“...A marriage?”
I relayed this news to my wives and Hippolyta. As soon as I finished speaking, Hecate commanded me to kneel before her.
“...Yes.”
“And the other party?”
“...Thetis.”
“Hmm... Why is it that women only start flocking to you after you're already married? My dear husband?”
Hecate spoke with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
Come to think of it... Hippolyta, Aphrodite, Artemis, and now Thetis. They really did start appearing one after another shortly after I got married.
Reflecting on my recent behavior, I began to wonder seriously,
...Was there something fundamentally wrong with my approach?
Meanwhile,
“...You truly are...”
Hippolyta, who had assumed the mention of marriage referred to her, pressed a hand to her forehead upon realizing it was another woman.
“...Is it a goddess now?”
Atalanta's eyes narrowed.
“...Hehe.”
Medea was smiling, but her eyes remained cold.
“...Explain yourself.”
Hecate, positioned in the center, fixed her gaze on me and spoke.
“...It was not my wish.”
“The result remains the same regardless.”
“...The other party is the sea goddess, Thetis... and this marriage is by the order of Lord Zeus.”
A heavy silence fell over the room.
It was obvious that everyone was flustered by the mention of such an unexpected name.
“...In that case, refusal is impossible.”
“...Yes.”
“...I can understand that.”
Hecate nodded quietly at my words.
“However, my husband needs to exercise a bit more restraint.”
“...This isn't even my own doing.”
“That is precisely the problem. Therefore...”
As she spoke, Hecate gradually closed in on me. Behind her, Atalanta and Medea followed suit.
Even Hippolyta, after a moment of hesitation, began making her way toward me.
Wait... something feels off. This scene... it's like a memory of something I've experienced before!
The only difference was that there was one more person than last time.
Consequently, I was unable to leave that room until all four of them were fully satisfied.
***
After finally appeasing them, I walked alone along the beach to soothe my exhausted mind.
Suddenly, the tranquil sea began to churn violently.
Startled by the noise, I turned my gaze toward the shoreline.
The ocean parted as if split by an invisible hand, and a figure emerged from the center.
Silver hair and a grace that flowed like the tide.
It was the sea goddess I had heard about from Hermes—Thetis.
She walked upon the surface of the water, slowly approaching me.
“...Are you Astellon?”
“I am. But... what brings the Goddess Thetis all the way here?”
“I have come to verify.”
“...Verify...?”
“Yes. To see the man I am to marry.”
“Ah...”
With those words, she took another step closer.
“...”
The moment our eyes met, Thetis froze.
As I looked at her for the first time, my own thoughts ground to a halt.
It was strange.
He was clearly a human, not a god.
And yet...
“...This is...”
Her eyes trembled slightly.
She had encountered countless deities in her time.
The gods of Olympus.
The deities of the deep.
Even Zeus and Poseidon.
But none of them were like the being standing before her now.
He was the most radiant existence she had ever beheld.
His hair looked as if it had been spun from powdered moonlight, and she found it impossible to tear her gaze away from his face.
Her heart began to race.
She had never felt anything like this before.
From the moment she faced him up close, she...
“...Astellon.”
“Yes.”
“...One moment.”
“...?”
“...May I look at you from a closer distance?”
“...As you wish.”
With his permission granted, she took another step toward him.
They were now incredibly close.
At a distance where their breaths could mingle, she gazed at him once more.
In that instant, she was certain.
“...You are beautiful.”
The words escaped her lips involuntarily.
He was the very embodiment of beauty itself.
“...This is... almost dangerous,” she murmured softly.
“...Heh.”
A distinct smile played upon her lips.
“...I like you.”
It seemed that this forced marriage was not something she would mind at all.
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