After her young son is publicly humiliated in the Divine Realm, a powerful goddess refuses to stay silent. Standing against Zeus himself, she uncovers betrayal, hidden loyalties, and a battle for the throne that will shake the heavens. As divine justice and family honor collide, destiny proves that the throne always belonged to its rightful ruler.
Watch The Throne Was Always Mine with English subtitles and enjoy an epic short drama featuring Greek mythology, fantasy romance, revenge, and breathtaking plot twists.
#TheThroneWasAlwaysMine #ShortDrama #GreekMythology #FantasyRomance #DivineRevenge #FamilyDrama #DramaSeries #ENGSUB #FullEpisode #ShortFilm #ShortMovie
Watch The Throne Was Always Mine with English subtitles and enjoy an epic short drama featuring Greek mythology, fantasy romance, revenge, and breathtaking plot twists.
#TheThroneWasAlwaysMine #ShortDrama #GreekMythology #FantasyRomance #DivineRevenge #FamilyDrama #DramaSeries #ENGSUB #FullEpisode #ShortFilm #ShortMovie
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Short filmTranscript
00:00My five-year-old son went to the divine realm to see his father.
00:03He pushed open the private chamber's door and found his father with his arms around a goddess.
00:08That goddess turned around and slapped him across the face, scolded him for being discourteous.
00:13My son covered his face and ran out of the divine realm.
00:17The first thing he said to me.
00:19Mom, did I do something wrong?
00:22I looked at the five finger marks on his cheek and issued an order to Zeus.
00:28Zeus, get that consort of yours on her knees, apologizing to my son.
00:33If you can't manage that, don't bother sitting in that throne tomorrow.
00:36He said I was overreacting.
00:38The goddess who struck my son wept pitifully, claiming she'd only touched him instinctively.
00:45Zeus told me to calm down and spare his dignity.
00:48I will not.
00:49You don't care about your own son's face, so why should I save yours?
00:54The moment I walked into the divine palace, what greeted me wasn't the handmaiden's greeting.
00:59It was my son's cries.
01:02My son stumbled outside, his cries interspersed with broken sobs.
01:06I stopped immediately and pulled my child into my arms.
01:10Ares' cloak hung off one shoulder.
01:12His left hand was pressed hard against his face.
01:15Through his fingers, a patch of red blazed.
01:17A lump formed in my throat.
01:20Let mommy see what's wrong with your face.
01:24He wouldn't.
01:26Ares shook in my arms.
01:27Crying so hard his whole body trembled.
01:30He pressed his hand tighter against his face, as if covering it up could make that slap unhappen.
01:35I gently pulled his hands away, only to see five finger marks on his face.
01:40Swollen, red, stamped clear as daylight across his left cheek.
01:44I fought to hold back my fury.
01:47Who hit you?
01:49Ares didn't speak.
01:50I softened my voice.
01:53Take your time.
01:55Mom's listening.
01:56I wanted to go see Dad.
01:58The chariot truer took me to the palace.
02:00Nobody stopped me.
02:01Ares pressed his lips together.
02:04Tears rolled down again.
02:05Dad was holding a goddess.
02:06That lady was leaning on Dad.
02:08Her robes weren't even on right.
02:11Dad didn't push her away, either.
02:13I lowered my eyes, consumed by overwhelming rage.
02:18Zeus, you truly are something.
02:20Keeping a mistress in secret is bad enough.
02:23And now your own son has caught you red-handedly.
02:30Who was she?
02:32I heard father call her Leto.
02:37Leto.
02:37The name landed and I wasn't the least bit surprised.
02:41Zeus had been coming home later and later.
02:43His robes carried a scent that wasn't mine.
02:46Other gods also kept telling me that Zeus was on intimate terms with Leto.
02:50I had long noticed Zeus' heart had strayed.
02:53But I held back because Ares needed his father.
02:55Yet they grew so arrogant that they forgot I was still alive.
02:59Daring to bully my son, my voice dropped even lower.
03:03Then what happened?
03:04Ares' lips were trembling uncontrollably.
03:06I stood in the doorway.
03:08That lady saw me first.
03:09She got off father right away.
03:11She asked who let me come in.
03:12She said I didn't know the rules.
03:14I said I came to find my father.
03:16I didn't even finish talking.
03:18Then she hit me.
03:19My back teeth clenched.
03:21How did she hit you?
03:22Ares raised his hand and mimed a slap beside his own face.
03:26It was really loud.
03:27My ears were ringing.
03:27She said if a child has no manners, he should get out.
03:33I reached out and touched the side of his ear.
