The dazzling light slowly prompted Aston to open his eyes. As soon as he did, he was greeted by Tsubaki's face, full of smug satisfaction. Aston's expression remained very calm, showing no signs of surprise or disturbance, which slightly puzzled Tsubaki.
"Why don't you seem surprised at all?" Tsubaki asked Aston.
"Why should I be? If I hadn't given you the chance, do you think you could have succeeded?" Aston sat up, rolled his eyes at Tsubaki, and spoke calmly. Despite having drunk too much the night before, Aston's instincts were still intact. If Aston had truly rejected Tsubaki, she would not have succeeded and probably would have been overpowered by him.
"Ha, it seems you don't reject me then, that's really great. I was worried you'd turn against me once you sobered up," Tsubaki laughed, clearly relieved. Tsubaki, who dedicated her life to forging, always imagined her partner would be someone from the forging community, and Aston was the perfect match. Not only was he handsome, but his forging skills were also unparalleled, earning high praise even from Hephaestus, the goddess of forging.
However, before Tsubaki could act on her feelings, she realized that her goddess, Hephaestus, might also harbor feelings for Aston, causing her to hesitate. The thought of competing with her goddess for Aston made her retreat.
Tsubaki remained indecisive until last night when, bolstered by alcohol, she seized the opportunity and made a bold move.
"Wait! How am I supposed to face Hephaestus now?" Tsubaki panicked shortly after feeling relieved.
"That's your problem. But for now, you should rest," Aston said as he dressed and gently pushed Tsubaki back onto the bed, covering her with a blanket, suggesting she needed to rest after the intensity of their first night together, even though Tsubaki was a first-class adventurer.
"You really are gentle," Tsubaki laughed heartily as she lay in bed.
"Rest well, I'll go and prepare some breakfast for you."
"I want to eat that delicious dish called wontons that we had last time."
"Yes, yes, yes, I'll make it for you right away."
After taking care of Tsubaki for the morning at Hephaestus Familia's headquarters and once Tsubaki had fallen asleep, Aston returned to the Hearth Manor.
Aston, who hadn't come home overnight, didn't face any questioning from Hestia, which he found strange.
When Aston asked Hestia about it, she responded surprisingly, "Huh? Didn't Hephaestus send someone to tell me that you were forging equipment late in the forge and wouldn't be coming back, so you were staying overnight at her headquarters?" Hestia was clearly surprised by Aston's question.
She had been informed by someone sent by Hephaestus the previous night that Aston was still forging weapons and it had gotten too late, so he stayed over in a guest room at Hephaestus's place, which is why she hadn't worried.
But listening to Aston, it seemed like there was a misunderstanding.
"Ah, I must have been too busy these past few days," Aston said, slightly embarrassed and quickly explained.
Hestia didn't doubt him, as she didn't feel Aston was lying.
However, Aston was internally quite puzzled. If Hephaestus had sent someone to inform Hestia that he was staying over, did that mean Hephaestus knew about last night's events? And knowing yet not preventing it, what was that about?
Aston couldn't figure it out and felt like it was a headache.
After much thought and finding no answers, Aston decided not to dwell on it any longer and resolved to directly ask Hephaestus.
Acting on his decision, Aston soon returned to the Hephaestus Familia's headquarters to confront Hephaestus directly.
"I thought you wouldn't come back," Hephaestus greeted Aston with a teasing look as soon as they met, causing Aston to feel a bit awkward.
"Why?" Despite the awkwardness, Aston still voiced his inner confusion.
"Well, if a child of the Familia wants to pursue the love they desire, I see no need to stop them."
"Even if the love pursued is the same as mine." Faced with Aston's question, Hephaestus showed a faint smile on her face and replied.
This answer made Aston take a deep breath.
That's it?
Just such a casual reason?
Liking the same person, thus becoming rivals in love, are you really okay with detaching like this?
"I know what you're thinking. Even if we like the same person, there's no need to develop in that direction."
"Tsubaki is also my good friend."
"Since I can choose to be with Hestia, I can also tolerate Tsubaki's presence." Although Aston didn't voice it, Hephaestus could instantly see Aston's thoughts.
No help for it, Aston's thoughts were clearly reflected on his face, it would be strange not to know.
Taking a deep breath, Aston looked at Hephaestus with complex eyes, who was wearing a smile.
Aston doesn't understand the thoughts of gods, can't see through the minds of gods, nor can he fathom what Hephaestus is really thinking.
However, from the current situation, it seems to be very beneficial to him.
After looking at Hephaestus complexly for a long time, Aston sighed softly, then slowly stepped in front of Hephaestus.
Extending his hands, Aston placed his hands on Hephaestus's face, leaning his forehead against Hephaestus's, and softly said, "I'm sorry, Hephaestus."
"There's no need to apologize, Aston."
"I don't feel wronged."
"After you healed the scar on my face, I was already completely bonded to you."
"For you, I can tolerate everything." Looking into Aston's eyes, close at hand, Hephaestus's lips curled into a gentle arc, softly speaking.
Aston didn't say anything, remained silent for a moment, then gently cupped Hephaestus's cheeks and slowly lowered his head.