Lyra lounged on her plush bed in the palace chambers, chatting with Nyx about mortal life and godly duties.
Nyx giggled at Lyra's impression of Hades' serious face when suddenly, the door swung open and Nina entered.
Nina, charon daughter and Lyra's handmaiden had just returned from a long vacation with her father on a remote island.
Lyra smiled warmly.
" Nina, welcome back, How was your vacation with your father." She said joyfully.
Nina grinned mischievously.
" Good, but not as interesting as all the rumors I have been hearing."
Lyra raised an eyebrow.
" What Rumors?" She asked curiously.
Nina flopped onto the bed beside Lyra.
" Some said both gods had a fight because they were both interested in you, the entire Olympus is paying attention to you now, who will the mortal girl pick, the half mortal, half god — Kaelin who is dashing and act like Prince charming or hades, the king and god of the underworld, who is ruthless and cruel."
" Enlighten me, my lady, which god won your heart." Nina said.
Nyx smirked.
" Lyra realized kealin was her first love, so spares her everywhere, while Hades has been trying to win her over ever since the huge fight they all had, he also gave her a condition."
Nina's eyes widened.
"Ooh, tell me everything, I heard both gods are obsessed with you, Lyra but I never feigned it to be true."
Lyra blushed.
" It is complicated but I adore Kaelin – he's kind, brave, and he loves me truly. Also, with the fact that I am his reincarnated first love, I am drawn to him."
Nina sighed dreamily.
" And Hades, there must be some connection between the both of you." She asked.
Lyra nodded.
" There is but He is intense, passionate, and powerful, Hades is a more powerful god than Kaelin and me being mixed up with him, it is just wrong."
Nina grinned
" I am intrigued by this love triangle." Nina leaned in closer. " So, my lady, tell me more about these two gods."
Lyra smiled softly.
" Kaelin is my everything , he is kind, gentle, and loving. If I were to meet him first, I would have fallen in love with him."
Nyx giggled.
" But Hades, he is complex and mysterious, handsome and hot at the same thing and when I first met him, he gave me shivers I have never felt before in my life but he has a dark past and I don't want to get tangled into it."
Nina's eyes sparkled.
" I have heard his intensity is captivating, do you still feel drawn to hades like before."
Lyra's expression turned thoughtful.
" Honestly — yes, my heart belongs to Kaelin, but a part of me craves Hades. His darkness calls to my shadow." Lyra confessed.
Nyx listened silently, surprised by Lyra's admission.
Nina giggled.
" You are lucky both gods desire you but what about Hades' condition, what did he ask of you."
Lyra's voice dropped to a whisper.
" that I have to pick between him and kealin, according to him, he said he can't chase someone whose heart already belongs to another man."
Nina's jaw dropped.
" Whoa, that's heavy, do you think you can make a decision?"
Lyra's voice barely above a whisper.
" I really don't know because I love him the way I love Kaelin."
Nina's eyes widened in surprise , Nyx looked stunned, then quickly ushered Nina aside.
Nyx whispered urgently.
" This changes everything. We need to help Lyra clarify her feelings."
Nina nodded vigorously.
" I have an idea. a test for her heart." She said.
Nyx raised an eyebrow.
" What kind of test?"
Nina explained.
" Lyra spends equal time with each god –three months with Kaelin, three months with Hades, whoever she feels more attracted to, more in love with, she will choose."
Nyx considered the plan.
" Clever, but risky, Lyra could hurt one of them terribly." Nyx added.
Nina sighed. " True, but lyra must keep the test a secret from both gods to avoid problems." She said, " Only we will know and Lyra will finally know her true heart."
Nyx nodded slowly.
" I feel it is too risky." Lyra said.
" It may be but this is the best way for you to know who you truly want." Nyx tried to reassure her.
Lyra considered the proposal, weighing pros and cons –then nodded firmly.
" I'll do it, I need to know who my heart truly belongs to."
Nina smiled triumphantly.
" Yes! Now, let's swear secrecy only the three of us will be aware of this test."
Nyx and Nina grasped Lyra's hands –forming a tight circle of secret keepers.
Nyx whispered. " May this test reveal your true love, Lyra."
" And may the god you reject still remain friendly." Nina added.
Lyra chuckled nervously.
" Amen to that."
Then the pact was sealed.
" Three months with Kaelin should be first." Lyra said.
All of them agreed to that.
Underworld Council Chamber
The council of gods gathered around a large, marble table discussing who should claim Zeus' former throne.
Hades leaned forward, eyes blazing.
" I am the rightful ruler, my power and wisdom make me the obvious choice."
Kaelin scoffed.
" Obviously only to your ego, Hades, my youth and adaptability make me the better candidate."
Poseidon intervened.
" Enough, both of you, we must consider all qualified gods, you aren't the only one here." He said
But Hades and Kaelin continued arguing, their voices rising, words dripping with venom.
Hades sneered.
" At least my heart isn't clouded by past love, you picked Lyra only because she resembles her." He said
Kaelin's face darkened.
" I picked lyra before I even knew, she was her, you can't blame me because she wants the better man not someone consumed by darkness and obsession."
Hades rushed over to kealin grabbing his collar and tighting his fists.
The other council members exchanged nervous glances wondering if Hades and Kaelin were still debating about the throne or the mortal girl— lyra.
Poisedon leaned over to athena and whispered.
" I think this argument is not more about the throne." He said.
" You think? " Athena replied sarcastically.
The door burst in and a stunning goddess walked into the council meeting.
Euphrosyne, Goddess of merrit and Kaelin's sister, scanned the room with a hint of annoyance.
" Why wasn't I invited to this meeting? My social skills could have prevented this awkward tension." She said, glided towards Hades and kissed his cheek.
" Hello, handsome, missed you at my last party."
Hades' expression softened slightly at euphrosyne touch, his eyes still narrowed from arguing with Kaelin.
Euphrosyne turned to the other gods.
" Now, what's this meeting about, don't tell me you are all finally planning to attend one of my events." She said.
Poseidon cleared his throat.
" Actually, we're discussing Zeus' former throne and who should claim it."
Euphrosyne raised an eyebrow.
" Ooh, that is intriguing, my vote goes to Hade, he is the most handsome god after all." She said
Kaelin rolled his eyes good-naturedly.
Euphrosyne, you didn't even think about the qualification." Kealin said.
Euphrosyne's expression turned playful.
" Ooh, dear brother, I wouldn't even pick you if you were the last god standing, you are childish and unnatural."
Kaelin's face blew up in rage at the words childish.
Euphrosyne continued, unaware of the tension between Hades and Kaelin.
" Besides, Hades has experience ruling the underworld, he should rule the skies too."
" You know how to flatter a god." Hades said, his eyes locked on her.
" I try my best, maybe you can try to attend more of my parties, I will be very grateful to you, my king." Euphrosyne said.
The council chamber erupted into a mixture of laughter and gasps.
Athena leaned over to poisedon whispering.
" This family drama is better than any mortal soap opera."
Hades smiled charmingly at euphrosyne.
" You're as persuasive as you are beautiful." Hades said
" Perhaps we should celebrate our freedom from Zeus' and delay this decision for another time." Euphrosyne said, her eyes sparkling.
" A party will be marvelous, to celebrate Pandora's Box being closed again and freedom from Zeus."
The council members nodded in agreement.
" then a party, you shall get." She said, giggling.