03:36Ares gasped in pain and my hand froze mid-air.
03:39What about dad?
03:40The moment those words left my mouth, even I could hear how cold they sounded.
03:45Ares' tears fell faster.
03:47Dad was right there.
03:48But he didn't do anything.
03:50He looked at me and said I shouldn't run around.
03:53He said I shouldn't have come in.
03:54The child threw himself into my arms, sobbing so hard he could barely breathe.
03:59Mother, did I do something wrong?
04:01Why did she hit me?
04:02I held him, my back ramrod straight.
04:05You didn't do anything wrong.
04:06They're the ones who did wrong.
04:08Not you.
04:08I carried my child into the palace.
04:11I took out a healing bomb and gently...
04:18I halted for a moment.
04:19The sordid deeds of adults end up breaking a child's heart.
04:22Zeus has no shame himself.
04:24Yet he's driven our son to doubt himself.
04:26I once thought Ares needed a complete family.
04:29That I could endure everything.
04:31But now I see there's no point in holding back.
04:33If I keep tolerating this, they'll trample all over my son and me.
04:37No.
04:38He's the one who's blind.
04:40You are mother's son.
04:42Nobody is allowed to touch you.
04:44This slap, mother's going to get it back for you.
04:47Today.
04:47Ares blinked.
04:48Really, mom?
04:50Really.
04:53Zeus learned I had come to the divine palace and came to find me.
04:56When Ares saw him walk in, he shrank deeper into my arms.
05:01Hera, what are you doing here?
05:03I sat upon the divine throne.
05:05My voice was ice.
05:07Zeus, that woman of yours hit my son.
05:09What are you planning to do about it?
05:11Zeus paused.
05:12He said nothing.
05:13I glanced down at the swelling on Ares' face.
05:16Leto has got some nerve.
05:18Your son walks in on her draped all over you.
05:21She gets embarrassed and she takes it out with a slap.
05:23What is this?
05:24Does she run a limpet now?
05:25Zeus opened his mouth.
05:27I had no interest in hearing it.
05:29Don't explain.
05:30My son's face is right here.
05:31The finger marks perfectly clear.
05:33You were standing right there.
05:34You watched her hit him.
05:35You didn't even try to stop her.
05:37Zeus, do you really take me for someone who doesn't exist?
05:40Ares sat beside me.
05:42His little hands clenched tight.
05:44This time, Zeus looked at my son.
05:46Ares, come here to dad.
05:47Let dad look at your face.
05:48Ares burrowed even deeper into my arms.
05:51I stared at Zeus with cold eyes.
05:53You still have the nerve to ask how your son is doing?
05:58I picked up the hourglass on the table.
06:00I'm only going to say this once.
06:02Before this hourglass runs out, have Leto come before my son.
06:06Get on her knees and apologize.
06:09Zeus' head snapped up.
06:10Hera, don't go too far.
06:12I let out a short, sharp laugh.
06:14Zeus, she hit your own son.
06:16I'm not negotiating with you.
06:17I'm informing you.
06:19If Leto doesn't kneel and apologize, then that throne of yours, you won't need to sit
06:24in it anymore.
06:25Silence.
06:26The kind where you couldn't even hear breathing.
06:28That was the line that truly hit him where it hurt.
06:30The divine throne.
06:31That was what he cared about most.
06:33Are you threatening me?
06:35You could call it that.
06:36You'd better think this through.
06:38What answered me was the sound of Zeus slamming the door on his way out.
06:44Ares looked at me, his eyes wide.
06:46Mom, is dad going to bring Leto here?
06:50Whether he brings her or not, it doesn't matter.
06:54What matters is, from today on, anyone who lays a hand on you will pay the price.
07:02Just then, the door burst open.
07:05Zeus' mother, Rhea, had stormed in.
07:07Hera, I've been told about what happened.
07:09Stop picking a fight with Zeus.
07:10I rose to my feet and look at her.
07:14What do you mean, fighting with him?
07:16Your son was tangled up with his consort.
07:19Ares walked in on them.
07:21That goddess slapped Ares across the face.
07:24I told him to bring her here to apologize.
07:27He said I'm overreacting.
07:29Rhea sighed, utterly unconcerned.
07:31A child gets hit.
07:33Any mother would be upset.
07:34But Ares is still young.
07:37Getting a little smack isn't the end of the world.
07:39Ares clutched my clothes.
07:41Mother, I wasn't running around.
07:43My voice went cold.
07:45That slap landed on your grandson's face.
07:47Five finger marks.
07:49Swollen.
07:50The child is right here.
07:52Just take a look.
07:53Rhea's tone hardened.
