Allen let the conversation settle, glancing at Hera. It was clear she wanted the topic dropped, but Aphrodite, of course, had no intention of making things easy.

Aphrodite leaned on the table, propping her chin up with her hand. "You know, Allen, for someone so curious, you seem rather calm about all this."

Allen shrugged. "I've learned that when it comes to gods, expecting things to make sense is a waste of time."

Athena nodded approvingly. "A wise conclusion."

Aphrodite pouted playfully. "Oh? So you're not going to ask anything else? Not even something scandalous?"

Hera sighed. "Aphrodite."

Aphrodite giggled. "Fine, fine. I'll behave~"

Allen decided to steer the conversation back. "So if Demeter created Persephone, does that mean she's stronger than the rest of you? Or is she different somehow?"

Athena responded first. "She is not necessarily stronger, but her existence is unique. Unlike us, who were created with clear functions as Machine Gods, Persephone was made as a divine spirit from the beginning."

Hera added, "She is tied directly to Demeter's authority, but she has her own will and identity."

Allen considered that. "So in a way, she's more… natural?"

Aphrodite smiled. "You could say that~ She wasn't built to rule or command. She was made out of love."

Tiamat, who had been silent, murmured, "That is… nice."

Allen glanced at her. "It is, huh?"

Tiamat nodded. "A mother creating a child out of love… that is something rare."

Hera seemed to pause at that, but she said nothing.

Allen leaned back. "Alright, that makes sense. So she wasn't 'forged' for a purpose like the rest of you. She was just… wanted."

Athena nodded. "Yes."

There was a moment of quiet, a rare lull in their usual back-and-forth. Even Aphrodite seemed thoughtful.

Allen glanced at Hera, who had remained composed but quieter than usual. He could tell there was something on her mind, but she wasn't about to voice it.

Instead, it was Athena who spoke next. "Do you have your answer now, Allen?"

Allen exhaled. "For now." He smirked slightly. "Until I come up with more questions."

Aphrodite laughed. "Oh, I like that about you."

Hera simply sighed. "Of course you do."

Tiamat smiled softly. "It is interesting, though. Learning about each other like this."

Allen nodded. "Yeah… it is."

And for a moment, there was peace at the table—though Allen had no doubt it wouldn't last for long.

Allen asks the most important question for himself, and decided to take advantage of it.

"So," he started, casually "Since we're on the topic of origins and divine creation, I've got another question for you all."

Athena sighed. "I had a feeling you would."

Aphrodite leaned forward with interest. "Oh? Do tell, dear~"

Allen smirked. "Do any of you have husbands? Or are you all single?"

The air in the room shifted instantly. Tiamat blinked, looking at Allen curiously, while Raviel suppressed a laugh beside him. Aphrodite's lips curled into a mischievous smile, while Athena and Hera both stiffened—though in very different ways.

Hera was the first to respond, her voice carefully measured. "Why do you ask?"

Allen shrugged. "Just curious. You're all powerful goddesses, so I figured there might be some divine marriages I don't know about."

Aphrodite laughed softly. "Oh my, what a bold question~"

Athena, arms crossed, spoke flatly. "I have no husband. Nor do I intend to."

Aphrodite smirked at her. "Ever the devoted virgin, hmm?"

Athena ignored her.

Hera, still composed, added, "None of us are married."

Allen raised an eyebrow. "None of you? Not even engaged?"

Hera's expression remained neutral. "The gods of Olympus are still… forming their roles. The idea of divine unions has not yet been established."

Aphrodite added playfully "And besides, why settle down too soon? There's so much to enjoy before that~"

Allen chuckled. "So basically, you're all single."

Hera exhaled quietly. "If that is how you wish to phrase it."

Aphrodite winked. "Why? Are you planning to change that, Allen?"

The way she said his name sent a ripple of amusement through atmosphere, Tiamat, ever the innocent one, tilted her head. "Would that be a problem?"

Allen chuckled, shaking his head. "Just gathering information, that's all."

Athena rolled her eyes. "You are impossible."

Aphrodite giggled. "And yet, we're still here with him~"

Allen merely smiled. For all their divine pride, they hadn't denied the implication. And that was very interesting.

They then continued into the temple room where Allen looked at what was there,then they sat at a table prepared by several— temple servants who serves the gods.

Allen turned his attention to Hera, who had been calmly observing the conversation. "Alright, then what about Zeus?" he asked. "You're called queen here, while he's called king. Doesn't that mean something?"

The room went silent for a moment. Athena's expression didn't change, but she subtly glanced at Hera. Aphrodite's smile widened slightly, clearly enjoying where this was going.

Hera, to her credit, remained composed, but Allen noticed the slight tension in her posture. She set her goblet down carefully. "Titles do not necessarily dictate relationships," she said evenly. "Zeus and I hold authority over Olympus, but that does not mean we are bound in the way you are suggesting."

