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Olympus Year 50XXX

Inside the most secluded yet ethereal mansion, located by the far east corner of the Palace of Olympus, lived a beautiful goddess.

She was known throughout the land of Eden as the most beautiful woman, the most perfect of creature, and had the prettiest of sinful body.

Her name was Aphrodite.

It was a famous story passed throughout the entire continent that if a mortal laid eyes on her, then they would die of heartbreak. Literal heartbreak.

Their chest would constrict, their breathing became ragged, and their eyes wouldn't be blinking. At that crucial moment, one would find themselves in a land of fairytale, dreaming of her and only her, thinking of laying hands on her body.

And they would stop eating, stop bathing. They would forever be trapped in an enticing yet fragile dream. Until one day, they forgot to breath and later died.

But well, this was just an interesting story and better said- rumor. Nothing more and nothing less.

As per Zeus' instructions, Aphrodite's mansion was located very far from anyone's. It was because of her fatal beauty that he didn't wish for others to lay eyes on her.

It could very well bring troubles if other gods who were residing in the palace came to see her face then fell in love with her. It would surely create chaos if one would chase for Aphrodite's attention while another would steal her heart.

Thus, Zeus, the very ruler of the land of Eden, also known as Olympus, decided to hide her in her own crystalize mansion called the Mansion of Secret Beauty.

Aphrodite rarely walked out of her palace, she was content to just sit tight and do nothing inside her home. But after some passing time, she became tired of it. She wanted her freedom back.

So, Aphrodite always went out in secret in order to have a walk around the garden. She also sometimes went as far as to go to the mystical lake located in between the south and east border.

She loved sightseeing without anybody following her around. She would always hide her face with a veil and sometimes a silver fan.

Hephaestus' mansion was located near the south but far from the east. He always visited the south because that area was where his brother's glorious mansion was located.

Hephaestus often went to his brother's mansion which was a bit closer to the east border because he promised he would take care of the place since his brother was out at war.

In his frequent visits, he always saw the mysterious lady walking down by the lake, taking in the natural beauty around her. He fell in love with her at first sight on one occasion when she lifted her veil up to breathe in the fresh air and since then, he had had another reason of going to the south.

Hephaestus had always wanted to know who the woman was and he realized she was the famous beauty of the entire continent, goddess Aphrodite. Since then, he vowed to make her his one and only woman.

After his persistent audience with Hera, the goddess of marriage, she made a declaration to bless an engagement between him and Aphrodite. She did this without consulting with Zeus who at later time, confronted her of her reason.

Hera and Zeus came in a disagreement because of her recklessness. He told her that Aphrodite couldn't be tied down to a man who saw her face and fell in love with her at first sight. It was unacceptable because a man like that would only love her outer appearance and not her inside, just like any other men out there.

Hera couldn't take back her blessing because it was one of her magic abilities, which was very strong and potent. So, she asked for some time to undo the blessing.

During this time, Hera believed she couldn't break Hephaestus' heart so she kept silent about her discussion with Zeus.

Aphrodite learned of her sudden engagement blessing and she was shocked. She didn't take it very pleasantly because she wanted to experience falling in love with another person, not having an engagement out of the blue like this.

Aphrodite learned the hard way that many men out there only fell for her exceptional beauty. They only focused on her face and her body. There was no way they could truly appreciate her. So, Aphrodite made an oath to herself that she wouldn't fall for those who fell for her first. And of course, this oath was a form of magic that she would forever be bound to.

During the entire time of the engagement, Hephaestus often went to the east to see his fiance. But the guards surrounding the Mansion of Secret Beauty didn't let him in. It was under the order of Zeus and Hephaestus couldn't do anything about it.

Aphrodite of course, appreciated this because she also didn't want to see her own fiance. She went out more often to find true love. To find one man who wouldn't fall for her at first sight.

One year later, the blessing was finally broken. Hephaestus and Aphrodite weren't officially engaged anymore.

Hephaestus never did get to talk with Aphrodite even once throughout the year. Zeus' influence was massive and he made sure not to let Aphrodite and Hephaestus meet.

Zeus knew Hephaestus had fallen for Aphrodite at first sight so he would never let them be together. He was aware of Aphrodite's oath.

Hephaestus on the other hand, was only told about the cancellation of the blessing just after the engagement was over. He felt cheated but Hera told him it was unavoidable. She told him to move on.

Hephaestus, like any other men who saw Aphrodite and fell for her, couldn't really give up. He thought he might try a different approach and the opportunity finally presented itself on the day of the return of the god of war.

Ares, the god of war, had been out of the continent for a complete 100 years. He was the mighty commander of the entire army of Olympus. He was one hell of a god. A rumor had it that he was a very vicious, calculative, and ambitious man.

He was hard to please. He was always bad with socializing with other gods. But he was actually very tender towards his own family member. He just couldn't show it well.

But only a handful of gods and goddesses knew this, of course.