"She's very beautiful!"
"She's also sweet!"
"She even said she'll make me rich soon!"
"I'm the luckiest goddess in the world!"
"Listen, Hestia, did you come here to brag about your daughter?" Hephaestus said with a sigh.
I looked at my friend, the goddess of blacksmithing, who had kicked me out of her house, but instead of being angry, I was very happy about it, because it was because of this that I met the sweetest and most beautiful daughter in the world.
"Hephaestus, I'm telling you about my 'daughter'; at least be happy for me!" I said reproachfully.
"Well, unlike those lazy goddesses, I have a job I enjoy, and your presence is getting in the way of it." Hephaestus said, her good eye flashing.
"So that's how you treat your friend?" I hoped.
Hephaestus sighed again and looked at me.
"Okay, I can spare thirty minutes to talk with you." she said, and her words made me smile.
Actually, she wasn't as callous as I expected.
"Listen, Hephaestus... Have you heard of Kronos lately?" I asked out of curiosity.
"Kronos? As far as I know, he hasn't descended to the mortal world," the red-haired goddess said.
"Oh, really? Does he by any chance have children, with humans?" I asked.
"Children? This old man? Hestia, is this a joke? He doesn't care about such things! He's locked in his lab as always, constantly experimenting with time, and I doubt we'll see him again for another millennium." Hephaestus said, shaking her head.
And indeed, as far as I remember, he was something of a scientist, constantly locked in his lab, experimenting, and sometimes his experiments take centuries, but for the gods, time has no meaning, especially for the god of time.
But what if Evernight isn't his daughter... Although, perhaps one of his experiments influenced this? Maybe she's from the future, and is Kronos's daughter? Or did Kronos's experiments open a portal to an alternate world where he had a daughter? Although that seems more likely, I don't think so.
"Anyway, Hestia, where's your 'daughter'? I was in town this morning on business and heard a lot of talk about a mysterious and beautiful girl who had joined Hestia's family. I thought you'd drag her here to show off." Hephaestus said.
"I wanted to, but she insisted on going to the dungeon today." I replied.
"A dungeon? Alone?" Hephaestus asked worriedly, to which I nodded.
"Are you sure it was a good idea to let her go?" Hephaestus asked.
"My daughter is not only beautiful, but also very strong!" I said, puffing out my chest, but from the look in Hephaestus's eyes, I could tell she didn't believe me.
"As you say, I hope you know what you're doing." Hephaestus replied.
So, I talked with Hephaestus for a bit more, and soon headed towards the market.
Evernight would probably be happy if I cooked something for her, but...
I can't cook at all!
But I don't think it's that difficult...
"Mistress Hestia?" I heard a voice, breaking my thoughts.
Turning around, I saw a familiar gray-haired girl.
"Syr? What are you doing here?" I asked the girl.
"I have the day off today, so I decided to go to the market to buy some groceries to cook something." she said.
"Anyway, what is Mistress Hestia doing here? I thought you'd be spending time with your beautiful 'daughter.'" Syr said.
Heh-heh...
To a beautiful daughter...
"Evernight has gone to the dungeon, and I, in turn, want to prepare dinner for her return." I said, but I saw Syr's surprise.
"Lady Hestia, do you know how to cook?" Syr asked, to which I awkwardly turned away.
"No..." I said quietly.
"Then, would you like me to help you? I'll teach you how to cook," Syr said, causing me to almost jump.
"Yes, please teach me." I couldn't contain my happiness.
If I learn to cook, I'm sure Evernight will be touched by my thoughtfulness!
"Then let's buy some groceries and then go cook. Do you know what dish Evernight likes?" Syr asked me.
I thought about it and remembered she mentioned a certain dish...
"I know she wants to try curry, but I don't know what it is or what ingredients it's made from." I replied.
"Curry? I see... Lady Hestia, I know that dish, so it shouldn't be too hard for us to make it." said Syr.
"Really?" I asked with a smile.
"Yes, we can easily make it. But I'd like to ask you for a small favor." said Syr.
"Ask for anything... Well, except money, I only have money for groceries." I said.
"No, no need for money, and I'll pay for the groceries myself." said Syr.
I wanted to object, but decided against it, I could use the money later.
"Then what do you want?" I asked.
"Can I have dinner with you?" Syr asked.
Dinner with us? I was hoping it would be just my "daughter" and me, but... Syr helps me and even pays for the groceries, even though he shouldn't...
"Of course." I replied, causing her to smile.
"Then we need to buy rice, chicken…" Syr began listing, walking deeper into the market, and I simply followed her, listening.
I hope Evernight enjoys dinner.
And yet, Evernight, the most beautiful and wonderful "daughter" I could ever have dreamed of having…