Three days.
That was how long it had been since Felis left.
He never told her exactly where he was going—only that he needed to accomplish something big. A great feat.
And she knew exactly what that meant.
A challenge worthy of the gods. A feat so remarkable that it would leave a mark on his Falna, pushing his growth forward in leaps and bounds. But that also meant it was something incredibly dangerous.
Hestia exhaled softly, her fingers tightening around her fork. The cool metal pressed into her skin, a grounding sensation against the unease curling in her chest. Dungeon floors beyond a person's limit. Monstrous enemies stronger than anything he's faced before. Situations where a single mistake could be fatal.
That reckless cat…!
"…Idiot," she muttered, stabbing at her untouched food. "At least tell me where you're going before running off."
She wasn't angry—just frustrated. Worried.
She knew Felis was strong, but strength alone didn't guarantee survival in the Dungeon. Luck, tactics, and caution mattered just as much. And from what she had seen of him… well, he wasn't exactly the cautious type.
Her twin tails drooped. The meal before her, which would have normally been comforting, tasted like nothing.
Truthfully, she wasn't just worried about his safety.
She hated waiting. Hated feeling powerless. She had finally found someone—someone who chose her, despite all odds—and now, all she could do was sit here, hoping he'd return safely.
"…Come back soon, Felis." Her voice was quiet, almost inaudible.
Pushing the plate away, she decided to stop by Hephaestus' workshop. Maybe chatting with her old friend would help distract her from this restless waiting.
Or maybe… Hephaestus knew something she didn't.
---
The forge was always filled with the rhythmic clang of metal on metal, a steady heartbeat of creation. The scent of heated iron and burning coal clung to the air, a familiar comfort that usually lifted Hestia's spirits.
But not today.
Sitting in Hephaestus' private workshop, she absentmindedly swirled a cup of tea, staring into the dark liquid without really seeing it.
Across from her, Hephaestus studied her with a critical gaze. It was unusual for Hestia to be this quiet. Normally, she would be bouncing with energy, chatting endlessly about Felis, their Familia, or whatever mischief she'd gotten herself into that week.
But today, that cheerful light was missing.
"…Something on your mind?" Hephaestus finally asked, setting aside the dagger she had been inspecting.
Hestia blinked, as if just now realizing she was being watched. "Ah… no, not really…"
Hephaestus didn't buy it. She simply raised an eyebrow.
A beat of silence. Then, a nervous chuckle. "Okay, maybe a little."
The red-haired goddess exhaled through her nose, leaning back slightly. "It's about that kid of yours, isn't it?"
Hestia pursed her lips. "…Maybe."
That was all the confirmation Hephaestus needed.
She studied her friend for a moment before speaking again. "You're worried about him." It wasn't a question.
Hestia sighed, hugging her knees against her chest as she sat on the workshop bench. "…Yeah."
She didn't want to say too much. Status was a secret between a god and their child, and Felis trusted her to keep it that way. But at the same time, she couldn't just pretend everything was fine.
Hephaestus crossed her arms. "He's an adventurer. It's natural for them to take risks."
"I know that," Hestia muttered, resting her chin on her knees. "But it's been three days… He didn't tell me exactly where he was going, just that he needed to accomplish something big. And knowing him, that probably means he's doing something reckless."
Her fingers curled slightly. "I told him to be careful, but…"
The red-haired goddess hummed thoughtfully. "From what you've said before, he doesn't seem like the type to get himself killed so easily."
Hestia let out a soft laugh. "That's what worries me. He's strong, but he's also stubborn. If he thinks something is worth doing, he won't stop until it's done."
Hephaestus watched her quietly, then leaned forward slightly. "You trust him, don't you?"
"Of course I do!" Hestia replied without hesitation. But then her shoulders slumped. "It's just… trusting him doesn't make waiting any easier."
A silence settled between them. Hestia glanced off to the side, eyes wandering. That was when she noticed a black cat striding past outside the workshop.
Its tail swayed lazily as it walked, but the very tip curled up—
Hestia's face suddenly went bright red.
"—Hngh?!?!" She shrieked, jolting upright.
Hestia slapped both hands over her burning cheeks, desperately trying to shove down the memory that had just ambushed her mind. No, no, no! Don't think about it! Don't think about—
But her mind had other ideas.
Before she could stop it, that morning flashed before her eyes.
The warmth of his lips against her forehead—soft, lingering, stealing her breath.
The slow, teasing coil of his tail around her thigh—silken, deliberate, dangerously close—
That featherlight caress, playful yet intimate, making her skin tingle—
The sharp gasp that had slipped past her lips, the way her body had tensed—
And the worst part—the way she had instinctively arched toward him, craving more.
GAAAHHH!!
She slammed her hands against her head, as if she could physically beat the memory out of her mind.
Hephaestus leaned back slightly, looking both confused and vaguely amused. "Oi, what's gotten into you all of a sudden?"
"N-Nothing! It's nothing!!" Hestia blurted out, waving her arms in frantic denial. But the crimson flush burning her cheeks told a different story.
The red-haired goddess narrowed her eye suspiciously. But seeing Hestia flailing like a panicked mess, face completely red, she simply exhaled and chuckled.
