And warm, radiant Hestia sat a little gloomily off to the side.
Only now and then would she interject a word or two; more often she simply drank in silence.
The moment Zeus stepped into the temple, all three goddesses' gazes fixed on him in unison.
Though she very much wanted to stay and watch the show, Clymene still waved lightly and led the girls out for the time being.
Her heart was full of regret.
Zeus cleared his throat softly and spoke at once: "Ah—my dear Hestia, my lovely Demeter, what brings you here? I was just about to come find you!"
The gentle, charming Demeter's soft smile vanished the instant she saw Zeus.
Hearing his words now, her anger only grew.
She at once wore a smile so fake it could not have been colder and said sweetly, "It seems our great God-King has no wish to see us."
Then she looked to Hestia with a sigh and said, "My dear Hestia, let's go."
She slanted a glance at Zeus and said, with cutting irony, "His Majesty must have long forgotten us sisters. Why should we stay here and invite humiliation?"
Amalthea's beautiful, wide eyes flicked back and forth between Zeus and the two goddesses, excitement bright in their depths.
She might be a bit simple, but she was no fool.
She could plainly see what the atmosphere in the hall was.
Just now she was intent on watching the fun.
In truth she too felt a small, quiet grievance.
It had been so long—then the moment the assembly ended, he vanished again!
Wretched Zeus! Do you know how much I missed you!
Since you were born, we've never been apart so long!
Then she felt Zeus sneak her a glance.
Knowing him too well, she understood at once what that look meant.
Its meaning could not have been clearer: Don't make trouble—run along and play.
Amalthea pouted, rolled her eyes at Zeus, and—though unwilling—obediently slipped out of the temple.
In the hall, for the moment only Zeus and his two dearest, closest goddesses remained.
The amorous, thick-skinned God-King at once put on a smile—the gentlest, most handsome smile that could topple every goddess in the universe.
He turned into a streak of golden light and, in an instant, stood before Demeter.
He did not answer her jealousy-laced words at all, but simply gathered her into a strong embrace.
He kissed his beloved goddess's soft cheek, then let her go and turned to embrace warm Hestia.
His gentle voice sounded slowly at her ear: "My dear Hestia, I've missed you—just as you missed me."
As he spoke, he lowered his head and kissed Hestia's beautiful long hair, red as flame.
Treated so intimately by Zeus for the first time, Hestia's little gloom and grievance were dispelled in an instant by his tenderness.
The warmest Hestia, great sovereign of Fire, slowly lifted her slender arms and likewise hugged Zeus's broad back tight.
Though she herself could bring warmth to the whole universe as sovereign of Fire,
Still she clung greedily to the warm, solid embrace of this supreme sovereign.
For this Lord who stands for all "existence" is the most inexhaustible fuel of all fire.
The sovereign of Fire is also a loving Great Mother.
When Zeus gently released his beloved goddess, Hestia felt a pang of loss.
But thinking of her dear sister's feelings, she too released her beloved God-King.
The two gods' eyes met. The gentle sovereign of Fire gave Zeus a warm, doting look, signaling that her part was past—and that he should next soothe Demeter.
Zeus smiled tenderly and turned to the goddess at his side who still looked thoroughly unhappy.
A smile bloomed upon his face warm enough to melt the universe's ice and snow, and in the most pampering tone he said, "My dearest little darling, I was just going to you. Tomorrow, I will announce to the whole universe that you are my beloved wife."
"I only wonder—my beloved Demeter—would you be willing to announce to the universe with me, at the same time, that I am your most beloved god?"
At this one sentence, Demeter received the greatest surprise of her life!
All her displeasure and grievance vanished in that instant, flung to the four winds.
With a happy cry she flew into Zeus's broad, solid arms like a swallow returning to harbor.
The gentle goddess tipped up her fair face, flawless features lit with irrepressible joy.
Her emerald eyes—symbols of endless life and hope—now rippled with tender love as they fixed upon Zeus.
In a voice trembling with joy she asked, "Zeus, my love… is it true?"
Zeus laughed heartily. He hugged the goddess of Harvest tight and murmured at her ear: "My beloved goddess, when have I ever told you a lie?"
"Least of all to you. I am always so earnest—how could I trifle with the most solemn, most sacred of matters?"
With a light sweep of his great hand, Zeus declared in a voice full of supreme majesty—and with unshakable resolve: "Tomorrow! I will announce this joyous news to the whole universe!"
"I will let all gods and beings know that the great goddess who presides over all agriculture and harvest is the most beloved wife of me—Zeus, King of All Gods, sovereign of the universe!"
Overwhelmed with surprise and joy, Demeter was swept away in happiness.
Too moved to form a complete sentence, she could only lift her face and answer her beloved God-King with the hottest of kisses.
Nothing was more direct than this action to express the love overflowing in her heart.
This sweet, fragrant grain was the finest gift of all.
Hestia, at their side, watched the two gods entwined in a kiss. For her dear sister's greatest wish—at last fulfilled—she felt sincere joy.
Yet in her heart a faint, irrepressible envy rose unbidden.
After a long moment—seeing Demeter carried quite away and the pair still unwilling to part—
Hestia could only cough lightly twice as a reminder.
Only then did the two recall another goddess was present. They parted at last, reluctantly. Demeter's fair face had taken on the blush of harvest.
Looking to her most revered Hestia, she still could not bring herself to leave Zeus's arms.
Pressing against him, she said softly: "Zeus~ our dear Hestia is still here."
"You know her love for you—how could you not? Like me, she loves you deeply."
"Tomorrow, let us both become your wives, shall we?"
Hestia started in amazement.
Before she could speak, Zeus had already stretched out his arm and drawn her into his embrace as well.
The God-King moved with lightning speed, without a trace of hesitation, acting at once.
Holding warm fire to left and right, he looked earnestly at the beloved flame in his arms—one he coveted without end—and said without hesitation, "Hestia, my love, I know your love for me—and I have never hidden my love for you."
"I hope you will agree with Demeter's suggestion, for our divinities have long since been deeply interwoven."
"So long as you will favor me and agree, I will, without hesitation, announce to the whole universe this thing that I count as my greatest joy."
Hestia nestled contentedly in Zeus's arms. Looking at her dear sister, whose eyes—bright with expectation—rested upon her, she said warmly, "Zeus, you've long known my heart—as all the gods have known it."
"For dear Demeter to become your wife is the most important, happiest thing in her eternal life. I want her to enjoy this happiest moment alone."
"As for me, let my matter wait a bit; I'm in no hurry."
"For I know I am in your heart, and that is enough."
"Hestia…" Demeter was deeply moved. She looked with gratitude at her dearest sister and, for the moment, could not say a word.
Zeus, however, knit his brows slightly and was silent in thought.
Hestia smiled gently. "Demeter, you've always wanted to be the elder sister. Now's your chance—seize it."
"I wish you happiness forever, and that your bright smile will always rest upon your face, as the joy of harvest forever rests upon the earth."
Seeing Zeus's slightly knit brow, she leaned in and kissed his cheek—a quick touch and away.
Then she said softly, "Zeus, my love, what need have you to worry?"
"Pray do not overthink it. Would I ever be possessed by any god but you?"
"My Zeus, whom I love and revere—my Lord—you are my sovereign; you are my warmth. I will always be yours, and yours alone."
"My beloved, a wife's title—if only for now not yet mine—what does it matter?"
"Zeus, my love, for your sake and for Demeter's, let tomorrow's joy be hers alone."
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