Some time passed, and the noble Goddess Hera composed her emotions.
Then, she looked at Jason beside her, who had his head lowered.
The white-clothed hero Heracles.
Even she, recalling what had just happened, could not help but have her face flush slightly.
However, she did not entertain the "dangerous" thoughts that Jason feared.
For example, turning the one who saw what he should not have into a wild deer and letting others shoot him dead.
Because Jason was a child.
Would you, because a seven- or eight-year-old boy saw your embarrassing side, think about how to get rid of him?
Although Jason was now around seventeen years old, an outstanding and handsome beautiful youth, a great hero.
But in the eyes of the gods, especially the goddesses who doted on him endlessly.
He was indeed merely a child.
"Child, raise your head..."
Hearing Hera's gentle voice, Jason struggled in his heart for a moment, then slowly lifted his head.
Immediately entering Jason's view was Hera's flawless, peerless beauty, an absolute visage that resembled Goddess Hephaestus by seven parts.
The traces of tears from crying, the crystalline eyes, not only did not disrupt the beauty she presented but instead made Hera seem less of her usual sternness and unapproachability.
It added a touch of fragility.
It even made one's heart tremble and ache.
Even Jason, upon seeing such a Hera, could not help but hold his breath, his gaze captivated.
After all, this was the exalted queen of the gods, Hera.
She was originally one of the most beautiful and noble goddesses in the world.
Hera did not notice Jason's abnormality, though even if she had, she would probably be pleased, because this was her favored child, an acknowledgment of her charm.
At this moment, Hera's eyes, more crystalline and shimmering with water-like luster than usual, gazed at the Jason before her, the white-clothed Heracles.
Then, evident disappointment flowed in her eyes.
"Child... why have you still come wearing that mask?"
"... I am sorry, great Goddess Hera."
Under Hera's voice, Jason snapped back to his senses.
He bit his lip lightly, inwardly blaming his own lapse.
He hurriedly lowered his head again and replied apologetically, "Because Goddess Athena said that now is not the time for me to reveal my true face..."
"Athena... her again?" Hera's brows furrowed slightly.
She looked at the youth before her and subconsciously reached out to tear off the mask obstructing her, but halfway, Hera gave up.
Mainly because she had tried last time.
No matter how Hera employed her divine power, she could not remove the mask.
After all, it was specially crafted by Hera's own daughter, the goddess of craftsmen Hephaestus, to guard against theft.
"I am truly sorry, Goddess Hera."
"No, why must you apologize, cute child." Hera smiled lightly and said, "This is not your fault... Athena said now is not the time, probably meaning that since my relationship with Hephaestus has not been repaired, as her child, you cannot appear before me with your true face."
With that said, Hera sighed lightly again.
Jason blinked his eyes.
There was actually such an explanation...
Mainly because it sounded quite reasonable.
"Child, tell me... do I really have a chance to repair my relationship with Hephaestus?"
Hearing this, Jason's heart could not help but be even more surprised.
He raised his head proactively and looked at the current Hera.
Only to see that the current Hera actually presented a slightly bewildered expression, appearing before Jason's eyes.
And if Jason knew the reason, he would probably be even more surprised.
Because Hera at this moment was not thinking of building a good relationship with Hephaestus and then taking Jason away.
And the reason was still because of him!
But this time, it was not the white-clothed Heracles, but Jason!
She had witnessed the scene of Jason returning home, witnessed Jason facing Pelias, the king of Iolcus, speaking from the heart without a trace of fear.
That declaration, not for the throne but to seek justice for his father, to accomplish the impossible task of retrieving the Golden Fleece.
It had actually given the Hera present at the time a great emotional impact.
Thinking of this, the recovered Hera could not help but look once more at the child before her, the white-clothed Heracles.
Hera naturally remembered his agreement with her.
When he encountered Hecate's child Jason, he would take that golden dagger and stab it into Jason's heart!
Thus, Hera's lips parted subconsciously.
"Heracles, do you know..."
Just as Hera was about to inform the white-clothed Heracles before her of the news that Jason had appeared, in that instant.
Hera's mind suddenly flashed with Jason's visage.
At the same time, two scenes flashed by.
The first was Jason standing in the palace, facing the king of Iolcus without fear, like a heroic figure holding up the heavens and standing on the earth.
