It was obvious that this goddess Artemis, who showed an innocent and pure smile, could not detect the slight resentment in Jason's eyes at this moment.
After all, this was a goddess who could maintain a pure smile while saying she wanted to hide Jason away, monopolize him, and play with him for hundreds of years.
Moreover, Artemis meant what she said, and she did not think there was anything wrong with it in her heart.
After all, she was a goddess, and furthermore, she was Artemis, the most pampered among the Olympian gods by King Zeus. She only needed to reach out her hand to obtain everything.
Even in the eyes of others, for Artemis to come before Jason, this mortal, and show him such a beautiful smile while extending an invitation to him, it should be Jason's supreme honor.
"Um, Lady Artemis."
In the hall of the lord of the underworld's divine palace, Jason hesitated for a good while before showing a look of apology and saying softly to Artemis, "I am truly grateful for your favor, but right now I need to play music for the gods, so..."
It was clear that Jason, who did not want to accept his fate, ultimately chose to struggle anyway.
And his reason was perfectly reasonable; even the gods could not find fault with it.
The stage in the lord of the underworld's wedding hall right now, and even everything that had happened today, all the things that had shocked the gods, had been arranged and personally handled by Jason, this mortal.
"It is fine."
And at that moment, a god who was beyond Jason's expectations came over. Jason had originally thought it would be Athena coming to stir things up.
What he did not expect was that it was actually the god of light, Apollo!
"You must be tired after working all day today, child." The most handsome male god, Apollo, smiled at Jason and said softly to him, "Moreover, since you have shown us such a wonderful tribute, of course you have the right to enjoy it alongside us.
Hand over the seven-stringed lyre in your hand to me for now, and go enjoy this dance properly."
No, I do not want to enjoy it. This is not enjoyment at all!
I just want to hide in the corner playing the lyre, quiet and safe!
Jason shouted this in his heart, but naturally, not a trace of it showed on his face.
"Lord Apollo, your playing is exquisitely beautiful. I cannot even compare to one-tenth of you, so actually I should not continue to show off in front of you. However, I hope that you, Lord Apollo, and Goddess Artemis can bear with me a little today."
As Jason spoke, under their puzzled gazes, he lowered his head in feigned shame, as if it was extremely hard for him to say it. His face slightly flushed as he whispered softly, "Um, that is, well... actually, I do not know how to dance."
Seeing this, Apollo was momentarily stunned and then could not help but laugh.
Artemis, seeing Jason's adorable appearance, also laughed.
The gods who were observing the situation here, such as Queen Hera and Sea Queen Amphitrite, could not help but laugh as well, thinking that this child was just too cute.
Only Hecate, Athena, and the shrewd Hermes did not laugh. They all understood in their hearts that Jason was not lying; he truly did not know how to dance.
But this did not mean he was stupid or unable to learn. It was more likely that he had never learned it at all, and had deliberately avoided learning it, probably for exactly this kind of situation!
This kid.
The wise centaur Chiron, who naturally witnessed this scene as well, showed a wry smile.
As Jason's initial teacher, and the one who had taught him ancient Greek etiquette, it was impossible for Chiron not to have considered teaching Jason to dance.
But Jason had strictly refused it back then, and Chiron had not understood why at the time.
Now he naturally understood.
This kind of foresight and caution could only be said to be just like you, Jason!
Jason's preparations had always been thorough, and as he became more familiar with the gods, his responses grew increasingly adept.
By showing such a cute and pitiable appearance, he instantly aroused the protective instincts of figures like Hestia, the eldest sister of the gods, and Queen Hera.
"Alright, alright."
Hestia walked over and pulled Artemis along, saying, "Do not make things difficult for this child anymore. Look at how shy he has become."
"Yes, look at how his face has turned completely red."
Hera also walked over and said this.
It was clear that Jason's plan had succeeded.
With just a few words, he had dodged a massive crisis without incurring the gods' displeasure. He had not even had to voice the refusal himself.
And hearing this, Artemis naturally wavered as well.
So just as she was regretfully about to give up in her heart...
"This will not do."
A situation that made Jason's heart skip half a beat appeared.
Athena walked over, a stunning smile on her face.
But at this moment, that smile felt no different from a demon's grin in Jason's heart.
Athena, her penchant for mischief was quite severe.
Especially toward this Jason.
It was as if she had awakened some outrageous attribute; for a long time now, she had enjoyed teasing Jason in all sorts of ways.
And she would secretly laugh based on Jason's reactions.
However, she truly loved Jason as well, and had never given up on snatching him from Hecate's side to make him her own child.
Speaking of which, that lap pillow thing had been a good start from her.
Therefore, as Jason watched Athena approach, his body could not help but tremble slightly.
This subtle reaction was fully captured in Athena's eyes, so the smile on her face grew even brighter.
"This will not do. Hestia, you all are too indulgent with this child."
What are you saying, you goddess?
Hestia, Apollo, and the others all looked at Athena with very subtle gazes upon hearing this.