07:54Zeus is the great lord of Olympus.
07:56So he has a goddess who warms his bed.
07:58So what?
07:59You turn a blind eye and it passes.
08:02Family shame should never be made public.
08:04Wrapping his arms around his consort.
08:07Not shameful.
08:08Hitting a child.
08:09Not shameful.
08:10But me taking issue with it.
08:12Shameful.
08:16I gave Zeus a deadline to apologize.
08:19Half the sand has already fallen.
08:21Have you lost your mind?
08:22Make someone kneel?
08:25Who do you think you are?
08:29I glanced down at Ares.
08:31He huddled close beside me.
08:33Eyes wide open.
08:35I'm Ares' mother.
08:37Whoever hits my son.
08:38Niels.
08:40You!
08:42She pointed at me.
08:44Lost for words for a long moment.
08:46Then turned and left.
08:48Zeus arrived soon after.
08:51He confronted me sharply the moment he appeared.
08:55What exactly do you want?
08:57You sent your mother to pressure me.
09:00Did you think that would work?
09:02Zeus' voice was cold.
09:04I sent her to pressure you?
09:05She was only worrying out of concern.
09:08And you?
09:09You wouldn't even show respect to an elder.
09:12If she'd spoken like a decent being, I would have shown respect.
09:15She said the same thing as you.
09:17That Ares getting a smack is no big deal.
09:19That's what you call deserving of respect?
09:22Zeus said nothing.
09:24I went on to speak.
09:26Let's get to the point.
09:28Is Leto coming or not?
09:29I already told you.
09:31Having her kneel is out of the question.
09:34It was just a slap.
09:35If you want an apology, fine.
09:38But kneeling?
09:39No way.
09:40Just a slap.
09:41What do you mean, just a slap?
09:44Hera, don't get hung up on semantics.
09:46Ares barged in on his own.
09:48Didn't knock.
09:49Anyone would have reacted if they'd been startled.
09:52Leto didn't do it on purpose.
09:53She just panicked.
09:55Her hand slipped.
09:57Ares was right there beside me.
10:00Hearing the words barged in on his own.
10:02His small face went white.
10:04He forced himself not to cry.
10:06All I feel for Zeus now is nothing but disappointment.
10:09You let an outsider raise her hand against your son.
10:12And now you're standing here telling me she didn't mean it?
10:16Outsider?
10:16Leo has been with me a long time.
10:19I know exactly what kind of person she is.
10:21What kind of person she is?
10:24I have no interest in knowing.
10:26All I know is she hit my son.
10:28You were there.
10:29You watched her do it.
10:30You didn't stop her.
10:32Zeus said indifferently.
10:34If you want to put it that way,
10:37when kids do something wrong,
10:38they should learn the lesson.
10:41What's wrong with taking a little hardship?
10:44Ares' head shot up.
10:45His eyes went red.
10:47His lips trembled twice.
10:49Yet no sound came out.
10:50He probably never imagined his own father would say something like that.
10:54Suddenly, I had no desire to argue with Zeus any longer.
10:58Zeus.
10:59Watch what you say.
11:01I've said everything perfectly clearly.
11:02Stop using the child as an excuse for your tantrum.
11:08Just then, a voice came from outside,
11:11thin and soft and tearful.
11:12Lord Zeus, please don't fight because of me.
11:15The door opened.
11:17Leto walked in, eyes red from crying.
11:19Goddess Hera, I really didn't mean it.
11:23The young prince burst in so suddenly,
11:25it was just an instinctive brush of my hand.
11:29Brush.
11:30I looked at Ares' face.
11:32The slap had been so loud it echoed,
11:35and now it was just a brush.
11:38Leto,
11:39should we take a look at the finger marks on my child's face?
11:42Leto choked up.
11:45I know you don't like me.
11:48The way you're pressuring Lord Zeus,
11:50isn't this just because you can't stand having me around?
11:52I found it utterly ridiculous.
11:55Who exactly do you think you are?
11:57You inserted yourself into someone else's marriage.
12:00The child catches you and you raise your hand and hit him.
12:04And now you're crying,
12:05asking if I can't stand having you around?
12:07Leto went completely silent.
12:10Zeus's voice dropped immediately.
12:12Enough.
12:13Who are you cursing at?
12:15I immediately confronted Zeus.
12:17What's the matter?
12:17Feeling protective?
12:18Your son gets hit and you feel nothing.
12:22I say one sense about her and you're instantly worked up.
12:28Leto quickly looped her arm through his.
12:31Lord Zeus,
12:33how about I just apologize to the young prince
12:35and we don't let this come between you two?
