(Riven POV – Hearth of Threads)
'It really wasn't anything serious.' I muse as they finally separate, panting lightly and glaring daggers at each other.
Just as expected, aside from rolling around on the ground, yanking hair, pinching cheeks, pulling ears, and exchanging some creatively vicious insults, nothing actually dangerous happened.
Loki dusts herself off in annoyance, her cheeks bright red from all the pinching. She squints at Hestia vindictively, her eye twitching slightly.
Hestia, meanwhile, glares back with bared teeth. Her eyes are watery, looking like she wants to cry and bite someone at the same time, but she manages to hold back.
Loki leans forward slightly, and Hestia mirrors her. I can see the exact moment they both consider starting round two.
I cough loudly, drawing their attention and preventing the clash.
"Actually, Loki…" I say evenly. "I can sell you the alcohol at a fair price."
Loki transforms instantly.
"REALLY?!" She explodes, practically vibrating.
"WHAT?!" Hestia yelps, looking shocked and betrayed that I'd help her nemesis.
Loki leaps toward me like a starving woman presented with their final meal. "I knew you were reliable, Riven! Come here—!"
And while I don't mind the hug…
'I've got to consider the future repercussions of letting her do so.'
I smoothly sidestep, letting her arms swish past me.
"Hestia would probably get mad if you hugged me." I explain gently.
I don't need to look to feel the sudden burst of joy radiating from behind me.
Hestia immediately darts forward, throws her arms around mine, and smashes my arm firmly between her breasts as she gives Loki the most triumphant, smug smirk I've ever seen.
Loki's eye twitches. "The boobs. It's the boobs, isn't it?" She growls.
Then she scowls at Hestia's chest specifically… her lifelong enemy, and the bane of her existence.
"Who needs you anyway." Loki grumbles before pivoting with the confidence of a predator. She heads straight toward Ais, who is quietly enjoying her popcorn.
Loki gets behind her and reaches for her chest.
TWACK!
Ais slaps Loki's hands away, then smacks her head without looking, her expression unchanged, mood unbothered, as she focuses entirely on the popcorn.
Loki staggers back, clutching her head.
'She never learns.' I think.
I lean down to whisper into Hestia's ear.
"Hestia." I murmur. "If you ever tried to molest me like that…" I feel her breathing pause. "…just know that I wouldn't resist."
Her entire body tenses as her face ignites into a deep shade of red. Then her grip tightens around my arm like a clamp.
"W-what are you saying..? I—I wouldn't… I don't…" She flounders, eyes darting shyly down my torso. "I wouldn't do that…"
"Is that so?" I sigh, sounding genuinely disappointed. "That's unfortunate."
She freezes.
Then in a barely audible whisper…
"…D-did you want me to…?"
And before I can answer—
"RIVEN!" Loki shrieks, shaking off the head trauma, which helped her remember the alcohol by jump-started every neuron she has left.
She beams up at me like a child on Christmas about to unwrap presents. "How much do you want for it?"
I give her my most innocent smile.
Hestia's glare burns a hole through Loki's skull, but Loki couldn't care less.
"Nothing too complicated." I say calmly. "I like learning things, and I'm curious about Elven Magic. I'd like to learn its structure, principles, and the theory behind it. I hoped to get a few lessons from Riveria."
Loki blinks, bewildered, while Riveria raises an eyebrow, clearly surprised.
Of course they're confused. A human, and a melee fighter, requesting lessons in magic he physically cannot use?
"But…" I continue. "I know Lady Riveria is extremely busy. I'd be perfectly satisfied with demonstrations from anyone who can cast the magic. Humans can't learn Elven Magic anyway, so it'd be a waste of her time to instruct me personally."
Everyone falls quiet as they scrutinize me.
I know Loki would agree to letting Riveria teach me in exchange for the alcohol. And Riveria is the natural choice, since no one in Orario knows more about Elven Magic than her. But…
'She's not the one I'd benefit the most from.'
Yes, she has nine magics, but all of them are derivatives of the three. And they're too recognisable. It'd be impossible to use them publicly without someone drawing the link.
