Even with a god lying on her lap, even with her heart surging with nerves and panic, the holy goddess of justice still sat as straight as a pine at the mountain's peak.
Though in truth, her sacred, delicate body had already grown a bit stiff from excessive tension.
After Zeus fell asleep, her hands were at a loss; for a time she didn't know where to put them.
After a long hesitation, the goddess of justice finally lifted her slender, long, yet infinitely strong hands and placed them, oh so gently, upon Zeus's face.
She could not see his features, nor did she dare make any large movement, for fear of disturbing this rare rest for Zeus.
And this rare calm that belonged to the two of them alone slowly soothed her once-turbulent heart, making it quiet and warm.
She feared Zeus might misbehave and break her principles, yet she truly longed to be close to him; this quiet scene was what she had dreamed of.
Her jade hands lightly, carefully, and earnestly caressed Zeus's sharply handsome cheeks.
Bit by bit, Zeus's face was etched clearly into her heart.
The goddess of justice felt her inner being grow calm and easy, endless tenderness welling from the depths of her divinity.
Her once cool and untouchable, awe-inspiring, flawless face, here where no god could see, was quietly softening into grace and allure; even her keen, sword-straight brows gained a sevenfold gentleness.
All that tenderness now shimmered in her holy golden eyes, as if the brightest gold dust were kneaded into the warmest sunlight.
The holy goddess of just order—she was destined to be, could only be, the soft and alluring goddess in Zeus's arms.
From the source, a fated attachment and accord left her utterly unable—and utterly unwilling—to resist Zeus in the least.
While Zeus slept peacefully in the embrace of the holy goddess of justice and order, elsewhere the goddess of wisdom had already begun to act.
Her first stop was to seek the goddess who had just joined with the God-King for nine days and nights—the goddess of civilization and memory, Mnemosyne.
Aside from being utterly drained of all wisdom by Zeus's burning love when before him,
In the face of any other god, and any other matter, she was fully worthy of the title "goddess of wisdom."
Since she had decided—take the initiative! Seize the absolute upper hand!
If she couldn't have Zeus alone, so be it. What mattered was that she must become the goddess Zeus loved most!
And also become the greatest among all the goddesses he loved!
This goddess of civilization and memory, newly punished by Zeus, would surely not dare be as arrogant—worth knocking down and winning over a bit.
As for the Lady of Night, Metis had no thought of winning her over.
That goddess was too ancient and noble; outside of Zeus she was meek and gentle, but beyond that few gods could catch her eye.
Moreover, as things stood, that goddess was both greedy and hot-tempered—not a good target to cultivate. Better to suppress the greedy Night.
At this moment, Mnemosyne, confined and forbidden to drink, was half-reclined on her divine seat, bored out of her mind.
Her nine newborn Muse daughters were singing, dancing, and reciting hymns to ease their mother's dim mood, each displaying her art.
Watching her lovely, beautiful children, Mnemosyne felt less low.
Still, she felt a bit aggrieved.
That wretched Zeus! He hasn't even come to coax me!
Heh! A man—once he has you, he doesn't cherish you as much!
She couldn't help the grievance, but in truth the All-Knowing Goddess was not anxious.
Knowing Zeus as she did, she believed he would come before long.
If nothing else, Zeus would "get peckish."
She was even wondering whether to make some prettier, novel garments.
She thought to herself, Zeus… he seems to like those things mortals call "stockings," and "high heels."
The All-Knowing Goddess glanced at her legs, which Zeus could never get enough of, and at her bare, spring-bud-like feet. The corners of her lips lifted in a pleased smile.
How could her beloved God-King bear not to see her for long?
Right—should she add lace trim? What style of stockings? Black or white? Mm, purple is nice too—rather flavorful.
But Zeus did seem a bit angry this time.
Given his temperament, after a ruckus like that, he would definitely be displeased.
She still needed to prepare a little surprise and give him a proper coaxing.
The All-Knowing Goddess knew Zeus would come; she already had her countermeasures in mind.
