Chapter 31: Chapter 31: Are You Serious?
After a round of chaotic shouting and scuffling, everyone finally settled down for a proper conversation.
Yoru and Hestia were sitting together on the bed. The petite goddess clung tightly to him, her generous chest squishing around his arm as if to declare her full ownership of him.
On the other side, Loki was seated on the couch with Riveria and Ais, but unlike the cozy scene between Yoru and Hestia, tension filled the air here.
Loki, a goddess herself, was pinned down from both sides by her two Familia girls. It looked less like a conversation and more like a prisoner under strict guard.
"Come on, you two. Cut it out, would you? At least give me a little dignity in front of outsiders. Especially in front of that damn busty loli over there."
Loki spoke with a helpless expression. But Ais and Riveria didn't budge at all. This was the only way to deal with their troublesome goddess—if left unchecked, who knew when she might suddenly start harassing someone again?
"Well, this is what you get for being the infamous 'Flat-chested Loki.' Even your own children don't respect you anymore."
"You little runt! Say that again and I'll rip your mouth open!"
Just as the argument looked like it would escalate again, Ais and Riveria quickly pushed Loki back down onto the couch.
"Lady Goddess, don't forget why we're here. This isn't the time to fight."
Riveria reminded her calmly. Loki furrowed her brows.
"Yeah, yeah… But maybe we've got the wrong person? Bert's condition shouldn't have anything to do with Hestia's lot."
Originally, Loki had suspected that someone from a certain long-lost group had caused this incident. But clearly, Yoru was a member of Hestia Familia—just a regular Level 1 adventurer. With his power, there was no way he could've done something like that.
"What are you all talking about? Why did you suddenly barge into my home like this?"
Hestia frowned slightly as she looked at the Loki Familia members murmuring among themselves. Due to certain past events, she hadn't kept in touch with many of the gods from heaven in a long time. So when Loki suddenly showed up at her doorstep, she had assumed it was to settle some ancient grudge.
But now… it didn't seem like that was the case.
It was almost like… they came here not for her, but for Yoru?
Thinking that, Hestia turned instinctively to look at the boy beside her.
"Yoru, did you do something weird?! Don't tell me you were seduced by those elf girls or something!"
"That kind of woman… what's so good about her anyway? Didn't I already tell you there's someone better right beside you?!"
"Hmph. Well, it can't be helped. Our Familia girls are just too attractive. It's no wonder your boy fell head over heels. You probably didn't hear this, but over at the Hostess of Fertility, this kid got all emotional and confessed to my Riveria in front of everyone! Even I got teary-eyed—I almost gave my blessing right then and there."
Seeing Hestia puff up like a cat that just had its tail stepped on, Loki smirked in satisfaction.
"Lady Goddess, please don't say things that could be misunderstood."
Riveria sighed and rubbed her temple. "When did it become 'our relationship' anyway? The way you say it makes it sound like we've been secretly dating for ages…"
"Con–Confession?!"
Hestia's sudden shriek made everyone jump. In the next moment, she lunged at Yoru and tackled him onto the bed.
"No way! Yoru, why would you confess to that woman?! What's so great about her?! Did she cast some weird charm on you or something to make you do something so foolish?!"
Still shouting, Hestia then pounced onto Loki next.
"Spit it out! What did you do to my Yoru?! Why would such an honest boy suddenly confess like that in front of everyone?!"
"What the hell?! How is this my fault?! I should be the one upset here! Your kid came out of nowhere and put my Riveria on the spot! And now it's all over Orario! Everyone's laughing at the Loki Familia's expense!"
Annoyed by Hestia's false accusations, the two goddesses rolled around the floor, brawling like drunken commoners in the street.
They were supposed to be divine beings from heaven—but right now, they looked more like street brawlers. Riveria and Ais could only sigh and rush forward to try to separate them.
"Did my confession trouble you, Riveria?"
In the midst of the chaos, Yoru suddenly spoke. He looked straight at Riveria as he asked the question.
"…Eh?"
Riveria blinked in surprise. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond. She couldn't even look him in the eye.
This always-calm, always-composed high elf was now at a complete loss.
Just as Loki had said, Riveria really was incredibly gentle. She never knew how to turn people down and hated hurting others.
But… were the words she said at the tavern only meant to spare Yoru's feelings?
What was she really thinking deep down?
That question left her feeling uncertain.
At the same time, Hestia stopped wrestling with Loki. Staggering to her feet, she looked at Yoru, her voice trembling.
"Yoru… are you serious? Do you really… like her?"
"…I'm sorry, Hestia. But yes—I'm serious."
He didn't know why the words "I'm sorry" came out of his mouth. But Yoru looked genuinely apologetic as he faced the goddess who seemed moments away from crying.
"I… I see. I am a goddess, after all. I don't really have the right to decide who Yoru should love… But still… this just isn't right. Even if I agreed, Loki would never accept it..."
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