"You're going away again, aren't you?" Asche, the Little Nymph suddenly spoke when she saw Hephaestus in front of his workshop carrying some stuff. Asche took a deep sigh. "Can I come with you?"

Hephaestus glanced at the Little Nymph with a frown. "No, you can't. What kind of Hostage are you? This is not a vacation."

"Then I'll stay home and I'm going to steal your underwea--- I'm kiddin--Hmmph!"

COUGH! COUGH!

"Enough! that's enough!" Hephaestus told her with a blushing face. His hands were on Asche's mouth to stop her from spewing pervert stuff. "What are you always spewing nonsense? Are you sure you're not a nymphomaniac instead of a forest nymph?"

Lick...

Hephaestus immediately retracted his hand when he felt Asche's tongue licking his hands. His blushing intensifies as he hid his calloused hand.

"I'm actually a nymphosimp," The Nymph Asche jested.

"I'm not jesting with you," Hephaestus took a deep sigh. He slightly pushed Asche out of his way. "I'm about to attend something important, I can't bring you with me."

"I'll behave myself," I told him with a determined face. "Look, I just wanted to get some fresh air outside. I've been stuck in your house for weeks doing nothing, can't I go with you for once? I promise I won't run away."

The blacksmith stared at the Nymph's face. He can't help but soften when Asche showed him her pitiful face. Therefore Hephaestus let the Nymph do what she wants.

"Fine... But you have to behave."

"Yes!" The Nymph shouted as soon as she heard it. "My man, you're really lovely," Asche told him with a sweet smile on her lips. "You're actually a big softy teddy bear, come here and let me give you a hug--"

The blacksmith was taken aback.

"No, stay back!" Hephaestus reacted. "You're just going to touch my tiddies!"

Asche facepalmed upon hearing those words from the Blacksmith.

How did he know?

Nevermind.

"Where are we going anyway? Are you going to meet some pretty Nymph?" Asche asked teasingly as she followed Hephaestus. "If you're going to date a pretty nymph, I will be the third wheel."

Asche giggled when Hephaestus stared at her with a blank face. The Green-haired forest Nymoh knew that the Blacksmith is annoyed.

But come to think of it...

According to Greek mythology, Hephaestus had numerous nymph lovers after Divorcing Aphrodite for cheating on him. The God of Craftsmanship even had a thing with Athena, however, due to some reasons, it never worked out.

Ironically, Hephaestus fought Athena at the banquet, will they still have a thing in the future?

Anyway, aside from his numerous lovers, Hephaestus also had children. The most famous one was Erichthonius, whom Athena adopted as her son and the man who would one day become the king of Athens.

Perhaps Gods are naturally womanizers?

But why does this Hephaestus looks so innocent?

The answer is simple, It's probably because Hephaestus is still a young Deity. He'll eventually have some lovers in the future.

Probably.

"Meeting a nymph? They will run away as soon as they saw my face," Hephaestus told her before wearing a cloak to cover his face. "You are the only Bizzare Nymph who has the guts to come close to me. To be fair, you're a pervert."

Asche made a face upon hearing the word 'Pervert' once again.

"I feel hurt that you really view me as a pervert," The Nymph jester. "Am I wrong for appreciating you? I'm genuinely simping at you because I like you."

Hephaestus frowned upon hearing the word 'I like you,' once again.

He unconsciously touched his chest.

"I am starting to be concerned at your eyesight," Hephaestus commented before shaking his head. "I must make something to fix your eyes."

"Stop insulting my eyesight, I am perfectly fine," Asche replied with a frown. "And can you stop lowkey degrading yourself? Degrading yourself means insulting my taste, you don't know how perfect you are in my eyes."

Hephaestus paused as soon as he heard those words.

Perfect in her eyes.

To Hephaestus 'Perfect' can be the greatest insult to him. He was thrown away by his mother because he was 'Imperfect', he was insulted by people and mocked by the Gods because he's disfigured.

Perfect was the most ironic word that will be given to him.

But for some reason, it feels good hearing that from her.

He doesn't know what's happening to him but his heart started to pound while staring at her. What the nymph said must be normal for her but to Hephaestus, it means a lot to him.

What a dangerous words.

Hephaestus shook his head as he decided to ignore the words of the nymph.

Those words were too great for him.

"Let's go, our journey will last longer if we move slowly," Hephaestus told to the nymph as soon as he turned his back on her. "We're going to the Coast of Cythera."

"Cythera..." Asche mumbled.

As soon as the Nymph mentioned the word 'Cythera' a memory suddenly flashed in her head. The first thing that came into her mind as soon as she heard it was a name of a famous Goddess.

CLAP!

"Oh, Aphrodite!" Asche shouted.

Hephaestus who heard that name glanced at Asche.

He doesn't know how did the Little Nymph know but he quickly assumed that it was Hera or Artemis who informed her about that Goddess.

It was almost a month ago when Apollo, the Oracle God announced that the 'Goddess of Love and Beauty' was about to be born from the 'Coast of Cythera'. He said that from Uranus' seeds, a Goddess with unparalleled beauty will emerge.

Whoever will marry her must be lucky.

Everyone anticipated the birth of the said 'Goddess of Beauty' and cannot wait for her birth. The Gods who desired to marry the Goddess were eagerly waiting at the coast, but Zeus was afraid that the birth of the Goddess will cause a pre-war.

That's why Zeus restricted them from coming to the Coast.

Hephaestus, who was an insignificant God was not part of that restriction, he was free to go there without any problems.

And today, he wanted to see the birthplace of the said Goddess to observe and gather information.

