[DS1] Hestia's Lament

[Danmachi Stroll]

"Welcome home!" Hestia's cheerful greeting echoed through the church's basement, bouncing off stone walls worn smooth by time. Her small hands deftly worked at folding origami cranes - a hobby she'd picked up to pass the lonely evenings when Bell was out adventuring. A neat row of completed birds lined the table before her, their delicate paper wings catching the lantern light.

The familiar sound of boots on stone stairs made her heart leap. Bell's footsteps always had that particular rhythm - eager yet careful, like a rabbit ready to bound forward at any moment.

"Goddess Hestia!" His voice carried that breathless excitement that meant he had stories to tell. "You won't believe the evening I just had!"

She set aside her half-finished crane, drinking in the sight of him. His white hair caught the warm light like freshly fallen snow, and those red eyes sparkled with an inner fire that never failed to make her chest ache. Her precious Bell. Her wonderful Bell.

"Oh?" She patted the seat beside her. "Tell me all about it."

Bell practically bounced into place, radiating energy. "I met the most amazing adventurer at the Hostess of Fertility tonight! His name is Cyrus Valentine, and he's part of the Quetzalcoatl Familia."

Hestia's smile froze slightly. That man.

"He gave me such incredible advice!" Bell continued, oblivious to her reaction. "About becoming stronger, about what it really means to be an adventurer. He even stood up to Bete when..."

Her fingers tightened around the paper crane as Bell recounted the evening's events. Each mention of Cyrus made the origami bird's wings crumple further.

"And then..." Bell's voice softened, a telltale blush creeping across his cheeks. "Ais Wallenstein came outside to talk to me."

The crane's head snapped off in Hestia's grip.

"She said she thought I was brave! Can you believe it? And she wants to see how much stronger I become!" Bell's eyes shone with renewed determination. "Cyrus was right - I need to focus on my own growth rather than just trying to catch up to her. I have to become someone worthy of standing beside her as an equal!"

"Bell-kun." Hestia's voice emerged strangled. "This Cyrus person... he encouraged you to pursue that Sword Princess?"

"Well, not exactly." Bell scratched his cheek. "He said I should focus on becoming stronger for the right reasons, not just for romance. But then Ais came out and..."

"I see." The remains of the paper crane disappeared into Hestia's clenched fist. "So not only did this monster push you toward that Wallenwhatshername, but he also had the nerve to act like some kind of wise mentor?"

"Goddess?" Bell finally noticed her darkening expression. "Is something wrong?"

"Wrong?" Hestia's twin tails began to rise like angry snakes. "What could possibly be wrong about my precious child being corrupted by that... that..."

"Corrupted?" Bell blinked innocently. "But Cyrus was really helpful! He even said I should pay his kindness forward by standing up for others when I become stronger."

"Of course he did!" Hestia threw her hands up. "Making himself sound all noble and wise while leading you straight to that flat-chested rival of mine's child!"

"Flat-che... Goddess Hestia, are you jealous?"

"JEALOUS?" The word emerged as a shriek that sent dust cascading from the ceiling. "Why would I be jealous just because some smooth-talking pretty boy convinced my Bell-kun to chase after that Wallenwhatshername girl?"

"Pretty boy?" Bell's brow furrowed. "I mean, I guess he is handsome, but..."

"That's not the point!" Hestia grabbed Bell's shoulders, shaking him slightly. "Can't you see what's happening? First he charms his way into Quetzalcoatl's Familia, and now he's targeting my precious child with his evil schemes!"

"Evil... schemes?"

"Yes! Making you admire him, giving you 'advice,' orchestrating that moment with the Sword Princess..." Hestia's eyes narrowed dangerously. "It's all part of his plan!"

"What plan?"

"To... to..." Hestia faltered, unable to actually articulate what nefarious scheme she imagined. "That's not important! What matters is that he's interfering with my Bell-kun!"

"Goddess." Bell's voice carried that gentle tone he used when he thought she was being unreasonable. "I think you might be overreacting a little..."

"Overreacting?" Hestia released his shoulders to pace the small room, her twin tails whipping back and forth with agitation. "I'll show you overreacting! Just wait until I see that Valentine character... I'll give him a piece of my mind about meddling with other goddesses' children!"

"Please don't." Bell's eyes widened with alarm. "He really was trying to help. And... and I think I understand myself better after talking with him."

Hestia stopped mid-stride, studying Bell's earnest expression. Something in her chest twisted painfully. When had her shy, uncertain child grown enough to speak with such conviction?

"Bell-kun." She sank back onto the couch beside him, suddenly exhausted. "You really believe this Cyrus person was genuinely trying to help?"

Bell nodded emphatically. "He could have ignored me entirely, or just let Bete keep mocking me. Instead, he took the time to really listen and give me advice that wasn't just about getting stronger physically."

Hestia's shoulders slumped. "And... the thing with Ais Wallenstein?"

