The atmosphere inside the Hostess of Fertility had finally calmed down. The laughter over the quarrel between Hestia and Loki had already faded into background noise, and the customers were returning to their meals as if nothing had happened.
With a fresh mug in hand, Loki cast a lazy glance at the table beside her, where Hestia was still grumbling to Luki between bites. She sighed.
— Hestia.
— If you're going to insult me again, shut that shriveled mouth of yours — the goddess replied, arms crossed, not even looking at her.
— Relax — said Loki, rolling her eyes. — How about we pretend that circus earlier never happened and have a civilized talk?
Hestia eyed her with suspicion.
— I'd believe you… if you weren't the Goddess of Trickery and Lie.
— Tch, don't start. — Loki turned in her chair, resting her chin on her hand. — I just want to know how you're doing. It's been a while since I heard anything from you… and, considering yesterday…
Hestia frowned.
— Yesterday?
The memory struck hard. What was supposed to be a new beginning had ended in closed doors and humiliation. She sighed, pushing her plate away.
— Nothing happened.
— Really? Because seeing a goddess sleeping on the street doesn't exactly look like "nothing".
— I said nothing happened! — Hestia snapped, her eyes damp, her voice breaking.
Luki, silent until then, placed a hand on her shoulder. Hestia held it firmly without a word. After a moment, she gave him a small, discreet nod.
Understanding the gesture, Luki turned toward Loki's table and spoke simply:
— Our house, broke recenTLY. EveRYTHing is faLLing apart.
Even with his broken speech, the words carried weight, the Loki Familia members who were paying attention to the conversation averted their gazes.
Loki took a long swig from her mug before answering:
— If you need help, just say the word. We can't let a goddess live like that, it looks bad for all of us.
— Shame is your mother's… — Hestia muttered.
Everyone heard. Everyone pretended they didn't.
— Thank you, we bIIn loOKing for a neW house. But We wHeren't so luCKy.
Loki caught the meaning in between the words, they weren't desperate, but they weren't well off either. She made a mental note to keep an eye on them.
From the other side of the table, whispers began.
— Hey, that guy talks weird, huh?— Do you think he's, like… off?— A shame. I thought he was cute. Wonder if he has a girlfriend?— Too weak. Needs to level up first.— His hair shines! Think he uses something?— Riveria's hair shines too, and she doesn't even use the products I use!
At the mention of her name, Riveria cast a sharp look that even made Bete clear his throat and turn away. Tiona, Tione, and Lefiya immediately fell silent, trying to look innocent.
The mood turned more melancholic. Even Hestia seemed unwilling to stir more trouble.
That was when Loki, wanting to lighten things up, shamelessly changed the subject:
— Now that I think about it… with all the chaos, I didn't even get the chance to ask: who's that? — she said, pointing her chin at Luki.
At once, Hestia, who had been downcast, brightened, her face lighting up with a mix of pride and mischief. She puffed out her chest as if she were about to unveil the greatest treasure in the world.
— Ah! I'm glad you asked! Who is he? Nothing much… just the very first and glorious member of the grand Hestia Familia!
With a beaming smile, she gave Luki such a hearty slap on the back that he almost choked on his food.
— Go on, Luk-kun! Just like I taught you!
Luki chuckled nervously, wiping his mouth with a napkin before turning toward the Loki Familia's table. Though a bit embarrassed, he tried to keep his composure.
— Ehehe… nice to meet you. My name is Luki Bryan. — he said, making a simple but sincere bow.
— So he really is part of your Familia… how odd. — commented Loki, resting her chin on her hand as she studied him. — I always wondered what kind of lunatic would join your Familia, but he looks… surprisingly normal.
— What?! — Hestia jumped to her feet, eyes practically blazing. — What are you insinuating, you damn red broom?!
Loki, of course, ignored the outburst completely and carried on as casually as ever:
— Since we're in the mood for introductions, it's only fair I show you my Youngest as well. Hey, Bell-chan, come here for a moment.
— A-ah s-sim, Loki-sama!
At her call, a girl with white hair who had been quietly eating stood up timidly, moving toward her goddess with a soft, cautious grace.
Luki watched her with growing attention.
