Arthur awoke with a sudden jolt.
The room was unfamiliar — soft white light filtered in through gauzy curtains, and the scent of rosemary hung in the air. This was not the humble house they had rented in Athens. His robes still clung to his frame, slightly wrinkled, hinting he'd been moved here while unconscious.
He rushed to the window and pulled the curtain aside. What he saw confirmed his thoughts: this wasn't the inn. The landscape was greener, more ethereal — it almost shimmered. A temple dome rose in the distance, topped with a flame that never wavered.
Then came the sound of the door creaking open.
Arthur turned around slowly and sighed.
The goddess herself stood there.
Every time she saw this boy, something in her wanted to slap some sense into him. Was he really that timid? Or was she truly the monster people whispered about?
"Good morning, Goddess," Arthur said, bowing his head slightly.
A gentle smile curved on Hestia's lips. "Good morning, sleepyhead. Breakfast is ready."
Arthur followed her quietly through the polished marble corridors. When they arrived at the dining hall, Lamia was already there, seated and waiting patiently — though something in her posture suggested she was also waiting for answers.
Hestia took her seat gracefully, and the moment she did, the room filled with the heavenly aroma of freshly baked bread. Platters of fruits, warm olives, cheeses, and golden honey decorated the table like offerings.
Arthur sat down and hesitantly reached for a piece of bread. He took a bite. It was warm, soft, and far more delicious than anything he'd had on the road. He let himself enjoy it. A small peace, perhaps temporary, but real.
When breakfast ended, Arthur turned to Hestia.
"Thank you… for the meal."
"You're welcome, Arthur," she replied with another soft smile. "But I must ask you something."
She stood, moved closer, and gently placed her hand over his chest — right where his heart beat fastest.
"This fire… does it have a name?"
Arthur froze. A shiver traveled up his spine. His voice came out faint, uncertain.
"I… I call it Celestial Flame."
Hestia's eyes sparkled, but there was a quiet intensity to her words. "Celestial Flame, is it? Then why does it burn like my Eternal Flame? Why does it feel like a variant of *my* essence?"
Arthur's soul nearly sank through the floor. 'I don't know… I was born with it,* he said.
A half-truth. Not entirely wrong, but nowhere near the whole picture either. Some truths weren't meant for breakfast.
The goddess tilted her head and placed her fingers in his hair. "Silver hair … divine essence swirling in your aura… You're descended of Zeus, aren't you?"
Arthur winced.
"Your divinity is screaming through your body. Even I couldn't sense it properly until I touched you. But here's the question — why do you have the essences of sky, war, and… love? Are you telling me my dear brother Zeus had sex with Ares and… Aphrodite? That's filthy and wild — even by Olympus' standards."
Arthur felt his stomach turn.
*What kind of sick theory is this woman weaving!?*
He pushed her hand away. "Please, ma'am. That's… that's enough."
"Ma'am?" Hestia frowned.
And smacked him.
Arthur's face slammed into the table, leaving a very real impression on the surface. Lamia gasped. She had been staring at them in quiet disbelief, and now her eyes widened in full horror.
Was it true? Was Arthur really of Zeus' bloodline?
She had wondered… but never dared to ask.
Arthur groaned and pulled his face from the table, taking a long, steadying breath. He locked eyes with Hestia.
"Please," he said, voice low and serious. "Keep this a secret."
To his surprise, Hestia's lips curved again, but this time in amusement. "Of course. I like your flame. It could grow to rival mine… And that would be funny to watch."
Before Arthur could breathe in relief, a blinding light erupted in the corner of the room.
Athena had arrived.
Hestia immediately pounced on her. "Niece! Why don't you visit your aunt more often?"
She hugged her tightly, laughing while Athena tried to breathe. It was a scene that, despite everything, made Arthur smile faintly.
*Who wouldn't want to witness such absurdity?*
[System recommends purifying your darker thoughts using your celestial flames.]
(Wouldn't that boil my brain?)
[No. At most, you'll become like a monk. A very obedient toy for your host.]
(Shut up. I'm not chanting Namo Amitābhāya around Olympus!)
Athena finally broke free from Hestia's grip, straightened her armor, and looked at Arthur.
She extended her hand. A beam of light formed, and from it emerged a suit of armor.
Arthur caught it instinctively.
It was a deep black knight's armor, shaped like something from a medieval war. Yet it radiated divine energy. Runes glowed faintly on the chest. The pauldrons bore feathered etchings, and the gauntlets pulsed like veins of starlight.
Athena exhaled. "Talk to Hephaestus. He's been curious about you."
Arthur frowned. "Curious how?"
She hesitated. "He might have… tested your divine frequency when crafting the armor. You carry too much divinity for a mortal-born. He thinks you're a lab rat for Olympus. Or worse…"
She trailed off.
Arthur completed the thought internally: Or worse, the accidental child of Ares, Zeus, and Aphrodite… created through divine betrayal.
That would be a nightmare.
Especially for Hephaestus. Considering his long-standing fury toward Ares and Aphrodite's affair, he didn't want Zeus to be part of it.
Who wants to have a green hat on their head because of their father?
So what now? Does Hephaestus believe his wife cheated, and then I was born?
My mother's name is Semele. sorry hephaestus, and fuck you hephaestus your thought are corrupted.
Wtf nooo, fuck it this is turning to drama i dont want to be part of it.
Arthur groaned.
He needed answers — but more than that, he needed clarity.
Lamia was still silent, staring at the armor in his hands.
He finally turned to her.
"I don't know anything."
"I believe you," she said softly.
{Guys, don't forget to comment and leave a review. I feel like nobody cares about this novel.
Leave a comment and review, or I will send Zeus and Ares in your direction and let them do it.}