Even her skill, Fairy Anthem, which increases the range and power of her magic in proportion to the chant's length, might be useless to me since GS's chant-nullification could completely invalidate it…
I exhale quietly. 'Hopefully they recommend the right person immediately. But just in case…'
As they're still mulling my proposal over…
"I'd prefer someone who really understands the theory behind Elven Magic." I add lightly. "Not just the practical casting."
Riveria's brows rise with interest. "In that case… the only person in our Familia who meets all your requirements would be Lefiya." Her tone shifts, a thoughtful hum trailing off. Then her gaze drifts to Ais. "However..."
"…Does she dislike me?" I ask.
"That's one way to put it." Riveria answers with a resigned nod. "How did you know?"
"She made it pretty clear during my spar with Ais." I shrug. "Please ask her on my behalf. If she refuses…" I turn to Ais, who has paused mid-snack, giving me a blank stare. "Could you help convince her?"
"Hm." Ais hums once and nods.
'…Why does she feel so unreliable right now?' I wonder. 'Do I need to motivate her?'
"If you succeed…" I add casually. "We can do a dungeon dive together in a few days. If you're free."
Ais lights up instantly. Her eyes sharpen, determination now burning quietly within them.
She nods again, this time with so much weight it seems like she's making a sacred vow.
And with that, I'm ninety percent certain she'll drag Lefiya to me by the collar, whether Lefiya agrees or not. But it's not too big a concern since Lefiya would never turn down something Ais wants to do.
'Everybody wins.'
Hestia, however, is staring at me with a slight sulk.
'Is she jealous?' I think happily.
"When would you be available, then?" Riveria asks, pushing past Loki's growing impatience.
"I'm not going to the dungeon for the next two days, so anytime during that period."
Riveria nods and opens her mouth to continue when—
"Are you guys done yet?" Loki cuts in loudly. "We agreed, so where's the goods?!" She sticks her hand out, tapping her foot like an impatient child.
And there goes the sweet Loki from earlier. Now that she's secured the deal, the mask is gone, and she's no longer pretending.
"But Lefiya hasn't agreed yet." I say calmly.
"Who do you think I am?!" Loki snaps proudly. "If she refuses, I'll just persuade her! Lefiya can't resist my charm!"
Riveria pinches the bridge of her nose.
I nod. "Alright then. Hold on a bit."
I step back into the shop, head into the storage area, pull six bottles from Stomach, and pack them neatly into a container. When I return and hand it to Loki, she practically drools over it.
She lifts one bottle with both hands, holding it to her face like a fragile, newborn child. Then she nuzzles it, sighing dreamily.
I stare at her with a deadpan expression. Hestia looks irritated. Riveria sighs. Ais… still seems focused only on whatever plan she's forming to deal with Lefiya.
"Sorry you had to witness this." Riveria murmurs, grabbing Loki by the collar and beginning the long, humiliating drag away. "I'll let Lefiya know. She'll meet with you tomorrow."
"Thanks, Riveria." I wave as they move off.
Riveria nods back.
Everything seems sorted.
Except—
'…Why is she still here?'
Ais remains rooted to the spot, staring at me. Only when my eyes drop to the empty bowl in her hands do I understand.
I sigh, return inside, pretend to fetch her a fresh bowl of popcorn before handing it over.
She accepts it, immediately begins eating, and finally follows after Riveria and Loki.
'Today's been so productive, and I can't wait to meet Lefiya.' I grin contentedly.
But, naturally, happiness is never allowed to last long.
"Riven~." Hestia's singsong voice slides right down my spine like cold water.
"Yes, Goddess?" I turn slowly.
She's smiling sweetly. Very sweetly.
I know her well enough to know that means I'm in trouble.
'Why would she be mad? I haven't done anything wro—'
"You said you weren't going to the dungeon for the next two days, right?" She asks in a deceptively innocent tone.
My stomach drops.
I would never take two days off without a reason.
"What…" She continues, still smiling. "Did you do today that made you suddenly decide not to go back? I hope…" Her voice hardens. "…it wasn't anything dangerous?"
'Why… why does she only become smart when it involves interrogating me?!'
(Hestia POV – Church Basement Room)
"Ahhh~" The sound spills out of me before I can stop it, soft and blissful, as Riven's fingers glide down the length of my spine.
