Hera's Modern Life: Chapter 5

Chapter 5.

Excessive Pressure Makes One Feel On the Verge of Losing it

Hermes seemed quite interested in how to disguise himself as an innocent young lad. After enthusiastically planning his scheme to be my cousin, he swiftly flew off with the wind using his winged shoes. Throughout, he pretended not to notice my protests and anger. Yes, I am the Queen of the gods, and he should obey my commands. But Zeus's words held higher, no, perhaps the highest priority. When it came to arguments, no one could outwit Hermes. Seriously, he's the god of eloquence. Even Prometheus couldn't argue against his twisted logic, let alone me. I've never been good at arguing with people. I prefer to solve problems with violence. It's all Zeus's fault! He corrupted me. Remember how kind and gentle I was before marrying him?

"Shameless old monster, protector of thieves and liars, sneaky fly spying around, why don't you go guide the dead properly instead of causing trouble!"

I muttered curses at him as we walked. This guy and I never saw eye to eye. I've known for tens of thousands of years that Hermes isn't as innocent as he appears. Can you expect someone who stole Apollo's cattle right after being born to have a strong sense of morality? Yet Zeus doted on him, not even getting angry when he stole his own scepter.

"He's just playing a joke. Why take it so seriously?"

Every time I suggested punishing Hermes for his petty thefts, Zeus would always laugh it off and defend him. Over time, all the gods understood Zeus's favoritism towards him and they all turned a blind eye. And don't think I didn’t know Hermes has helped him with his secret rendezvous countless times. Without him, Zeus's affair wouldn't have gone so smoothly. What a pair of scheming father and son!

I never realized it before, but from a human perspective, why are all the gods so unreliable, self-centered, and extremely capricious beings who do whatever the hell they want? Reflecting on my past actions, I couldn’t help but shudder. It seems so. Back then, didn't I also treat humans like dirt, doing whatever I pleased with them? That poor girl, what was her name, Antigone? Just because she boasted in front of me, I ruthlessly took revenge on her. My goodness, I was such a terrifying woman back then. No wonder a bunch of Amazonian warriors worshiped me as their guardian goddess.

When I think about it carefully, except for Hephaestus, even my own children weren't keen on getting close to me. They preferred the company of other gentle goddesses. So every time Zeus found a new lover, I was always the last to know. The pain of being betrayed by my husband, combined with the anger of being deceived by my children, made me feel like, as the queen of the gods, a menopausal woman in a rage.

The more I thought about it, the more depressed I became. I swore never to return to Mount Olympus. It would completely ruin my peaceful life as Han Xiaole!

Dejected, I returned to the hotel where we were staying. Wang Li had already finished her breakfast and was sitting on the balcony drinking juice. I had confused her memory a bit, so she no longer remembered those crazy talks about marriage and bigamy. Instead, she smirked and raised her glass to me.

"Hey, you're back so soon. Couldn't stand that blond hunk?"

"Pah, don't compare someone as pure as me to a thirsty woman like you. Nothing happened at all. I just told him to get lost."

I collapsed wearily onto the couch, feeling like my future life was going to be a nightmare.

"We've been out for nearly half a month. Shouldn't we be heading back soon?"

After lying quietly for a while, I spoke. Wang Li threw the magazine aside, looking at me in disbelief.

"What's wrong with you? You've been dreaming of going to Greece since elementary school. Now that you finally made it, don't you think it's a waste not to enjoy it fully? Our plan was to stay for a month."

I twisted a strand of hair around my finger irritably. I couldn't tell my best friend the truth. Yes, I've always had a special love for Greece since I was a child, probably because I often dreamed of the azure sea and white stone temples. Back then, I foolishly fantasized that maybe I was a Greek in my past life. Who would've thought it'd come true? If I were to tell Wang Li now, with a grin, "Hey, guess what? Your friend of over a decade is actually a goddess! She got married long ago and even has four kids!", she'd probably laugh so hard she'd spill her juice all over and slap me on my head, saying, "Those comics you’ve been reading are making you dumb."

"Hey, Xiaole, about that handsome guy just now... you're not being stupid and thinking about doing something with him, are you?"

Wang Li tentatively asked, and it took me at least a minute to realize what she meant. I immediately glared at her in anger.

"I told you, I don't know him! How could I do something to betray Dong Zi? We're about to get married!"

"That's good then. Dong Zi is a rare good man. Don't let yourself be fooled by looks, it's not worth it.” Wang Li breathed a sigh of relief and propping her legs on the coffee table. “Playing around with a handsome guy is fine, but for a husband, it's better to have someone reliable and gentle. Looks are just secondary. Besides, Dong Zi isn't bad-looking. Comparing him to those extraordinary beauties will just cause yourself unnecessary troubles."

