Mnemosyne slightly furrowed her slender willow brows and sighed again with deep sympathy: "Merciful Hera, these two children are the only two daughters of Coeus and Phoebe."
Just this one sentence made Hera understand everything completely.
She slowly sat back on her divine throne, her posture dignified and elegant, but her expression had already recovered the solemnity befitting a supreme mother goddess.
She spoke softly, her voice steady yet carrying a trace of distance: "Respected Mnemosyne, if you wish to plead for Coeus and Phoebe, then please forgive my inability to help. That is His Majesty the God-King's decision, and everything can only be decided by His Majesty the God-King."
Mnemosyne immediately said gently: "Infinitely merciful Hera, how would I dare make such an excessive and impolite request of you?"
"Coeus and Phoebe chose the most wrong and darkest path. As a firm supporter of His Majesty the God-King's sacred righteous order, how could I go against His Majesty the God-King's supreme sacred decision?"
Hera's beautiful brows furrowed slightly, "Then this..."
The Goddess of Civilization and Memory said: "I come only to boldly request that you take in these two gentle and pitiful children, allow them to remain by your side, serve at your side, and listen to your teachings."
"These two children have never had any faults. Their characters have always been gentle and obedient, always keeping their place. They understand better than anyone what enormous errors their parents committed, and what unforgivable harm they caused you because of that wrong position."
"So they dare not have any delusions. They only hope to come to your side, serve you in the most humble posture, spend their remaining lives atoning for their parents' errors, only seeking to earn a trace of your forgiveness and mercy."
Hera understood all the deeper meanings behind this. She parted her vermillion lips, already prepared to refuse with the most tactful yet most resolute words.
However, at this critical moment, Leto, kneeling below with a face full of melancholy, had already raised her tear-streaked face and spoke with a voice hoarse from crying: "Illustrious, merciful, sacred daughter of great Divine Queen Rhea! We sisters have absolutely no improper delusions!"
"Our parents committed enormous errors. They walked the wrong path and defied the supreme sacred order established by His Majesty the God-King!"
"What they now encounter is all deserved punishment. We dare not hope for His Majesty the God-King's forgiveness, much less dare hope to repay our parents' heavy sins with our meager divine power."
"Insignificant as we are, the only thing we can do is try our best to make up for the harm you suffered because of our parents, using our eternal service to repay the debt our parents owe you that can never be fully repaid."
"We only ask, only ask to serve by your side, using our hands to brush away dust for you, until the day you truly forgive our parents' sins."
"Only by doing some insignificant things for you can the guilt in our hearts toward you be relieved even a tiny bit!"
"Merciful daughter of Rhea! Kind and benevolent Goddess Hera! We beseech you, do not refuse our insignificant request. We beseech you, give us a chance to spend our remaining lives repaying our sins!"
As soon as she finished speaking, grief-stricken Leto actually crawled on her knees to Hera's feet, tightly hugging Hera's magnificent golden boots, burying her tear-stained face deeply against them, letting out suppressed, heart-breaking, gut-wrenching sobs.
Hera found herself in an unprecedented difficult situation, complex indescribable emotions interweaving across her perfect countenance.
She had intended to firmly refuse, but seeing Leto in such an undignified, pitiful state, how could her naturally soft and kind heart not be moved?
The words of refusal seemed to weigh a thousand pounds, stuck in her throat, impossible to speak.
Seeing Hera's heart waver, Mnemosyne quickly pleaded earnestly: "Infinitely loving Hera, your kind and merciful supreme virtue is deeply admired by all gods in the universe."
"These two children have no other thoughts. Their only wish is to atone for their parents' enormous errors. Whether you are ultimately willing to forgive Coeus and Phoebe, they are willing."
"Merciful you, being willing to shelter these two poor children is already their greatest fortune in this life. Please allow them to serve before you, treating this humble service as their only repayment for your merciful protection."
As soon as Mnemosyne finished speaking, Asteria, who had been silent and resolute, also prostrated herself deeply at Hera's feet, clear tears sliding from her strong, bright crystal eyes.
Her voice carried a tremor yet pleaded incredibly clearly: "Sacred and merciful daughter of Rhea, we only want to serve before you, basking in your holy radiance and teachings. We swear by the River Styx appointed by His Majesty the God-King that we dare not have any delusions whatsoever."
"We deeply know how wrong the former God-King's decayed and brutal order was."
"Our parents chose the path they should never have chosen. They have lost the chance to make amends. As their children, atoning for our parents' sins is our natural responsibility."
"Please rest assured, we will strictly obey the sacred and righteous new order established by His Majesty the God-King! We know from our hearts what truly represents the universe's sacred justice."