His hands move with frightening precision, making slow circles, deliberate presses, and little sweeps that unravel every knot of tension in my back. Each touch melts another piece of the day's stress until my limbs feel warm and heavy, sinking into the thin mattress beneath me.
The dim lantern light flickers softly, making everything feel… peaceful. Too peaceful for the boy currently undergoing his 'punishment.'
"Do you regret what you did?" I ask, keeping my tone strict even as a traitorous smile threatens my lips.
"Absolutely." Riven replies, perfectly serious.
…But he's lying. I don't need divine authority to know that, and his fingers don't even slow down.
'What do I do with him…?' I pout internally.
He's only been an adventurer for a few days. A few days. And he already marched all the way down to the 17th floor alone. Alone! Who does that?! And without telling their Goddess?!
Every time I think about it, the fear, annoyance, and disbelief swirl together in my chest. And worst of all, I feel helpless.
But when I confront him, he tells me the truth. That it isn't dangerous for him.
'Should I just… let him be? Trust that he's capable and knows when to stop?'
His thumbs press deeper into the base of my spine. My breath hitches as warmth spreads through my whole lower back.
'…Maybe I should.'
Then a different thought slips quietly into my mind. A sly and devious thought I shouldn't entertain.
'If I let him do whatever he wants but make him give me massages every time he stresses me out… don't I win anyway?'
A slow grin curls onto my face. 'Yes. Yes, that's perfect—'
"Hestia."
His voice vibrates warmly through the quiet room, snapping me out of my plotting.
"What is it?" I try to keep my tone stern, but I can hear the softness in it. It concerns me that he sounds amused.
"You're really easy to read, you know?" He says gently.
My heart jumps, then begins thundering within me.
'H-How does he already know? I only thought about it for a second! Why is he so perceptive at times like this, but completely hopeless when it comes to his own safety?!'
"I-I don't know what you're talking about…" I lie, terribly.
"Sure." He chuckles. "But remember earlier? When I said I wouldn't resist if you tried to grope me?"
Heat punches straight into my cheeks. "Y-yeah? Why—?"
"Does the same apply to you?"
Before I can ask what he means, his hands begin to move.
Slowly.
Purposefully.
A shiver races up my back as his palms travel lower, tracing over the curve of my waist, down to the soft dip of my hips. His fingers slide along my sides, before settling firmly on my upper thighs.
My breath catches. Hard.
"R-Riven! W-Wh—whagh are you—?!" I twist my words, even biting my own tongue in panic.
"I'm punishing a naughty Goddess who was planning to abuse her innocent child." He says, voice smooth and maddeningly calm.
His thumbs stroke slow, lazy circles onto my thighs, barely applying pressure and just teasing me.
"Eek!" I squeak, every nerve in my body lighting up at once.
I whirl around, flustered and breathless, only to find his face hovering just above mine, smiling, his eyes half-lidded with amusement.
He looks far too pleased with himself.
"I'm simply completing my assigned punishment." He murmurs. "You can tell me to stop anytime you want, Goddess~."
He draws the word out softly, like a caress.
And for a moment… I forget how to breathe, frozen and paralysed like prey before a predator.
********
A/N: Hello Everyone! How are you? If you've enjoyed the chapter and book thus far, please consider leaving me some comments, reviews, or power stones. It really helps the book out.
So, I tried to be a little spicy at the end... And it feels so underwhelming after the fact. I was dying of Shane while writing, but when reading, it was just... Meh. Wild. Almost doesn't feel worth the effort😭. But anyway...
On to the chapter. For starters, I have a plan. Damn. Why didn't anyone tell me Lefiya was OP?! I knew she was a genius, but not that much of a prodigy. Can't let her go now.
I tried to keep everyone in character, and I think I was decent at it. Next, I plan to give Riven the next 2 days off, sorting out pending issues, like Naaza, Hephy, etc.
And, has anyone realised, that his advisor is probably sad, thinking he's dead, since he just stopped coming? I feel bad for her. So we should probably sort that out. But, I suppose that's all I have to say.
You can also read 10 chapters ahead and support me at [email protected]/AMV_WEAKLY
I hope you all have a great day/night 🌉