Chapter 97: Goddess Of Beauty

Freya chuckled softly, her delicate fingers brushing against Saul's as she took the wine glass from his hand. 

Her enchanting eyes sparkled with an alluring brilliance, as if they held an ocean of unspoken emotions, a silent invitation wrapped in mystery. 

Their connection in the heavens had been fleeting—a moment of passion, ephemeral like morning dew—but nothing more than that.

But Sol himself hadn't realized how Freya's feelings for him differed from her interactions with others.

"Ah, so you've caught on?" Sol leaned back in his chair with a grin, sinking comfortably into its plush cushioning. This chair was remarkably soft; he made a mental note to acquire something similar for his own quarters.

"With such a view, have you found any interesting young souls recently?"

"It's not so easy to find someone worth watching," Freya replied with a light shake of her head, finishing his glass in one smooth motion. "What brings you here today?"

Standing behind Sol's chair, she leaned in close, pressing her body against the cushion between them. Despite the soft barrier, Sol was keenly aware of her presence, and a subtle hint of her fragrance lingered in the air—a scent he hadn't encountered in some time.

"I happened to run into Hestia at the potato ball stand and thought I'd stop by to see how you're doing."

"Ah, Hestia has descended too?" Freya replied, arching a brow.

"Haha, that little loli goddess recently got herself thrown out after freeloading at Hephaestus's house," Sol remarked with a chuckle.

"These gods of the lower realm aren't as reserved as they used to be, are they?" Freya smirked.

"It must be nice, surrounded by such talented children in your Familia. Many would envy you for that."

"Honestly, I don't place too much value on such things," Freya said, her tone calm, as if stating a simple fact. She seemed detached, like someone who has everything and has grown indifferent to it.

But Sol knew Freya wasn't putting on airs; she truly cared little for Orario or the Familia she had built here. Her purpose in the lower realm had always been singular—to find a true soulmate.

In many ways, Freya was a goddess with a purpose.

She shifted her gaze to Shyvana and Vex, standing respectfully nearby. "The children behind you have remarkable souls as well," she murmured, eyes glinting with interest. Shyvana's soul blazed like a fire, while Vex's was dark and still as a quiet pond. Both were beautiful, unforgettable souls. But neither matched Sol's.

His soul was grand and resplendent, a boundless universe unto itself. Freya could lose herself in it each time she looked his way. After that fateful day, she found herself indifferent to others, and gathering new Familia members was simply a way to satisfy her urge to collect.

It was different from her obsession with Bell Cranel in the original tale. She and Sol shared memories, and as fellow gods, time was irrelevant. She could wait patiently.

Bell, though, was mortal, and no matter how radiant his soul, time would erode him.

"Freya," Sol remarked dryly, "try not to ogle my lovely children like that. Save the sweet praise for those little ones in your Familia who are starving for your attention."

"You're still as 'stingy' as ever," she teased. "My children have long learned to fend for themselves."

"Then why do I still see a group of needy fledglings eager for a scrap of your notice?"

"There's nothing wrong with wanting a god's affection."

"True. I wish mine would rely on me that much…" Sol sighed with a hint of self-mockery. His Familia was independent, rarely coming to him for anything; if anything, they sought out Riveria when they needed guidance.

"Well, then you just have to make yourself more dependable," Freya quipped with a slight smile.

Behind her, Ottar stood stoically, his expression unchanging even as Sol's words teased his goddess.

Sol scoffed, rising from his seat. "Alright, I've seen enough—I'll be heading back."

"Won't you stay a while?" Freya's tone held a note of charm, and there was an unspoken invitation in her eyes. It had been so long since she'd had a moment alone with Sol, and though she could wait, her body betrayed a subtle eagerness.

"Not today. Your child is watching far too closely—I'm not inclined to perform for an audience." Sol cast a glance at Ottar, who remained stone-faced and vigilant, a true guardian. Deep down, Ottar wished Freya would turn her gaze toward him alone, as did every member of her Familia.

With no further delay, Sol slipped out with Shyvana and Vex, not giving Freya the chance to stall him further. He'd come to ensure she hadn't set her sights on Bell yet, and it seemed he was in the clear.

As Sol departed, Freya's face darkened. "Ottat, begin preparing for the expedition the Guild has arranged."

"Yes, Freya-sama."

Dismissing the boar-man who had thwarted her plans, Freya felt her mood improve slightly. She moved to the floor-to-ceiling window, watching Sol disappear into the bustling streets below. Her breathing grew heavier, her lower lip caught between her teeth, and her cheeks flushed as she pressed her hands to her face.

Feeling the embers of desire flicker within him as well, Sol smirked as he strode away. 'Freya, that seductive goddess…'

For a brief moment, he'd entertained the thought of seizing her right there. But with so many onlookers, he'd held back. Still, something had to be done about this rising tension.

Turning to his companions, Sol announced, "I'm off to take a bath. You two can head back or roam around as you like."

Without a backward glance, Sol strode away, leaving Shyvana and Vex behind. The two exchanged glances, and before Shyvana could get a word in, Vex bolted for home—moving even faster than she had on their way there.