But she never expected that Metis would come first.
Though with only a brief thought, she already understood Metis's purpose.
Inwardly, she was impressed—she hadn't thought Metis would be so open-minded, her heart so broad.
After being informed by the elemental sprites outside, she carefully straightened her attire and personally walked out of the temple to welcome Metis.
At the same time, she sent her daughters back to their own palaces for the time being.
A Mother-Goddess's affairs were not for children to meddle in.
Facing Metis, the All-Knowing Goddess felt no awkwardness, and certainly no guilt.
She knew too much; Zeus was destined to be her fated husband—what was there to feel guilty about?
And though her heart wasn't as magnanimous as Metis's, she was open enough not to fall headlong into a vat of vinegar.
If she were to be jealous, there would be no end to it.
Thus "Omniscience" and "Wisdom" met before the temple of civilization and memory.
With the gentle smile particular to a daughter of Ocean on her delicate face, Metis spoke first: "Dear goddess of civilization and memory, thank you for personally receiving me."
Before any other god, the goddess of civilization and memory was ever dignified and serene.
Her charms and seduction appeared only before Zeus.
She smiled softly and replied, "Dear goddess of wisdom, welcome. Your arrival makes my humble temple shine."
As she spoke, she stepped forward and, quite naturally, took Metis's small hand, and together they entered the temple.
The two exalted great goddesses sat side by side; a matched pair that bathed the hall in radiance.
It seemed the two goddesses were getting along very well.
Mnemosyne asked with a smile, "Respected and sagacious Wisdom, what important business brings you to me today?"
The wise goddess smiled faintly; her tone was gentle but her words were razor sharp: "I've come to see what kind of goddess 'stole' my beloved god—and even bore nine adorable children any god would envy."
The smile on the goddess of civilization and memory froze for an instant—only an instant—then returned to normal.
Only, the warmth in her smile was gone.
With a polite smile she said coolly, "No god can 'steal' the great God-King; all is the God-King's will. Because the God-King favors me, I am destined to nestle in his embrace."
"As for those adorable children of mine and the God-King's, they were conceived under his will as well. All this is only because Zeus likes it—so they appeared."
"What can I do? Zeus likes me—and he likes adorable children. He cannot be without me."
"Ah—by the way."
The All-Knowing Goddess suddenly changed tack, and in a tone that sounded concerned, asked gently, "Dear Metis, why haven't you and His Majesty conceived your child yet?"
Metis had intended to strike first and overawe Mnemosyne in momentum.
But she never imagined her charged blow would be so easily reversed.
This goddess of civilization truly knew how to "hit where it hurts."
Hearing that last sentence from the All-Knowing Goddess, Metis ground her teeth in anger.
She herself found it strange—why hadn't Zeus and she conceived a child?
The other two goddesses had.
Her own law was no weaker, and Zeus loved her absolutely.
Why, then, had Zeus not conceived a child with her? She had even picked out names!
But that didn't matter now—what mattered was to rebut!
Yet before she could speak, the All-Knowing Goddess seemed to have a sudden realization and, with a slightly theatrical tone, said, "Oh~ I see."
"Dear Metis, you are truly enviable!"
"It must be because Zeus loves you too much—he wants to conceive with you the strongest, wisest child!"
"To bring forth an unprecedentedly powerful deity—one even wiser and stronger than his great Father-God—and ultimately make them the supreme ruler of all beings in the universe, yes?"
At these words the goddess of memory spoke, Metis's face changed at once; her polite smile went white as paper. She hurriedly said, "Goddess Mnemosyne, how could that be?"
"Please don't speak such meaningless words!"
She straightened and declared with utter conviction, "Zeus—and only Zeus—will be the eternal supreme ruler of this universe, the sole and eternal sovereign of all beings!"
"All beings in the universe are Zeus's children!"
"Zeus is all wisdom, all power, all lordship; no god may ever overstep that!"
(End of Chapter)
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