"And the most troublesome woman."
Ares looked over there and said irritably,
"Artemis, why don't you pull your brother back? If he gets involved, Zeus and Poseidon might just beat his brains out."
"I can't control him." Artemis glanced at the "Olympus's Most Handsome Man" who was holding a lyre and arguing red-faced with Zeus and the others, then said unhappily, "As soon as he sees Aphrodite, he says such a beautiful being only deserves to belong to him, and he just went straight up. Mother and I couldn't even hold him back."
"Heh." Hecate suddenly chuckled softly, "Who do you think this Aphrodite will end up with?"
"Do you even need to ask?" Artemis pouted, "It's definitely Zeus. He's been eyeing Aphrodite for who knows how long."
"But Hera is watching Zeus." Hecate said, glancing at Ares, "Your mother is being provoked, and you can't possibly go up and stop it, can you?"
Ares nodded, "I'm not getting involved in this mess."
"Ares, then tell me, to whom will Zeus eventually marry Aphrodite?" Artemis asked.
Ares pursed his lips, "Who knows? Perhaps my brother will end up gaining the most from this."
"Hephaestus?" Artemis said, her forehead covered in black lines, "It's not that I'm targeting him, but Aphrodite probably wouldn't fancy him, right?"
"Whether she fancies him or not, as long as Zeus is happy, who cares if she likes him or not?" Ares said indifferently, crossing his arms.
As they were speaking, the male gods arguing over Aphrodite seemed to have reached a conclusion. Since they were at a stalemate, Zeus suggested that they showcase their masculine charm in front of Aphrodite, allowing her to decide whom to marry.
The male gods all agreed to this condition, so they set up their displays and began to take turns showcasing their "talents" in front of Aphrodite. First up was Poseidon; he raised his trident, summoned vast seas, and his majestic chariot, then began to boast to the Goddess of Beauty about how amazing and powerful he was.
But when Aphrodite asked him who was stronger, Zeus or him, the King of the Seas made a disgusted face and retreated grandly.
Afterward, Apollo and Zeus also took turns. As the most handsome man in Olympus and the dream lover of countless goddesses, Apollo passionately played a piece of music in front of Aphrodite, but the Goddess of Love and Beauty merely looked at him with appreciative eyes, a gaze that was more like looking at a good girlfriend than a man.
Zeus then also came before Aphrodite. He was simpler; just a single phrase, "I am the King of Gods," already caused a ripple in Aphrodite's eyes.
However, when Aphrodite demanded that she must have the authority of the Queen of Heaven if she were to marry Zeus, the exasperated Hera finally pulled a bolt of lightning down from the sky, scaring away the mere decoration that was Aphrodite.
After his wife ruined his plans, Zeus's expression was not very pleasant, but he was in the wrong and couldn't directly vent his anger at Hera. So, he decided to take all his anger out on Aphrodite.
He ordered Aphrodite to choose a husband from the male gods present at the banquet today and marry him. Moreover, she could not choose the three main gods she had already rejected.
This put Aphrodite in a difficult position. Leaving aside the characters of Zeus, Poseidon, and Apollo for a moment, they were indeed the three most desirable "stocks" among the male gods of Olympus. Aphrodite was unwilling to lower herself and marry male gods who were not of main deity status. And now, besides these three desirable options, the only male gods left among the twelve gods of Olympus were Ares, Hades, and Hephaestus.
Hephaestus was very talented, but unfortunately, his appearance was rather regrettable, and the haughty Aphrodite naturally looked down on him. Although Hades, the King of the Underworld, was not inferior to Poseidon in terms of appearance, authority, or power, being with him would mean spending most of her time in the desolate and void Underworld, which the Goddess of Love and Beauty also found unacceptable.
So, after some consideration, the Goddess of Love and Beauty decisively bypassed the other gods and walked towards Ares, who was with Hecate.
"Hey, hey, hey, she seems to have seen you." Seeing this, the Moon Goddess pulled her cousin, quietly moving away from Ares, and at the same time, gloated to Ares.
"What cold remarks are you making?" Ares said angrily, "Isn't it because the makeup you put on is too eye-catching!"
As he spoke, the Moon Goddess and the New Moon Goddess, both disloyal, had already left him far behind. Ares originally wanted to run too, but Zeus had already called out to him:
"Ares, don't move."
Ares reluctantly stopped, turned around, and saw the golden-haired, blue-eyed Goddess of Beauty standing in front of him, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him.
"Zeus." She pointed at Ares and shouted, "I choose him."
"What?" Ares's reply was just as decisive, "Damn woman, get lost!"