"His Majesty the God-King is so generous and merciful. We will only unconditionally follow all of His Majesty the God-King's will, will never cause you any difficulties, and will never do anything that might displease His Majesty the God-King."
Gentle and loving Hera had never seen such a tragic and resolute scene before.
After much hesitation, her gaze fell on the two goddesses at her feet who cried inconsolably, tightly hugging her calves and nearly fainting. That heart belonging to a great mother goddess finally completely softened.
Actually, her hatred for Phoebe had long since vanished.
On the contrary, the harm Phoebe caused her was like a mirror, reflecting Zeus's regard and care for her.
For this unique care, Hera's heart even secretly rejoiced.
Zeus had already vented for her. She no longer cared about Phoebe's offense. What she cared more about was that position in Zeus's heart that belonged uniquely to her.
She parted her vermillion lips and said gently: "Rise. What's past is past. The future is far more important than the past. You should live for yourselves. The mistakes your parents made should not be borne by you forever."
"Since you're willing to stay by my side, then remain. However, I accept you not to have you bear your parents' sins for atonement. I only hope you can look toward the future and see your own rebirth."
"If there are suitable opportunities in the future, I will petition His Majesty the God-King to let you be truly accepted by this world."
"Stop crying. By my side, as long as you keep your place and don't do wrong, I'm willing to protect you forever."
Mnemosyne breathed a sigh of relief, her face showing a smile. Leto and Asteria were even more overjoyed.
They excitedly clasped their hands together against their chests, saying with their lives' most sincere and grateful tone: "Merciful Hera, loving Hera! Thank you for your supreme grace and acceptance. We will dedicate our entire beings to you, serve wholeheartedly at your feet. Your will, from now on, is our will!"
Hera gently lifted them from her feet, her expression recovering a trace of faint dignity as she said indifferently: "You must not harbor resentment toward the God-King. Whatever His Majesty the God-King does always has his sacred reasons."
As soon as she finished speaking, this dignified Hera, Great Mother Goddess, instantly transformed from gentle to ultimate majesty and seriousness. A magnificent divine might belonging to the supreme mother goddess swept through the entire temple like a storm!
She used an unquestionable stern voice to rebuke severely: "No matter what thoughts you truly hide in your hearts' depths, you must firmly remember: within the universe, everything is His Majesty the God-King's will! Everything is His Majesty the God-King's decision! All gods and beings in this universe have only one choice—to obey His Majesty the God-King's will!"
"Remember, you must resolutely and unreservedly obey the sacred righteous order established by His Majesty the God-King!"
"If I discover you have any disrespectful, discourteous, or unkind thoughts toward His Majesty the God-King, then without waiting for His Majesty the God-King to personally grant you destruction, I will be the first to bring you supreme punishment you can never bear for eternity!"
Amiable and kind Hera suddenly revealed her supreme majesty as the future Queen of Heaven and great mother goddess. The oppressive force of her divinity instantly frightened the still tender Leto and Asteria until they turned pale and rigid.
Even someone as deep as Mnemosyne was startled.
She couldn't help but secretly praise that this great mother goddess who controlled reproduction and fertility was not some merely merciful and weak god. Beneath her loving divinity lurked decisive resolve and thunderous methods.
No wonder Zeus loved her so much!
The Goddess of Civilization and Memory felt vinegar rising, snorting heavily in her heart with unwillingness.
Leto and Asteria were already frightened, hurriedly kneeling to express their absolute loyalty, repeatedly guaranteeing they had no divided loyalties.
After confirming that these two young goddesses' hearts had been branded with the mark of awe, the dignified future Queen of Heaven finally restrained her divine might again and revealed her warm and loving side.
She then held a small banquet in her divine palace for the three goddesses.
She not only invited loving Mother Goddess Rhea but also invited warm Hestia and bountiful Demeter to accompany them.
The most honored guest at the banquet was the embodiment of sacred righteous order, Lady Themis.
At the banquet, pure and good Hera announced to the goddesses the news of taking in these two goddesses as her attendants. All the goddesses marveled at Hera's tolerance and magnanimity.
Since Hera, the directly involved party, had already forgiven them, and God-King Zeus had not expressed opposition, naturally Themis, representing justice and goodness, would not make difficulties for these two young goddesses who indeed seemed pitiful.
The other goddesses were also not harsh types and naturally would not say more.
Thus, Leto and Asteria finally had a place to establish themselves on this sacred Mount Olympus.
Under Hera's combination of kindness and authority, the two young goddesses also behaved extremely obediently and submissively.
