(Riven POV – Hostess of Fertility)
"It feels like we've gotten a bit sidetracked." I say at last. "Compliments about my fight aside… why did you actually want to meet me?"
Syr hums softly, tilting her head as if considering how much to reveal.
"Well…" She begins lightly, resting her cheek against her palm, eyes never leaving my face. "As you might know, I preside over love… and beauty… among other things." Her smile comes easily and naturally. "And finding my Odr… my destined partner, is something I've wished to achieve for millennia."
She pauses for a moment, her tone becoming more serious.
"…Something not unlike what you have with Hestia." She says, quiet envy bleeding into her tone.
"I've searched for a very long time." She continues, her voice softening, almost wistful. "But no one ever quite… fit."
Her gaze sharpens.
"Until recently."
"I see." I reply simply. "Though… you might've made the wrong choice. Maybe you should keep searching?"
It's worth a try, even if I already know it'd never work.
"No need." She says immediately, a small laugh escaping her. "I'm quite certain."
'Of course you are.' I think sarcastically. 'I wonder how long such certainty will last?'
"The only issue…" She continues, tapping a finger lightly against the table. "Is that the one I've chosen… already belongs to someone else."
"Oh no…" I deadpan, speaking extremely plainly. "How tragic." I take a sip of my drink. "Guess you'll have to give up and keep looking."
Her smile doesn't fade.
"If it were that simple, I would have done so long ago." She continues firmly. "I don't believe I'll ever find someone more… suitable."
"So… what do you think I should do?" She asks, meeting my gaze.
"Like I said…" I shrug, unimpressed. "Give up."
She lets out a quiet laugh. "You're not very imaginative, are you?"
"Not when things are black and white, but you want to see green." I say, knowing the joke will pass over her head.
"Then let me rephrase." She leans in slightly. "What if… they could be made to love someone else?"
I sigh, already bored of the direction this is going. "I doubt that'd work. People like that are quite loyal."
"Humor me."
"…Fine." I set my cup down. "If the person they loved agreed to share them, maybe,
…" I say flatly. "That's about it. I doubt anything else could ever have any hope of working."
'Not that Hestia would ever agree to something like that.' I smirk internally. 'She's far too possessive. She'd rather have me all to herself.'
"Mm… yes." Syr hums thoughtfully. "That would be quite difficult."
She closes her eyes in thought for a moment. Then…
"But what if…" She says lightly, almost absentmindedly. "That person simply… wasn't there anymore?"
Everything seems to stop.
One moment there's sound, movement, even thought… and the next… nothing.
The world drains of color, warmth, and meaning as I look at her. This time, I don't see She or Freya. Just someone who might become a threat to the person I love.
"If…" I begin, my voice is calm… flat… almost empty.
"If—and I mean if—that were to happen…" I don't even blink for a moment. "I would make sure the one responsible…" My gaze remains trained on her entirely. "…and everything they love…"
"…is erased."
I say it without emotion. There's no anger, but neither is there hesitation. Just certainty.
"Slowly. Thoroughly. Painfully."
Each word falls cleanly into place.
"I would ensure they fail in whatever they hoped to achieve." I tilt my head slightly, looking almost curious. "And then I would kill them… permanently."
A tense silence stretches between us, but I don't care.
It won't matter what they are. A God, human, monster.
"I wouldn't stop."
Not for anything.
Not for anyone.
"If they tried to run… I would follow. If they tried to hide… I would find them. And if something stood in my way…"
For the briefest moment, a surge of darkness flickers behind my eyes.
"I would destroy it…"
All of it. Without exception.
I don't know what kind of expression I'm making. I don't really feel anything.
But across from me, her hand trembles slightly, even as she manages to maintain her relaxed smile.
'It won't happen.' I think to myself simply. 'I wouldn't let it.'
And if it somehow did…
'I'd tear open heaven itself to get her back.'
No matter the cost. No matter how many I have to step over.
If the gods, or even the world tries to stop me…
'I'll kill them too.'
Eventually, I'll be stronger than anything that could stand in my way.
Then, like a switch being flipped, it's gone.
Color returns. I blink once, lean back, and exhale.
"But that's a pointless scenario." I say casually, as if nothing happened. I pick up my drink again. "Anyone stupid enough to try that…" I glance at her. "…Would be working directly against their own goals."
I take small sip, my tone lightening again.
"Wouldn't you agree, Freya?" I ask.
"I suppose I do…" She replies lightly, completely unbothered. So, I don't linger on it.
"Since I've answered your question, I think we're done here." I stand, already turning to leave.
"Wait." Her voice cuts in. It's neither loud, nor forceful… but it stops me anyway. "You haven't gotten your to go order."
