Immediately after welcoming Euthalia back, a feast was laid out, a table laden with food and Nectar, a liqueur made from honey with a sweetness ranging from delicate to rich, accompanied by a slight astringent aftertaste from beeswax or a subtle aroma of flowers and fruits.
Euthalia picked up a glass of liqueur made of gold and took a sip; the flavor spreading in her mouth was truly captivating.
"Euthalia, try this delicious fresh fruit, I guarantee you'll love it."
"After all these years, you're still as beautiful as ever."
The flattering words were like honey poured into her ears, pleasing to anyone who heard them, but Euthalia calmly sipped her liqueur. Her return to Greece had a personal reason.
"Zeus, I've returned today, didn't you promise to give me anything?" - Euthalia
"You've just returned to your family, so just enjoy yourself first!" - Zeus
The King of the Gods seemed to be avoiding his younger sister's words, but she had anticipated this, so she slammed her glass down on the table. The loud crash instantly silenced the lively atmosphere, and the gods' eyes turned towards Euthalia, who still wore a smile that wasn't quite a smile.
"Big brother, if you're still my big brother, at least you should maintain some familial affection. And as the King of the Gods, at least you should keep your word. Or can't you even fulfill a simple request? Is being king just for show?" - Euthalia
"Little sister... don't say that. Of course I'm a god, a king, I can do or grant anything. It's just that your request needs to be reconsidered." - Zeus
"It's been decades, big brother. Decades, not just days. That's a long time to consider a request." - Euthalia
She rose and walked slowly around the table of the gods, her hand touching each of the twelve thrones, five of which were already occupied. Euthalia's gaze swept over those present with a calculating look.
"Zeus, I have returned to fulfill my duty and promise, but if you fail to fulfill my request, I fear I will not interfere with what happens next." - Euthalia
"Euthalia..." - Zeus
"My brothers and sisters, don't blame your little sister for not warning you. We all know that Gaia's prophecy is never wrong. Themis and Phoebe would say the same thing, so the fate of the Greek gods rests in the hands of you, Zeus." - Euthalia
This was a coercive threat. Even though Zeus was the leader, he still doubted the prophecies and tried to prevent them from happening. However, no matter what he did, the prophecy still came true, except for one time with his first wife, Metis.
And the factor that made it happen was Euthalia.
"Zeus, agree with her. While those troubles haven't happened yet." - Poseidon
Zeus looked around and saw that even the others shared the same thought.
He waved his arm, and a scroll appeared, ancient, perhaps even older than that. The scroll unfolded, revealing a promise from a very long time ago; the words flew out of the scroll, enveloping the young woman.
"Euthalia, daughter of Cronus and Rhea. By the witness of an ancient oath written at the end of the Titan era and the beginning of the age of the gods, from now on you will be granted the power of a god. Be responsible and fulfill your duties as a god. You will be a symbol of humanity." - Zeus
Each word entered Euthalia's body until the very last, and she gasped for breath as the power surged through her. Her eyes looked up, as if to say there was no turning back.
"You have fulfilled my request, older brother. Don't worry, I am a man of my word. Your children will grow up under my guidance, just as I have done before." - Euthalia
Then she left immediately, walking past her older siblings calmly.
"Euthalia...we're sorry..."
Her steps faltered for a moment before she continued.
After walking for a while, she saw the figure of a child, the same boy who had blocked her path earlier. The boy seemed very curious about her; his name appeared to be Hermes.
"What's wrong? Do you want to say something?" - Euthalia
"Are you really my aunt?" - Hermes
"Is there a problem with that?" - Euthalia
"You're asking me that, are you trying to tease me?" - Hermes pouted
"You little brat, don't think you're smarter than an old person." - Euthalia laughed
Euthalia's hand patted Hermes's curly brown hair, making him blush and think of a trick to tease his aunt. With impressive speed, he confidently thought he could quickly grab something from Euthalia's person, his eyes glancing up at the earrings on her long ears as his target.
Hermes took a running start and lunged forward quickly. Just as his small hand was about to touch her, Euthalia dodged slightly to the side. Hermes was stunned and immediately plunged straight into a nearby lake.
The pool wasn't very deep. When he swam up, he saw his aunt squatting, resting her hands on her knees, watching him.
"You missed, kid. Overconfidence breeds arrogance. If you don't change that, don't claim to be the fastest." - Euthalia
Hearing this, Hermes felt resentful. He quickly thought of his father. A man notorious for his philandering, who had seduced so many women that Hera, his sister and wife, was furious.
Clearly, the woman before him was so beautiful, yet his father didn't pursue her, and Hera wasn't there. What was so special about this woman?
Suddenly, a hand pulled him out of the water, and a towel was gently placed over his head, drying him off.
"Don't sit in the cold water for too long, or you'll catch a cold. Children are very sensitive." - Euthalia
Hermes's small body lay in Euthalia's arms, and regardless of who was drying him off, he felt restless. His body temperature was rising, making it impossible for Hermes to stay alert.
This close contact was a first for him; although he was often held by his mother, this was a complete stranger.
"Alright, you're dry now. Clean and beautiful." - Euthalia
"..."
"Hermes, nephew. Are you alright?" - Euthalia
There was no reaction; the child remained face down on her breasts, not moving at all. Euthalia looked down and saw that the child had been unconscious for some time.
Touching the child's skin, she was startled to find it was feverish. Could he be sick?
After an unknown amount of time, Hermes woke up to find himself resting his head on something soft, not a pillow, but something elastic and smooth.
"Oh, you're awake? Are you feeling better?" - Euthalia
His aunt's voice woke the child. Looking up, he saw a pair of breasts and a beautiful face. That alone was enough to make anyone fall for this beauty.
But this wasn't so bad; if he could, Hermes would want to lie there a little longer.
That is, if it weren't for the interference that ruined his moment. His older sister, Athena, appeared and carried him away, the goddess even bowing and apologizing to his aunt for the disturbance.
Carrying him like a sack of potatoes, Hermes's eyes remained fixed on his aunt sitting there. As she gradually disappeared from sight, Athena set him down.
"Hermes, you'd better not cause trouble for Aunt Euthalia." - Athena
"Not at all, she doesn't seem bothered." - Hermes
"That's her, not me. From today onwards, since Aunt Euthalia is back, you'd better not cause her any more trouble." - Athena
"Alright, alright, whatever." - Hermes
"And don't even think about doing anything or harboring feelings for Aunt Euthalia." - Athena
Hermes turned to look at his older sister with a displeased expression.
"Oh please, aren't all women the same? Who's as rigid as you?" - Hermes