"Well, whatever it is, at least you're still yourself."
Hestia groaned, burying her face in her hands. Maybe she should go home and lie down… preferably somewhere Felis' tail wouldn't haunt her thoughts.
She exhaled slowly, pressing a hand against her chest.
Three days.
She could handle three days.
…Right?
Hephaestus studied her for a moment longer, then sighed. "If you're that worried, why not distract yourself with work? You used to help me in the forge, remember?"
Hestia groaned, peeking at her from between her fingers. "That was centuries ago, Hephaestus…"
"And? It's not like you forgot how to hammer metal."
"I'd probably break something…"
The red-haired goddess smirked. "Then at least it'll give you something else to stress about instead of that kid of yours."
Hestia pouted but didn't argue. She knew Hephaestus had a point.
Still, it wasn't that simple.
It wasn't just worry that made her uneasy—it was the waiting. The silence. The not knowing.
Felis was strong, but the Dungeon was cruel. She had seen it claim adventurers far mightier than him.
And she was powerless to do anything but hope.
She sighed, rubbing her temples. "I'll be fine. Really."
Hephaestus didn't look convinced, but she let it go. Instead, she leaned back against the worktable, arms crossed. "Then at least make yourself useful while you're here. Help me sort those materials."
Hestia gave her a flat look. "Are you just putting me to work?"
"Obviously."
A small huff escaped her lips, but for the first time that day, a genuine smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
"Fine, fine…" She hopped off the bench, brushing off her dress. "I'll help, but you owe me lunch."
Hephaestus chuckled. "Deal."
As the two goddesses got to work, the rhythmic sounds of the forge filled the room once more. It didn't erase the worry in Hestia's heart… but for now, it was enough to keep her mind occupied.
Hours passed as Hestia busied herself with sorting ingots, polishing finished pieces, and organizing the smaller tools scattered around Hephaestus' workshop.
It wasn't exactly thrilling work, but it was enough to keep her thoughts from spiraling too much.
Still, every now and then, her mind would wander back to Felis.
'What is he doing right now? Is he eating properly? …Is he hurt?'
She shook her head, forcing herself to focus. 'No, don't think like that. He's strong. He's smart. He knows what he's doing…'
But no matter how much she reassured herself, the anxiety still gnawed at her.
Eventually, Hephaestus seemed to notice her slowing pace and sighed. "Alright, I think that's enough work for you. Any more, and you'll start melting from stress."
Hestia blinked, then let out a weak laugh. "Was it that obvious?"
"You keep staring off into space, and you've been polishing that same dagger for five minutes."
She glanced down—sure enough, the blade in her hands gleamed like it had just been forged. "…Oops."
Hephaestus smirked. "Come on, let's get lunch. I did promise, didn't I?"
That did lift Hestia's spirits a little. "You did! And I'm holding you to it."
As they left the workshop and stepped into the bustling streets of Orario, the fresh air helped ease some of the tension in Hestia's chest.
But even as she walked beside her old friend, chatting and laughing like usual, a part of her heart remained restless.
Three days.
Just a little longer.
…Please come back safe, Felis.
---
The streets of Orario were as lively as ever, filled with the usual clamor of merchants calling out their wares, adventurers boasting about their latest exploits, and civilians going about their day. The air carried the scent of grilled skewers, fresh bread, and the occasional hint of forge smoke drifting from Hephaestus' district.
Normally, Hestia would soak in the atmosphere with delight, but today, her heart just wasn't in it.
She still laughed at Hephaestus' dry humor and teased her about being too serious, but even as they entered a familiar eatery and took their seats, that nagging worry refused to let go of her.
"…Hestia."
"Hm?"
Hephaestus studied her for a moment, then sighed. "Look, I get it. You're worried about him. But you know as well as I do that adventurers have to take risks. If you let yourself stress over every little thing, you'll drive yourself crazy."
"I know that," Hestia muttered, poking at the food on her plate. "I know I should trust him. I do trust him. But… it's not that simple."
She tapped a finger against the table. "He's my first child, you know? My only child. I don't have anyone else to worry about, so all of that worry goes straight to him."
Her voice softened. "…It's different when it's just one person."
Hephaestus leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "…Yeah. I get that."
She didn't say more than that, but Hestia knew what she meant.
She'd heard plenty of stories about Hephaestus' own Familia—how she cared for her children, how she guided them, how she bore the weight of their struggles even when she pretended not to.
So yes, she would understand.
But understanding didn't make the waiting any easier.
Hestia sighed, finally taking a bite of her food. "I just hope he knows what he's doing…"
Hephaestus smirked. "Well, if he's anything like you, he doesn't."
"Oi!!"
The red-haired goddess chuckled. "I'm just saying, you were never the most 'careful' type either."
Hestia pouted, stuffing another bite into her mouth. "Hmph. Rude."
For a moment, their conversation drifted to lighter topics—old memories, amusing encounters with other gods, some of Hephaestus' more eccentric customers.
But even as she laughed along, even as she enjoyed the meal, that small part of her still counted the hours.
