After Zeus’s declaration, the wedding ceremony finally returned to a state of peace.
Of course, it wasn't a complete peace.
Several gods still cast sidelong glances my way, muttering under their breath, and the three goddesses didn't look entirely convinced. Still, at the very least, no further disasters erupted on the spot.
“Haa...”
I let out a long, weary sigh.
Beside me, Thetis glanced at me softly.
“You’ve been through a lot.”
“You as well.”
I replied with a faint smile.
Once the festivities concluded, the guests who had attended the wedding of Thetis and myself finally departed.
As Thetis and I returned to the castle, the echoes of the day lingered.
“Well... I’m not exactly pleased with how things ended earlier, but since it’s the first night, I’ll let it slide.”
“I shall take my leave for today.”
“...Tomorrow. I will expect more.”
“....”
“Ah...”
Thanks to the agreement and the "mercy" of the four women, the two of us were granted a room alone.
Left in the sudden solitude of the bedroom, an awkward silence settled over us until Thetis finally spoke.
“...It has been a long time since it was this quiet.”
“It has, hasn't it...”
I replied, slowly exhaling as I relaxed.
The silence was so profound that the chaos of the afternoon felt like a distant dream.
“Are you all right?”
“In what sense?”
“About everything that happened today.”
I paused, reflecting on her question.
Then, I answered honestly.
“To be truthful, I’m exhausted. Completely worn out.”
“...You certainly are honest.”
“There’s no reason to hide it from you.”
Another brief silence fell between us before Thetis spoke again, calling my name softly.
“...Astellon.”
“Yes.”
“Earlier... you were trying to choose me, weren't you?”
“Ah... you noticed?”
“I did. And I noticed why you stopped.”
“That was... for the sake of my survival. I felt that if I had proceeded, I truly would have died tonight.”
“...Pfft.”
Thetis broke into a soft laugh. Seeing that playful smile grace her ethereal beauty was almost too much for my heart to handle.
“You really are far too honest.”
“I wasn't joking.”
“I know. Still... it made me happy. Seeing you try to choose me... that was enough for me.”
Thetis looked at me with a tender, lingering smile.
I reached out and took her hand in mine.
“...I will do my best to keep giving you that feeling from now on.”
“I shall look forward to it.”
As she spoke, Thetis slowly closed her eyes.
“Astellon.”
“Yes.”
“Tonight... please be my husband, and mine alone.”
“I already am.”
With those words, I slowly drew her into my embrace.
That night was neither fierce nor loud.
It was simply a quiet time to deepen the bond and confirm the feelings we held for one another.
The next day arrived, and I returned to my usual duties with my retainers.
“Your Majesty.”
“Enter.”
Upon my permission, the retainer opened the door and stepped inside. He glanced at me, his expression becoming incredibly subtle and ambiguous.
“What is it?”
“O-oh, it is nothing. It’s just... your aura seems... different than usual...”
“Finish your sentence.”
“N-no, it’s nothing! The... the situation on the eastern frontier has stabilized, Sire.”
“I see.”
“And also...”
Even as I listened to the report, memories of the previous night suddenly flashed through my mind.
“Ahem...!”
“Your Majesty?”
“Ah, continue.”
“Yes, Sire.”
I fought to clear my head and focused back on my work.
Despite my duties, I made sure to spend time with my wives.
Unless an emergency arose, meetings typically wrapped up by two or three in the afternoon, leaving the rest of the day for them.
I had only recently married Atalanta, Medea, and Hecate; Hippolyta was still preparing for her wedding; and Thetis, my most recent bride, was still in the honeymoon phase... I felt as though even having two bodies wouldn't be enough to keep up.
Time passed, until one day—
“I-is that really true?!”
“Hehe... I told you it was.”
I looked at Hecate, who was sitting in her room, gently stroking her belly.
“Congratulations. You’ve become a father.”
As she spoke, I was overcome with a wave of immense joy.
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