"What wind blew through today? Why did you suddenly think to celebrate Athena's birthday?"
Outside the cavern, the night gradually deepened, and a cool breeze brushed across their faces. Samael tossed a bottle of wine to Zeus beside him and gave a teasing snort.
"She is my daughter. Am I not allowed to come see her myself?"
Zeus took a mouthful of wine and spoke calmly.
"You have plenty of daughters. I don't usually see you with this kind of leisure. I'd advise you not to waste your effort on Athena."
Samael raised a hand and rubbed his chin, giving his old rival a mocking smile.
Zeus had been driven out. Faced with her biological father showing up at the door, Athena had not exactly worn a warm and filial expression.
"Looks like you taught her well."
Unexpectedly, however, the Roman God King did not show any displeasure. Instead, he smiled and looked at Samael with playful amusement.
The faint blue gleam that appeared in those silver-white eyes made the Ancient Serpent jolt. In an instant, he understood the reason for this Roman God King's sudden whim.
"Lady Metis?"
"Mm-hm. Long time no see, kid."
The former Goddess of Wisdom, whose consciousness now had the upper hand, nodded with a bright smile.
Good grief. As expected of Her Majesty the Queen of the Gods, the woman who had spent her whole life fighting Zeus. She really had kept a move in reserve.
Even now, he had no idea who the true winner was in the struggle between Metis and Zeus.
Faced with this married couple who loved and fought each other in equal measure, Samael had nothing to say. In his heart, he quietly marked them as dangerous and decided to keep his distance.
"What did you come here for this time?"
"What if I told you I came to take Athena away, so that she may become the king of the Roman gods in the future?"
Her Majesty the Queen of the Gods turned around and spoke casually.
"I would respect Athena's wishes. This is her life."
That sudden question left Samael stunned. An inexplicable irritation and unease rose within him. He pressed down his stray thoughts, considered it for a long while, and only then spoke slowly.
"I will make her choose me..."
Metis narrowed her eyes with a smile and looked at Samael with interest. Her tone was serious and certain.
"I can help her remove the other choices."
The aggressive words came out before he could stop them. The Ancient Serpent smiled as well, his opening and closing vertical pupils sharp and dangerous.
Removing choices was actually simple.
He could just let Her Majesty the Queen of the Gods sleep a little longer and stay obediently inside Zeus, enjoying their private world together.
Of course, whether Athena followed her mother or her adoptive father was Athena's own choice.
But if Metis intended to drag his adopted daughter into something as messy as a coup or a struggle for power, using family affection to bind Athena, then Samael would not obediently let that girl bear the pain of choosing alone.
As long as Athena doesn't want it, no one is taking her from my side.
Samael's gaze was cold and hard, his hostility undisguised.
"Sincere, but not inflexible. Good. That puts me at ease. I mainly came this time to see the child, and to thank you for raising her so well."
Yet Metis soon smiled freely, her eyes filled with pleasure.
She wasn't here to take her away?
Samael could not help freezing slightly.
"Since you care so much about her, then she is yours. Forever."
The Queen of the Gods waved with a smile and gradually walked away into the rising mist, her meaningful whisper slowly drifting off.
Samael's facial muscles twitched slightly. The hand he had raised as if to stop her froze in midair.
It was not until midnight that the Ancient Serpent, who had gone to see "Zeus" off, finally swayed back to his residence.
Inside, the cups, plates, and leftovers had already been cleaned away. The Goddess of Wisdom, dressed in a white Greek gauze dress, leaned against a soft couch covered in Magical Beast fur, reading a scroll. In this rare silence, she carried an air of elegance and intellect.
"Father, you're back?"
Athena sensed Samael's presence, put down the scroll, and rose gracefully, walking barefoot across the carpet.
"Mm..."
Samael nodded. His nose twitched slightly, catching a faint floral scent from Athena's skin and hair after her bath. His gaze fell on his adopted daughter's eyes and brows. That delicate yet heroic outline made the Ancient Serpent lose focus for a moment.