12:38Zeus immediately turned to me.
12:41You hear that?
12:42Leto's willing to apologize.
12:46Having her kneel?
12:48Impossible.
12:49Don't push your luck.
12:50I was quiet for two seconds.
12:55Fine.
12:56Zeus seemed surprised I'd given in so quickly.
13:01It's best.
13:02If you can see reason.
13:04What's the rush?
13:05I said fine as in I've heard enough.
13:06Enough to understand that you, Zeus,
13:08have made your choice today.
13:09You'd rather protect this goddess
13:10than care about your own son's face.
13:12Your son got hit by her.
13:13You said he deserved it.
13:14I told her to kneel and apologize
13:15and you said I'm pushing my luck.
13:17Fine.
13:18You'd better stay this tough.
13:20Don't regret it later.
13:21Zeus exploded.
13:22Hera,
13:23who are you threatening?
13:24I stared straight at him,
13:25fearless.
13:26You.
13:27You have lost your divine divinity.
13:29Soon enough,
13:31Leto's teary voice
13:31chimed in again.
13:33Lord Zeus,
13:35I'm scared.
13:37Don't be scared.
13:38I'm here.
13:39Zeus turned back toward me.
13:40His voice chilled to ice.
13:42Hera,
13:43Leto will not kneel for you.
13:45And don't you threaten me
13:46with the divine throne.
13:51Olympus is not something
13:52you can overturn
13:53with a single word.
13:56I watched the sand
13:57in the hourglass stream
13:58downward.
13:59When the last grain
14:00had fallen,
14:01I looked at Zeus.
14:04Fine.
14:05Then go right ahead.
14:10What did you say?
14:11I said in a tone
14:12devoid of emotion,
14:13From this moment on,
14:15you'd better hold on
14:16to Leto nice and tight.
14:19Don't let the day come
14:20when she's crying
14:21and begging you for help.
14:23And you can't protect her.
14:25Zeus sneered.
14:29Try me.
14:30I smiled at him.
14:32Just you wait.
14:32He flung out one last line.
14:34Unreasonable.
14:35Then he turned and left.
14:36Leto with him.
14:38After they left,
14:39Ares finally couldn't hold it
14:40in any longer.
14:41Mom,
14:42does dad not like me anymore?
14:44I reached out
14:45and pulled him into my arms.
14:48It's not that you're
14:49not good enough.
14:50It's that he's not worthy.
14:51I will not
14:52go find dad anymore.
14:54Mother will protect you.
14:55I looked down
14:56at the child in my arms.
14:58No more holding back.
14:59From this moment on,
15:01it wasn't just Zeus cover
15:02I was going to rip away.
15:06I went to see
15:07Kronos' loyal steward,
15:08Hermes.
15:09He was a bit surprised
15:10to see me.
15:12That Olympus covenant
15:13my father left
15:13in your keeping.
15:14You still have it?
15:15Three seconds of silence.
15:17Yes.
15:18I've kept it all this time.
15:20I'm invoking it.
15:21Goddess Hera,
15:22are you certain
15:23once this coven is invo-
15:24I'm certain.
15:25Tomorrow morning,
15:26bring all the documents.
15:28Olympus,
15:29the divine council chamber.
15:30Zeus thought the throne
15:32he sat upon
15:32belonged to the Olympian house.
15:34He didn't know
15:35that the ground
15:35beneath his feet,
15:36from the very first
15:37foundation stone,
15:39belonged to the titan bloodline.
15:41Before Kronos fell,
15:42he placed Olympus'
15:43divine authority
15:44into a binding decree.
15:46There was only one
15:47designated rightful heir.
15:49Not Zeus is me.
15:50I hid that covenant
15:52away for five years.
15:53I never thought
15:54I'd need to use it.
15:55I thought he was still,
15:57at the core,
15:57a decent soul.
15:59He had no soul.
16:01So I didn't need
16:01to keep pretending.
16:06The next morning,
16:07I walked into
16:08the divine council chamber.
16:10Hermes had a sealed
16:11coffer in his hand.
16:12He opened it
16:13and took out
16:13a stack of documents.
16:15These are the original
16:16binding decree
16:16your father signed,
16:18the sealed copies,
16:19and the divine registry
16:20amend authorization.
16:22Five years.
16:24I've been waiting
16:24for you to come.
16:25Goddess Hera,
16:26before your father fell,
16:27he told me this covenant
16:28was the last line of defense.
16:29He said,
16:30if anyone ever bullied you,
16:31if you came to find me,
16:32I was to bring this out.
16:35I saw Zeus approaching.
