Side Story – Aphrodite, the Goddess of Beauty and Love (1)
In the Underworld, where the gods are always busy, an unexpected visitor from Zeus arrived—a visit from Iris, the goddess of the rainbow.
"I greet the ruler of the Underworld," said Iris.
"Zeus sent you?"
"Yes. Lord Zeus has an urgent matter to discuss and has summoned you to Olympus."
Zeus? Why would he summon me?
Stepping onto the rainbow bridge conjured by Iris, I arrived at Olympus, only to find complete chaos unfolding.
"Aphrodite is mine! Who do you think you are, brats?!"
"Lord Poseidon, perhaps we should let Aphrodite choose for herself. Taking her by force is..."
"Hmm, hmm. Even I haven’t married yet..."
"How can such beauty exist? She truly is the goddess of beauty!"
"Hades, my brother! You’re here!"
Standing amidst the chaos was a goddess whose beauty was beyond words, a perfection so striking that even Hera, the queen of the gods, would feel jealous.
She stood there, seemingly unfazed by the countless lustful gazes directed her way, observing her surroundings with curiosity.
"What’s going on here? Looks like the gods are fighting over the chance to marry that goddess."
"Ha... She’s the goddess born when our grandfather Uranus’ severed manhood fell into the sea."
"How long has it been since that happened? And this is all happening just now?"
"I’m not sure of the reason, but she introduced herself as Aphrodite."
Aphrodite.
At the mention of her name, memories surfaced in my mind. She is the goddess of beauty and love, known as the most beautiful deity in Olympus. No wonder the gods are fighting over her.
Who was her husband again?
“I see what’s happening. You have called me to mediate the gods' quarrel."
"Exactly. Can you help? If this continues, it might lead to a civil war in Olympus. I considered forcing her into a match with another god, but..."
“Unless she’s matched with someone of both outstanding looks and accomplishments that the other gods can accept, Olympus will never have peace.”
No matter who she marries, fights are bound to break out.
Poseidon? He comes to mind, but he already has a wife, Amphitrite.
If Aphrodite were given to Poseidon, the unmarried gods would erupt in outrage.
"Alright, everyone, stop fighting!"
"Yeah, enough! How old are you all to be quarreling over one goddess? Have you even asked her who she wants to marry?"
I backed up Zeus' command with a touch of authority.
Finally, the commotion subsided, and everyone, including Aphrodite, turned their attention to us.
"Excuse me, who is the one speaking beside Lord Zeus, the king of the gods? He seems like a god of very high rank."
"Hm? Are you referring to Hades, the god of the Underworld?"
Aphrodite glanced at me with curious eyes and whispered something to Hestia.
Somehow, her gaze seemed a little... peculiar.
* * *
Through Zeus and my intervention, the gods finally fell silent.
Poseidon still looked dissatisfied but seemed to accept the situation.
"I can’t believe you’re all fighting over who this newly arrived goddess will marry... well done."
"Hmph. Don’t act so high and mighty, Hades. Don’t tell me you’re interested in Aphrodite too, now that you’ve shown up late?"
"Poseidon..."
His words annoyed me.
No matter how beautiful Aphrodite is, for so many gods to lose their senses over her is absurd.
She’s a dangerous goddess. If she uses her beauty as a weapon...
"I’ve had enough! As the king of the gods, I will decide who Aphrodite shall belong to!"
Zeus, who had been frowning, suddenly stood up and glared at the gods.
In his hand, a dazzling lightning bolt appeared.
"First of all, the decision will rest with Aphrodite herself! However, any god who already has a wife is forbidden from courting her further!"
Zeus’ words caused mixed reactions.
Those who were already married sighed in disappointment, while the unmarried gods smirked triumphantly.
It was a fair decision. By excluding himself from the competition, Zeus avoided further objections from Poseidon.
The moment Zeus finished speaking, Poseidon stormed off in anger, while the other gods eagerly began courting Aphrodite.
"Aphrodite, if you choose me, I’ll devote myself to you for eternity."
"Ahem! If you pick me, Ares, I’ll dedicate all the glory from my battles to you..."
"My lady, I am Hermes, the messenger god. How about joining me on a long journey?"
"Aphrodite, even your name is beautiful. I am..."