"Father, actually, I..."
The Goddess of Wisdom suddenly clenched her silver teeth, raised her head, and held her hands behind her back. She looked at Samael with burning intensity, as though she had made some kind of decision.
"I know..."
But before Athena could speak, Samael had already placed his hand on his adopted daughter's head and rubbed it fondly, smiling at the Goddess of Wisdom.
"Uh, you... how did you know?"
Athena's expression stiffened, and her gaze drifted away.
"Heh. I taught you, remember? With those little thoughts of yours, since childhood, what have you ever managed to hide from me? Besides, I'm not blind."
Samael gave a light snort and flicked Athena's smooth forehead with a finger, leaving a red mark.
"Um, Father, I suddenly remembered there's still something to do at the Areopagus. I'll be going first!"
Athena, the Virgin Goddess, had thought she had hidden her improper attempt to "offend her adoptive father" quite well, only to discover that the person in question had seen through it long ago. Clutching her head in embarrassment and frustration, she wanted nothing more than to flee.
"Wait. You don't want your birthday present?"
Samael's exasperated snort made Athena, who had already turned away, stop helplessly and wait for the gift, along with the scolding from the person involved.
But then the Goddess of Wisdom's feet abruptly left the ground as a pair of arms lifted her by the waist.
At the same time, his lips fell, and a warm touch landed on her forehead.
Wait, was this supposed to be the birthday present?
The sudden intimacy made Athena's mind go blank, leaving her dazed for a moment.
"I didn't prepare anything else, so..."
Under the fluorite lamp, Samael's lips curved in a pleased arc as he spoke in a low, teasing tone.
"How about I give you a coming-of-age ceremony, Athena?"
Athena raised her head in shock and met the scorching heat in those vertical pupils.
After a moment, the Goddess of Wisdom regained her clarity. Her fingers climbed onto Samael's arm and gripped it tightly. She bit her lip, then finally could not help raising her face and asking seriously.
"Why did you change your mind?"
The Ancient Serpent raised a hand and lightly brushed Athena's elegant nose. A clear smile rose on his lips, his gaze burning.
"Probably because I don't want to regret it..."
That intensely invasive gaze made Athena's skin heat rapidly. Her heart beat wildly despite herself, and her whole body felt as dizzy as if she were drunk as she was carried into the bedroom.
Samael's steps were light, as though he were holding a treasure. He gently placed the Goddess of Wisdom, who had buried her head in his chest like an ostrich, onto the bed. His long fingers slid down from the goddess's delicate white collarbone and loosened her formal dress.
Snap!
But as the shoulder strap slipped down, Samael's hand was seized tightly by Athena.
"Uh, too sudden? Then forget it. Tonight, I'll just sleep beside you..."
The Ancient Serpent stopped and explained with some embarrassment.
The Goddess of Wisdom gently shook her head, a pleased smile curving her lips.
"What I wanted to say was..."
Then, before Samael could react, Athena caught him in a grappling hold and pinned him beneath her. She turned over in the same motion, straddling her adoptive father's waist, her gaze blazing.
"I want to be on top!"
In the next instant, the sound of cloth tearing echoed even more violently through the dark bedroom. The elegant goddess pressed down fiercely with the posture of a conqueror, declaring sovereignty over her prey.
She faced her feelings directly, and she dared to face her true self.
She had always been a conqueror who struck first, not an obedient, submissive good girl.
Outside the window, the night was deep, and wind and rain were coming.
Inside, spring filled the room, and everything sank into softness.
At the same time, the World Tree pulsed between light and dark, while in that lost world, everything had already become vast and desolate. The traces of the Golden Tent royal court dissolved into the endless tide of nothingness.
On the second day, all things in the world were nearly extinct.
***
...
If you'd like to support my work and unlock advanced chapters, you can follow me on p-@-treon.
[email protected]/PinkSnake (50 Chapters Ahead).
You can also follow as a free member to read a few advanced chapters.
***