After the banquet ended, Justice Goddess Themis had to immediately take her leave to continue her sacred duties.
The new order had just been established. She absolutely would not allow herself to disappoint the supreme responsibility God-King Zeus had entrusted to her. She must constantly supervise the operation of the entire sacred order!
She had to supervise whether the gods dutifully performed their roles and carefully watch for any potential problems that might emerge.
This Order Goddess was now the busiest deity in the universe. If not for Hera's personal invitation, she really couldn't spare time to tarry here.
However, just as she was leaving, that Goddess of Civilization and Memory also left together.
Mnemosyne quickened her pace, catching up with the upright, divinely flawless Justice Goddess. Her face was full of smiles, her voice so sweet it almost overflowed with honey: "Oh, my dearest sister, most beautiful and flawless Themis of the three realms and three domains, please wait for me a moment."
Sacred Justice stopped her steps. Her golden eyes, cold yet charming, seeing through all things, looked at Mnemosyne with a trace of confusion, asking softly: "Dear Mnemosyne, what important matter brings leisurely you to seek me at this moment?"
The elegant Goddess of Civilization warmly approached, naturally linking arms with flawless Justice's smooth jade arm, walking together toward the temple.
Two goddesses of peerless beauty walked side by side—one wearing pure white divine robes, but her brilliant divine radiance seemed capable of illuminating the entire world; the other possessed deep elegant temperament, every movement graceful.
The world where they found themselves gained infinite color because of these two goddesses walking together. Even the air on Olympus seemed to be filled with intoxicating fragrance because of this.
The guardian of civilization smiled elegantly with her song-like voice: "Oh~ my dearest Themis, must I have important matters to seek you? Do you know how much I miss you in my heart?"
She paused, leaning her head slightly toward Themis, her rosy lips pressed against the Justice Goddess's ear, using an ambiguous, meaningful tone to add softly:
"My longing for you is as deep as great Zeus's longing for you."
This sentence was like an invisible arrow, instantly striking the sacred and resilient goddess.
Themis's form stiffened, that heart solid as rock suddenly jumped.
Though this flutter lasted only a brief instant, it was clearly perceived by the Memory Goddess tightly linking arms with her.
Majestic Themis remained stern-faced, continuing forward calmly, saying in a steady tone: "Mnemosyne, my door is naturally always open to you."
"It's just that the new order and the gods' duties have just been established. I truly have too many affairs to handle and don't have much time for leisure."
"His Majesty the God-King entrusted this incredibly precious authority to me. How could I disappoint his trust and expectations?"
"Also," her tone grew heavier, "His Majesty the God-King is already the supreme God-King. You should show him the highest respect, should not call him by name directly anymore, and should not joke using His Majesty the God-King."
"You shouldn't take the God-King's generosity for granted, much less overstep the God-King's majesty!"
The master of memory, this elegant Goddess of Civilization, bloomed with a sweet yet cunning smile on her face. Words carrying teasing and mockery floated lightly from her red, full cherry lips like flower petals:
"Truly worthy of you, my most meticulous, impartially flawless Sacred Justice Order Goddess. My dearest sister, every thought of yours seems born for great Zeus."
Her words shifted, her tone full of exaggerated admiration: "No wonder His Majesty the God-King would grant you such vast authority."
"If Zeus is the supreme sovereign of this boundless universe, then you, Themis, are undoubtedly this universe's rightful deputy."
"No wonder... the God-King loves you so much."
"You two are truly a match made in heaven."
Facing her good sister's explicit teasing, flawless Themis could only show a trace of helplessness on her face despite the countless waves in her heart.
She gave this Knowledge Goddess full of mocking tone a slightly reproachful glance, saying in a somewhat weary voice: "My dearest sister, did you detain me just to tease me thoroughly here? If you truly have something, please speak quickly."
The omniscient source smiled slightly. She knew when to stop and no longer embarrassed this dear sister.
Though no gods were around and she wasn't afraid of any god hearing, she still deliberately and intimately pressed close to Themis's ear, breathing warm breath against her ear, clearly sending every word into the Order Goddess's divinity.
She whispered: "My dear sister, your essence is 'order.' You became sacred because of the God-King's order, became the embodiment of justice because of the justice the God-King defined."
"You naturally favor and prefer all things just and good. You firmly guard the sacred righteous order the God-King created, but beneath this guardianship, you also have your own cherished, preferred 'justice' that belongs uniquely to you."
"Do you know how fatally attractive such holy, flawless you who upholds justice is to Zeus?"
"You only need to... lightly crook your finger, and the great God-King will be entranced by you."
(End of Chapter)
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