- Frankly, those two stubborn women!
The goddess spoke in exasperation.
- Even after my warning, it still ended like this!
Arrrr!
She sighed.
- There's nothing to be done now. It's mostly my fault anyway. So I'll have to fix this myself.
- Otherwise Nyra will end my existence.
She sank into her throne, remembering a few hours earlier, when her friend had come to her domain just to scold her for her loose tongue.
- Nyra is terrifying when she's angry!
Then she shifted her attention back to the two women arguing after Evo had left.
.........
Back to Freya and Ravina
- Freya, you went too far!
Freya bit her finger, her lips trembling.
She had only realized the mess she'd made after Evo was already gone.
The way she treated him, the way she spoke to him, the way she looked at him…
- That must've hurt him!
Freya lamented her own foolishness and mistakes.
Evo had always been the source of warmth in her life, always doing his best for both of them.
But all she ever gave him in return was distrust and harshness.
- Damn it!
She sat down, furious at herself.
Anything involving the Wanderers completely threw her off, and she was shocked to discover that Evo knew about the ball—something only the two of them had known.
- And there's that too!
Freya held the paper containing the information Evo had written.
Ravina watched with pained, sympathetic eyes. She cared about them both, and seeing the atmosphere between them hurt her deeply.
She also felt guilty for not trusting Evo—someone who had never betrayed their trust.
The message window from the Goddess appeared before Freya again.
[ The Goddess of Magic and Spells is resigned with her foolish apostle who ignored her warning. ]
Freya, now fully attentive to the message, responded sharply:
- I know! I know!
- I'm not happy with how I acted either, alright?!
- I made a huge mistake.
Freya wanted to run after Evo and beg for his forgiveness right then and there.
But she thought for a moment and realized it might be better to wait a little and let him rest. It was already late at night.
Another message arrived.
[ The Goddess of Magic and Spells says she meant for you to believe almost everything. ]
[ The Goddess of Magic and Spells says her representative did the complete opposite and didn't even give him room to speak properly. ]
Freya had no choice but to accept the scolding as the truth was shoved mercilessly in her face. She had been wrong.
[ The Goddess of Magic and Spells says that he didn't even reach the part that "would've been the lie"! Everything he said was true! ]
Freya went pale as the truth tightened around her heart.
Her hands trembled as she covered her mouth.
Ravina, seeing Freya react like that, grew alarmed.
She shook Freya, trying to snap her out of it.
- Get a hold of yourself, Freya!
- What did the Goddess tell you to make you react like this?!
Freya, still being shaken, turned her face toward her friend—her expression full of disbelief.
- She said everything he told us was true!
Ravina froze, still holding her friend's arm, understanding exactly what that meant. Embarrassment and disappointment flooded her chest.
Freya then voiced the question in her mind.
- If everything is true, why did he coldly refuse to tell us where he got the information?
It was a rational question—one Ravina wanted to know the answer to as well.
The Goddess remained silent for a while, as if debating whether she should say it.
- You know the reason, so tell me!
After another moment, the message finally appeared—but not in the way Freya expected.
[ The Goddess of Magic and Spells says she may not be able to tell you, out of respect for Evo Eylam's decision. ]
[ The Goddess of Magic and Spells says that even so, she will reveal the truth. ]
Freya felt lighter at finally receiving the answer she wanted. A small smile appeared on her lips.
She informed Ravina beside her:
- She's going to tell us the reason!
Ravina squeezed her hand, relieved.
[ The Goddess of Magic and Spells asks that you hold Ravina's hand. ]
Freya immediately understood the Goddess's intention.
Both of them were about to be summoned to the Apostolic Domain.
- Ravina, hold my hand. We're going on a little trip!
Ravina nodded, and a divine light enveloped them. In the next moment, they vanished within the glow.
They reappeared in a beautiful garden filled with vibrant colors. The scent in the air was refreshing and soothing.
They stared at the flowers and scenery in awe. The magical power there was potent, emanating a sacred, divine aura.
- Come now, you two don't need to act like tourists.
- You've been here plenty of times. Sit down.
A voice snapped them out of their wonder.
Ahead, in a small area within the garden, there was a table with several chairs.
A woman in a fully black dress was waiting there.
Her appearance… well, one could say she resembled Freya.
Though a few differences stood out.
Both were portraits of mature, alluring women, but the goddess had hair black as ink. Her eyes were the same color as Freya's.
She had a small beauty mark beneath one of her lower eyelashes.
Her hair was wavy and seductive.
Her nails and bold lipstick matched her dark hair.
Her expression was usually serene, but right now she seemed a bit stunned.
There was no need to say why.
The two women approached and sat down, sipping tea.
They felt practically at home there. It wasn't their first time, so they didn't fuss over the surroundings.
After taking a sip, Freya looked at the Goddess, who was also watching her.
- So, are you going to tell us why Evo remained silent?
The goddess sighed tiredly. It would've been easier if Freya had listened to her earlier advice, but…
This woman had managed to ruin everything, forcing the goddess to reveal something Evo himself hadn't wanted them to know.
The goddess understood exactly why Evo didn't want to tell them.
He had suffered greatly in that place.
And even though he kept telling himself it was only the first cycle he had broken violently…
That the other cycles had been fine…
That was a complete lie.
- Honestly, it would be better if you didn't see this. But since I brought you here and promised to tell you… there's no going back.
- Alright. You know I don't like being left in the dark.
- I prefer knowing the truth.
Freya affirmed her resolve. She wanted to know what had happened to Evo that even the goddess seemed uneasy about.
Ravina nodded as well, agreeing.
Seeing them both determined, the goddess instructed:
- Close your eyes and give me your hands.
They obeyed, placing their hands over hers.
- What I'm going to show you is what Evo lived through before meeting the two of you.
- You'll watch everything. Afterward, I'll explain what happened.
Both nodded.
Hmm!
They felt as if their souls were being pulled elsewhere.
When they opened their eyes, they saw something very familiar.
- Hmm?
- Why is she showing us our home?
The place they were seeing was their house—specifically their workroom.
They drifted through it like ghosts until they reached the bedroom, where they got the shock of their lives.
- Evo?
They spoke in unison.
Where their shared bed should've been, Evo was sleeping peacefully.
Freya floated closer, staring at the sleeping Evo.
She tried poking his cheek with her finger, but it passed right through him.
- We can't interact with the scene directly.
Freya warned Ravina, who was also watching Evo beside her.
- Why is Eylam in our bed?
They both slept together regularly and didn't mind it one bit.
But seeing him there as if it were his bed was… strange.
A blush crawled up their cheeks as their imaginations began to run wild.
But they were snapped out of it when Evo began to wake.
- He's waking up!
He stretched the moment he woke, the blanket sliding down his chest.
After rubbing his eyes and taking a look around, he smiled faintly.
Both women felt warmth bloom inside them at the sight.
- How adorable…
They whispered in unison, enchanted by his gentle morning expression.
But their faces quickly turned crimson.
Now sitting at the edge of the bed, still sluggish from sleep…
And now without the sheets…
It became clear he was completely naked.
Evo always slept without clothes.
- He sleeps naked!
Freya muttered, shocked.
Poor Ravina looked even more flustered.
- I-I-I didn't know!
She could hardly form words.
But what nearly gave them both a heart attack was when Evo stood up—and his partner swung proudly between his legs.
- My gods… it's huge!
Freya's eyes widened, while Ravina tried to turn her away—though she kept stealing glances herself, just as stunned.
After waiting for him to get dressed, they turned back around as he headed out of the room.