Thwack


    Ares headbutt Bellona one more time for good measure because she really deserved it as far as Ares was concerned. "I''m not above hitting a woman if she''s gorilla shaped and/or being stupid! I am incredibly angry right now but I''ve already sworn to myself once before never to raise my voice or be outwardly mad if I can avoid it. I''m simply telling you I''m not in a good mood because my otherwise jovial tone of voice might mislead you if I didn''t clarify! Bellona, you are wrong on so many accounts it physically hurt me listening to your insane ramblings. You are clearly not a thinker so my advice to you is to stop overthinking things. Before I get into any of what you just said, promise me the only thing you''ll use that head for going forward is headbutting me and utilising your quick wit to insult me! Anything else is forbidden until you can control your random, intrusive thoughts and not let them win!"


    "... But..." Bellona was rubbing the back of her head where she''d just been bruised by Ares. The bastard really hadn''t held back and made his anger abundantly apparent.


    "No buts!"


    ".... Ok?"


    "Now where do I even being with that amorphous clusterfuck of a rant you just went on?! I was NEVER ''forced'' into this relationship. Yes Enyo did threaten me but I know in my heart of hearts she would never break up with me if I put my foot down over hers. She wouldn''t have married me, definitely not, but she wouldn''t have given up on me. She would have kept trying to make me see reason until the heat death of the universe, that''s just how she is. I didn''t agree to the relationship with you because Enyo demanded it of me, that''s absurd. In a world without Enyo, or if I hadn''t met her before I met you, I assure you that you would have been my wife. I would have chased you down just as I did with Enyo. Don''t say it was ''forced'' because nothing about us screams ''arranged marriage'' to me... So if I don''t feel that way then who in this relationship does? You? Are you regretting this whole arrangement? Do you see why I''m annoyed? From my perspective, the perspective of someone who willingly opted for this partnership after some convincing, it sounds like you''re subtly telling me you want out. How could I not be angry, you damn fool?!


    And as for being related to each other, I''ve gotten over that... It wasn''t a simple matter, and I still think about it here and there, but I can handle it easily enough now so why does it still bother you? It didn''t matter much to you when you first found out, if I recall correctly. Are you bothered because you think I am? Why must you keep doing this to yourself? Everything you''ve told me comes full circle and ends up on the same idea that you think I love you less because of all these minor inconveniences. Bellona, I am going to have to fight wars for Enyo and almost definitely square up against the anti-magic God for Candy. You really think being my half sister is making things ''hard'' for me? You have been the easiest of my wives so far to love and maybe that''s why I take you for granted. I don''t avoid you, I just think to myself ''man, Bellona''s patient and I know she''ll understand if I have to fix or address another issue before I spend time with her''. If I knew this was how you felt I would have changed my approach but I''m glad I didn''t because I need to emphasise how dumb what you''re feeling right now is. You are not the issues you bring to the table, nor do I value you less because of them. Both notions are equally absurd.


    Are you my ''least favourite''? In what regard exactly? I can''t compare you to Enyo or Candy in a normal fashion because you each bring something distinct and different to the table. The way I see it, you''re like Candy if she wasn''t evil and rotten to her core. You''ve got that fun spark in you and a carefree attitude. I''ve said this before but personality wise you''re great and I don''t think either Enyo or Candy can match you in that department. If I spent the day with Enyo she would get bored and drag me home for sex eventually. If I spent the day with Candy she would probably trick me into graffitiing an orphanage or something. If I spent the day with you I would get to enjoy it to its fullest and have a good time, no strings attached, I''m sure of it. If I had to pick someone to just shoot the shit with it would be you, providing you aren''t emotionally distraught and all over the place like you are now anyway. This timid, sporadic, paranoid you is annoying because it''s both so drastically different from normal and only exists because of a silly idea that''s gone uncontested in your muddled brain way too long.


    So as for being the least favourite... Again, in what way? Overall? You want me to be honest? Currently, maybe. But so what? What you do and who you are is invaluable to me. I mean, you knew you were never going to be favoured over Enyo, that was obvious, but one other woman shows up and you automatically assume you''ll be dead last forever? Bellona, if we''d spent more time together prior to now you would still be second to Enyo. It''s not your fault you aren''t my favourite, you''ve done nothing wrong. I don''t like Candy more than I do you, it''s just that we shared a special moment together and you and I haven''t. That is literally all there is to it and nothing more. I''m not so insane I would favour a woman I''m not going to see for countless years over you right here and right now.


    Besides, being last is probably a good thing you know? If I ever look at all my wives and see a clear slacker I will do my all to raise my opinion of them however necessary. That means dedicating time and effort to fixing whatever problem is causing either a riff or me to underappreciate them. Now, for instance, I''ve realised that you have sunk to ''last place'' and I knew instantly it was my fault, not yours. I felt bad for you when I was in the pagoda so know that I haven''t forgotten you at all. It''s quite the opposite, you''re the only one of my three wives I''ve had constantly on my mind because I know that, now, you are the most important one. Going forward, whichever wife is ''the least favourite'' will only ever be as such until I''ve fixed things. Then, whoever becomes the new ''least favourite'' will be the next in line for the exact same treatment. ''Last place'', if we really must call it that, is going to be shared by everyone, other than Enyo, at some point so you''re going to have to come to terms with that. So right now you are my least favourite, yes. But you know what that means? It means right now you are the wife I know I need to love the most. You were so preoccupied being worried about whether I like you the least you failed to grasp that, in turn, you would become the most loved. Isn''t that what you were hoping for, deep down? And I''m not just trying to gaslight you or appease you in any way, I truly mean it. Right now, you have unconditional access to more of my love than even Enyo because I know she can go without it for a while. Hell she probably doesn''t even care much for it anymore now that she has eternal proof in the wedding ring, she''s probably more concerned with getting her fix of my body. The only love she wants is to make love. But she''s irrelevant right now, you are my priority and you have my full attention. The most favoured is the least loved and the least favoured is the most loved. Twisted, I know, but that''s the way I''ve decided to run this harem. Not a single one of my wives should ever feel so estranged from my emotions that they can''t feel any affection from me at all, I won''t allow it. I''d been planning on talking to you today anyway and making this clear and it seems it was the right choice to explain this to you because you obviously needed to hear it.


