As Vac looked at her in awe upon hearing her words, Morta immediately took to her knees with her head bowed low while pushing her grandson’s head down at the same time.

‘Jeez, granny. Ease up on me here.’

Vesta smiled gently at the woman who looked older than she was, though the reality was she was far older.

“Rise, Morta Venti. You are an interesting individual, and have lived an impressive life, you have no need to bow to me. I care not for human formality. You may speak normally.”

As Morta let go of Vac’s head and slowly rose up, she said, “Thank you, my Lady.”

Vac rubbed his head as he got up with her.

‘I know granny was a ‘fan’ of Vesta despite being a follower of Jupiter for some reason, but jeez.’

He then asked, “Um, how exactly are you here, Lady Vesta? And I have a favor to ask, if I may.”

Vesta gestured to the chairs, inviting them to sit, and then said, “My reasons for being here are not for you to know, right now, that is. As for your favor, I think I know. You'd like me to teach you, wouldn't you? I presume Ceres suggested the idea. She's always one to favor bold ideas and people. Well, as far from my strongest as I am, teaching you is simple enough. But a god's time shan't come for cheap. A god's favor must be earned.”

Vac nodded and asked, “And what is it I can do for you, Lady Vesta?”

She tilted her head as she looked him in the eyes. Her gazed unnerved him, it felt like she was seeing straight through him. After a pause, she answered, “We'll leave that for later. First, I'd like to have a conversation with you, Vacuus Venti, alone.”

It was phrased like a request, but felt more like an order. Bellerophon nodded and walked out, and Morta followed close behind, a look of awe still on her face.

After they left, Vesta turned to Vac and asked, “What exactly is your goal?”

The question caught him off guard, but he did his best to answer.

“Um, I guess I'd like to protect those I care about, like my grandma. Lady Ceres also indicated that something was going on with Medea, and she's my friend so I'd like to know about that. And I guess I'd like to take care of my home as well?”

Vesta chuckled and responded, “How interesting. Your ‘home’, you say. What exactly are you referring to when you say that, I wonder?”

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

In a confused voice, Vac answered, “Uh, Aeolia, you know, where I'm from. My home.”

She shook her head and said, “Ah, but which Aeolia are you trying to protect, to maintain? The one you grew up in, the one run by the Romans, filled with toxic gas?”

“No, of course not! The Romans are gone now, and so is a lot of the toxic gas. The goal is to bring it back to what it used to be.”

“But you've never experienced that version of Aeolia, have you? Can you really say you want to protect something that only exists in your imagination? And how do you truly know that's the ‘home’ you seek?”

Vac frowned in annoyance and said, “Forgive me, my Lady but what exactly is the purpose of this?”

She smiled enigmatically and answered, “I am the goddess of the hearth. Effectively, I have two main domains. The flame, and the home. So tell me, Vacuus Venti, where is your home, truly? And after all you've experienced, and all that it is to come, do you think you'll still consider Aeolia to be your home?”

“I… I don't know. All I know is that I need to move forward.”

She smiled wider and nodded in approval.

“Well said. But do think on what I've said, Vacuus Venti. I do find it curious how sometimes you humans lose sight of your own self, your own goals in the process of moving forward, as you say. That is not something we gods are capable of. Now, as for your favor, I task you with this. Stay in this city, and spend time with the gangs here. Have Bellerophon lead you to Haterius. Pay close attention to this place, Vacuus Venti. For if you do, you will grow to understand the answer to what I've asked you. At the end of each day, come to me, and I shall teach you. Within nine days, you shall have mastered my powers, if you’ve observed and listened carefully that is.”

‘What exactly is this place supposed to teach me? It reminds me of the Aeolia I lived in, and it doesn't exactly have the excuse of being run by the Romans.’

But he simply nodded and said, “As you say, Lady Vesta."

Medea had to admit, she was surprised by King Pyrrhus’s response. While she'd talked a big game to Vac, she had been expecting some punishment. After all, she wasn't even his daughter, and punishing her would've highlighted the ‘meritocracy’ he'd built a reputation on. But instead he simply pulled her aside and said in a stern voice, “It seems you aren't ready to take on the burden of the throne. For the time being, you will be confined to your room. Take the time to reflect and realize what your true place is.”

‘What would he know of my place?’

While his words had stung unexpectedly, there was also a strange sort of acceptance. If she was being honest with herself, she didn't particularly seek the throne. There were aspects of her role as the princess of Sicily she enjoyed, but more than anything it was merely the place she was born into. Ultimately, what carried her through it was her sense of responsibility.

As she sat alone in her grand but ultimately empty room, she began to turn her thoughts to Vac, as she thought about what she'd seen then. She'd seen a winged horse of some sort descend rapidly around where Vac had been, and then climb back up with multiple figures on board. And she'd also seen the airship rise not long after.

‘That was Bellerophon, the one Vac mentioned earlier. I thought he was exaggerating, but it seems like it was true. I did hear the rumors of a warrior riding a winged horse, but it's still surprising. But the bigger question is why he showed up. Did Vac change his mind and choose not to go? That makes sense for him. I never felt like he belonged up there. Of course, I can't say he fully belonged here either, as much as I wanted him to.’

With a sigh, she flopped back onto the bed, and gave a silent prayer to Ceres to protect him.

‘Please, if he is still down here, let him be safe. And help me find a path where we don't have to fight.’