The moment Hestia laid eyes on Felis Veltheris, she knew she had found something special.
For days, she had wandered through the bustling streets of Orario, her small frame nearly swallowed by the towering adventurers and merchants who barely spared her a glance. She had been kicked out of Hephaestus's forge, left with nothing but a crumbling old church and the faint hope of starting a Familia.
But hope alone wouldn't bring members to her.
Hope didn't change the fact that no one wanted to follow a no-name goddess with no resources, no reputation, and no power.
She had been rejected, ignored, and dismissed at every turn.
Still, she refused to give up.
Then, she saw him—Felis Veltheris.
A young man with striking golden eyes and feline ears, strolling through the marketplace as if he had all the time in the world. Unlike the desperate newcomers who scurried around begging for a Familia, he was relaxed. There was something about the way he moved, the way his tail swayed with lazy confidence, that caught her attention.
Maybe it was luck. Maybe it was fate. Or maybe, it was the way she caught him mumbling under his breath about not being able to join a Familia.
That single phrase had made her ears perk up. It wasn't just idle chatter—it was frustration, quiet and buried beneath his calm demeanor.
And that meant he was looking.
Her heart pounded with excitement.
Either way, she had to try.
"Hey, hey! Are you looking for a Familia?"
When he turned to face her, Hestia felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. She knew she wasn't exactly an appealing choice—compared to goddesses like Loki and Freya, she had nothing to offer. But the moment their eyes met, she saw a flicker of surprise in his gaze.
And something else.
Was it interest? Curiosity?
Either way, he didn't turn her down immediately.
That was all she needed.
"If you're looking for a Familia, today is your lucky day!" She puffed out her chest proudly, an act that unintentionally drew even more attention than intended. "I'm Goddess Hestia! How about joining my Familia?"
There. She had said it.
She had extended the offer that so many others had turned down.
For a split second, doubt crept in. Would he laugh? Would he reject her like all the others?
But then, after a brief moment of hesitation, he spoke.
"If you're fine with a complete newbie like me, then—"
"Yay!!!"
Hestia didn't even let him finish before she grabbed his hand with both of hers, her small fingers barely wrapping around his palm as she pulled at him eagerly.
"I finally got my first Familia member! Let's go get your Falna!"
She practically radiated excitement, her steps light as she led Felis through the marketplace. The warmth of his hand in hers felt strangely comforting—solid, real. This was it. She finally had someone in her Familia.
She had spent so long waiting, hoping, and struggling on her own. When Hephaestus had let her stay at the forge, it was only meant to be temporary. She knew that. But three months had passed, and despite her best efforts, no one had joined her Familia.
Every day, she'd wandered the streets of Orario, calling out to adventurers, hoping someone—anyone—would take a chance on her. But the ones who even bothered to listen always asked the same thing: "Do you have any members?"
And when she admitted she didn't, they would walk away.
But Felis… Felis was different.
The moment she saw him, she felt something—an opportunity.
She stole a glance at him as they walked. His feline ears twitched slightly, reacting to the noise of the crowd, and his golden eyes held a certain sharpness, like he was constantly observing, analyzing. Yet, at the same time, there was something relaxed about him. He didn't carry himself like a desperate newbie or an overconfident fool. He was just… himself.
And he had said yes.
Her grip on his hand tightened slightly, but she quickly loosened it, worried he might find it weird.
Why am I so nervous? He already agreed!
Clearing her throat, she put on her most confident voice.
"You won't regret this, Felis-kun! With me as your goddess, I promise we'll make our mark in Orario!"
His golden eyes flickered toward her, and he let out a soft chuckle.
"I'm counting on you, Hestia-sama."
Something about the way he said it—calm, steady—made her chest feel warm.
As they walked, she wasted no time explaining the basics.
"So, Felis-kun, a Falna is a blessing from the gods that turns you into an adventurer! It records your progress, and the more you train and fight, the stronger you get! It's kind of like… a living status board that only a god or goddess can update!"