16:37Beside him walked Leto
16:39in cream-colored robes.
16:40Not only had she
16:41not gone into hiding,
16:43she was walking
16:43right alongside Zeus,
16:45bold as could be,
16:46her pace unhurried
16:48and confident,
16:48as if this was a position
16:50she'd long grown accustomed to.
16:52Good.
16:53They'd both shown up
16:54so neatly today.
16:56Saved me the trouble
16:57of summoning them
16:57one by one.
16:59Zeus saw me
17:00sitting in the high throne.
17:01Documents were spread
17:02out before me.
17:03Hermes sat at my side.
17:05He was come.
17:07What are you doing here?
17:08His voice was heavy.
17:10Lord Hermes is here too?
17:11Zeus looked at Hermes.
17:13Hermes sat where he was.
17:15He didn't stand.
17:16That clearly unsettled Zeus.
17:19Lord Zeus,
17:19have a seat.
17:21There's something
17:21we need to discuss
17:22face to face.
17:25Zeus didn't sit.
17:28What is this?
17:30I glanced at Leto.
17:33Leto.
17:34You should come in too.
17:36This concerns you as well.
17:39She walked in,
17:40maintaining that expression
17:41of uneasy innocence.
17:44Zeus.
17:46I gave you a chance last night.
17:48I would make the choice for you.
17:51What exactly
17:52are you trying to do?
17:54Fine.
17:56I'll say it plainly.
17:58I flipped the documents
17:59on the table
17:59to the first page.
18:00Olympus.
18:02It belongs to me.
18:04The council chamber
18:05fell silent.
18:06What did you say?
18:08Zeus's voice was tight.
18:10My father,
18:11Kronos,
18:12founder of Olympus.
18:13Before he fell,
18:14he placed the divine authority
18:15into a binding decree.
18:16I am the rightful heir.
18:17This agreement has been
18:19in Hermes' safekeeping
18:20for five years.
18:21How do you think
18:22you came to rule?
18:23Zeus's face changed color.
18:25Not pale.
18:26Gray.
18:26That kind of gray
18:28that seeps out
18:28from the marrow
18:29of your bones.
18:31Impossible!
18:32When Kronos fell,
18:34the divine authority
18:34was already dispersed.
18:36On the surface,
18:38it appeared dispersed.
18:39Hermes finally spoke.
18:41Lord Zeus,
18:43you've sat in the divine throne
18:45for five years.
18:47You sat in it
18:48because Lady Hera
18:49allowed you to.
18:53Zeus stood there,
18:54hand braced against
18:55the edge of the table,
18:56knuckles bone white.
18:58Leto's carefully
18:59maintained composure
19:00had shattered.
19:01Wait.
19:02Zeus's voice
19:03had gone hoarse.
19:04Hera,
19:05just wait a second.
19:06About last night,
19:07I can have Lea apologize.
19:10Kneeling works too.
19:11Leto whipped her head
19:12toward him.
19:13Lord Zeus?
19:15Zeus didn't look at her.
19:17Hera,
19:18let's talk about this properly.
19:20Don't be rash.
19:21I smiled.
19:22Zeus,
19:23last night you said,
19:25Olympus is not something
19:26you can overturn
19:27with a single word.
19:28What do you think now?
19:29The last trace of color
19:30drained from his face.
19:31You were always nothing.
19:34Hermes pulled another document
19:35from his coffer.
19:36This is an emergency decree.
19:38Passed last night,
19:39it removed Zeus
19:40from his position
19:41as Lord of Olympus
19:42effective immediately.
19:44Seven council elders seals.
19:46Not a single person
19:47had stood on his side.
19:48Zeus stepped backward.
19:50His back hit the wall.
19:53Leto hadn't spoken
19:54a single word.
19:55Her lips were trembling.
19:57She never saw
19:58this ending coming.
19:59She didn't know Olympus
20:01had always belonged
20:01to the Titan bloodline.
20:05Zeus leaned against the wall,
20:07like someone had hollowed him out.
20:11Hera.
20:11The corner of his mouth twitched.
20:14You knew about all of this?
20:15You knew everything?
20:17I knew.
20:18I've known for three years.
20:22Then why didn't you?
20:23Why didn't I turn on you?
20:25I finished his sentence.
20:26Because I thought
20:27you were still decent.
20:28I thought you still had
20:29some semblance
20:30of being a father to Eres.
20:32Last night,
20:33you told me with your own mouth
20:34that your son deserved to be hit.
20:37Zeus closed his eyes.
20:39I turned to Leto.
20:41Leto, stand up.
20:42She looked at me.
20:43Her lips had gone white.
