Capítulo 53: Hera, Why Are You Here?!
Promise and Atalanta didn't have to wait long.
However, it wasn't Meleager who returned, but the elegant woman in the red dress, Queen Althaea of Calydon.
When Althaea appeared and introduced herself gracefully to the two, Atalanta instinctively glanced at Promise.
After all, she had a good memory and still recalled the prophecy left by the wise goddess Athena that night... Meleager would ultimately be killed by the mother he loved the most!
Despite being the queen and sister to that obnoxious Toxeus, Althaea did not exhibit any arrogance.
She courteously hosted the two of them.
However, as nightfall approached and with the impending arrival of the goddess to the kingdom, it was clear that Althaea didn't have much time, so she quickly excused herself after a brief meeting, and apologized repeatedly before leaving in a hurry.
Thus, Promise and Atalanta left the palace.
"Why did you accept the money she gave you?" The huntress asked curiously after the guards left.
After all, she knew very well that Promise had no interest in wealth.
"Because refusing it would have caused more trouble."
Hearing this, Atalanta nodded thoughtfully.
As they walked, she continued, "Now, everyone in the kingdom is preparing for the arrival of the wise goddess, hoping to be chosen as her warrior.
They completely overlooked the fact that you brought back Artemis's gift.
So, I am quite curious to see their reactions tonight when Athena chooses you!"
"Well... maybe the goddess Athena won't choose me," Promise replied with a smile, only to be met with a sidelong glance from Atalanta.
Ignoring her look, he continued, "But, I didn't expect that Goddess Athena would give me this as a gift..."
Seeing Promise look thoughtful, Atalanta tilted her head in curiosity and asked, "Why do you say that?"
"Because this isn't the first time I've received such a gift," Promise said, his expression turning peculiar. "But the first time, something went wrong, so I didn't expect there would be a second time..."
.....
"That day, I asked Goddess Hera why she didn't reveal her identity to that child, and she told me it wasn't the right time yet."
"She said that when the child returned to the kingdom and appeared before everyone, she would then appear and stand by the child's side, telling everyone that Hera was that child's goddess, and she would reclaim everything that rightfully belonged to him!"
This happened in Iolcos, Jason's homeland, marking the beginning of everything.
Outside Calydon, under a tree at dusk, the moon goddess Artemis, dressed in beautiful ancient Athenian embroidered clothes, sat listening intently to Athena, who was recounting past events.
"But didn't you say that from the beginning, Hera mistook the child for... Jason?" Artemis asked after a moment of contemplation.
"Yes," Athena nodded with a smile. "So, some things got messy later on. But in the end, everything was resolved perfectly.
Even Clotho, the fate goddess who rarely left the temple of fate, came there at the time. She informed Hera that Promise could also bring her glory."
'And she hinted that I, too, could be one of the deities he could choose...' Athena kept this thought to herself.
"So, you decided to prepare this divine offering ceremony, just like back then?" Artemis said, her sky-blue eyes gazing at the bustling kingdom of Calydon.
Though she had been furious when she was the only one who didn't receive an offering and sent the terrifying wild boar, her anger had long since dissipated.
In fact, not long after sending the boar, a few good naps had made Artemis forget all about it.
"Yes, because technically, back then, he never truly received the favor of the gods, right?" Athena's lips curved into a slight smile.
"Um... does Hera know?" Even Artemis gave Athena a peculiar look.
"Of course not. And even if she did, what of it? I'm just making up for what she didn't do." Athena blinked innocently at Artemis. "Besides, Promise is so adorable, isn't he?"
"Yes, you have a point!" The latter nodded in agreement, her mood lifting. "In that case, count me in. This sounds like fun!"
Seeing Artemis' predictable request, Athena's smile didn't falter as she spoke.
"Of course... not!"
"Artemis, did you forget our recent bet, which you lost?"
Hearing this, Artemis paused, then pouted, glaring at Athena. "I see, Athena. You want to hog him all to yourself. Don't think I don't know you plan to snatch little Promise while Hera is busy, right?!"
Has Artemis gotten smarter?
Of course not, she simply thought the same as Athena.
The music from that night, the painting, and the silver meteor...
Though Artemis' followers were mostly women, she was willing to make an exception for Promise.
And if it came to it, she certainly had the power to turn him into a girl!
"What are you talking about, Artemis? How could I possibly compete with the noble Hera for a follower?"
Athena's smile remained as elegant and composed as ever.
She stood up, her golden eyes gazing into the distance, and softly said, "I won't discuss this further with you, because the goddess of the night, Nyx... has already descended to the human world."
...
Nyx, the goddess of the night, drove her chariot of darkness from the underworld to the mortal realm.
