"Of course I know about this sort of thing!"
Don't be fooled by Hestia's occasional absent-mindedness—she's perfectly clear-headed when it matters. She had known from the very beginning that Bell always saw her as the most important person. It was evident from the way he acted and his attitude—Bell cared about her more than anyone else. That was precisely why she loved Bell more than anything.
The word "shared" was hard for Hestia to swallow, but considering Bell still had to face the Black Dragon, some compromises were inevitable.
"Fine... I'll agree to you and Freya for now."
Although she said this with tears in her eyes and an expression of deep reluctance, it was still Hestia's stance. Finally, it was settled.
Loki breathed a sigh of relief. This was a crucial step. Without Hestia's approval, she was certain Bell would have chosen to distance himself from them.
Even Freya's face softened slightly. She knew that only Hestia's consent would prevent Bell from continuing to resist her entirely.
Freya leaned back in her seat, her shapely figure more noticeable as she lifted her hands—a clear sign she was finally relaxing.
"Now that it's decided, I can start adjusting that boy's attitude toward me."
"We'll need to spend more time together from now on, Hestia and Hephaestus."
With Hestia now agreeing to the "shared" relationship, it was time for Freya to take the next step toward achieving that goal.
However, both Hestia and Hephaestus were in bad moods. After all, the person they had so fiercely protected had entered their home, and now they were expected to share Bell with her. Nothing could feel worse. Did they really think they wouldn't feel jealous?
But now, this was the arrangement they had chosen to accept. Even though their hearts were aching, they couldn't oppose Freya's words. Their relationship would inevitably lead to frequent interactions from now on.
"Flirtatious woman, Bell isn't even here. Why are you deliberately showing off your figure? Are you trying to provoke him?"
Loki raised an eyebrow, convinced that this flirtatious woman was doing it on purpose.
"Me, provocative?"
Freya nearly burst out laughing, then glanced at Hestia and Hephaestus.
The two goddesses caught her gaze and instinctively straightened their posture. Clearly, they weren't the targets of any provocation—after all, they were nearly Freya's equals.
"Loki, you're being overly sensitive."
"At least Hestia and Hephaestus don't see this as a provocation."
Those two are cows too!?
Loki nearly spat out a curse.
The shorty and Hephaestus naturally wouldn't perceive it as provocation—after all, their figures had always been impressive.
Among the four goddesses, Loki was the most wretched.
After all, physical attributes were truly predetermined by fate—each goddess's form was sealed at birth. Smaller goddesses had no hope of "growing"—divine beings possessed no such attribute.
Watching Loki nearly jump up in frustration while forcing herself to stay calm, Freya suddenly found it rather amusing.
"Loki, when you compared yourself to Hestia earlier, you seemed quite preoccupied with your figure. Yet when you look at me normally, you never seem to make such comparisons."
"Then was then. Now is now."
Facing Freya's teasing, Loki's expression stiffened, and she replied unnaturally.
Of course, Freya knew the real reason.
Once, Loki had no child she clearly loved. Now, she had a child she cherished.
This shift in circumstances transformed Loki—who'd once merely been slightly self-conscious about her physique—into someone intensely preoccupied with it.
Freya didn't press the issue, as she had other thoughts on her mind.
"Loki, you've moved in, haven't you?"
This single sentence snapped Loki's wandering mind back into focus.
Loki's silence itself was an answer.
Freya wasn't particularly surprised by this.
Just as she understood Bell, any deity with a vested interest in the Hestia household would receive special treatment.
Not for any complex reason, but simply because they held value.
"That child's thoughts are far too straightforward."
Such straightforward thinking wasn't necessarily bad. Though it felt slightly utilitarian, from that child's perspective, such a choice was understandable...
"Hestia, I want to move in too."
"Huh?"
"Didn't you hear me?"
"But... but you're rushing things a bit too much..."
Hestia desperately didn't want Freya moving in so soon, but Freya understood this perfectly well. Yet, she had compelling reasons for insisting.
"Shared living isn't something to be taken lightly."
"I know I can't take that child away. But now, if I choose to draw closer, is that forbidden too?"
Freya's face held a hint of sadness. Even though Hestia knew it was feigned, she still fell for it.
"It's not that I forbid it..."
"Then you allow it."
Instantly, Freya's expression changed. The sadness vanished, replaced by a smile as radiant as the rising sun.
"You... you're way too quick..."
Hestia stared blankly at Freya's lightning-fast transformation, once again realizing just how swiftly a goddess could change her expression.
"Quick?"
Freya shook her head slightly, not feeling the slightest bit hurried.
"That child was wary of me as if I were some kind of wild beast."
"Before, finding an opportunity to interact with that child required extensive preparation. It's not like you lot, who get to live under the same roof with him day in and day out."
Her eyes swept toward Loki.
"Just now Loki said I provoked her, but given how she acted earlier, wasn't she the one provoking me?"
"I didn't!"
"You didn't?"
Freya's smile instantly turned cold at Loki's denial.
"Then tell me, Loki—when exactly did you start living here?"
This...
The question instantly deflated Loki. This was something she really couldn't easily explain.
"I was the last one to request staying here. Is that so outrageous?"
"I just wanted more time with that child."
By this point, Freya's voice carried a hint of hurt.
"Unlike you two, I can't just see that child whenever I want."