The second was Jason pacing at his home's doorway, full of hesitation, fear, and helplessness.
And these two images made Hera's words at this moment... catch in her throat.
Jason looked doubtfully at Hera, who had spoken only halfway, and asked cautiously, "Please, noble Goddess Hera, what is the matter?"
"... No, nothing."
Hera was silent for a long time, ultimately giving such a reply to the white-clothed Heracles before her.
...
...
Indeed, in the end, Hera did not tell the white-clothed Heracles the news of Jason's appearance.
And afterward, she proactively bid farewell to the white-clothed Heracles.
After all, recalling the matter of crying in that child's embrace just now, Hera's face was still slightly flushed.
And in her heart, she convinced herself with such reasoning.
Athena was right; now it could not yet be determined if Jason was a hero worthy of having this child Heracles act against him.
Moreover, compared to letting that child act and stain his hands, it would be better for me to do it myself.
And I should descend punishment upon him who betrayed me, making him live forever in endless regret!
With such thoughts, after bidding farewell to the white-clothed Heracles, Hera did not immediately return.
She wandered somewhat lost on this great earth for a time.
At the same time, she returned to Mount Olympus.
And on Mount Olympus, upon that exalted throne, Hera did not see Zeus's figure.
Evidently, he had gone off to fool around outside again.
In response, Hera's gaze grew colder.
Gazing at that supreme throne, Hera could not help but sneer.
Hera, the supremely noble third-generation goddess, queen of the gods, the legitimate wife of the king of the gods Zeus.
Daughter of the second-generation king and queen Cronus and Rhea.
At the same time, Zeus's sister.
There are many legends about Zeus courting Hera, the most famous being that after Zeus became the ruler of the gods, Hera secluded herself in Cuckoo Mountain.
Once, a torrential rain fell from the sky. At that time, Zeus transformed into a pitiful little bird and burrowed into Hera's embrace. Hera, seeing the bird as pitiable, accepted it. Who knew that at that moment, Zeus revealed his true form...
And after that, Zeus married Hera as his wife.
Hera was originally a gentle and obedient girl, but later Hera became suspicious and jealous by nature. This originated from her philandering husband Zeus, who often betrayed his wife by lavishing love on mortal or demigod women, dallying with flowers and grasses.
Hera had always valued her marriage highly and was a defender of monogamy, because she was the goddess of marriage and childbirth. She absolutely would not allow her husband to be disloyal to her in any way.
At the same time, Hera was extremely faithful; she never had any affairs.
Thus, returning to Mount Olympus and looking at the empty throne, Hera immediately realized that her absence was undoubtedly the most delightful time of blooming flowers and bright moon for Zeus.
Who knew where he was now, fooling around with which shameless woman!
Perhaps he had gone to the Underworld, seeking that woman who, since that wedding, he had never forgotten!
And if it were before, Hera would surely lose her reason in anger at this moment and immediately go to settle accounts with Zeus.
But now...
"Hm?"
The goddess of beauty, Aphrodite, happened to encounter her here and, seeing Hera gazing at the throne and letting out a cold laugh, could not help but be stunned.
"Hera? You are back."
Hera turned her head, saw that the comer was Aphrodite, and replied faintly, "Yes... Where is Zeus?"
"I do not know."
"Is that so."
Hera was not surprised and turned to leave the grand temple.
Aphrodite looked at the calm departing Hera and could not help but be stunned for a while.
After all, Zeus's whereabouts at this time were far too obvious. Normally, Hera would fly into a rage and directly charge out of Mount Olympus to find Zeus and settle accounts on the earth.
How, how could she be so calm!
"... What is wrong with her?"
Aphrodite doubtfully watched Hera's back for a while.
After hesitating for a time, she ultimately chose not to delve deeper.
After all, at bottom, her relationship with Hera was not good to begin with.
Marrying Aphrodite to Hephaestus, that lame god, was precisely Hera's malicious idea!
Hera left the temple and left Mount Olympus.
And in the instant she stepped out of the sacred mountain, two figures appeared in her mind.
One was the masked white-clothed Heracles, the other was Jason, who had betrayed her.
After a brief hesitation, the now fully composed Hera ultimately walked once more toward Jason's side...