Allen raised an eyebrow. "So it's just a leadership thing? Nothing more?"

Hera met his gaze without hesitation. "That is correct."

Aphrodite let out a soft, amused hum. "Oh my~ How firm you sound, Hera."

Hera ignored her, but Allen could tell there was something beneath the surface. "So," he continued, "there's no divine law or agreement that ties you two together?"

Athena answered this time. "Not at this point in time. The roles of the Olympians are still taking shape."

Aphrodite rested her chin in her palm, looking at Hera with open amusement. "Though, if Zeus were to pursue you, what would you do, Hera?"

Hera's golden eyes flashed slightly. "That is not relevant."

Aphrodite chuckled. "Oh, I think it is~"

Allen watched as Hera's expression remained unreadable, but he could tell the topic annoyed her. She wasn't denying the possibility outright, but neither was she entertaining it.

"Huh," Allen murmured, leaning back. "Interesting."

Hera shot him a look. "What is?"

Allen shrugged. "Just that you're fine with being called queen but don't seem particularly fond of Zeus being king."

Aphrodite let out a delighted laugh. "Oh, he notices things, doesn't he?"

Hera exhaled. "This discussion is pointless."

Allen smirked. "If you say so."

Hera didn't respond, but Allen knew he'd poked at something deeper. And judging by Aphrodite's growing amusement, he wasn't the only one who noticed.

Allen watched Hera carefully, gauging her reaction before speaking again. "You know," he said casually, "if Zeus ever becomes a problem, I could deal with him for you."

The room back went silent.

Athena gave him a sharp look. Aphrodite blinked before breaking into a slow, amused smile. Tiamat tilted her head, as if considering the idea seriously. And Hera… Hera just stared at him.

"…What?" she asked, her voice carefully neutral.

Allen shrugged. "I'm just saying. If he tries anything, I could knock him down a peg."

Aphrodite let out a delighted laugh. "Oh, now this is interesting."

Athena frowned. "You speak as if it would be easy."

Allen met her gaze. "It would be."

Hera narrowed her eyes slightly. "And why, exactly, would you do such a thing?"

Allen smiled, but his tone was light. "Because I don't like the idea of you being forced into something you don't want."

For the first time, Hera looked genuinely taken aback. It wasn't much—just a flicker of something in her golden eyes—but Allen caught it.

Aphrodite was practically purring with amusement now. "My, my… Hera, are you touched?"

Hera inhaled slowly, regaining her usual composure. "Your arrogance is boundless."

Allen chuckled. "I prefer confidence."

Athena sighed. "And if Zeus hears of this?"

Allen raised an eyebrow. "What's he gonna do about it?"

That statement alone made the atmosphere shift again. Athena pressed her lips together, choosing not to argue. Aphrodite just kept watching, intrigued.

Hera, however, simply stared at Allen for a long moment. Then, without another word, she picked up her goblet and took a slow sip of nectar.

Allen didn't need her to say anything. He could tell she was thinking about it.

Hera set down her goblet with a quiet clink, her expression unreadable. "You speak as if Olympus is yours to challenge," she said finally.

Allen leaned back, arms resting on the chair. "If it ever comes to that, why not?"

Aphrodite giggled, eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, I love this. You're not just confident, dear—you're audacious."

Athena, ever the pragmatic one, sighed. "You underestimate Zeus."

Allen glanced at her. "Do I?"

Athena met his gaze, her tone serious. "He is not just a ruler. He is power itself, the sky given form. To defy him is to defy the foundation of Olympus."

Allen took a sip of his drink before responding. "And?"

Silence.

Aphrodite pressed a hand to her mouth, barely holding back her laughter, while Tiamat simply observed, as if waiting to see where this conversation would go.

Hera studied Allen carefully. "And you would oppose him… for what reason?"

Allen held her gaze. "I already told you. I don't like the idea of you being forced into something you don't want."

The weight of his words settled over the table. For a moment, no one spoke. Then, unexpectedly, Hera exhaled softly—not quite a sigh, but something close.

"I see," she murmured.

Aphrodite's grin widened. "Oh, Hera. You felt that, didn't you?"

Hera shot her a sharp look, but Aphrodite only laughed.

Allen remained silent, watching Hera. She didn't refute his words. She didn't push back. And that, more than anything, was interesting.

Athena finally broke the silence. "Regardless of your strength, openly opposing Zeus is not a simple matter."

Allen shrugged. "Maybe not. But if it ever becomes necessary… well, let's just say I don't mind shaking things up."

Hera was quiet for a long moment before she finally spoke again. "You are reckless."

Allen smirked. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

Hera didn't reply. But the way she looked at him—just for a second—told him that, perhaps, she didn't think it was entirely bad at all.

Note: Don't forget to give me your power stone, and leave your review to motivate me.