"It's fine." I say simply. "I don't need it anymore."
"I insist." She says firmly, intent on making it. "Mamma Mia would be very upset if I failed a customer."
'Bullshit!' I curse internally. 'Looks like we're back to pretending.'
I exhale through my nose.
"Fine." I sit back down.
Immediately, her expression brightens, exuding warmth and radiance.
"I'll be right back." She says cheerfully, slipping away into the kitchen.
I watch her go, my gaze narrowing slightly. '…I'll need to check that sandwich carefully.'
After all, she might actually try to get rid of Hestia. I doubt it'll happen after my warning, but people like her are unpredictable.
A few minutes pass before she returns with small bag in one hand, and in the other…
My eyes lock onto it instantly.
'…She wouldn't.' I think in disbelief.
She sets the bag down in front of me, but I don't even look at it.
"You seem very interested." She says softly, following my gaze, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Do you want it?"
"…No." I say almost immediately. "That's way too valuable."
In her other hand, is a grimoire. A one-time miracle, and one of the best shortcuts to power.
Anyone would hesitate. Anyone would want it.
'I definitely do.'
But…
'From her?'
It's more likely to be a trap, than a gift.
"Don't worry about its value." She says gently, as if sooth concerns that shouldn't exist. "Consider it… an apology."
Her eyes soften, looking almost regretful.
"I was quite rude earlier." She tilts her head slightly, sighing sadly. "I'd be rather hurt if you refused."
My lip twitches at the blatant guilt-tripping.
'Free things are the most expensive.' I think, exhaling slowly.
"If you insist… I'll accept it."
Her smile deepens.
"But," I add, meeting her gaze, "I don't take things for free. What do you want in return? Something of equivalent value."
For a brief moment, she looks delighted.
"Is that so?" She murmurs, bringing a hand to her cheek, her expression turning shy as she blushes slightly.
"Well… if you insist…" She leans in just a little. "You could take me on a da—"
"No." I cut her off immediately, not hesitating for a second.
"I thought so." She sighs. And weirdly enough, she doesn't seem disappointed by the rejection. "As expected of you."
She straightens, the playful air fading into something calmer.
"Then think of it as an apology. And… an investment." Her gaze sharpens slightly. "I want you to grow stronger. As quickly as possible."
"And perhaps…" She adds lightly. "You'll keep an open mind."
"Keep an open mind?" I echo, narrowing my eyes slightly. "About what?"
"About love." Freya says immediately, her voice softening, but her gaze doesn't waver. "And the possibility of sharing yours… with me."
Honestly, it's quite the direct confession, and it'd be hard to dance around it. The last fool to reject her suffered quite a bit…
"That's not going to happen." I reply calmly. "Not with you."
She doesn't react immediately, freezing for a moment, as she didn't expect a straightforward rejection.
But rather than anger or depression, she just seems… caught off guard.
"And why is that?" She asks quietly, tilting her head.
'I should make it clear now.'
"Because we want completely different things." I say.
Her brows knit slightly. "I'm not sure I follow."
"Of course you don't." I mutter. "You're looking at it from just your perspective." I lean back slightly, meeting her gaze head-on. "You're looking for your Odr. Your 'fated one.'"
Her eyes sharpen at the word.
"And if I understand you right…" I continue. "You think I might be it."
A small smile tugs at her lips.
"You're right." She acknowledges immediately. "You're definitely the one I've been searching for. No one else comes close."
"And that's exactly the problem." I say simply, and she narrows her eyes, but I continue anyway. "What you'd love isn't me. It's the idea that I might be your Odr."
She falls silent, staring at me as she tries to process my words.
"I don't understand. What's wrong with that?" She says after a moment.
"Odr isn't a person…" I continue. "It's a role. One you've assigned to many people before me."
"None of them ever lived up to my expectations… but you do." She says sincerely.
"And after they failed… they were replaced with someone who better fit the role." I say it plainly, and I can tell that it gets to her.
A flicker of disagreement blooms within her eyes.
"That's not true." She says, more firmly now. "They weren't my Odr."
"They were, until they failed one of your tests, or didn't live up to your expectations." I cut in immediately. "Take me for example? What happens if someone with more potential appears?" I ask in amusement, and she goes quiet.
"What if I fail to meet your expectations?" I press. "Or someone more interesting comes along?"
She remains silent, because she knows the answer.
"You would move on." I say it for her calmly, my tone even. "And even I wasn't taken, that's not a love I'm interested in. It's conditional, temporary, and self-serving. That's not how love works."
"Then… how does love work, according to you?" She asks challengingly. "If true love, destined by date isn't love… what is?"
But I don't answer her directly.