20:44She slowly rose.
20:46Her legs were shaking.
20:47Last night,
20:48you hit my son.
20:49Then you called it
20:50an accidental brush of the hand.
20:51Do you still stand by that?
20:53Goddess Hera,
20:54I...
20:54I really didn't mean it.
20:56I'm not asking
20:57whether you meant it.
20:58I'm asking you.
20:59Do you still think
21:00it was just a brush?
21:02She didn't speak.
21:03I stood up
21:04and walked up to her.
21:06I told you last night,
21:08get on your knees
21:09and apologize to my son.
21:10You didn't come.
21:12Hmph.
21:13Your man blocked for you.
21:15Now your patron
21:16can barely save himself.
21:18Who else do you have
21:19to block for you now?
21:22Leto's tears came pouring down.
21:24Not the measured,
21:26practice sobbing
21:26from last night.
21:28This was real fear.
21:31Lady Hera,
21:32I'm begging you.
21:34I don't need you to beg me.
21:36I need you to kneel.
21:39Face my son.
21:41Say I'm sorry.
21:42I was wrong.
21:44Leto looked at me,
21:45then at Zeus.
21:47Zeus leaned against the wall,
21:49head hanging.
21:50Not a single word.
21:52Leto's legs gave out.
21:53With a thud,
21:55she was on her knees.
21:56She knelt on the floor.
21:58I'm sorry.
21:59I was wrong.
22:01Those words aren't for me.
22:04Find a time.
22:05Say them again
22:06in front of my son.
22:08I gathered the covenant confirmation
22:10and all the documents
22:11into my sealed coffer.
22:12I lifted my sealed coffer
22:14and walked to the door.
22:15I turned back.
22:17Zeus,
22:18you said Olympus wasn't something
22:19I could overturn
22:20with a single word.
22:22And now?
22:23The door closed.
22:25I walked to the Olympus'
22:26highest tower.
22:27This was the first time
22:29I stood here
22:29as the rightful sovereign.
22:31It wouldn't be the last.
22:36When I returned
22:37to the palace,
22:38Mother!
22:39Ares came running
22:40and threw himself
22:41into my arms.
22:42He held up a piece of paper,
22:43two figures drawn
22:44in wobbly lines.
22:46This is Mother and me.
22:48I took the drawing.
22:49It's beautiful.
22:51Ares,
22:52Mother needs to tell you something.
22:54From now on,
22:55you don't need to go
22:55to Father's palace anymore.
22:57Why?
22:59Because the Olympus,
23:00it's Mother's now.
23:02He tilted his head.
23:03So Mother's the boss now?
23:05Hmm.
23:06Something like that.
23:10Then Mother's so amazing!
23:13He clapped and laughed.
23:14The laughing pulled
23:15at the bruise
23:16on his left cheek.
23:17He winced
23:18and quickly reined
23:18in the smile.
23:20Still hurt?
23:21A little.
23:23It'll be better
23:24in a couple of days.
23:28Mom,
23:29that goddess
23:30who struck me.
23:31She'll come
23:32apologize to you.
23:35Really?
23:37Really?
23:38I picked him up.
23:42Just then,
23:44Zeus arrived back.
23:45Hera,
23:46let's talk.
23:49Talk about what?
23:50The Divine Realm,
23:51I accept it.
23:52But you can't tear
23:53the family apart either.
23:55Ares still young.
23:56He needs both parents.
23:57Both parents?
23:59He actually had the nerve
24:00to say that.
24:01Zeus.
24:02Last night,
24:03Hermes asked me
24:04if his father
24:05didn't like him anymore.
24:06And what were you doing?
24:07You were telling Laino,
24:09don't be scared,
24:09I'm here.
24:10And now you come
24:11telling me about
24:11both parents?
24:12He hurried to explain.
24:14Leo and I,
24:15it's over.
24:16No more contact
24:17ever again.
24:18You ended it with her
24:19because you realized
24:19you were wrong.
24:21Or because you've
24:22lost your value to her.
24:24Zeus said nothing.
24:26Zeus.
24:28The Divine Separation Decree
24:30is being drafted.
24:31It'll be sent to you
24:32within the next
24:33couple of days.
24:34Are you threatening me?
24:36You think
24:37seizing the Divine Authority
24:39lets you do
24:39whatever you want?
24:40I smiled.
24:42Zeus.
24:43Your influence
24:44was built on your identity
24:46as Lord of Olympias.
24:48Now that that identity
24:50is gone,
24:52do you really think
24:53those people
24:54will still answer
24:55your summons?
24:57Is there really
24:58no future for us?