After all, when it came to indulgence, who did not know that Athena was the most biased one?
Not to mention anything else, the white clothes Jason was wearing, or how she immediately helped make the wedding dress the moment Jason said something, helping here and there.
You, Athena, are like this, and yet you dare to say others are spoiling the child?
Athena ignored their silent gazes and smiled at Artemis, saying, "This child does seem to truly not know how to dance. But precisely because of that, we should be the ones to teach him!"
"Hm?" Artemis blinked her eyes.
"Because if we do not teach this child, will he not always unable to remain to dance, with no chance to learn? So at a time like this, we need to be a bit strict while also showing our tolerance as goddesses. Do you not think I am right?"
Artemis fell silent and pondered this upon hearing it.
After a moment, Artemis's eyes lit up, and so did Hestia's and the others'.
It was clear that they were moved.
Moreover, this was a great opportunity to show off in front of the child!
"Athena is right!" Artemis became delighted, clapped her hands, and then reached out to grab the hand of Jason, whose eyes showed a trace of despair.
She eagerly pulled him toward the stage, saying, "Let us go dance! It is fine if you do not know how, because I will patiently teach you!"
As she spoke, Artemis snatched the seven-stringed lyre from Jason's arms and tossed it to the god of light, Apollo.
In this way, Jason finally gave up his last bit of struggle.
And he cast an extremely resentful gaze toward Athena, subtle though it was.
This made Athena laugh so hard that she could not straighten her waist for a while.
At the same time, whether intentionally or not, with just a few words, the implication of the invitation to Jason changed because of Athena's speech.
Inviting the child to dance with her now turned into leading the child to learn dancing.
Although it seemed similar on the surface, the meanings were actually quite different.
At least, in this way, no matter how many people or goddesses Jason danced with, certain people's jars of jealousy would not be overturned because of it.
What followed was that, faced with this situation, the helpless Jason in his heart could only earnestly follow the goddesses in dancing and learning the steps.
A simple dance ended without much issue. Aside from stepping on Artemis's feet a few times, Jason's clumsy appearance not only did not anger Artemis but instead made her laugh nonstop.
It was just that as Artemis was still not satisfied and wanted to go again...
"No can do. Artemis, you cannot monopolize him!"
Hestia walked over and took Artemis's place.
And after Hestia took the lead, Queen Hera, Sea Queen Amphitrite, and even later, King Zeus and Hermes came to invite Jason.
Two or three hours later, even Jason felt his legs going weak.
Just as he wanted to use this as an excuse to rest for a bit...
Hephaestus, sitting in his wheelchair, came before Jason.
So what could Jason do? He could only grit his teeth and go along with it.
In the end, aside from Lord Hades and Queen Persephone who had left for their marriage, Jason danced one dance with each of these main Olympian gods.
Male gods and female gods alike, without exception.
On the stage after the lord of the underworld and his queen's wedding, he learned dancing from the gods. This event would surely be witnessed by those mortal heroes and spread back to the surface world, publicized far and wide!
And as the final wrap-up to this matter, that would naturally be...
"Hee hee hee. Little Jason, is there something on my face? Why have you been staring at me like that?"
Her stunning visage, with her lips curved upward.
Athena's golden eyes held an unconcealable amusement.
"Goddess Athena, I am so tired right now." Jason opened his mouth, hesitated for a good while as if wanting to say more, but ultimately could only say this to her.
Too tired.
In every sense.
Ah, world, just end it all!
A goddess aside, could you imagine the emotional turmoil in his heart while dancing with King Zeus, Sea Emperor Poseidon, and the others?
At that time, Jason truly did not dare to move. He absolutely did not dare!
And all of this was thanks to the Athena right before him!
"Pfft, hee hee. Alright, alright. Do not look at me with such a resentful gaze anymore. Be good, and after you dance with me, you can rest."
Athena reached out and gently touched Jason's cheek, coaxing him.
"Moreover, to be honest, this is actually your fault first, little Jason."
Jason looked at Athena in confusion.
"Because you refused first.
I was actually looking forward to Jason coming to invite me, to dance with me."
As Athena spoke, she leaned a bit closer into Jason's embrace.
And now, after several hours of the gods' collective efforts, Jason had already learned to dance.
Therefore, Athena happily reaped the fruit she had long anticipated in the end...
...
"I told you to be more careful."
Not far away, Hecate in her black attire watched the scene on the stage. Rather than saying it was Jason, as the male partner, holding Athena while dancing, it was more like Athena had him completely in her grasp, with no way for him to escape. Hecate could not help but shake her head.
Although she had not heard what Athena said to Jason, based on Jason's reaction and Athena's delighted expression, Hecate could naturally guess the outcome.
Then Hecate turned her head and cast her gaze toward a scene on the stage that concerned her immensely.
Disguised as a white-haired, bewitching goddess in a cheongsam, the ancestor of all monsters Typhon was dancing on the stage with King of the Gods Zeus, who had a lecherous, piggish look on his face...