"I am..."
"Understood. The Goddess of Justice, Themis, one of the exalted Twelve Titans."
"Earlier..."
"Mm. For so reason, desire broke through reason's restraint and was released in a state of heightened frenzy."
Samael stroked his chin casually, adding with a crooked smile and a teasing wink.
"Everything that should've been said has been said, everything that should've been done has been done. You're not planning to go back on it now, are you?"
Themis, who had been a little flustered by the sudden turn of events, felt the last trace of unease in her heart vanish at those words.
The goddess covered her lips lightly, letting out a half-serious, half-playful laugh.
"As the guardian of order, how could I possibly trample the law? After all, under the starry sky's witness last night, we already went through the legal procedures of marriage."
Samael froze for a mont, the corner of his mouth twitching as he cursed inwardly.
Don't tell those statutes you were reciting out of nervousness sohow beca wedding vows?!
Yesterday, after Zeus had slunk away in disgrace, the ancient serpent had been cornered by Themis, whose passion—finally breaking past her vaunted rational restraint—ca pouring out unfiltered.
Until then, as the goddess of law and justice, Themis had always suppressed her emotions. No matter how much she admired her companion, she maintained strict restraint, fearing that being too casual might taint their relationship, cloud her judgnt, and ultimately affect the completion of her law code.
But yesterday's upheaval shattered those restraints. Desire surged through her, and she ended up blurting out everything she had buried deep inside, appropriate or not.
In the end, once the flas of lust ignited, everything simply followed its course.
As for the so-called "victim's" real thoughts?
Well, he was a lecher through and through. He wasn't blind either. If he didn't have so ulterior motive, why would he show up here every single day?
Still, because of the preconceptions about Themis's past marriage and his focus on restoring Tina's divinity, Samael never truly considered that the dignified goddess of justice might set her sights on him.
At most, the old rogue had been content just to admire her from afar.
To say he wasn't moved would be pure nonsense. He couldn't withstand even a little temptation.
Sure enough, once he heard her clear admission and saw her unveiled desire, he surrendered without a fight.
Yes, it's decided—Zeus struck first! Themis and I are both victims here!
The great Samael remains righteous!
After ntally whitewashing himself with a bit of self-hypnosis, the ancient serpent couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt.
At first, his half-hearted resistance might still have counted as "being forced."
But desire born from external provocation cos quickly and fades just as fast.
Once Themis had satisfied her yearning, she soon regained her usual composure and reserve.
Yet the old scoundrel quickly revealed his true nature, coaxing and demanding until the "battle" dragged on for a full day and night.
Even a Titan goddess like Themis struggled to endure such insatiable hunger. To suppress her own uncharacteristic loss of control, she resorted to reciting passages from the Twelve Tables she was drafting.
And let's not forget—when Themis first began to waver, Samael had deliberately sent that dumb mutt Cerberus to guard the door.
Such scheming was plain as day. Any ordinary person could see through Samael's bad intentions, let alone Themis once she had collected herself.
"Rember, marriage binds both parties. If you break your vows, you'll face judgnt as well."
The goddess of justice smiled faintly as she spoke, her expression tinged with playful mischief, leaving Samael unsure whether she was serious.
"Then you'd better keep your eyes open. What the law doesn't forbid is allowed—and I'm very good at exploiting loopholes."
The ancient serpent, amusent flickering in his eyes, replied half-teasing, half-serious.
"What the law doesn't forbid is allowed? An excellent rebuttal."
Themis smiled and nodded, jotting notes with absorbed focus, a trace of admiration in her expression.
Then her lips curved slightly, as though slipping back into the old ga she once shared with this companion—judge against defendant, sharp minds clashing.
"Very well. I've recorded it. Justice will deliver a fair verdict."
"But once emotions co into play, the woman presiding over the trial may not uphold justice."
Seeing the Goddess of Justice grow ever sharper, plugging loopholes one after another, Samael's face darkened.
"Tch. Should've ntioned the recusal principle earlier."
The two leaned back against the wall. At those words, they shared a laugh, the distance between them closing again, a sense of mutual recognition blooming.
"Woof!"
Just as Samael was about to linger longer, using lecture as an excuse while stealing glances at the beauty beside him, Cerberus's urgent bark rang out from outside the door, making his expression change.
Not good! Soone's coming!
Then ca the sycophantic yelps and slobbering licks. Samael, who had managed to stay calm until now, nearly lost his soul in fright.
Damn it! Tiamom's here!
Caught red-handed, the ancient serpent leapt to his feet in a panic, fumbling to tidy the scene and cover any trace.
"Ah! My house!"
"Cousin! Samael! Are you hurt? Are you alright? I'm coming in!"
At the sa ti, Daphne's wail and the rapid beat of wings grew louder. Even the goddess of justice beside him turned pale.
Bang!
The doorfra shook as a horned silhouette appeared through the collapsed section of wall.
"Stop!"
Samael instinctively raised his hand, shouting in alarm. The figure stirring up violent Ether turbulence froze just short of him.
Those verdant Earth Touches stopped less than three inches away.
That was close!
The ancient serpent exhaled in relief, stiffly raising his hand to stroke Tina's silky blue hair in reassurance.
The cross-shaped pupils reflected his familiar figure, and Tina cald, letting out a happy "AaAa" in soft syllables.
But the goddess's Larva soon furrowed her delicate brows, wrinkled her nose, and began circling Samael, as though she had caught an odd scent.
Her puzzled gaze drifted toward Themis.
"Ahem... Tina, when did you grow wings?"
Samael's face stiffened into a strained smile as he pulled Tina outside, pointing at the erald wings spreading from her back.
The little goddess imdiately babbled in response, gesturing animatedly.
"Oh... ohh, you heard the little nymph's report at Mother of Serpents's place? You got worried, and your wings just popped out in a rush?"
"No wonder you got here so quickly—you flew."
Samael nodded repeatedly, carefully steering Tina's attention elsewhere.
Tina then spread her wings proudly before him, her cross-shaped pupils gleaming, clearly waiting for praise.
"Those wings... they're beautiful... they suit you well..."
Samael gazed at the lush green wings, lips twitching as he forced out the complint.
That unsettling, almost unnatural shade of green looked as if so strange force had dyed it in.
The ancient serpent glanced past the ruined doorway toward the misty marshlands, consoling himself silently.
Green... is the color of a healthy life.
...
(50 Chapters Ahead)
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