Felis listened intently, his feline ears twitching slightly.
"So… does each Familia have different skills or benefits depending on their deity?" Felis asked, his golden eyes glancing at her with curiosity.
Hestia beamed, nodding enthusiastically.
"Yep! Every god has their own domain, and sometimes their blessing gives a little extra to their children. For example, Hephaestus's children are amazing blacksmiths, and Loki's Familia is full of elite adventurers!"
Felis hummed thoughtfully. "Then… what about yours?"
Hestia stiffened slightly.
"Uhh…" She hesitated for just a second before putting her hands on her hips and puffing up her chest. "I-I'm the Goddess of the Hearth, you know? That means I'm amazing at keeping people together! My Familia will definitely be warm, strong, and filled with love!"
It wasn't wrong, per se, but even she had to admit that it wasn't exactly the kind of benefit most adventurers looked for.
Still, Felis didn't look disappointed. In fact, his smirk only grew.
"Sounds nice," he said simply.
Hestia blinked.
That was it? No complaints? No hesitation?
A strange warmth filled her chest at his words.
She smiled as she continued explaining, her excitement undiminished. This was the first time she had ever granted someone her Falna—it was a special moment for both of them.
As they walked, Hestia occasionally stole glances at Felis. He was calm, composed, and listened attentively, but something about him intrigued her. His golden eyes, sharp yet kind, before she realized it, they had reached the ruined church.
Hestia let out a small sigh of relief as they entered the underground room. It wasn't anything fancy, but at least it was a proper living space—clean, organized, and much cozier than the ruined church above.
"This is where we'll be staying, Felis-kun!"
Hestia thought excitedly as she stepped into the underground room. Spinning around with her arms outstretched, she couldn't help but feel a sense of pride—despite how small and simple it was.
"It's not much… but at least it's home!"
Hestia watched as Felis took a seat on one of the sofas, sinking slightly into its worn fabric. She fidgeted in place, the energy from earlier fading into something more… nervous?
Was she embarrassed?
Why?
It wasn't like she had anything to be ashamed of! Sure, their living conditions weren't great, but that was only temporary! Still, for some reason, the reality of having her first Familia member finally sank in, and she felt… different.
"So, Hestia-sama… You already explained Falna on the way here, and I've agreed to join your Familia," Felis said, his voice steady and reassuring. "Our situation isn't ideal, but if we work together, I'm sure we can improve our living conditions."
Hestia perked up at his words. That's right! No need to feel nervous! We're in this together!
"Ahem. You're right! We'll work on it together! After all, we're Familia now!" she declared, grinning as her confidence returned.
No more hesitation! Time to get to work!
"Alright! Let's get started on your blessing! Take off your shirt and lie down on the bed. I need to apply it to your back."
Felis raised a brow, smirking. "Straight to bed already? Shouldn't we at least go on a date first?"
Hestia nearly choked on air. "W-What are you talking about?! Just do it already!"
Her face felt hot. This shameless cat…!
Felis only chuckled in response, but at least he followed her instructions. He pulled off his shirt and lay down on the bed, exposing his toned back.
Hestia's eyes lingered for a second longer than necessary. He's got a nice build…
Shaking off those thoughts, Hestia rummaged through her belongings, searching for the small needle she needed. "Where did I put it…?" she mumbled, shuffling through a pile of miscellaneous items.
She knew it was here somewhere!
Behind her, Felis lay patiently on the bed, his bare back exposed and waiting. He didn't say anything, but she could almost feel his curiosity. Or was it amusement?
"Ah-ha! Found it!"
She held up the needle triumphantly, turning back toward him
she climbed onto the bed, adjusting her position.
"Thanks for waiting," she said, steadying herself. "I'll be sitting on you for a bit. Bear with it, okay?"
The moment she lowered herself onto his back, she felt him tense ever so slightly.
Was he… nervous?
No, his voice remained smooth as he replied, "It's okay, you're very light, Hestia-sama."
She grinned, pleased. "Oh? That's good to hear! Then, I'll begin!"