While countless gods surrounded her, I approached Hestia.
The goddess of the hearth noticed me and crossed her arms, her lips forming a pout.
"Hmph. What are you doing here, Hades? Shouldn’t you be over there? You’re not married yet, are you..."
"I have no interest in Aphrodite. What I’m concerned about is..."
"What? Then why are you... wait. Don’t tell me!"
Hestia suddenly blushed and stammered.
What kind of thoughts is she having to get so flustered? Oh, I see. She must have thought the same as me.
"I-I’m a virgin goddess! I can’t accept your feelings..."
"Could that goddess be a spy sent by Gaia?"
There’s a possibility that Aphrodite is an agent sent by Gaia. I couldn’t rule it out.
* * *
I remember that the goddess of beauty and love is Aphrodite, but I’m not sure how she came to belong to Olympus.
However, seeing her now, surrounded by the gods vying for her affection… Could it be Gaia’s scheme to sow discord in Olympus?
I shared my speculation with Hestia.
“It doesn’t seem like Lady Gaia sent her, though.”
“Why not?”
“I heard that goddess has only ever wandered above the sea. She’s never touched the earth, and she came straight to Olympus.”
Hmm, that does make sense. But her beauty, which has captivated all the male gods, makes her someone to be cautious of.
“Aphrodite! If I could have you, I would offer all my treasures!”
“No one can compare to the radiant beauty of the goddess of love except me, Apollo, the sun god—”
“Excuse me, gentlemen, but I’d like to pass through for a moment.”
Aphrodite, surrounded by the male gods, parted them and began walking toward me.
…Wait, why is she looking straight at me as she approaches? What’s going on?
“Excuse me, handsome god. May I know your name?”
Aphrodite stopped in front of me, a soft smile on her face as she looked up at me.
Didn’t she already hear my name from Hestia earlier? And now, the envious and jealous stares of the male gods behind her.
I already have plenty of tasks waiting for me in the Underworld, and now I’m starting to get a headache.
“…I am Hades, god of the Underworld.”
“Oh my, even your name is magnificent. So, Hades, are you married by any chance?”
“I have no intention of courting you, so you’d best look for another god.”
“Hmph. Do I not appeal to you?”
The goddess of beauty stared intently at me with sparkling eyes.
Do you not appeal to me? What man could resist such beauty?
In truth, being so close to her, even I felt my heart stir.
“It’s not about whether or not you appeal to me. I simply have no intention of marrying yet.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Marriage is a union of two people who love each other, a vow to choose a lifelong partner. You should find another god who truly loves you.”
Unlike the other gods enthralled by her charms, I showed no interest. That must have piqued her curiosity.
Her demeanor and actions only reinforced how young and inexperienced this goddess was.
“Do you usually reside underground, in the Underworld?”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t it dark and damp there? It must be so gloomy…”
“Someone has to oversee the Underworld.”
“Why haven’t you married yet?”
“Just because.”
Aphrodite, filled with curiosity, bombarded me with question after question.
Yet, her innocent curiosity only added to her allure, making her beauty shine even brighter.
“Please take me to the Underworld with you.”
“What?”
“I want to see the Underworld where you live.”
You want to come to the Underworld? The dark world that even the gods avoid?
I was about to refuse outright but glanced behind her.
The scene behind her was chaos, with countless gods clamoring with unveiled desire.
“What… what did you just say?!”
“Aphrodite, the Underworld is not a place for a goddess of beauty like you…”
“Ah, so Hades has claimed Aphrodite for himself!”
“If you go to the Underworld, never eat anything there! If you do, you’ll be bound to that realm forever…”
If I were to refuse her outright, what would happen to Aphrodite? Would the gods continue to fight over her here in Olympus?
In the myths, I don’t recall Aphrodite ever being associated with the Underworld.
I glanced at Zeus, who gave a small nod.
Was he relieved at the prospect of sending this seed of discord far away, to the Underworld?
Tch. Fine. I’ll just think of it as gaining an assistant for the tasks in the Underworld.
“If you help with the duties of the Underworld while you’re there, I’ll allow it.”
“Fufu. Thank you.”
And so, the goddess of beauty and love, Aphrodite, accompanied me to the Underworld.