"So, how exactly do you want me to help you?"
Aphrodite asked eagerly, her face alight with anticipation.
In public, as the Goddess of Love, she possessed the divine authority to bless love and protect suitors.
Especially those loves that the mundane world cannot accommodate, branded with the label of "tragic beauty," moved Aphrodite deeply, reminding her of her own experiences with Adonis.
In private, her lover's soul was suffering in the Netherworld, awaiting the kind messenger before her to embark on a risky rescue.
This perilous journey, a matter of life and death, had to offer considerable benefits. Aphrodite herself felt a bit uneasy, fearful that Luo En might be reluctant to risk his life to save her beloved Adonis when faced with true danger.
Furthermore, if Aphrodite could help the other party succeed in seducing a chaste virgin goddess to break her vow and fall madly in love, wouldn't this just prove the power of her own charms? She could even use this to indirectly strengthen her authority over love and desire.
Under the expectant gaze of the Goddess of Love, a hint of shyness emerged on Luo En's handsome face.
"I... I wish to formally court Lady Hestia and win her heart," he said.
Aphrodite was even more pleased with such a pure response and immediately made a solemn promise.
"Good! Once you return from the Netherworld, I will have The Three Graces bathe you in my Sacred Pool myself!"
The Three Graces in Greek mythology represent the qualities of charm, elegance, and beauty. They are the daughters of Zeus and the Ocean Nymph Eurynome, entertainers of the deities bringing beauty and joy to the Mortal World. They are Aglaea, the Radiant Goddess, Thalia, the Goddess of Festivity, and Euphrosyne, the Goddess of Joy, embodying all the beauty that life has to offer.
In reality, they personify revelry, consumption, and a colorful lifestyle, the physical manifestation of human desires, the incarnations of joy in life.
Both humans and deities are inevitably influenced by the power of The Three Graces in their pursuit of life's beauty.
To be more precise, elegance or charisma represents the external manifestation of this divine authority, and it can come in different forms: for example, the charm of desire, graced by Aphrodite, has the power to attract both sexes; like the glory belonging to warriors; or the charisma of kings that can inspire respect for the law.
This "charm," integrated into the flesh and marrow, is far more enduring and stable than the transient "desires of love."
At the same time, this charm can bestow blessings upon others. For instance, the great hero Odysseus, after being washed and tended by Princess Nausicaa of Achaea, received the "charm" bestowed by Athena, making his appearance divine-like, and thereafter he was irresistible in dealings with the opposite sex.
In history, even the Great Witch Circe fell for it.
And that was just a blessing given by Athena through the hands of a mortal princess.
Now, Aphrodite decided that once Luo En's mission in the Netherworld was accomplished, she would join forces with The Three Graces under her command to bless him in the Sacred Pool in the Gulf of Paphos.
This showed the sincerity of the Goddess of Love.
Luo En couldn't help but show gratitude for Aphrodite's generous affection.
The blessing required to influence the virgin goddess Hestia clearly wasn't cheap and based on carnal lust. Aphrodite was certainly going to pay a high price this time.
Luo En estimated that according to the strength of Hestia's vow of chastity, the Power of the God of Love he could garner from Aphrodite and The Three Graces should be enough to form an incarnation.
Moreover, once Adonis was resurrected, he could use the pretext of evading pursuit from the Netherworld to persuade Aphrodite and Adonis to conceal their identities and live their own secluded life.
Then, who would take care of the conspicuous Three Graces? How could he, in good conscience, let them suffer?
A certain Crete Island scribe, inheriting the essence of the Minoan civilization and fueled by the soul of a Minotaur within, even couldn't wait to see the drama when he returned from the Netherworld.
Completely unaware that she was being manipulated, Aphrodite took the deceitful and evil Luo En as a kindred spirit in romance, even worrying about his safety.
"Although my Adonis is very important, you must also be careful..."
Luo En touched what little conscience he had left, smiled faintly, and softly reassured her,
"Don't worry, as long as you don't say anything and I don't say anything, who would ever connect the dots between Prince Adonis and myself?"
He dared to risk the Netherworld because on the surface, he had no motive for doing these things.
During his infiltration into the Netherworld, he wanted to take the opportunity to do some other things, convenient for acting alone.
This way, by mixing things up with Adonis's situation, he could protect the future Life God's life and fleece a bit from Aphrodite—it was a win-win.
Now, all was ready except for the opportunity.
Several days later, on an island near the Gulf of Paphos.
"You want to go to the Netherworld?"
Seeing Luo En seeking help again after many days, Thetis could only grimace.
The first time, he had angered the War God Ares;
The second time, he had provoked the Goddess of Discord Eris and The Furies;
And now, he was asking her for the way to the Netherworld...
Given his covert intentions, surely he wasn't planning to celebrate Hades, the God of the Underworld's birthday, right?
How come he never brought her any good news when he sought her out?