Hephaestus never imagined that a mortal child could so easily accept the grotesque scar of her right eye.
He had even called it beautiful.
And as a Goddess, she could clearly tell—he wasn't lying. Every word he spoke was the absolute truth.
So… what was this? Wasn't it nothing less than a confession?
Hephaestus had never expected that a child from the lower world would speak to her so openly, so sincerely.
And, against all reason—her heart had been moved.
A heartbeat that had long lain dormant stirred again, quickening in ways she hadn't felt for ages. Those simple words had struck directly at her heart.
"Lady Hephaestus."
Tsuna stepped forward.
Hephaestus startled and instinctively took a step back. But Tsuna was faster—his hand caught hers firmly, leaving her no room to retreat.
"W–wait, I… I'm not ready for this."
Her face turned crimson. Her heartbeat pounded so loudly that it echoed in her ears.
She hadn't expected things to develop like this.
But Tsuna had been prepared for it.
After Loki had confessed her true thoughts to him, Tsuna had decided to no longer hide his feelings.
He would openly express his affection for the women he cared about—boldly and honestly. And afterward, he would tell Loki everything.
"Lady Hephaestus, I'm not trying to force you."
"I just want to express my feelings—and to hear your answer."
My answer…?
Hephaestus suddenly felt that the boy before her had grown terribly cunning.
Such a direct advance left her flustered, unable to process the situation clearly.
She had always thought of herself as an outsider—believing that Tsubaki, Tiona, and Tione were the real targets of his affection.
Even if there were several of them, she didn't particularly mind. Mortal children often loved more than one person—it wasn't something she paid much attention to.
But who could have guessed this boy would be so bold as to harbor feelings for a Goddess… for her.
His words had truly stunned her.
And now, he was waiting for her reply.
"I… I never thought a mortal child could accept someone as ugly as me."
The light on her exposed right eye made her realize it was still uncovered. Reflexively, she tried to hide it—but found that her hand was still being held.
Aside from Hestia, no one had ever accepted her for who she was.
Yet here was someone—his words sincere, his eyes unflinching, utterly unfazed by her deformity.
For the first time, Hephaestus realized how pure and fiery the heart of a mortal could be.
"This is the first time I've met someone like you."
"I can't believe you'd even think to make me one of your targets."
She had always thought herself removed from it all—only to find herself drawn right into the center of it.
The image of Tsuna standing before her, eyes burning with conviction, flashed in her mind. Her heartbeat quickened again.
Heat rushed through her face.
"If I had to say it… I think I rather like you."
Obedient, capable, intelligent, and endlessly creative—Tsuna had always left a good impression on her as a craftsman.
And now, that impression had deepened.
Because he was the first to accept her scars without hesitation. That first held a special meaning.
"But really—you're far too bold."
"To think of something like that… you've got some nerve."
Not only Tsubaki and the Amazon sisters—he had even included her from the start, and dared to ask if she could be part of it too.
His courage was truly outrageous.
"You realize, don't you—if a Goddess agrees to something like this, there are consequences?"
"An eternal life, an existence forever separate from mortals. Do you understand what that means?"
Hephaestus drew a deep breath. The boy knew exactly what she was implying.
"And yet you still…"
"Lady Hephaestus," Tsuna said softly, "it's because life is short that I want to spend it doing something meaningful. Saying I love someone is far better than keeping it locked away forever."
"Besides, Lady Hephaestus, I'm confident in my own future. I don't intend to live just a few decades."
"What…?"
Hephaestus met his gaze—steady, unwavering, full of self-assurance.
Then she remembered. This child was no ordinary mortal.
His strength didn't come solely from the Falna. The Dying Will Flame—his true power—was his own.
He said he didn't plan to live only a few decades… meaning he sought something greater.
Surprise flickered in her eyes, soon followed by understanding.
Had anyone else spoken such words, she would've dismissed them as delusions.
But from him… it was different.
Because he could reach higher. Because he might truly make it possible.
Hephaestus's brow arched suddenly.
"Have you said those words to any other Goddess?"
"…Loki."
"Loki!?"
Her eyes widened in disbelief. He had said this—to Loki!?
"Actually," Tsuna admitted, "I once proposed to Miss Loki without even realizing it. And… she accepted. She even wears the ring I gave her."
He took Hephaestus's left hand gently, brushing his thumb across the ring of Mare's sky-blue gem on her finger.
Hephaestus stared at her hand, then at the boy holding it.
"So… you're proposing to me too?"
"Eh?"
"If you're certain—and if you truly mean what you've said—then I suppose… I could accept it."
"I'll ask you once. Are you serious?"
Tsuna nodded firmly.
"I'm serious."
For the first time in her divine life, Hephaestus was confessed to—proposed to—by a child of the lower world.
And yet… that child was special.
"You've gone and entangled yourself with a second Goddess."
"Remember this, Tsuna. Gods take promises seriously. Even after a thousand, ten thousand years… we do not forget."
Her cheeks flushed faintly.
"Your proposal… I accept."
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You can read up to chapter 235 on patreon.com/NiaXD.