"You're correct, A goddess named Aphrodite was about to be born from that place," Hephaestus told to Asche who has a curious face. "Apollo declared in his prophecy that the Goddess of Love in Beauty will emerge from the Coast of Cythera."

"Birth huh?.. So I was correct..." Asche mumbled to herself. Her orbs went to Hephaestus who was currently observing his reactions.

"Hephaestus, do you want to marry Aphrodite, the Goddess of Beauty?"

Asche stared at the blacksmith waiting for his answer.

Hephaestus became quiet.

As far as Asche could remember, to free Hera from the Golden Throne, Zeus will offer a high position to Hephaestus in Olympus and will offer Aphrodite as Hephaestus' wife. It is also a scheme to prevent wars that might occur because of Aphrodite's beauty.

Zeus was known as a womanizer God but taking Aphrodite as his consort will cause him great consequences. That's why he decided to give Aphrodite to the ugliest god so it won't cause an unnecessary war.

Thus, Hephaestus married the Goddess of beauty.

However, despite marrying the most gorgeous Goddess, Hephaestus won't be happy with his marriage. In fact, rather than being happy, it will be problematic for Hephaestus.

Aphrodite won't love him because of his disfigured look. Instead, she'll fall in love with Ares, the God of War, Hera's son and Hephaestus' full-blood brother.

Hephaestus will catch his wife cheating with Ares and humiliate them in front of other Gods by setting a trap to catch them in the act. The ending is obvious, Hephaestus ends up divorcing his cheating wife.

What a pity.

"Hah..." Asche took a deep sigh before shrugging her shoulders. The nymph crossed her arms when she remembered all of those things. "It seems like I caught you off guard. Don't worry, if I am a man, I will also desire a beauty."

"It's not like that--" Hephaestus tried to explain.

"But! Marriage doesn't work like that," Asche told to Hephaestus with a serious look on her face. "Here's some little advice my man."

"Marry for love, not the Goddess of Love."

"Or else you might regret it."

It's ironic how Hephaestus ends up like his Mother Hera in Greek mythology.

Both married a cheater.

•••••••••••••••

"Urgh, Can't we just teleport?" Asche, a nymph forest felt dizzy as she watched the vastness of the sea. "I'm feeling dizzy, is this what they call 'sea sickness'?"

It seems like her body was not made for boats and waters!

Asche and Hephaestus were currently riding behind a big whale to travel from Lemnos to the Coast of Cythera.

According to Hephaestus, the big whale was his adopted mother's friend and companion. He asked his Mother Thetis to let them ride on her. The big whale was actually gentle and friendly, that's why riding behind its back is comfortable.

It's just Asche was not used to traveling on water.

Hephaestus, wearing a cloak sighed worriedly as he massaged the nymph's head. "This is why I told you to stay home," Hephaestus told her calmly. "You should've listened to me, Little Nymph."

"If I stay at your home, I will have to wait for more days to see your tiddies again," Asche replied while enjoying the massage of the Blacksmith Hephaestus. "That's a no-no for me, I'll be bored to death."

Hephaestus clicked his tongue before rolling his eyes.

"Pervert," He mumbled as he stared at the adorable face of the nymph.

While staring at Asche, Hephaestus suddenly recalled the conversation he had with the Nymph. He had been thinking about the words that she told him while they were on their journey.

'Marry for love'

'Or else you might regret it'

But how do you exactly explain love?

His goal is to exact his revenge on the Gods who humiliated him. If he can marry the Goddess of Beauty, He'll be able to control part of the Gods and earn a little respect from them.

Won't that be enough?

Even if he wanted to marry for Love, he's not sure if there is someone who could love him with his disfigured face. If he can't get love, then revenge and respect are enough for him.

Hephaestus was not expecting for anything anyway.

"You're staring at me for quite long," Asche suddenly spoke as she caressed the face of the Blacksmith. A playful smile appeared on her lips. "Don't tell me... Did you fall in love with me?"

Hephaestus came into his senses as he slightly pushed the Nymph. His face turned red and his heart was pounding loudly.

"Who'll fall in love with you? Why would I fall!?" Hephaestus shrieked in denial. He clenched his fist before shaking his head senselessly. "N-nevermind. Stop your shamelessness! I thought you'll behave?"

The blacksmith covered his face under his cloak.

For some reason, he felt shy.

Why would he feel shy tho?

"Adorable," Asche giggled when she saw how the big man blushed. A soft laugh escapes from her lips before poking the big guy's shoulder. "Don't hide Hephaestus, I'm just teasing you okay?"

Hephaestus remained silent.

"Come on, come out now, you look like a big turtle," Asche laughed softly. "Are you sulking? Do you want me to coax you? Come here I'll give you a hug."

Before Hephaestus could react, soft arms suddenly wrapped around his neck.

His body stiffened when he felt the Nymph's body on him. Her body is so soft and fragile, and as if trying to seduce him, his heart pounded like crazy when he felt a soft plump of buns pressing on his back.

His mind went blank, he was unable to think of anything at this moment.

"Hic!" Hephaestus hiccupped.

He was certain about one thing.

The Little Nymph is surely seducing him!

"Oh! Hephaestus, I think we're here!" The Nymph quickly unwrapped her arms from Hephaestus before pointing her fingers at the giant clam floating in the sea. "Aphrodite will be born from that, correct?"

Hephaestus stopped hiding. His eyes went at the shameless Nymph who had acted like nothing happened.

No... her face is also blushing.

She was definitely flustered.

Well Indeed, Asche is low-key seducing Hephaestus.