"That wasn't planned at all!" Bell's cheeks flushed again. "She came out on her own after Cyrus and I left. But... maybe I wouldn't have had the courage to actually talk to her if he hadn't helped me see things differently first."

"Hmph." Hestia crossed her arms, unable to entirely let go of her suspicion. "I still don't trust him. Pretty boys who give out wise advice are the most suspicious type!"

Bell laughed, the sound warming her heart despite her lingering irritation. "If you met him, I think you'd understand. There's something about him that makes you want to trust him, but not in a fake way. It's like... he sees right through to who you could become."

"That's exactly what makes him dangerous!" Hestia jabbed a finger at Bell's chest. "Normal people don't just naturally have that kind of insight! He must be using some kind of divine charm technique he learned from Quetzalcoatl..."

"Goddess." Bell caught her hand gently. "You're doing it again."

"Doing what?"

"Getting jealous over nothing."

"I am not-" Hestia cut herself off at Bell's knowing look. "Fine. Maybe I'm a little jealous. But only because I don't want anyone taking advantage of my precious child's trusting nature!"

"No one's taking advantage of me." Bell squeezed her hand. "I'm growing stronger every day, remember? Strong enough to make my own judgments about people."

The simple statement hit Hestia like a physical blow. When had her Bell-kun become so mature? So confident in his own assessments?

"Besides." Bell's smile turned teasing. "Aren't you the one who's always telling me to be more outgoing and make friends?"

"Friends, yes! Not suspicious pretty boys who go around giving life-changing advice and orchestrating romantic moments!"

"He didn't orchestrate anything! And why do you keep calling him a pretty boy?"

"Because he is one! Have you seen him? All tall and handsome with that perfect hair and those mysterious eyes..." Hestia caught herself. "Not that I've been paying attention! I just... heard things. From other goddesses. Who were obviously fooled by his suspicious charm!"

Bell's shoulders shook with suppressed laughter. "Goddess Hestia... are you sure you're not the one who's been charmed?"

"WHAT?" Hestia leaped to her feet again, twin tails bristling. "How dare you suggest... I would never... that's completely..."

"I'm joking!" Bell held up his hands in surrender, though his eyes still danced with amusement.

"I have to be suspicious of anyone who might lead my precious child astray!"

"No one's leading me astray." Bell's expression softened into something that made her heart skip. "I'm exactly where I want to be, Goddess. Nothing will change that."

"Bell-kun..." Hestia sniffled, overcome by emotion. "You really mean that?"

He nodded, that gentle smile she loved so much spreading across his face. "Of course I do. You're my goddess. My family. Nothing could ever change how important you are to me."

"Then... you won't let that Valentine person's evil pretty boy schemes corrupt you?"

Bell laughed again. "I promise I won't be corrupted. Though I still don't understand why you're so fixated on him being a pretty boy..."

"I am not fixated!" Hestia stomped her foot. "I'm simply being appropriately suspicious of someone who's clearly too perfect to be trustworthy! No one should be allowed to be that attractive AND give good advice! It's not fair!"

"If you say so, Goddess." Bell's tone made it clear he was humoring her. "Should we have some tea? I brought back those sweet rolls you like from the market."

"Don't try to distract me with food!" Hestia paused. "...What kind of sweet rolls?"

"The ones with extra honey glaze."

"...Fine." She dropped back onto the couch, trying to maintain her indignant expression. "But this discussion isn't over! I still don't trust that Valentine person, no matter how han- how suspicious he is!"

Bell just smiled and went to prepare the tea, leaving Hestia to stew in her thoughts. She glanced down at the mangled paper crane in her hand, its once-pristine wings now crumbled.

"Cyrus… When I catch you Cyrus…"

"ACHOO!!!" Cyrus sneezed violently, water droplets scattering across the bathroom mirror. The sound echoed off the tiled walls, making him wince at its intensity. Another sneeze followed immediately after, then a third in rapid succession.

"Someone must be cursing my name," he muttered, wiping his nose with the back of his hand. Steam still filled the bathroom from his hot shower, the familiar scent of coconut and vanilla lingering in the air.

His reflection in the slowly clearing mirror showed his raised eyebrow as he considered who might be talking about him. Given the events at the Hostess of Fertility, several candidates came to mind. Bete Loga seemed the type to grumble about perceived slights well into the night…

Another sneeze racked his body, this one powerful enough to make him grip the sink's edge for balance.

"Definitely not friendly conversation," he decided, reaching for a towel to dry his hair. The emerald bead necklace Quet had given him caught the lamplight, reminding him of her warmth. At least one person in Orario consistently spoke well of him, even if she did get carried away with shopping sprees and Spanish lessons.

The thought made him smile until yet another sneeze struck, nearly making him drop the towel.

"Whoever you are," he addressed his unseen critic through gritted teeth, "I hope you're enjoying yourself."