My mouth twitched a few times in vain. Even as a goddess who has lived for thousands of years, I wasn't as insightful as a young human woman when I got married. Despite knowing what kind of scoundrel Zeus was, I still married him in a daze. If I could turn back time, I'd rather marry Hades—even though he doesn't seem interested in me...

"Dong Zi is so great. Hey, Xiaole, if you don't want him, remember to leave him for me," Wang Li joked, always thinking that Dong Zi was the best man in the world. She often teased me about snatching him away. But I firmly believed she wouldn't do that. Even though she's just a human, even though she can't fly or shoot lightning bolts, I always think she's more honest than many goddesses.

"Sigh."

Thinking about what Hermes might do, I felt a headache coming on. I buried my face deeply in the sofa cushion. Now that I'm a goddess, I am capable of doing anything. But why do I feel so burdened instead of happy?

"Where should we visit today? The Parthenon?"

Wang Li picked up a travel guide and flipped through a few pages casually. Perhaps she mistook her good friend's strange behavior for pre-wedding jitters.

"No way, who wants to see that woman's temple?"

I bit my lip and said bitterly. Athena and I have always been at odds with each other. We've clashed openly and secretly, and just thinking about her makes me unhappy.

Wang Li looked at me strangely, about to say something, but she didn't get the chance because the door, which had been closed securely, was suddenly pushed open with a bang. Three young girls rushed in together. When they saw me lying on the sofa, they all exclaimed in unison.

"Hera, why are you still here! Come back with us quickly!"

"Oiasis, Charis, Iris?"

I immediately recognized these three girls, who looked no older than eighteen, as the three goddesses who used to follow me around all the time. Although they were dressed in human clothes, their faces hadn't changed at all. Especially Iris, her curly hair was still as messy as ever.

"Who are you? Did you come to the wrong person?"

Wang Li couldn't understand Greek and stood up in shock. Before I could say anything, Oiasis, the most impatient one, blew a breath towards her. Instantly, Wang Li fell silently onto the rug, fast asleep.

"Oiasis!"

I yelled at her, then hurriedly picked up Wang Li and laid her on the bed. It felt too strange to do such things to my good friend. I didn't want to alter her memory or use my divine power on her. Oiasis was taken aback, and asked timidly, "Hera?"

"Don't let me see you do that to anyone around me again."

Still angry, I said with a stern face.

"That's just a human, I didn't do anything to her. I just borrowed a bit of sleep-inducing wind from Hypnos..." Oiasis pouted, speaking softly. These three goddesses had been spoiled by me, reckless and willful, doing whatever they pleased. Looking at them made my head ache.

"Why aren't you staying on Mount Olympus? What are you doing down here?"

"Hera, aren't you worried at all? Zeus is furious, he's been cursing your name and gnashing his teeth. Even his favorite, Ganymede, got scolded by him. If you don't go back soon, maybe he'll stop loving you and take back your crown as the queen of the gods!"

Charis stamped her foot, anxiously saying. She even tried pulling on my arm, though she definitely couldn't move me.

"Oh, that's fine then. Let him make a fuss by himself."

I said nonchalantly.

They stared at me as if I were crazy. Although Han Xiaole had been living in the mortal world for twenty-six years, for immortals, twenty-six years was just a fleeting moment. I used to be so careful and fearful in order to please Zeus. No wonder they think I've gone mad.

"Hera, are rumors true? Are you not in love with Zeus anymore?"

Oiasis hesitated to ask.

"I don't want to answer that question."

Impatiently, I urged them to leave. I didn't want my life to be filled with various gods: "Go back quickly. What happens between me and him is none of your business. Do whatever you want, but don't go causing trouble with Aphrodite and the others. Now that I'm not there, no one can help you if something goes wrong."

"But I just can't stand seeing her and Ares flirting with each other, even though she's married to Hephaestus." Iris and Hephaestus grew up together like siblings, and she didn't like Aphrodite's behavior.

"Let it go. Zeus forced her to marry Hephaestus in the first place, so it's understandable she's unhappy. Besides, she's the most beautiful and elegant goddess. She must be very unhappy living with my ugly son.”

"What's she so proud of, being born from castrated blood, hmph!"

When it comes to Aphrodite, almost all the goddesses are sour. I didn't want to waste time talking to these children who have been alive for thousands of years but still have the mental capacity as children. I pushed open the door and chased them all out.

"Don't come looking for me again, unless you receive a summons. I don't want to see anyone from Mount Olympus. Let Zeus rage as he pleases, there will be many gentle goddesses to comfort his wounded soul."

After saying that, I wanted to close the door, but Iris held the door firmly.

"But Hephaestus seems to have quietly come down to find you, Hera. He's been so worried about you since you were exiled. I reckon he's almost here, hahaha! Now that there's no one to repair weapons and armor, let's see what those who usually look down on him will do!"

"Oh no!"

I covered my face in despair. It's not that I dislike Hephaestus. I have always had a special affection and guilt for him. However, the problem is, that guy's a mama's boy!

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