24:59I raised my hand
25:00and pointed toward the door.
25:03none.
25:05None.
25:07Two days later,
25:09Celestial Forum Hall,
25:10Olympus Divine Assembly.
25:12Halfway through,
25:13Hermes walked over
25:14and spoke quietly
25:15by my ear.
25:16Zeus is here.
25:17My hand holding
25:18the nectar goblet,
25:19paused.
25:20What's he doing here?
25:22Claims he's also a guest.
25:24But I crossed it off
25:25yesterday.
25:27Let him in.
25:29Three minutes later,
25:30Zeus appeared,
25:31dark gray robes.
25:33He looked no different
25:34from usual,
25:35but his spirit
25:36had changed.
25:37The skin around his eyes
25:38was faintly bruised.
25:39He stood in the doorway
25:40without even a divine seal.
25:42The contrast was brutal.
25:44He made his way
25:45directly toward me.
25:47Hera.
25:47I held my nectar goblet
25:49and smiled.
25:50Oh,
25:51my apologies.
25:53What should I call you now?
25:56Lord Zeus?
25:58Former ruler?
25:59I want my seat back.
26:02Every gaze in the room
26:03converged on us.
26:05Your seat?
26:06Olympus.
26:08These past five years,
26:10I'm the one who ran it.
26:11Every sacred matter,
26:14I brookered.
26:15You removed me.
26:18Can you govern it all
26:19on your own?
26:20He was gambling.
26:22Gambling that five years
26:23of sacred bonds
26:24couldn't be severed
26:24with a single stroke.
26:28I set my cup down.
26:30Zeus,
26:32are you here to talk
26:33divine affairs
26:34or to make a scene?
26:36I am discussing
26:37divine affairs.
26:39You think
26:40that seizing the divine authority
26:41means you can do anything?
26:44Olympus's allies
26:45recognize my face.
26:47Not your name.
26:49I swept my eyes
26:50across the faces
26:51in the room.
26:52Not a single person
26:53stepped forward
26:54to speak for him.
26:55Not one.
26:56Because in this realm,
26:58everyone knew
26:58one principle.
27:00Divine authority
27:01trumps everything.
27:02Let me ask you
27:03a question.
27:06Last year,
27:09Olympus's single
27:10greatest tribute.
27:12Who was the one
27:13who ultimately
27:14signed off
27:15and sealed it?
27:17He froze.
27:18I spoke up.
27:19Hermes.
27:20Lord Hermes
27:21represented the
27:22Titan bloodline's
27:23credibility.
27:25You ran a couple
27:26of errands
27:27and you think
27:27that makes it
27:28your achievement?
27:29I said sarcastically,
27:31you came here
27:32to say you want
27:33your throne back.
27:34Well then,
27:35let me tell you
27:36exactly how
27:37you lost
27:37that throne.
27:38You used
27:39sacred treasury
27:40to support
27:42a consort.
27:43Your son
27:44walked in on you
27:45with your arms
27:45around her.
27:47That goddess
27:47slapped your son
27:49across the face.
27:51And you
27:52stood,
27:53stood right there
27:54and didn't say
27:55a single word.
27:59That's what you
28:00did as ruler
28:01for five years.
28:05Do you think
28:06anyone here
28:07is going to
28:07step forward
28:08and speak
28:09on your behalf?
28:10Zeus stood there,
28:11his face cycling
28:12between white
28:12and gray.
28:13He came thinking
28:14he could turn
28:15the tables.
28:16He didn't know.
28:17I was no longer
28:18the hero who
28:19waited at home
28:20for him to return.
28:22Zeus,
28:23if you have
28:24no other business,
28:25you can leave.
28:26The door is that way.
28:27The day after
28:28the assembly ended,
28:29Leto came as promised.
28:31Not to Olympus.
28:33To my home.
28:34Ares had just
28:35returned from his lessons.
28:37The summoning chime rang.
28:39Leto walked
28:39into the living room.
28:41The moment
28:41she saw Ares,
28:43her pace
28:43visibly slowed.
28:45Ares looked up.
28:47Seeing her,
28:48the ambrosia fruit
28:48in his hand dropped.
28:50His body
28:50instinctively
28:51shrank backward.
28:53The last time
28:53they met,
28:54this person
28:55had slapped him.
28:56I sat down
28:57beside Ares.
28:58I wrapped my arm
28:59around his shoulders.
29:00It's okay.
29:02She's here
29:02to apologize
29:03to you today.
29:04Leto stood
29:05in the middle
29:05of the living room.
29:07The rims of her eyes
29:08went red.
29:09Go on.
