Chapter 41: Aphrodite - Part 5
Hera rushed over at Gaia's sudden summons, puzzled but unable to ignore the call of a primordial goddess—no matter her status as queen of Olympus. Yet upon arrival, she heard something utterly unexpected.
What do you think of Aphrodite as a match for Heracles?
From Hera's perspective, she only knew of Zeus pushing Hebe on him, so this felt like a bolt from the blue. Still, with Gaia, Adamantia, and Echidna all involved, she answered honestly.
If I had my way, she'd be the perfect choice.
Aphrodite and Hera both oversaw women's lives, but their natures couldn't have been more different. Above all, the goddess of free love clashed with the goddess of marital vows—their views were worlds apart. Hera protected chaste wives, while Aphrodite championed unbound passion, a blazing flame of romance and sensuality over fidelity. She ruled the spark and process of love, not its endgame in marriage.
Had Aphrodite allied with Hera, she might have even driven Zeus from Olympus to reign supreme. Of course, that never happened.
"Heracles is going to marry Aphrodite?"
"He hasn't answered yet, but Aphrodite seems dead set on him, so we're nudging her to go for it if she can."
"Huh."
"It was so ridiculous, we were just watching the show."
"Couldn't help feeling a bit sorry for her."
"...What?"
Gaia, Echidna, and Adamantia chimed in one by one, leaving Hera baffled. Aphrodite was infamous for seducing any god or man who caught her eye. No one had ever resisted her stunning beauty, voluptuous figure, and endless charms. Hera despised it, but since sensuality fell under Aphrodite's domain, she could only watch pitifully from afar.
What dispelled Hera's suspicions was Eros, the god of love and lust—and Aphrodite's son.
"At first, it was fun watching Heracles resist Mother's temptations, but now it's getting boring," he said.
"So we figured it was pitiful enough to call you in."
"You owe us one anyway."
"Consider this repaying that debt—help Aphrodite out. That's our plan."
Hera hadn't heard the full story, but from Eros and the others, it seemed they wanted her to help Heracles and Aphrodite tie the knot. Strange, though. Why would these three goddesses care about Aphrodite's marriage?
The mystery cleared up quickly.
"But aren't you three particularly close with Aphrodite?"
"Not really, but Eros looked so pitiful."
"Yeah, how heartbreaking must it be for the little guy to watch his mom chase after some man? That's just cruel."
"...Bad for his upbringing, right?"
"Not scared of those golden arrows, are you?"
......
Hera tossed out the suspicion half-jokingly, and like clockwork, the three goddesses clammed up like empty sacks. Eros, seeing their exposed guilt, cackled and excused himself—amused by his beloved goddesses' fear. But that cheeky little god could turn on a dime anytime.
Hera pitied the trio more than Aphrodite trailing Heracles, but for her, this was a golden opportunity. She gladly agreed to help.
The three goddesses' faces lit up instantly, a sight so comical it was priceless.
Hera sought out Aphrodite first. It wasn't hard—she stood alone in a small flower garden outside the banquet hall, lost in a daze. Even as lustful male gods approached her on the way, her blank responses sent them packing in boredom.
Hera was stunned, if only for a moment. Fearing disaster, she grabbed Aphrodite's shoulders and shook.
"Aphrodite! Aphrodite!"
"Uh, yes? Oh, Lady Hera. Good evening. The night air is lovely."
"What nonsense is this? Zoning out where every male god can see you—what kind of mess are you asking for?"
"Oh, right. Can't have that. No, we can't."
"?"
Hera was growing genuinely frightened now. What on earth had happened to make the goddess of free love react so meekly to the idea of trouble with a man? The surreal scene left Hera's jaw dropping involuntarily.
And the horror didn't end there.
"Lady Hera."
"Yes, Aphrodite?"
Hera could barely recall the last time Aphrodite had used such a honorific. Gone was her usual playful tone—replaced by polite deference. Hera was on the verge of chills.
What had those three done to her? The thought terrified Hera—until Aphrodite made an unexpected plea.
"Please help me marry Heracles. You've taken him as your foster son, haven't you?"
"Pardon?"
Heracles Lord? What madness was this?
"Heracles seems like the partner I've been searching for all this time. I've finally escaped Zeus's forced marriage—I won't hold back anymore, Lady Hera. Please help me."
"Something did happen, then."
Too bewildered to think straight, Hera grilled the chattering Aphrodite—who spilled everything in a blissful voice: their conversation, how any woman would be cherished by such a man, how he embodied the love god's ideal partner. She wouldn't stop gushing.
Hera even thought she resembled a nymph attending her bath.
Now this is a son worthy of me.
Amusingly, Hera grew happier with every word. Heracles, her foster son of mere days, filled her with pride. His ways were ideal—respecting women, treating husband and wife as equals in marriage. His wives served him willingly, as they should.
Hera couldn't help smiling.
"So I'm begging you, Lady Hera, to help with my marriage. If it works, I'll swear fidelity to Lord Heracles."
"Very well, and don't worry—Gaia sent me to assist you from the start. She says Heracles is... surprisingly ruthless."
Hera glossed over the truth—that the trio had sent her out of fear of Eros's arrows. Telling Aphrodite, his mother, would humiliate the Protogenoi and monster mother too much. No need to rile them.
She ended on a kind note, and Aphrodite beamed—literally bouncing with joy.
"Really, Lady Hera? Oh, Gaia is truly wise and great!"
"......"
Hera struggled to adjust to this version of her, suppressing goosebumps at the wild love goddess tamed into demure wife material. With a serene smile, she began wrapping her gift for her beloved foster son.
"Hearing that gives me strength. I'll do my utmost to help you marry my dear son Heracles."
"Don't take my vow lightly, Lady Hera—I'd swear by the Styx if needed."
"No need. Your clear red eyes tell me the truth."
"You're too perceptive, Lady Hera. I truly want to be a good wife to Lord Heracles."
"...I'll teach you how to be one. It's not hard, and Heracles will love it."
"Thank you so much, Lady Hera!"
And so began the grand alliance of the dignified Hera—still adjusting—and the suddenly saintly(?) beauty, all to conquer Heracles. Somewhere above Olympus's palace, a certain little god's shrill laughter echoed, doubled over in mirth.