"Hestia doesn't care if I'm strong or weak. Whether I succeed or fail… she supports me and cares for me despite all my flaws." I say warmly, her image popping up in my mind. "She chooses me. Not my potential, or what I could become… just me, for the person I am."
"That's love. Love isn't about destiny or fate… it's an active, ongoing decision, choosing to be with someone in spite of everything else." I finish calmly. "And for someone who embodies love… you've misunderstood it completely."
"I've… never considered it that way." Freya admits after a moment, seemingly deep in thought.
'Hmm? Can words actually get through to her? That's unexpected.'
To be honest, I don't blame her for not understanding love. After all, she's never experienced it.
"So, if we're done here…" I reach out and take the grimoire. "I'll accept your gift, Freya."
'I deserve it after all the trouble.'
Her smile returns as she slips the mask back on.
"Not Freya." She says suddenly, almost playfully. "I'm Syr, remember?"
"If you act like Freya." I reply flatly, "I'll call you Freya."
She pouts immediately, crossing her arms. "You're terrible, Riven."
"And you're rude, Freya." I scoff, which earns me a small huff.
Then, without warning… she pushes me toward the door.
"Out."
"Huh—?"
"You've stayed long enough." She says, half-annoyed, half-amused. "Come back another time."
I don't resist since I've long since wanted out.
Stepping outside, I glance down at what I'm holding. The bag… and the grimoire. And without breaking stride, both disappear into Stomach, lest someone recognise the item.
As I walk away, I let out a slow breath.
'Freya…' I shake my head slightly. 'She's insane… and a massive pain to deal with.'
Then, under my breath…
"Also, she's a huge pervert."
I grimace slightly.
'She's definitely got a lot of loose screws.'
(Freya POV – Hostess of Fertility)
The moment Riven leaves, the door hasn't even fully shut before the smile spreads across my face. It starts small, but it continues to grow.
Then, I press a hand to my lips, failing to contain the quiet laugh that escapes me.
My cheeks burn, heat pooling beneath my skin as my body trembles, a shiver running down my spine.
'That was… wonderful…'
I hug myself, fingers digging lightly into my arms as I replay everything. His voice, his gaze, the way he spoke to me without hesitation or fear. The lack of reverence and blind devotion.
Just… him.
"I really am hopeless…" I murmur softly, smiling to myself as I commit each moment to memory, carefully and greedily, like a treasure I refuse to lose.
Talking to him, watching him, being seen by him… It was intoxicating.
But—
My breath catches as my body tightens. My fingers curl slightly as that moment resurfaces.
'That look…'
My knees feel just a little weaker.
"That expression…" I whisper, almost reverently.
That empty, emotionless gaze. Cold and absolute… but most importantly… focused entirely on me.
My heart begins to race again, faster this time, erratic and uncontrollable.
"I want… more of that…" I admit under my breath, eyes half-lidded, a soft tremor in my voice.
I don't care what it meant. I don't care what he was thinking.
For that brief, fleeting instant… I had all of his attention. All of it.
"And he didn't look away…" I breathe, fingers tightening against my arms.
It was suffocating, terrifying, and… exhilarating.
A soft laugh slips out of me.
"I wonder if he noticed…" I tilt my head slightly, smile turning sheepish for a moment. "No… I hope he didn't."
Because if he did… would be consider me a pervert? A psycho? What if he avoid me altogether?
That… would be unbearable.
Slowly, I exhale, forcing my racing thoughts to settle, though the warmth lingers stubbornly in my chest.
"But…" I murmur, expression softening, turning thoughtful. "If I pushed any further and made threats against Hestia…"
My smile returns, smaller now.
"…he might have actually killed me."
There's no fear in that realization. Because I saw it. In that gaze… there was no hesitation or doubt.
Just a promise.
A promise of absolute, merciless death between us.
"And he would've done it…" I whisper, almost fondly. "No matter who I am."
Even if I am a goddess. Even if it would brand him a criminal to all… He would try.
'No… He would succeed.'
My fingers press lightly against my lips, suppressing another laugh.
"How frightening…"
"And how wonderful…"
I almost get giddy again just recalling it. It reminds me of wedding vows.
'Until death…' I giggle at the thought.
My gaze drifts toward the window, the light spilling in as I step closer, resting a hand against the frame.
"As much as I like Hestia…" I murmur thoughtfully, eyes softening. "…it almost makes me want to kill her."
Because I can already imagine it.
That same gaze. That same killing intent. All of it… directed at me.
"For me alone…" I sigh, breath warm against the glass. "And all the things he'd do to me…"
But, I shake my head slightly, grounding myself. "No… that would be a mistake."
