Hippolyta sat on the chair that symbolized power, her hand gently swirling the crystal wine glass that was already half empty.
Although her gaze fell upon Odin opposite her, her focus seemed slightly scattered.
In that instant, countless thoughts flashed through her mind like a swarm of fluttering butterflies.
About that form of address, about that child.
And…
about that corner of her own heart that she didn’t even dare to touch.
‘Sister…’ Every time I hear that little fellow call me that, what is this strange tingling sensation in my heart?
He is clearly just a seven-year-old cub, a junior thousands of years younger than me.
But looking at those eyes of his, looking at his exceptionally gifted appearance.
Even recalling that kiss last night, that moment that triggered a resonance of divine power.
The throbbing in my heart is actually stronger than any so-called hero I’ve encountered in these thousands of years.
Hippolyta’s fingers tightened slightly, her fingertips pressing small white marks onto the smooth wall of the glass.
She took a deep breath, attempting to use logic to suppress that absurd thought.
No, Hippolyta.
What are you thinking?
That is the person Diana likes, your future…
son-in-law.
Moreover, he is too young, too immature.
Although he has the potential to become a God King, right now he is still just a sapling.
This kind of feeling is wrong, it is ill-timed.
Unless…
her thoughts suddenly became somewhat wild, like a runaway horse.
Unless one day, he truly grows up.
Grown into a man who stands tall between heaven and earth, grown into a All-Father who reigns over the Nine Realms.
Possessing the kind of power that can ignore all rules and conquer everything.
If it were a version of him like that, standing before me with such a domineering, undeniable posture…
perhaps only then would I truly face these feelings?
Even…
being willing to submit?
Thinking of this, Hippolyta felt her cheeks grow slightly hot.
Forget it, I’m thinking too much.
That future is too distant and too uncertain.
The urgent priority now is to resolve the situation at hand.
It is to fix this relationship in the most stable and beneficial way.
She quickly gathered her wits, locking all those charming yet dangerous thoughts into the deepest part of her heart.
She transformed back into the dignified, wise, and composed Amazon Queen.
She lifted her eyelids, meeting Odin’s scrutinizing and searching gaze.
She didn’t dodge at all; instead, she revealed an extremely natural smile, one even carrying a few hints of maternal radiance.
“His Majesty Odin, you really love to joke.” Hippolyta’s voice was steady and soft, like a slowly flowing stream.
“Your son is so cute, and his mouth is so sweet.” “To be chased and called’sister’ by a child with amber eyes who smiles like a little Angel.” “I ask you, what woman in this World would be repulsed by that?” “Though I am a Queen, I am also a woman.” “Being praised for being young and being close to a child is itself a pleasant thing.” “As for the rest…” She paused intentionally, her gaze becoming more open.
“You are the All-Father; you should understand that sometimes a child’s intuition is often the most accurate.” “He finds me kind and thinks of me as a sister, which shows there is a fate between us.” “This doesn’t represent anything improper, does it?” These words were answered flawlessly.
It explained the issue of the address, kept her hands clean, and incidentally praised Arthas.
Even Odin, hearing this, could find no fault.
He could only nod, taking it as an acceptance of the explanation.
After all, he also felt that his son indeed possessed that kind of irresistible charm.
If he was called’sister’, then so be it; anyway, Hippolyta indeed didn’t look old.
“As for the ‘bond’ you mentioned, and the relationship between him and Diana…” Hippolyta continued, her tone becoming much more serious this time.
A trace of tender memory appeared in her eyes.
“You may not know.” “When Your Highness Arthas was first teleported to Paradise Island, the first person to find him was Diana.” “At that time, he was teleported to the seaside, and it was Diana who picked him up.” “It was also Diana who had been taking care of his daily life.” “Wiping his face, feeding him, and even…
as you just heard, accompanying him to sleep.” Hippolyta did not shy away from these details; instead, she treated them as evidence of the deep affection between the two.
“On this isolated island, for Diana, Arthas is the first member of the opposite sex to break into her life.” “He is also the first person to make her feel protective and attached.” “And for Arthas, Diana is likely the person he trusts and relies on most in this strange World.” “This affection was accumulated bit by bit through spending time together day and night.” “It happened naturally.” “Just like a seed falling into the soil and meeting rain, it will naturally sprout.” “It wasn’t deliberately guided by anyone, let alone some political calculation.” Hippolyta straightened her back and slightly raised her chin, displaying the pride of a Queen.
“Although I, Hippolyta, hope Paradise Island can have a powerful ally.” “As the Queen of the Amazons, I am not so base as to exploit my daughter’s feelings for a deal.” “Nor could I do something like forced matchmaking.” “I have also been observing.” “If Diana didn’t like him, or if Arthas didn’t have those feelings for Diana.” “Even if you gave me more benefits, I would never agree to this.” At this point, her tone softened again, carrying the specific gratification of an elder.
“However, fortunately, these two children really seem to get along.” “Although they themselves might not realize what those feelings are yet.” “Thinking they are just siblings or special playmates.” “But that look in their eyes, that state of being happy as long as they are together and miserable if separated for a moment.” “I am someone who has been through it; I see it very clearly.” “Of course, I don’t object.” “Not only do I not object, I even feel…” “If they can truly be together, that would indeed be an excellent thing.” “Whether for Diana, for Arthas, or for our two realms.” Hippolyta spoke completely openly.
There was no concealment, no playing hard to get.
She just candidly stated her attitude: I think very highly of these two children, and I am happy to see it happen.
After hearing these words, the expression on Odin’s face finally relaxed completely.