'White hair just past her shoulders, deep red eyes, and a faint blush that never quite leaves her cheeks. She seems a little shy, and with this curvy and feminine figure, she' quiet cute.'
'I know this's no longer a 2D anime world but it's remarkable how naturally captivating some women are in this world. But…'
'Doesn't she look familiar to me?'
Before he could think any further, she was already standing before them. She moved hesitantly, her hands nervously clutching the sides of her skirt. With a slight, uncertain bow, she spoke in a soft, almost whispering voice.
— It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Be-Bell Cranel, the newest member of the Loki Familia, just a simple and inexperienced level one adventurer in need of protection. I'll be counting on your guidance.
— BEEELLLL-CHANNN!! SO CUUUTE!!
SMACK!
— Ow! — Loki yelped, rubbing the back of her head after the sudden blow.
— When exactly did you teach her to introduce herself like that? — Riveria
— I have no idea what you're talking about, mama… — Loki muttered, eyes wide with fake innocence.
Bell remained still, looking like a lost child in the midle of the market.
Meanwhile, Hestia was scrutinizing the girl from head to toe with merciless judgment. Then her gaze shifted sideways — and caught Luki staring at her with a bit too much focus for her liking. His eyes were slightly widened, and his plate sat untouched in front of him, food growing cold.
— Tch, she's nothing special. — Hestia grumbled, crossing her arms defensively, which, without realizing it, pushed her chest out even more. Loki muffled a snicker at the next table.
Bell, like a puzzled owl, tilted her head slightly. She hadn't understood the jab. Or perhaps she hadn't even realized it was directed at her.
But the gaze… that lingering gaze.
She felt it, like a soft touch on the nape of her neck, the weight of being observed. Not with judgment or desire, but with something rare. A kind of… serene curiosity. When her ruby eyes met Luki's esmerald ones, time itself seemed to slow.
The chatter, the clinking of cutlery, the tavern's noise… all of it faded away. It was as if a veil of silence had fallen between them. Neither looked away. He, with the calm expression of someone contemplating a painting without knowing why it captivated him. She, with the curiosity of a cat discovering a mirror for the first time.
To anyone watching from outside, there was only one possible interpretation:
"Love at first sight."
Riveria, sipping her wine, choked at the strange tension.
Tiona nudged Tione with her elbow, grinning ear to ear.
Lefiya's eyes went wide, then wider still, if that were even possible.
And at that precise cinematic moment, Hestia exploded.
Like a bolt of blue-white lightning, she spun around and grabbed Luki by the waist, digging her fingers into him in a vengeful pinch.
— Argh! — Luki yelped, writhing under the goddess's deceptively strong grip.
— What do you think you're doing, huh?! — Hestia's eyes blazed. — Don't tell me you've fallen for those empty eyes and round face too?!
— I-I didn't… it wasn't… — Luki tried to defend himself, rubbing his sore side.
— Hmph! You're forbidden from looking at her! There, I said it! — she declared with childish conviction, still clinging to his side.
Bell blinked, a little confused, but not at all bothered. On the contrary, her gaze returned to Luki as though nothing had happened, still intrigued by his calm, gentle presence.
At the far end of the tavern, Loki was in hysterics, laughing so hard she nearly toppled from her chair. She wiped away tears, pointing theatrically at the scene.
— Ah, ah… this is better than a stage play. Well done, Bell! That's my girl!
Riveria sighed, crossing her arms with one brow arched.
— Don't talk as if you had anything to do with this.
— What do you mean? Who else do you think funds this golden dream called the Loki Familia?
— If that's the case… why don't you invest some of that into charisma, or, I don't know… a decent body? — Riveria replied sweetly, though her words dripped venom, her eyes still on her mug.
Loki froze like a statue.
— T-Tch… Bell-chan, help me! Mama's being cruel again! — she whined, dramatically throwing herself into the blonde's arms.
Ais blinked once, twice, trying to balance Loki's theatrics.
— A-ah, Goddess-sama! w-we are in public . — she said, her face matching her eyes color.
Meanwhile, Luki was still rubbing his side, his face twisted with pain and humiliation. But his mind was elsewhere. Bell's words echoed in his head like an alarm:
'Did she said her name is Bell Cranell?!!! The protagonist?!!!'