บท 41: Patron Goddess

Chapter - 41

As Eileithyia curled up in my lap, her slender arms wrapped tightly around my neck, I felt her trembling slightly. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, though she stubbornly refused to let them fall. I couldn't help but chuckle softly, brushing her silken hair away from her face.

"Come on, Eileithyia, it's not the end of the world. I'll be gone just for a week," I said gently, my tone lighthearted in an attempt to soothe her.

She sniffled and buried her face in my chest, her voice muffled. "I know... I just have something in my eyes, is all. There's a lot of dust in my house these days. I... I haven't cleaned in a while."

I grinned at her poor excuse but decided not to call her out. "Alright, I'm not going to argue with you on that. I've learned better. But still, you'll be busy with that gods' conference, won't you? That should help distract you."

Eileithyia tilted her head back to look at me, her beautiful features tinged with embarrassment. "It is an important event," she admitted. "The gods gather to discuss matters of significance—the academy's goals, the students' progress over the past three months. It's supposed to be meaningful." She hesitated, her voice dropping to a softer tone. "But... I'm not really an important figure at those meetings. I don't teach classes or have any adventurers affiliated with me after they graduate. I mostly... sit in the back."

Her confession tugged at my heart. She was a goddess, after all, divine and radiant. Yet she carried this weight of insignificance on her shoulders, which was utterly undeserved.

"You know that's not true," I said firmly. "Just because you don't flaunt your power doesn't make you any less amazing."

She gave me a weak smile, but I could tell she didn't fully believe me. My mind wandered briefly to the process she had just mentioned—the patron system.

After graduating from the academy, adventurers were required to choose a patron god or goddess, who would oversee their careers. The adventurers, in turn, gifted their patrons treasures and artifacts from the Celestial Gate, items of particular importance. In return, the gods bestowed upon them divine skills, if they were worthy of them. It was a symbiotic relationship, and I knew most gods sought to attract as many talented adventurers as possible.

But what puzzled me was why the gods wanted these artifacts. They were bound to the academy grounds, unable to step into the mortal world or the Celestial Gate themselves. What could they possibly do with all these weapons and relics?

Even the original novel—the story I was inadvertently living—hadn't explained this till the chapters I'd read. I had once asked Eileithyia about it, and her response had been cryptic.

"There are restrictions placed on us," she'd said, her expression shadowed. "Certain things I can't discuss with mortals. If I tried, I'd be sent back to my divine realm without the chance to return to Earth."

"But if you could, you'd tell me?" I'd pressed, curious.

Her eyes had softened, and she'd reached for my hand. "Of course. If it were up to me, I'd tell you everything. I trust you, Callum."

Her words still lingered with me, even now. Whatever secrets the gods kept, it was clear she hated hiding them from me.

I returned to the present moment, feeling her weight against me as she rested her head on my shoulder. "You're going to make a fantastic patron goddess one day, you know," I said casually.

Eileithyia perked up slightly, her lips curving into a proud smile. "I already have my first adventurer lined up. It took a while, two hundred years to be exact, but I'm finally moving up in the world," she said smugly.

"Oh? Who's the lucky adventurer? Why don't I know him?" I teased, feigning ignorance. "Don't worry, I'll help him out. I'll probably choose Athena as my patron, so I'll have plenty of support to share."

Her reaction was immediate and fiery. She sat upright, her eyes blazing. "Callum, if you don't make me your patron goddess, I'll kill you myself! I'll burn your body and flush your ashes down the toilet!"

I couldn't stop the laughter that bubbled up at her outburst. Before she could say more, I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her close. Her anger melted away as I kissed her forehead.

"I was joking," I murmured. "No matter what happens, you'll always be my number one goddess. Okay?"

She pouted for a moment, but her lips soon parted in a shy smile. "You're lucky you're charming," she muttered.

"Lucky, huh?" I leaned in, brushing my lips against hers, as she didn't respond much to my kiss. "How about you show me just how lucky I am?"

This time, she didn't hold back. Her hands threaded through my hair as our kiss deepened, her lips warm and soft against mine. Her tongue sneaked inside my mouth and explored all of it, our saliva mixing together in our sloppy kiss. The world melted away, leaving just the two of us in this perfect moment.

Later, her head resting against my chest, I tried to distract her from the week I'd be gone.

"Why don't you spend some time with your siblings?" I suggested. I've noticed you rarely mention them, let alone interact with them."

It wasn't a secret that Zeus, being the infamous playboy god, ensured Eileithyia had an overwhelming number of siblings. If there were ever an Olympian contest for who racked up the most STDs, all of my money would be on Zeus.

Eileithyia's expression grew distant, her voice soft as she replied, "Mother doesn't like it when I interact with my step-siblings."

That simple sentence carried the weight of Hera's influence, and I could already sense the complications behind it. Hera was one vindictive bitch, for lack of a better term.

"Ares and Hebe... they're my true blood siblings," Eileithyia continued, her tone tinged with sadness. "But Ares is... difficult to get along with. He's too headstrong, always trying to mold me into someone I'm not. And Hebe... mother cast her out after she had an affair with Heracles—one of father's countless children from mortal women."

I sighed, leaning back slightly as I took in her words. "Ah, that does sound complicated," I admitted.

"Eileithyia," I said, my tone shifting to something more serious, "if I can give you one piece of advice, it's this—don't let anyone dictate your life, not even Hera. You're a goddess in your own right, and you deserve to choose the kind of relationships you want to nurture. If you ask me, Athena seems like a solid choice. She's level-headed, rational, and someone who respects strength of character. She's one of your sisters, isn't she? Reaching out to her might be easier than you think."

She hesitated, her brows knitting together as she processed my words.

Reaching out, I cupped her face gently in my hands, my thumb brushing across the soft curve of her cheek. Her skin was warm beneath my touch, and I could see the fragile emotions swirling in her eyes. "I know how much you long for companionship, Eileithyia," I said softly, my voice full of affection. "You blossom in my presence, like a sunflower reaching for the sun. But I want you to thrive even when I'm not around. Friends—true friends—will bring out the best in you, and I want to see you in full bloom, always."

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and a small, trembling smile formed on her lips. She sniffled softly, trying to hold back the tears threatening to spill over.

"I love you so much, Eileithyia," I murmured, leaning forward to kiss the tip of her red-tinted nose.

She giggled softly, a sound that made my heart flutter, and wiped her nose with the back of her hand. "You always know what to say to make me feel better," she said.

"That's my job," I teased. "You're my goddess, after all. And I'll always be here to remind you just how much you're loved."