Love and Fire - (3)
"... So you want to divorce Hephaestus and Aphrodite, and find them new partners?"
"That's right. If you help, it will be much easier to persuade Zeus."
As I calmly explained, Hera quickly understood that this was not a rebellion.
Regaining her composure as the queen of the gods, she leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms.
"Do you really think it's right to ask the goddess of home to help break a home apart, Hades?"
"But you know that their marriage was nothing but a ragged, unstable affair from the start, right?"
Hera's brows slightly furrowed.
"Isn't it the duty of the goddess of home to find them a harmonious new family?"
"Hmm... I suppose you could see it that way."
"Hephaestus has also given up on Aphrodite. If you find him a new family, he will surely shed tears of gratitude for your mother's kindness."
Hephaestus had been cast down to the island of Lemnos by Hera right after his birth.
Now, he was reflecting on that a lot, which was fortunate.
"I believe the fundamental reason for what happened between Hephaestus and Athena was his unsatisfactory relationship with Aphrodite. Because of that, he even had a child with Gaia... If Gaia were to appear before Hephaestus, beautifully dressed..."
"You think he might be swayed by her beauty?"
"Not to the point of betrayal, but perhaps he might leak information or agree to a small request."
Hera had a fondness for Athena, so this incident must have been quite shocking for her.
Just a little more persuasion...
"And I heard that Zeus brought a boy named Ganymedes..."
"Ugh! Now he's even reaching out to men! Am I going to be overshadowed by a man too?!"
The goddess of home, who had been relaxed, suddenly changed her expression and became angry.
Could it be that he really brought him to Olympus because of his looks...
"Ahem. Anyway... Zeus himself is in love... yet he reaches out to the same sex because of looks, while suppressing the love between Aphrodite and Ares?"
"That is certainly true."
"And if you help me this time, Aphrodite might be grateful and repay you. That means the goddess of love might..."
"She could tell me how to regain Zeus's interest from that little brat?"
"Exactly. If things go well, I will tell the goddess of love that your help was crucial."
Whether Aphrodite lends her magical girdle, the Kestos Himas...
Or gives advice as the goddess who governs love, it would be beneficial for Hera.
"Alright. I will add my opinion."
"Since we're on the topic, let's go right away."
Thus, accompanied by Poseidon and Hera, we headed to Zeus.
In the spacious bedroom, the king of the gods was seen lying down, taking a nap.
Poseidon approached quietly and tried to wake Zeus.
"Wake up, Zeus."
"Ugh...?!"
However, as soon as Zeus opened his eyes and saw Poseidon...
"Who... Poseidon, you too?"
The god of the sky sprang up, holding a lightning bolt, from his lying position.
In an instant, a massive building exploded, and fierce lightning crackled in his hand.
Flash-CRACK!!!
"... Another rebellion!!! Poseidon, if you intend to challenge me again, then come at me!"
"No, it's a misunderstanding..."
"Hah... It's not what you think, Zeus."
"... Oh, Hades? So it's not a rebellion..."
Amidst the storm of divine power swirling around, I pressed my forehead.
"... The divorce of Hephaestus and Aphrodite?"
"Yes, so put down that lightning. If I were here to rebel, I would have brought my trident!"
Finally, Poseidon, who had not drawn his trident, wore a sulky expression, while Hera looked astonished.
Seeing me rubbing my head behind them, Zeus gradually made the lightning disappear.
"No... Ahem! When Poseidon came while I was sleeping, how could I not think it was a rebellion?"
"Of course, it was a situation that could be misunderstood, but since it's about Aphrodite, we gathered our opinions."
It felt strange to be discussing such matters amidst a building that had been completely destroyed.
The surrounding gods were whispering, and I could see Hermes flying in urgently from afar...
"Hah... Let's move to a quieter place first."
"... That would be wise."
So we entered a quiet room.
Poseidon, I, Hera, and Zeus sat around a round table.
I earnestly explained to Zeus the reasons for the divorce between Hephaestus and Aphrodite.
Hephaestus was so overwhelmed that he even attempted to assault Athena; if things continued like this, wouldn't he fall for Gaia if she appeared beautifully dressed...
Considering he had exposed his affair with Ares at the last festival of arts, how bad could it be...
The goddess of beauty had given birth to Harmonia with Ares, and now Hephaestus had also given up on Aphrodite...
After a long moment of thought, Zeus looked at me and asked.
"But why are you so involved in their matters, brother?"
"... I find it pitiful to watch. After all, my nephew has done a lot for me."
"That trident of his was indeed a bit sharp..."
Poseidon brought up the topic of the trident.
Indeed, no weapon could compare to that trident...
