Chapter 34: Uneasy Premonition -Part 2-
Hera was gripped by a peculiar emotion. Heracles had rejected the marriage proposal(?) with Hebe.
She should have been furious that he'd turned down her most cherished goddess of youth. But when she asked the man—who she'd thought was as much of a sucker for beauties as her father Zeus—why he'd refused Hebe, his answer was a masterpiece.
"Hebe is beautiful, of course. She takes after you a great deal, Lady Hera."
"Yes, thank you. So what is the reason for refusing, then?"
"It's not a refusal. I just want to stay faithful to my wives."
"……I see?"
"Yes. If I married every beautiful woman I came across, I'd have thousands of wives by now, and I'd be miserable."
"……"
Wanting to be faithful to the wives he already had—Hera had never heard such sweet words in her life. And the idea that thousands of beauties would make him unhappy? Absurd.
Hera was the lofty goddess who oversaw women's entire lives. Naturally, she had the pride to match. She looked down on the countless gods and men who treated women lightly. Yet here was Heracles—the enemy she despised—being the one who truly respected women. It was ridiculous every time she thought about it. Where on earth had this guy dropped from?
"You know, Hebe has feelings for you. Youth as beautiful as a flower is always accompanied by love. You plan to reject that precious thing too?"
"I'm flattered to be the object of that love, but if I were to take Hebe as a wife, I'd have to respect my wives' opinions."
"What kind of talk is that? Aren't you the head of the household?"
"I am the head, but if my family grows with more wives, that's a matter for the wives too. Their thoughts matter."
"…That's an interesting answer. Do you really believe that?"
"Yes."
This was amusing too. He knew of the maiden's love and scratched his cheek bashfully. He kept repeating that strange notion: he had to respect his wives, so he couldn't just take on a new one lightly. For Hera, this was the first time she'd ever heard such a thing. She couldn't even imagine words like that existing in the world.
A husband who was the head of the household respecting his wives' words? It was exceedingly rare. Especially when it came to taking on a new wife—such respect was practically nonexistent. But Heracles was different.
Hera found the reason for her daughter's rejection downright delightful.
"I understand your intentions well, Heracles."
"Thank you, Lady Hera."
"But do you know what goddess I am?"
"……The goddess of marriage?"
"Yes, that's right. But I'm also the goddess who oversees women's entire lives—from young maidens to wise old women. They're all under my protection and domain."
"I see. I hadn't realized."
"And among them, the most important is the flowering period of youth. Hebe is the daughter I cherish most."
This was true. Was there anything more precious in a woman's life than her youth? Almost everyone would say no. And Hera, the goddess who governed women's lives, felt the same. The value of that precious youth couldn't be bought with all the gold in the world. As its guardian, Hebe stood out among Hera's daughters as the most vital goddess.
That sparked a mischievous urge in Hera. Could this lustful son of Zeus truly reject such precious youth sincerely? Her curiosity burned.
So Hera said something that surprised even herself.
"I understand your intentions, Heracles. But I don't want to simply withdraw the proposal."
"Pardon?"
"You've probably guessed already, but Zeus is reluctant to bring you up to Olympus."
"……"
Heracles' demeanor grew heavy—as it should. After such monumental feats in war, to be sent away without reward was utter humiliation.
"So he offered my daughter Hebe as a consolation prize, like swapping a pheasant for a chicken."
"…So that's how it was."
"Naturally, I found the proposal uncomfortable and irritating. Even if it's the decision of the king of gods and my husband, it's no different from selling off my precious daughter."
"……"
A flicker of guilt crossed Heracles' face. He seemed remorseful at nearly accepting someone else's cherished daughter that way. Hera found it hilarious.
"But I've changed my mind. You seem like you'd make a fine match for my daughter."
"Pardon?"
"It'd make me a failure as a mother to let a good match slip away."
"W-what do you mean? I told you I want to be faithful to my wives."
"Yes, you said that to the goddess of marriage herself."
"……"
Heracles looked stunned, as if he couldn't believe he'd pleased Hera with that reason. To Hera, it was laughably hard to accept.
In this world, husbands who cherished their wives—let alone stayed faithful—were nearly nonexistent. As the goddess of marriage, she couldn't pass up a man who sincerely wanted to cherish his wives, no matter how many there were.
"I want my daughter Hebe to be happy. The partner of the goddess of youth must make her happy. Because marriage marks the end of her beautiful youth and the bearing of its fruit."
"You could see it that way."
"So it's important to me. Precious, even. And you've proven you're worthy of that role."
"I don't quite follow. I just want to cherish my wives."
"After slaying so many monsters, you're still naive about the world. Husbands who cherish their wives are exceedingly rare. They last only as long as the flame of the golden arrow burns."
"……"
With his own wives and now Hera saying the same, Heracles couldn't help but be shocked. The love sparked by the golden arrow was real to him, and his feelings for his wives were genuine. But the idea that it might just be the arrow's effect startled him first—and second, that even Hera accepted such fleeting marriages as normal.
Now Hera's eyes blazed with fervor.
"Let me be clear: I want my daughter to be happy."
"Yes, Lady Hera."
"I understand your will perfectly, but I won't withdraw the proposal on my own. Hebe has feelings for you, so give her a little more time. I respect your intentions, so I won't force it."
"Thank you, Lady Hera."
"For now, I'll watch and wait on this fickle matter of the heart. Eros might meddle again, or my daughter's feelings might cool, or your whims might change. But you've spoken so politely that I want to honor your will too. I'll accept it. Leave everything to you and my daughter's hearts. Don't just find it bothersome—think about her once in a while."
"……I'll do that, Lady Hera."
Hera enjoyed Heracles' behavior. He had the skill to hunt monsters and immense power, yet he was polite, thoughtful, and wise. As a hero, he was top-tier; as a god, exceptional. His divinity could rival any on Olympus. Hera felt a twinge of regret at potentially losing such a son-in-law.
Now she sincerely hoped Hebe's charms could seduce this captivating male god. It was a complete reversal from the humiliation she'd felt when Zeus tried to pawn off her daughter.
And Hera's emotions led to one more unexpected outcome.
"Heracles, have you ever thought about the meaning of your name?"
"Yes, 'Glory of Hera.'"
"I've always hated that name. You're a bastard born of adultery."
"……"
"But now it's different, Heracles. Suddenly, I'm proud that I gave you my milk."
"Lady Hera, what do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said. I won't be ashamed anymore of the fact that I nursed you. In other words, Heracles."
Hera paused to catch her breath. Then, with a kind, warm smile, she said something that made Heracles jump.
"Heracles, I will be your stepmother."
"Pardon?!"
"Even if Zeus refuses to bring you to Olympus, even if he casts you out, I am your mother now. You are my son. You will become the legitimate grandson of Cronus, my beloved son. That is my decision."
"B-but Lady Hera. That's—"
"I swear this by the River Styx. I regard Heracles as my child and love him. But don't forget: among gods, marriage between siblings is no sin."
Hera's attitude was unyielding. To Heracles, it felt like this exhausting situation was accelerating, though he was grateful. He trembled, knowing he had to tell his beloved wives about this quickly.