His words echo in my mind, clear and unyielding.
'If I hurt Hestia… I lose him completely.'
And that… is unacceptable.
"I want to be loved…" I whisper, eyes lowering slightly. "Not hated."
Everyone else could hate me… but not him.
So instead, I think.
About what he said. About love.
"…Maybe…" I murmur slowly, brows knitting together. "…I've been looking at it the wrong way."
Odr.
My destined one. My perfect match. Someone to be found. Something to be proven. Something that fits perfectly…
"But what if that's not how it works?" I tilt my head slightly.
What if… it isn't about finding someone who fits my ideal… but choosing someone… and making them my ideal?
My fingers tighten slightly against the window frame.
"…Choosing him."
Not because he might be my Odr. But because I want him to be. Because I decided it. Because I won't let it change.
A slow smile forms on my lips.
"That… might work."
"Syr, what's wrong? Did your date not go well, meow?"
"Eep—!"
I jolt slightly, turning around to find Chloe right behind me, far too close.
And not just her. All of them are there, watching me with curiosity and concern.
"…N-No, it's not like that…" I laugh nervously, waving my hands.
"Look at her." Anya says, squinting at me like she's solved a mystery. "Staring out the window all gloomy. She definitely got rejected!"
Thwack.
"Don't jump to conclusions." Ryuu says calmly, lowering her hand after striking Anya. "Syr, if you've been rejected, then it simply means he has yet to recognize your worth."
Her tone is gentle and supportive.
"If he never does… then he is unworthy of you."
"G-Guys!" I protest, face heating up again. "Why are you all assuming I got rejected?!"
They pause and exchange looks.
"…You didn't?" Chloe asks.
"…I mean—" I hesitate, glancing aside. "…I did… a little…"
"See!" Anya points triumphantly, only to get smacked again.
"But!" I quickly add, straightening slightly. "It's not over." That much, I'm certain of. "This is something I can fix."
Something I can change, so long as I understand it.
"Phew~ That would've been a waste." Chloe sighs dramatically. "He's way too good-looking to give up on. I'd be so sad if he never came again and I could ogle him. All those sexy muscles and handsome face… it turns meow on!" She's practically drooling, hearts flying all around her.
And when I narrow my eyes at her, she immediately ducks behind Ryuu.
"…Coward." I mutter.
The usual chaos resumes.
Familiar and comforting.
But my thoughts drift again as I stare out the window once more.
'…Is my idea of love wrong?' I wonder.
Odr. Fate. Destiny.
'…Or is love something you choose… and hold onto?'
Even if it doesn't fit perfectly. Even if it's difficult. And, even if it hurts.
My gaze sharpens slightly.
'…Then I just have to make it work.'
No matter what. And if that's the case… my next step is obvious.
A small, knowing smile curves on my lips.
'…I should start with Hestia.'
After all, if I want him…
I'd need her support too.
**********
A/N: Hello Everyone! How are you all? 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.
Before I forget to mention it, when Riven was threatening her, she wasn't scared. She was just unable to contain her ecstacy. That's why he called her a pervert. I had wanted to fit it into her POV, but it got lost in editing since it disrupted the flow too much to slot in.
Anyway, onto other things. Freya has a looooooooot of issues. Fixing them one by one is the only way to redeem her in a sense. As much as I want her a love interest, I can't force incompatible characters together. But this way, she grows as a person, and is heading in the right direction. Was it too easy if compared to canon? Definitely!
My reasoning here is that Riven is very different from Bell. Throughout the show, Bell forgave and showed mercy to everyone, despite the injustices he faced. He was too nice. I think the reason Freya did what she did, was that some part of her believed Bell could forgive her and go on living with her after what she did. And he did forgive her in the end. Riven... Not so much. It's either his way, or the dead way🤣🤣🤣.
She knows that even if she strong-armed him, she'd never get what she wanted. And, the most important part... He gave her a way out. Convince Hestia, and fix your mentality, and maybe it'd work. This prevents her from self-destruction like she did on Bell. As for why she was so calm throughout it all, even after the rejection... She can read his soul and emotions. I imagine that she didn't see complete rejection and repulsion, and rather maybe indifference or nonchalance, so she heard him out.
As for Riven's end... Freya didn't do anything, and most importantly, didn't explicitly threaten to do something to Hestia. And she still got such an intense reaction🤣. The Grimoire helped a lot too. It wouldn't have worked if Freya had said something worse, but hey, all that's well, ends well... Hopefully.
You can also read 10 chapters ahead and support me at [email protected]/AMV_WEAKLY
But anyway, that's all from me. Hopefully you enjoyed the chapter, and have a wonderful rest of your day/night 😁