Chapter 4

Eleven o’clock at night.

The door to the chambers opened. A rare sight. Cassia was back.

The moment she stepped inside, her eyes shot to the wall above the fireplace.

Seeing the empty space where the portrait used to be, she stopped. Panic flickered in her eyes.

“Where’s our portrait?” she blurted out, her voice tight.

“It fell this morning when you left. It shattered.” I sat on the divine couch, polishing my longsword. I didn’t even look up. “I cleaned it up. Burned it in the fireplace.”

“It fell?” She let out a long breath, the tension leaving her body. “Well, if it shattered, it shattered. It was an old thing from eight years ago anyway. I brought you a gift.”

She walked over and pulled an enchanted dagger from her bag, holding it out to me.

“Aresion. Happy third anniversary.”

She smiled, a little guiltily. “I know I’ve wronged you these past few years. I picked this dagger out especially for you today. For your protection.”

I stopped polishing my sword and looked at the dagger.

Specially picked out.

She had no idea. In my storeroom, there were already three identical daggers.

Cheap, common enchanted weapons you could buy for a few gold coins at the market outside Hephaestus’s main workshop.

She couldn’t even be bothered to find a new way to placate me.

“Thank you.” I didn’t call her out. I just took it and set it aside.

I didn’t complain about the cheap gift. I didn’t ask her about her night at the play with Lycus.

My calmness surprised her. But it also pleased her.

She hesitated, then finally revealed the real reason she had come home tonight.

“Aresion… about the Trial of Divinity at the end of the year… can you withdraw?” she asked, her eyes darting away from mine.

The Trial of Divinity.

The ultimate trial held on Olympus once a century. The winner receives a golden apple from the Hesperides, granting eternal life.

As Olympus's deadliest commander, I was the favorite to win.

She once told me that when I got the golden apple, we could be together forever.

“Why?” I looked at her.

“Lycus is just a mortal. His lifespan is too short.” She bit her lip, then just came out with it. “He needs that apple to gain immortality. But with you in the trial, he has no chance of winning. I was hoping you would voluntarily withdraw. Give him the opportunity.”

To let that mortal win, she was asking me, her partner, to give up the highest honor.

I looked at her entitled expression, and suddenly, I wanted to laugh.

“Fine.” I nodded, without any hesitation. “I’ll withdraw.”

I was leaving Olympus tomorrow anyway. The trial meant nothing to me.

Cassia was overjoyed.

She clearly didn’t expect me to agree so easily.

“Aresion, you’re the best! I knew you’d understand!”

She took an excited step forward, as if to hug me, but stopped herself awkwardly.

“To make it up to you, tomorrow morning, we’ll go to the eternal flame and complete the Soul-Binding! I swear, I won’t postpone it again!”

I looked at her, so full of promises. I was about to tell her that I was leaving for the Isle of Oblivion tomorrow afternoon.

Just then, the communication stone at her waist began to flash.

“Lady Cassia, help me!”

Lycus’s tearful voice came from the stone. “I was in the temple just now and I got burned by a cursed ward on a statue! It hurts so much…”

Cassia’s face fell.

“Stay right there! I’m coming!” she yelled frantically into the stone.

Then she turned to me, her eyes filled with guilt. “Aresion, Lycus is hurt, I have to go check on him…”

“Go.” I simply waved my hand. “He needs you more.”

She looked like she’d been granted a pardon. Without another word, she bolted from the chambers.

The next morning, I picked up my packed bag and went straight to the ferry dock for the River Styx.

At two in the afternoon, I stood before the ferry, the cold wind whipping my cloak.

The communication stone at my waist lit up. A message from Cassia.

“Aresion, I’m so sorry. Lycus’s injury is a bit serious. I took him to Apollo’s temple for treatment. I might not make it back. I’m sorry about postponing the ceremony. I promise I’ll make it up to you next time.”

The eighteenth time.

I stared at the casual words. I didn’t even feel a flicker of anger.

I took out the stone and recorded one last message with my thoughts.

“Don’t bother. I’ve already submitted the papers to the High Priest to dissolve our union. I’m on my way to the Isle of Oblivion now. I wish you two happiness. May we never meet again.”

I sent the final message. My hand slowly tightened, ready to crush the stone and sever our connection for good.

But the next second, the stone, which had been silent for so long, began to vibrate wildly.