"If Hephaestus has given up on the goddess of beauty... morally, it might be right to divorce them. But..."
"Are you worried that other male gods will fight over her?"
"That's the concern. If I were to reverse my decision and change my words..."
The weight of the king of the gods' words felt heavy.
That was precisely why he had not divorced them until now.
Of course, he might have considered Hephaestus's contributions, and perhaps he thought they would stop their affairs someday...
There were various circumstances mixed in.
"Then we just need to help a little. Right, Poseidon?"
"Well, just showing some agreement would be enough..."
"I also agree. They have never had a happy family life, not even once..."
Zeus stroked his beard again, deep in thought.
"Can we truly quell the backlash from the many male gods?"
"... Send any who are particularly disgruntled to the underworld. Those who are crazed over the goddess should be well educated."
"Is that really okay? It wouldn't be good to push too much work onto the underworld..."
"Push work? I'm actually reducing it!"
In truth, I didn't think there would be many such gods.
With me, Zeus, Poseidon, and Hera all threatening, who would dare openly express dissatisfaction?
"... Alright. We should do that. Then summon Hephaestus from the underworld for a moment; I will also gather the gods of Olympus."
"Yes, good thinking."
"... After much deliberation, I believe it is right to end the bond between Hephaestus and Aphrodite here."
In a gathering of most of the gods, Zeus declared their divorce.
Let’s see...
Aphrodite showed an unmistakable expression of joy, while Hephaestus sighed and stood silently.
"Hephaestus, I will introduce you to a new wife. How about the goddess of splendor, Aglaea?"
"Yes. I will follow my father's wishes..."
The goddess of splendor, Aglaea.
She is one of the three goddesses born from the union of the Titan god Oceanus and Eurynome, daughter of Zeus.
A goddess with beautiful turquoise hair waved at Hephaestus.
Even the god of blacksmiths looked at her face and showed a satisfied expression.
Though she might not match Aphrodite, she was still very beautiful...
Aglaea stepped forward, weaving through the gods, and linked arms with Hephaestus, smiling.
"Hephaestus!"
"Um. Yes..."
"The necklace you made for me last time was really beautiful!"
Hephaestus, though the god of blacksmiths, also held the divine rank of fire and volcanoes, so he had a very high status.
No matter how unattractive his face might be... as the eldest son of Zeus and one of the twelve Olympian gods, he would surely have demand.
Aphrodite and Ares were actually pleased...
The problem lay with the other male gods.
It all started with Hermes's question.
"Um... Father. But didn't you say last time that Aphrodite's husband is Hephaestus?"
At those words, Zeus frowned and glared at Ares and Aphrodite.
"Those two are inseparable... Tsk! They even had Harmonia and Eros, didn't they?"
Even under Zeus's piercing gaze, Ares and Aphrodite showed no signs of discomfort.
Rather, they shrugged as if they were willing to endure this level of criticism.
"It was my mistake to force an unwanted love! However, if anyone causes excessive conflict over foolish advances towards Aphrodite, they shall face the wrath of Zeus's lightning!"
CRACK!!!
Zeus's strong warning, and beside him, Poseidon, I, and Hera were watching the gods.
Now, the lesser gods would no longer fight over Aphrodite.
I should tell them to keep their seduction of the goddess of love to a reasonable level...
Though Ares was unavoidable, the seeds of discord needed to be controlled.
However, indeed... the beauty of the goddess of love had caught the eye of several high-ranking gods.
"Aphrodite, if Ares were to tire of you..."
"Hermes. The granddaughter of Minos, Aphemosyne, whom you forcibly had relations with, is in the underworld... Shall we bring her here?"
"What?! No, that..."
"Ahem, Uncle Hades. Unlike Hermes, I want to make Aphrodite happy..."
"Apollon, Daphne, who turned into a tree because of you, will be wailing in the underworld."
"That was because of Eros's arrow... No, it wasn't."
Poseidon had given up... and there was another one with a dangerous look...
Ah, there was Dionysus.
With narrowed eyes—
...::;;
As I raised my eyes and sent a silent signal, Dionysus subtly turned his head away from me.
Alright... because of your festival of madness, many have died and gone to the underworld.
"Hahaha..."
Ares... since he already had children, I let that slide...
I took one last look around at the other gods.
Let’s see, the gods of wind, or perhaps the river gods or the goddess of the earth, Demeter...
Wait a moment, aren't most of them just unruly brats doing as they please?
Starting with Zeus, the king of the gods himself...
"... Hmph. Hmph! I will conclude this meeting for now! The wedding of Hephaestus and Aglaea will be held in Olympus..."
With so many gods in Olympus, why are there so few normal ones?