---
The sun had dipped lower by the time Hestia finally left Hephaestus' company. The red-haired goddess had waved her off with a knowing look, reminding her—yet again—not to let herself stress too much.
Easier said than done.
As she walked through the familiar streets of Orario, her feet carried her toward the Guild Plaza Park without much thought.
The central fountain gurgled softly, its clear water catching the golden light of the late afternoon. Flower beds lined the cobblestone pathways, vibrant and well-maintained despite the constant flow of adventurers passing through. A few sat on benches, chatting or resting after their dungeon dives.
Hestia found an empty spot near the fountain, exhaling as she let herself sit down.
She reached into her small pouch, pulling out the fire-shaped hairpin Felis had given her.
Turning it over in her fingers, she traced the intricate details—the way the crimson metal shimmered, the way the curves mimicked flickering flames.
He had chosen this for her.
The thought made her chest tighten slightly.
"…You better not be doing something stupid," she murmured under her breath.
Her grip on the pin tightened for a moment before she sighed, brushing her fingers over its edges.
She wanted to believe in him.
No—she did believe in him.
But belief didn't erase fear.
A breeze rustled through the trees, and she closed her eyes, letting it wash over her.
Three days.
She could handle three days.
She had to.
As she sat there, lost in her thoughts, a pair of passing adventurers caught her ear.
"—Yeah, some parties have been moving deeper lately. Everyone's trying to push their limits before the month ends."
"Some guy at Babel was saying a solo adventurer went past the eighteenth floor alone."
"Alone? Tch, what an idiot."
"Right? Pretty sure the last guy who tried that never came back."
Hestia's fingers twitched slightly.
She knew she shouldn't assume.
She knew lots of adventurers could be doing reckless things.
But still…
Her heart gave an uneasy thud.
She exhaled, forcing herself to stand up.
It was just a rumor. Just gossip.
…Right?
Hestia shook her head, pushing the thought aside.
She was just being paranoid. There were plenty of adventurers in Orario, and plenty of them were reckless enough to attempt something dangerous. It didn't have to be him.
But even as she told herself that, doubt still clung to her chest.
She tucked the hairpin back into her pouch and turned toward home.
The sun was dipping below the rooftops, casting long shadows across the streets as she walked. The evening bustle had begun—merchants closing shop, adventurers returning from the dungeon, taverns and eateries filling with laughter and conversation.
She passed by Hearth's Embrace, the familiar scent of roasted meat and fresh bread wafting through the open windows. It was tempting—she and Felis had eaten here together before—but somehow, the idea of sitting alone at their usual spot made her chest ache.
Instead, she continued on.
By the time she reached their small church, the sky had darkened into deep blue. She stepped inside, closing the door behind her with a quiet click.
The house was silent.
Normally, she'd be greeted by Felis stretching on the couch, or grumbling about his daily quests, or—if she was particularly lucky—offering her a teasing remark that would set her cheeks aflame.
But tonight, the silence felt heavier than usual.
Hestia sighed, stepping out of her sandals before flopping onto the couch.
Her eyes wandered to the ceiling.
"…Idiot."
She wasn't sure if she was talking about him or herself.
Maybe both.
A small part of her wanted to storm into the Guild tomorrow and demand to know if anyone had seen him. But she knew that was ridiculous. Adventurers came and went all the time. The Guild wouldn't keep track of every single one unless they were important—or dead.
She buried her face in a cushion.
Warm. Soft. Plush against her skin.
…Just like that morning.
Hestia's body stiffened as the memory surged back without warning—
The way his lips had pressed against her forehead—gentle, lingering, too long.
The slow, deliberate coil of his tail—silken, teasing, brushing so close to—
The sharp jolt of heat that had shot down her spine, making her shudder.
The helpless gasp she hadn't been able to hold back.
The way her body had moved on its own, arching toward that wicked, sinful—
GHAAAAH!!!
She jerked her head up, practically throwing the cushion across the room as if it had personally offended her.
'No, no, NO!! I am not thinking about that!!'
Her hands clutched her head as she furiously shook it. But the moment she closed her eyes—
…That strange warmth in her stomach.
…The way her body had gone weak under his touch.
…That sinful pleasure that had left her breathless.
A tingling sensation crept up her spine, making her thighs press together instinctively.
"…Tch!"
Her face burned as she immediately slapped her hands over her legs, as if to scold them for reacting.
And then—
A dangerous thought flickered across her mind.
What if… she tried it herself?
The room fell into silence.
Hestia froze, her breath caught in her throat.
She wasn't really considering it.
Right?
She swallowed hard, her gaze flickering to the cushion she had thrown.
…Would it feel the same?
Her hands twitched.
She could just—
"NOPE! NOPE NOPE NOPE!!!"
She launched herself off the bed, pacing back and forth in frantic denial.
'What the hell am I thinking?! I'm a goddess! A pure, chaste, dignified deity!!'
She forced herself to take a deep breath, pressing her hands over her very flushed cheeks.
Felis. She was supposed to be worried about Felis. Not… this.
Biting her lip, she exhaled slowly.
Felis would be fine. He had to be fine.
"…Just come back soon, okay?"
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
She didn't expect an answer.
But she still wished for one.
Especially now.
---