She was one of the five primordial deities born from Chaos, embodying and personifying the night.
In mythology, she was also the foster mother of Zeus, the king of the gods.
Using her powers, she sheltered Zeus in the darkness, allowing him to grow up right under the nose of his father, the second-generation king of the gods.
Eventually, Zeus overthrew the divine court and established Olympus.
At this moment, in the kingdom of Calydon, nearly every person held a lit torch, illuminating the night as they gathered around the sacrificial tower according to the divine oracle.
They raised their heads, looking towards the burning altar, awaiting the descent of the great deity.
Each person's eyes were filled with anticipation, hoping to be chosen by the beautiful goddess.
They yearned to defeat the terrifying monster with the help of the god and become revered and celebrated heroes.
"Hmm... how do you think the goddess Athena will choose you?" Atalanta stood with Promise near the edge of the crowd, leaning against a large tree.
In the center of the crowd were the royal family and nobles of Calydon.
She glanced at the scene, a slight smile playing on her lips, finding her own reaction rather odd.
Even though she already knew the outcome and that she wouldn't be the one chosen, Atalanta felt an unusual excitement.
She looked forward to Goddess Athena's arrival and was even more eager to see her select Promise in front of everyone.
Atalanta could already imagine the astonished expressions of the people in the Calydon palace at that moment.
The thought made her smile uncontrollably... Atalanta, who was still pure at heart, had yet to realize that this feeling was called joy.
Promise was about to answer Atalanta's question when a familiar voice interrupted.
"Promise, beautiful huntress, finally found you!" The red-haired Meleager emerged from the crowd, smiling brightly as he approached them.
Atalanta was momentarily taken aback.
She knew Meleager's identity as the prince of Calydon and had witnessed his bravery and leadership during the hunting festival.
Given his qualifications and the general belief among the people, Meleager seemed like the most suitable candidate to be chosen by Athena.
Even a few days ago, Atalanta would have thought the same.
So, she was genuinely surprised that Meleager, despite having everything in his favor, chose to come and find them instead.
"Aren't you going to greet the goddess?" She couldn't help but ask.
Seeing Atalanta speak to him directly, Meleager became flustered, his words stumbling as he replied, "F-Father and Mother did want me to greet the goddess.
But I don't think it should be done that way... and since she's the wisest of the gods, the person she chooses will surely be the bravest one here tonight.
So it doesn't matter where I stand."
Hearing this, Atalanta looked at Meleager, who was seriously expressing his thoughts, and then glanced at the smiling Promise.
She couldn't help but recall the scene that night when the transformed monster Actaeon desperately approached Promise.
At that moment, much of the resentment Atalanta had accumulated in the palace began to dissipate.
Just then...
"And who do you think will be chosen by the wise goddess tonight... if it were you?"
A gentle voice suddenly echoed in everyone's ears.
Hearing the question, Meleager instinctively spoke his mind, "If it were me, I would willingly transfer that honor to Promise... When he won the hunting festival and asked Artemis for that gift, everything should rightfully belong to him."
"It seems that Chiron has indeed taught a fine group of students... If this child were not here tonight, my choice would undoubtedly be you."
Hearing such a response and the beautiful voice like a soothing spring, Meleager instinctively turned his head.
Then he saw her, dressed in a flawless white dress, as beautiful as the most radiant jewel among all the goddesses, walking slowly past him.
She smiled gently and approached Promise.
Her golden eyes gazed at the black-haired, green-eyed youth and extended her hand.
"Come," Athena said. "I have come to take you."
...
[That night, the goddess Athena, shining like the brightest jewel among the Olympian gods, took your hand.]
[She led you step by step to stand before the people.]
[In the incredulous eyes of everyone, she declared that you were the bravest warrior in the eyes of the wise goddess.]
...
"Damn Athena!"
Under the moonlit sky, atop the highest point of the Calydonian palace, Artemis watched the scene below.
The crowd parted to make way as Athena led Promise step by step to the center of the gathering.
Looking at this scene, Artemis clenched her fists and said angrily, "She hogged all the glory! I want Promise too, I want to snatch him from Hera!"
"... Can you explain to me what's going on right now?"
"What situation!" Hearing such words, the Moon Goddess didn't turned her head and just replied; with her face full of displeasure. "Isn't it obvious? Athena wants to make Promise her follower and is trying to steal him from Hera..."
However, as she spoke, her tone gradually weakened.
She blinked her sky-blue eyes, looking at the goddess who had appeared beside her at some point.
Seeing the beautiful golden curls spilling from the crown, the flawless face, and the lovely amber eyes under the moonlight...
"Huh?!"
Artemis' eyes widened as she raised her voice and exclaimed, "Hera, why are you here?!"
.
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