If shamelessness were to be graded, Hera thought, Zeus would be the mightiest of the Primordial Gods, even comparable to the world itself.
"...Now that you know, I won't hide it from you. Hera, it is as you know, Leto bore me children, but it's irreversible. The Divine King's firstborn is no nobler than the other gods; he cannot inherit anything of mine, and you have no reason to be infuriated about this."
As if he hadn't heard Hera's sarcasm, Zeus smiled, took Hera's hand despite her objections.
"Leto can't compare to you; you are the most noble woman in this world. I was willing to share my authority with you before, and soon I will declare you again, to be above the Pantheon gods, equal in status to me, a distinction that is yours alone."
Slightly surprised, she stopped struggling. Hera had expected Zeus to utter more sweet nothings, but she didn't anticipate such a promise from him.
"Yes, it's a plan I've had for a long time."
"As I've said, the ranks among the Pantheon gods were originally undistinguished, even for the son of the Divine King; everyone followed the ancient rules, dividing ranks by their own power, but this is wrong. It should not be deities holding power for status, but gods granted status by the Divine King should have power equal to their status. That's the true expression of power."
He looked earnest, at least in that moment, Zeus's words seemed sincere.
"I will establish twelve Principal Gods, higher than all others, to rule the Mortal Realm with me. And you, you will be the one equal to me."
"...So you say, are you using this method to placate me? It seems you really are fond of Leto."
She spoke with irony again, but now, Hera's anger had subsided. Zeus was willing to share authority with her, and now was willing to make their status equal. Although she knew that nominal equality didn't mean true equivalence, it still made her feel his intentions.
More importantly, Leto was no ordinary being, not even a territorial god—for these, the Heavenly Empress could genuinely seek revenge. But as a True God, Leto was immortal, and whatever Hera did wouldn't really matter in the grand scheme.
Still, to prevent any future transgressions, Hera was not ready to let things slide easily. She was about to recount Zeus's 'glorious feats,' but in the next moment, his words made her think she had heard wrong.
"No, I don't want you to just let things be. On the contrary, you can send someone to attack Leto and that child in a few years."
His expression calm, he spoke indifferently as he looked at Hera's astonished face:
"But the attack will only be temporary... After that, I want you to send that attacker to Delphi. It harmed my offspring, so it must be killed by him in front of the temple of the gods. But one way or another, you will have vented your anger, will you not?"
Somewhat speechless, Hera didn't expect Zeus to make such a decision. Although she had previously disliked Leto, she felt a momentary pity for her.
A wrong choice leading to a wrong fate, that's the sad fate of the Goddess of Nursery. But that was only for a moment; the Heavenly Empress quickly came to her senses.
Whatever happened to others was their affair and had nothing to do with her. Besides, those who wreck other people's marriages deserved such an outcome.
"This is your saying, Zeus, so don't you regret it later."
Pulling her hand away, Hera snorted and walked away. But from the sound of her footsteps, it was clear she was much happier than when she had arrived.
"Of course, how could she compare to you, Hera? You are the Heavenly Empress, my only one."
Behind her, watching the Heavenly Empress's retreating figure, Zeus stood silently for a while. Once Hera had vanished, he returned to his Divine Palace.
Sitting on his own couch, Zeus reached out, taking the Scepter of the Divine King. This Divine Artifact, set with three gemstones, still seemed so feeble, as if testifying to the weak authority of the third-generation Divine King.
Compared to his own Kingship, the Divine King indeed cared less about Leto. Or rather, his relationship with Leto wasn't even born out of affection, so he didn't have feelings of love for her. But his proposal today had other reasons.
He didn't tell Hera the whole truth because she still carried another unborn Divine Child. If he had told her, Hera would have insisted that the opportunity be given to her child, but Zeus didn't want to wait.
Once Apollo grew up, and in front of the Oracle of Delphi where the pantheon's power resided, he would proclaim his existence and receive the power given by Zeus. When Zeus brought him back to Mount of the Gods in front of all the gods in the grandest manner and married him to the most beautiful goddess, even if Apollo had resentment towards his father, it would vanish like smoke in thin air.
With this opportunity, Zeus could also announce his plan to establish twelve Principal Gods and then turn that subsequent coronation ceremony into part of the ritual, securing half of his Kingship.
"I really appreciate your sacrifices... But in this world, it's still the unscrupulous that live the best," he murmured softly. At that moment, the colossal shadow that once cast infinite dread in Zeus's mind seemed to quiver. That 'Father God,' who once drove him to despair, didn't seem so distant now.
"Father God... I wonder where you are now. Dead? I don't believe it."
"But no matter where you've gone, as long as I rule this world, I will find you. Then I'll tell you that not only have I learned what you taught me well, but I'll also return it to you."
"And Gaia... Mother of All Gods, every change in the Divine King involved you. Since you're so restless, use yourself as my first stepping stone."
Kingship is about obedience, whether it's the twelve Principal Gods or other subordinate deities; as long as they revere him, it will further strengthen the power of the Divine King.
Now, Zeus no longer feared the awakening of his grandmother. Perhaps her awakening was even a good thing.
As time flowed like water, and the Mortal Realm remained uneventful, time hurriedly passed since the birth of Apollo and Artemis.