It was well past midnight, in Freya's room at Babel, overlooking all of Orario. There, the goddess of beauty was seated at a table. "It's been some time since we've talked in private, Hera."
Hera looked amused and said, "It has. And you've changed a great deal, Freya. Enough to where I barely recognize you."
Freya blinked. "Have I?" She titled her head and smiled as she grabbed a bottle of Soma to share. "I don't believe I've changed THAT much... have I?"
Hera didn't respond, just staring at Freya for a bit.
Freya chuckled and poured Hera a glass. "You know, if anything, I would say you've changed a bit." She tilted her head and said, "You used to look just like your captain. Now you look just like an ordinary woman."
Hera took the glass from Freya and sighed, sipping on the drink.
Freya poured herself a glass as well. But as she did, she took a closer look at Hera.
Light brown hair, hazel eyes... Paired with a cream dress and boots, she looked nothing like the goddess whose family once reigned alongside Zeus's. Instead, she looked like an aunt from the countryside, or a farmer's wife.
It was a stark contrast to the fierce warrior beauty she used to appear as.
Freya sipped her glass and said, "Do you have a similar ability as mine to change your appearance?"
Hera chuckled. "Well. Considering my husband is so flighty, I have to have a way to sneak up on him, don't I?"
"That's understandable."
Freya nodded and mulled over that fact.
Zeus HAD been known to be a womanizer despite having Hera at his side.
If Bell had been like that...
Well, it was just a thought experiment.
Her Odr had already shown how fiercely he was against being that sort of man.
But perhaps in another life, if he hadn't been able to refuse the women in his life, if he had been the sort to steal hearts and keep them instead of giving them back and drawing boundaries...
Freya sipped her drink and said, "VERY understandable."
Hera paused and gave Freya an amused smile. "My, my. The cold and solemn goddess who said love was an illusion finally changed her mind, I see."
Freya's eyes reflexively flitted towards Bella's bedroom, where her precious daughter was fast asleep after her accident with the wine earlier. Then she stared back at Hera, a soft smile on her face. "Well... you were right. Love does change you."
The soft warmth that Freya felt being around Bell and the others. The gratitude that she felt towards Hestia seeing Freya as not a rival, but a peer and family. The pride at seeing Bella learn new things and discover the world for herself. The joy at how much Bella adored her unconditionally. Not for her affection or love, but just for the simple fact that Freya was her mother.
Hera's gaze softened. "That's good. Now, you have something to protect."
Freya paused. Then she chuckled. "...I suppose I do." She set her glass down and said, "I didn't understand it back then. Why you and Zeus tried so hard to protect this world. And I still didn't understand for quite some time after I descended. But now..." She shifted her gaze to the window, overlooking Orario.
Down below, the city was still filled with lights. Although late, there were countless lives still doing their best to get by. Adventurers coming and going from the dungeon. Less-known gods working shifts to provide for their families. Ordinary citizens without Falna doing all they can to get by...
"...I understand it." Freya placed her hand over her heart. "It's a wonderful thing just to be alive with those you love."
As long as you were with those you cared for, it didn't matter what you did. Each day would be bright, filled with joy, and valuable. Precious, like the golden sunlight at dawn. More precious than the gems and gold she used to adore. And even more than the souls of heroes she once coveted.
Hera set her own glass down and then stared at Freya. "...You really are different, aren't you? If Zeus was here, he wouldn't believe his eyes." She paused. "...He would also try to seduce you."
Freya snorted, genuinely amused. "He could try. But I'm fairly certain my Odr would toss that man outside of Orario, even if that man was his grandfather." She rested her arm on the table, idly holding her head up with her hand. "Zeus might be our Bell's grandfather, but our Bell has clear lines he's drawn in the sand. The people that cross it don't end well."
Hera chuckled. "Good. He's my grandson too since he's Alfia's son. And if his grandfather did that, then Bell should definitely teach that pervert a lesson."
For a moment, the two goddesses, the former powerhouse and current powerhouse of Orario shared a laugh.
But then Freya composed herself, refilling their glasses. "As pleasant as this has been... you aren't here for just a social call, are you? Despite everything, you are still technically banished from Orario."
Hera composed herself as well and nodded. "That's right. There was a slight exception this time since the matter concerned my familia, and my child needed proof that she was the real deal. After all, as monstrous a talent as my Alfia was, her reappearance is effectively a return from the grave. Many people saw her apparent death."
Freya paused. "...'Apparent' death... You're saying you knew? That Alfia was still alive?"
"Of course." Hera sipped on her glass. "You've experienced it, haven't you? The connection a Falna provides between a god and their child. Although they reported her death, that bond never severed between me and Alfia. It got a bit strange for a while, as misty as a cloud in the sky. But recently it came back firmer than ever. So I confirmed it with my own eyes."
Freya sipped on her glass of Soma, mulling over Hera's words.
At the time, she and Ottar had been busy with Zald. Alfia was faced by the Loki familia, and they confirmed Alfia's death by saying she fell into the dungeon's lower floors after sustaining severe injuries.
But...
Freya smiled. "Well. I suppose that explains our Bell's ability to escape ridiculous situations."
It must run in the family then.
Bell DID have a miraculous ability to always make an escape.
Although he was still tightlipped on the exact mechanics, Freya knew Bell had 'something' that let him pop in and out of places in an instant.
After all, their lovely Bella had inherited that ability from him. Although limited to just her parents, Bella could reappear beside Bell or Freya whenever she wished.
...Freya could already tell it would be trouble in the future. But that was a problem for her future self.
Hera drained her some and set her glass down. "In any case... enough pleasantries." She looked at Freya and then said, "What do you plan to do?"
Freya blinked. "Pardon?"