As Hestia and her child walk through the city of Orario, she tries really hard to pretend that she doesn't notice the people pointing fingers at her child.
It was a foregone conclusion. Getting to level 2 in 3 weeks is a ridiculous achievement, but getting to level 2 when you have only gone to the dungeon once? That is preposterous and the adventurers of Orario can't accept such a thing.
If her child was the type to go out a lot, he would have been getting challenges all the time. It's also a good thing that they don't know their Familia base.
Hestia had almost gotten sanctioned by the other Gods because they had thought she had used her arcanum to make her child grow stronger but that couldn't be further from the truth. It was only the intervention of Ouranos that had proven her innocence.
Those damn Gods, they are just looking for ways to poach her child.
Always sticking their necks into anything that looks remotely interesting.
Hestia would also like to know how her child's skill came to be.
The only obvious clue is the fact that Cassie has told her that he had memories of living another life, one where civilization was more advanced than the present one, her power had told her what he said was true but they both do not know if they are just implanted memories or whatnot.
But from what he has told her about 'That World' the memories are way too elaborate to be fake.
Of course, they made sure not to tell anyone about it.
To Hestia, whether be it the hungry eyes of the gods, the envious eyes of the adventurers, it doesn't matter to her.
She will never let her Cassie go.
"Are you okay, Hesty? You have a really intense expression right now." Her child who she is currently holding hands with asks her with worry.
She looks at him, shoulder length black hair, sky blue eyes and a gentle face. If Hestia wasn't a God, they might even pass for siblings. She especially likes his eyes and how warm they look when he looks at her.
"Unn. I'm fine, Cass." She says squeezing his hands a bit tighter, he holds her gaze for a bit then smiles in a way that melts her.
If Hestia was asked to pick between his smile or his warm eyes, she would simply ask "Why not both?"
"Okay then. By the way Hesty, are you just going to walk to a random adventurer and ask them to join the familiar? You know adventurers always want to join the popular Familias, and I don't think we are at that level yet." He asks with raised brows as Hestia almost trips.
"Cass, how can you say such a thing to your Goddess. Saying that she doesn't have any plans on how to recruit someone and she's just walking around hoping she would spot someone. That's such a terrible thing to say!" She says with shock and fake hurt.
"I never said anything like that, Hesty…" he sighs then looks around. "For now, how about we get something to eat? I'm hungry and Mama Mia might have something special today."
"Well, we might as well since we don't really have any plans."
"Oh? So you admit it?"
"Guh! Don't embarrass your Goddess, Cassie." She says with a blush having been caught.
Laughing, they walk hand in hand towards the pub.
Entering into the Hostess of Fertility, the people present turn to look as murmurs start upon seeing her child, she glares daring them to say something.
"Hesty, you act like a cat sometimes you know? It's very cute." Her child says pushing her towards a table even as she blushes.
"Cassie, you think I'm cute?"
"Of course Hesty, you're very cute, and anyone who thinks otherwise is a liar or likes men." He says.
True
That makes her start giggling to herself. Oh Cassie, you flatterer.
As they take their seat, a waitress walks up to them.
"You both are as lovey-dovey as ever."
"Yo Syr, working hard as usual."
"Grrr, Syr."
Call it instincts or what have you but Hestia doesn't like Syr much, she always feels like she's putting on an act.
"Fufufu, it seems people are still wary of you, Cassie…" she says side eyeing the adventurers present. "How did you get to level 2 in such a short time anyways? There are rumors you only entered the dungeon once. Is there a trick to it?"
"Hmmm, if you ask me Syr, the ones who willingly enter the dungeon are the weird ones."
Syr giggles at that, resting a hand in Cassie's shoulder.
"We will have the special…" Hestia hands her the menu so she would stop talking to her Cassie.
"Alright, one special coming up." She says leaving.
As Syr leaves, an adventurer walks to their table immediately. "You, you are [The Idle] aren't you?" He says looking at her child.
"Hmmm, I guess I am."
"What's that supposed to mean? You have been to the dungeon only once? Are you looking down on every adventurer? Just because you managed to get to level 2 quickly?" He asks with anger.
"Ahhhhh, I already feel like you are making my life more difficult. What do you want? A fight? You win already so please go away." Cassie sighs resting his head on the table.
He grabs his shirt "You bastard—"
"What do you think you are doing to my Cassie?!" Hestia snaps at him. She doesn't like people like these, who go around blaming others for no reason. Her child got to level 2 too fast, her child entered the dungeon once.
And so what?!
How is that their problem?!
"Ah G-goddess I—" he stutters.
"Get out!" Hestia doesn't let him finish as she glares at him with eyes promising retribution, he quickly scampers away not wanting to incur the wrath of a God.
She harrumphs as she sits back down, not even realizing she had stood up before.
She looks at her child, seeing him smiling at her with that same smile as he rests his head on his palm.
He mouths 3 words to her.
True.
Her heart pounds.
She blushes red.
She smiles.