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