29:10I said to her.
29:12Leto swallowed.
29:13Then her knees
29:14slowly bent,
29:15thud.
29:15She knelt.
29:21She knelt on the floor
29:23before a boy.
29:24Young prince,
29:25that day
29:26I struck you.
29:28That was auntie's fault.
29:29I shouldn't have used my hands
29:31and auntie definitely
29:32shouldn't have yelled at you.
29:33She lowered her head
29:35to the floor.
29:35I'm sorry.
29:36Ares watched her.
29:38His eyes blinked
29:38several times.
29:39He looked at me.
29:41I nodded.
29:42Ares,
29:43you can say it's okay
29:44or you can choose not to.
29:46That's your choice.
29:48Ares thought for a moment.
29:50Lady,
29:51when you hit me,
29:53it hurt so much.
29:55Leto's body jolted.
29:57I was really,
29:58really scared.
30:00I just wanted
30:00to find my father.
30:02I wasn't doing
30:03anything bad.
30:04Leto knelt on the floor.
30:06Tears fell.
30:07This time I thought
30:08it might be real
30:09because no acting skill
30:11could fake the expression
30:12of having every pretense
30:14pierced through
30:14by a single sentence
30:15from child.
30:17I understand now.
30:19I was wrong.
30:21Ares pressed his lips together.
30:23He didn't say it's okay.
30:25He just nodded.
30:26He doesn't need
30:27to forgive anyone.
30:28I stood up.
30:29That's enough.
30:30Get up.
30:33I understand.
30:34She turned and left.
30:37After the door closed,
30:39Ares leaned against me.
30:41Mother,
30:41she really said sorry.
30:43Yes.
30:45Mom kept her promise.
30:46He shook his head
30:47and smiled.
30:48This time,
30:49the bruise on his face
30:50had almost completely faded.
30:52That very evening,
30:53Zeus found me.
30:54His voice was completely
30:56different from before.
30:57No coldness.
30:59Only exhaustion
30:59and a hollow emptiness.
31:01Hera,
31:02you won.
31:03I said nothing.
31:05A long silence.
31:06The divine separation decree.
31:08I'll sign it.
31:10I looked at him
31:11indifferently.
31:12I have one last question
31:13for you.
31:14Do you regret it?
31:16Regret what?
31:18Regret that night
31:19when you said
31:20your son deserved it.
31:21Another silence.
31:23Zeus hung his head,
31:25his eyes filled
31:25with loneliness.
31:26I regret it.
31:28But regret
31:29doesn't change anything now.
31:31The divine separation decree
31:33was signed
31:33three days later.
31:35Mother,
31:35can I have
31:36the same divine name
31:38as you?
31:39You can.
31:40What do you want
31:41to be called?
31:43Ares.
31:44Named for the warrior spirit
31:46of my grandfather,
31:47Kronos.
31:47The strongest
31:48of the Titans.
31:51And who do you want
31:53to protect
31:53with that strength?
31:55Mother,
31:56of course.
31:57I scooped him
31:58up into my arms.
32:00Then Ares it is.
32:02Half a year later,
32:03on a weekend,
32:04I took Ares
32:04to a mortal marketplace.
32:06It was his
32:07sixth name day.
32:08At the artisan's stall,
32:10he chose a
32:10winged horse figurine.
32:12While paying,
32:13I caught sight of
32:14someone standing
32:15far away,
32:16beside the
32:16grand stairway.
32:17Gray cloak.
32:19Much thinner.
32:20Zeus,
32:21he stood there
32:21watching Ares.
32:22He didn't come closer.
32:24Ares didn't see him.
32:26He was hugging
32:26the winged horse box,
32:28laughing.
32:28Mother, look!
32:30The winged horse's
32:31mouth can move.
32:32I paid and took
32:33his hand to leave.
32:34Passing by the
32:35grand stairway,
32:36I glanced at Zeus.
32:38He looked at me too.
32:39No words.
32:40He just watched
32:41Ares' small back
32:42as he ran ahead.
32:43His throat moved once.
32:45Then he turned
32:46and walked away.
32:49Mother,
32:50today was really fun.
32:52Yes.
32:54Happy Named Day.
32:56Mother,
32:58will you bring me
32:59here again?
33:00Of course.
33:01Sunlight streamed
33:02through the skylight
33:03of the marketplace,
33:04warm and golden.
33:06The breeze carried
33:07the sweet fragrance
33:08of flowers.
33:09I turned back forward
33:10and walked on
33:11with Ares.
33:12I shall not look
33:13back again,
33:14not ever again.
33:16The breeze
33:16of the sea.
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