The doubts and worries that had been weighing on his heart vanished at this moment.
In their place was a sense of relief from finding a kindred spirit and reaching a consensus.
He reached out and lightly tapped the table.
It made a soft ‘pa’ sound.
“Mm.” “Good!” “Well said!” Admiration sparkled in Odin’s single eye.
“I can see these things as well.” “Just now, seeing that brat toss me, his own father, aside the moment he saw Diana.” “I knew that this brat’s heart was already occupied by someone.” “Since we’ve spoken to this extent.” “Since everyone is well aware and no one has any objections.” Odin leaned forward slightly, the decisiveness belonging to a God King fully revealed at this moment.
“Then we two adults cannot just watch and do nothing.” “Nor can we always let nature take its course.” “Sometimes, letting nature take its course is too slow.” “And it’s easy for complications to arise.” “Since the fate is here, then we should step in and give it a push.” Hippolyta understood perfectly.
The smile at the corner of her mouth grew deeper as she picked up her wine glass and took a small sip.
It was the wine of victory.
“Oh?” “Then according to Your Majesty Odin’s meaning…” “What should we do?” She was asking despite knowing the answer, waiting for Odin to personally speak that promise.
The promise she dreamed of, the one that would completely bind Diana’s future to Asgard.
Odin looked into Hippolyta’s eyes, which were filled with expectation.
Without the slightest hesitation.
Even with a sense of impatience.
“Let us set an engagement for them.” These few words, coming from the mouth of the God King who ruled the Nine Realms, carried an indisputable weight.
As if it were a declaration of fate.
“A formal, sacred, and unalterable engagement.” “Once Arthas reaches adulthood.” “Let him, in his capacity as the Crown Prince of Asgard, or even as the future God King.” “Formally marry Princess Diana.” “Let her become the goddess queen of Asgard.” “To become his partner who shares his glory and jointly rules the Nine Realms.” “I wonder what the Queen Majesty thinks?” Odin asked directly and sincerely.
This was the highest specification of promise he could give.
It was also his greatest respect for Diana and Paradise Island.
He was not only finding a wife for his son but also finding a sufficiently powerful mistress for Asgard.
And Diana, whether in terms of bloodline, strength, or personality.
She was the most perfect candidate.
Not to mention his own silly son liked her so much.
This was simply a match made in heaven.
Hippolyta heard these words.
Although she had anticipated it, her heart still couldn’t help but throb violently when she truly heard it.
goddess queen.
The goddess queen of Asgard.
This was an identity even more noble than those divine positions on Mount Olympus.
Her daughter, her most beloved Diana.
Finally had the most brilliant destination.
And it was built on the foundation of mutual affection.
She no longer had to worry that the mess of Olympus would affect Diana.
With a big tree like Odin and a potential stock like Arthas.
Diana’s future would be bright.
Hippolyta set down her wine glass.
The smile on her face blossomed to the extreme; it was a heartfelt joy as a mother.
“That is naturally for the best.” “It is also Diana’s blessing that His Majesty Odin values her so much.” “I, Hippolyta, on behalf of the Amazon tribe.” “Agree to this marriage.” Although her voice was not loud, every word was crystal clear, echoing in the hall.
“And I will also treat this as the highest-level alliance for Paradise Island.” “From now on, Diana is Arthas’s fiancée.” “Paradise Island is also Asgard’s most steadfast ally.” “Good!” Odin laughed heartily, his heroic laughter shaking the windows of the hall slightly.
He hadn’t been this happy in a long time.
Even happier than winning a battle.
This not only solved his son’s lifelong major event but also gained a powerful ally for free.
This move, this move was a win-win!
“Since it’s decided.” Odin glanced out the window at the still bright sunlight.
Suddenly, he felt the Sun today looked particularly pleasing.
“I say we shouldn’t wait for later.” “Choosing a day is not as good as happening upon one.” “Originally, I intended to leave tonight after picking up Arthas.” “But now it seems this meal of wine must be drunk.” “And it must be drunk heartily!
Drunk with festivity!” He turned his head to look at Hippolyta, light flashing in his eyes.
“Tonight’s Farewell Banquet or whatever…” “I say let’s not make it a farewell; it sounds too sad.” “Why not directly change it to an Engagement Ceremony!” “Tonight!” “Let everyone, the entire Paradise Island, and my old buddies in the sky.” “All come and bear witness!” “For these two children, let’s settle this matter once and for all!” “Make the status official!” Hippolyta was stunned for a moment.
She didn’t expect Odin to be in such a hurry.
Even more in a hurry than she was.
An engagement tonight?
This efficiency…
but on second thought, this was also good.
Avoiding long nights and many dreams.
Since everyone agreed, then strike while the iron is hot.
Give the children a surprise and give this wonderful fate the most perfect footnote.
“Since Your Majesty is in such high spirits.” Hippolyta stood up, raising the wine glass she hadn’t finished, and toasted Odin from afar.
“Then I can only risk my life to accompany a gentleman.” “Tonight, Paradise Island will host the grandest banquet in a thousand years.” “Just for this perfect pair.” “Just for this marriage.” Odin also stood up, picking up his wine glass and lightly clinking it with Hippolyta’s.
“Ding—” The crisp sound of clinking glasses was like a sacred bell.
Announcing that this engagement, sufficient to change the layout of the Nine Realms and completely change the fates of two young people, was officially reached.
“Agreed!” Odin drained his glass in one gulp, saying only one word.
But this one word was as heavy as a thousand catties.
It was the golden word of the God King, a will that could not be altered.