As the hall was filled with silence, Hera couldn't believe what she heard from her son. She stares in shocked while Hephaestus carries a determined face.
She calm down not after a few minutes, " Are you sure about this, Hephaestus? "
[ Author : Just to clarify, English is my 3rd language. Yes, 3rd. I'll explain it later. ]
Hephaestus was silent for a few moments before he nodded, " Yes. "
Hera rubs her temple as she sit down on her throne, " Okay but we need the agreement from both side. Call Aphrodite and we'll settle this today. "
It is not that Hera's unhappy by his decision. She's glad that Hephaestus finally leave the whore of a goddess Aphrodite is. One thing that confuses her is that, isn't Hephaestus was too in love with her? That even after so many cold shoulder Aphrodite gave him, and the affairs and cheating she committed?
' So he had enough. I'm proud of you, my son. Even though I'm not qualified to say that but it's enough if it's only me who knows. ' She thought as she watch Hephaestus struggling with nervousness to call Aphrodite.
After a few minutes wasted, Hephaestus still hasn't called Aphrodite making Hera twitch her eyes, finally she got up and summon Aphrodite herself.
Hephaestus looks betrayed as Aphrodite almost instantly appeared. " Did you call for me, Lady Hera? "
Her voice sung into Hephaestus' ears. He don't know what he's feeling when he saw her again, but he's certain it is not something like love.
Aphrodite's attention fell to Hephaestus. The latter was ready to receive disgusted and cold stare but no. He turn his head only to see Aphrodite is watching him with a normal stare.
" Yes, I have summoned you here to see if you agree... " Hera trailed off as she noticed the same look Aphrodite gave Hephaestus.
Aphrodite is confused, she frown as she ask, " Agree? Agree on what? "
" I wish to dissolve our empty marriage, Aphrodite. " Came the rough and hoarse voice of Hephaestus, the nervousness from before was gone.
Aphrodite blink for a moment, then again. " I'm sorry what? "
" You heard me. " Hera cuts in. " If you agree, your marriage with him will be dissolve and both of you will no longer be wife and husband. I think that this is the best for both of you, in fact, I know you will be extremely happy. "
Aphrodite was speechless. She wanted this isn't she? This could be finally the moment she is set free!! But... She hesitates to answer.
" Aphrodite. Forgive me if I ever said anything that hurts your feelings, if there is. With this decision, I will set you free and you will not be chained like you've said to me after our wedding. " Hephaestus said.
Aphrodite turn to look at Hephaestus. She's searching for answers, something... Anything...
As she continues to look directly into his eyes, she noticed there is no more warmth that Hephaestus always have when he look at her.
She stares blankly on the floor as she realized, there is no more love in Hephaestus' heart for her. Why is this making her sad? She should be happy...
With a crackling voice, " I agree... "
The Goddess of Love stroll aimlessly on Olympus. The minor gods and goddesses walking by are whispering with each other as they passes Aphrodite.
" I heard she got divorced by her husband, is that true? "
" Really? Her husband? Hephaestus the God of Fire? But he's such a sweetheart!! I've visited his smith before-- He's so in love with her wife that he is willing to forge thousands of jewelries!! "
" I heard from the other minor goddesses that managed to hear their conversation, she never even love him! Also, isn't she always cheating on her husband? He must be tired of her so he just straight up divorced her, haha!! "
" So much for a Goddess of Love, she herself doesn't know what love is, hahaha! "
Aphrodite threw sharp glares at the gossipers and the gossipers quickly run away, afraid of being curse by the her.
Her face dropped as soon as they were no longer on her sight. " They're not lying... It's true... " She said to herself as she flashes away to her palace.
Aphrodite sit on her bed, her eyes were dead. A small pouch wallet can be seen laying on the bed, it was opened.
Gold dust and shattered diamonds with crystal poured out.
" Why am I not happy? I wanted this...!! Then why... "
When the ring was shattered, a sign of their marriage ended, it felt like her own heart was shattered instead. She wanted to cry but her ego and pride unable her to do so.
She shakes her head, clearing all negative thoughts. " I still have Ares. Yes, he will accept me and Eros... "
She has doubt, but she eventually threw it to the back of her head and flash out to find Ares at his palace.
Ares woke up from a slap on his face, " What the fuck woman!? "
He looks at the culprit and saw Aphrodite is looking at him with teary eyes and the face of someone who's betrayed by her lover.
" Aphrodite? What are you doing here? " He asked in irritation.
Aphrodite shakes her head in disbelief, " What I'm doing here? What is SHE doing here!? You said you would love only me!! Then what is this!? "
Ares rubs his ears, clearly annoyed by the screaming. A woman was hiding behind Ares as she tries to cover herself with the blanket.
" You really believe that? " The God of War raised an eyebrow. He get off from the bed stand up, towering Aphrodite.
" What? How could you say that!? "
" I am THE God of War. I will do whatever I wish, including having many women on my bed. You are just one of them, nothing more. "
Aphrodite stumbled in shocked, " But... But what about the promise we made together? "
Ares snorted then smirk, " Ah come on, you really believe that shit? I thought you're better than this since you always have sex with a lot of men behind that crippled husband of yours, hahaha!!! "
Lost in words, Aphrodite couldn't muster a single word. Ares approach her and crouch down, " Aphrodite, you thought I was serious about the getting marry shit? Don't be too full of yourself, whore. I let you keep the baby from the before just to spite that crippled, if I can turn back the time, I'll force you to kill the baby before you even give birth to him. "
Aphrodite scream before she throws a punch, that was caught by Ares right before it hits his face. She tries to free herself but was slapped hard on her face, leaving behind deep red slap mark. " Oooh, sorry, that's your fault to begin with. You wanna punch me, I retaliate, that's all ahahaha!!! "
Aphrodite flashes away from her spot in utter shock. Overwhelmed by the feelings of betrayed and despair.
-- [ End Chapter ]