    And that brings me onto my final point. If you disappeared tomorrow, I don''t care if anyone else would notice, I would. It''s not even a matter of you being my wife, although obviously that does play a pretty big role in things... If any single member of this family disappeared I would stop at nothing to find them and bring them back. No ifs no buts. I don''t need to explain this point anymore than I already have because my actions would speak far louder than my words so, if you really want to test me, go run away. See how far you get before I track you down and bring you back. I have Voidwalk and Omniscience though so don''t expect to make it far before the jig is up. Bellona, there is not a single person in the household, other than maybe Leo ''cos he''s a shithead, that wouldn''t notice you being gone. Hell I disappeared this morning and Enyo knew immediately so what chance do you think you would have against her?


    I''ve been ranting for a while now and I think I''m pretty much done, is there anything you want to say? Anything left in that cranium that needs to be put out there? It''s important for you to say these things so I can respond in kind."


    Bellona silently closed her eyes and thought about everything Ares had just gone over. She was still digesting how brutally honest he was when he admitted she was his least favourite but it didn''t seem so bad when juxtaposed with the attention and care she would receive in turn. Maybe it was a good thing? When he said he loved her the most right now... That was arguably the happiest she''d ever felt in this relationship... She felt comforted knowing the delusions in her head spread no further than her mind and weren''t actually representative of reality and the way Ares truly thought. "No, I guess not. Sorry. Even when I felt agitated a part of me knew it was all groundless. I suppose I just wanted to vent for a while because I knew you''d listen and I could have your attention for a bit. It worked but now I just feel like a drama queen. And I roped Appa into this too... I can be really petty, huh?"


    "Why are you being silly again?! You are not a drama queen and you are not pett... Ok, maybe you are a bit petty, but not to the extent you think you are at least!"


    "Who you calling petty?! It''s only ok when I call myself that, jerk!" Bellona shifted around and rugby tackled Ares onto the grass. The two rolled around for a bit and the sound of giggling could be heard coming from the general direction of their friendly fracas. Their rolling and roughhousing came to a conclusion with both of them lying side by side, holding onto each other''s waists as they stared past messily strewn about hair and into the other person''s eyes.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    "You know Bellona, I like that you''re petty. I tease you because I know exactly what you''ll do afterwards and I like it. You can take the insults like a champ and I get to roll around with you. It''s nice having someone who''s easy to read and honest to their core around. I was being serious when I said you''re easy to love, I value that in you. Enyo and Candy tire me out in their own ways but I can just passively relax with you. I do have to mind your unnatural strength but you hold back so it''s not the end of the world if you choose to strike me for whatever, typically justified, reason. I like our conversations. Down to earth, no ulterior motives, and no patiently waiting to ambush me on every syllable. God knows if I say the wrong words around Enyo she''ll jump on me before I can even blink. It''s like trying not to say the word ''walk'' around a dog. Speaking of Enyo, what happened this morning after I left? I''m terribly sorry for sending Enyo your way but I really needed an out... She didn''t hassle you too much, did she?"


    "Pfft, I barely even remember. I was still half asleep when the mad woman bust into my room and brutishly dragged me out of it. I was even still hugging the damn pillow as I walked and I nearly tripped over Leo in the hallway at one point. All I heard in my ear was Enyo muttering something about how excited she was so I can kinda figure out what was going down."


    "... Yeah... I told her to go and see if you wanted to watch us. It got her out of the room but I didn''t think she would disregard you''re own say on the matter and give you no choice... In hindsight that should have been obvious, actually. And to think you didn''t even get to watch in the end. If it weren''t for Enyo''s insatiable lust having been thoroughly denied in the moment, I would think you were arguably the biggest loser in all of this. Woken up for nothing early in the morning... Beg your pardon. Would you have even wanted to watch anyway?"


    With two blushed cheeks, Bellona shrugged and tried to look casual even though she had trouble meeting Ares'' eyes. "... I guess so. I am a bit curious after everything Enyo''s told me... I want to know what to expect."


    "Hm, I don;t think that would be helpful then? The way I handle Enyo can be likened to keeping an aggressive beast tame by asserting Dominance. If I slip for even a second I know her inner succubus will jump right out and nothing can save me then. I''m only like that with Enyo because Enyo is... Well, Enyo... I''m obviously not going to treat all my wives the same way in the bedroom and if you have any preferences then I''ll be sure to go along with them. I hadn''t planned on being quite so rough with you, unless that''s what you desire of course. Do you want to be treated like a princess or do you want me to pull your hair? It''s up to you. So I wouldn''t recommend watching Enyo and I to get a feel for things, that won''t be a good point of reference. You should watch us for the fun of it and to get comfortable with seeing Enyo in that way, nothing else can be gained out of it I don''t think. Although I''m warning you now, after the international Enyo is coming for you whether you''re ready or not."


    "She''s been getting a bit more frisky and I know I can''t run away forever. It''s still so surreal seeing her act like this though. I thought I''d get used to it but I keep associating the name ''Enyo'' with that ever serious and justice-hardened face she used to wear day in, day out. Although given her whole Goddess thing I guess this is what she was normally like, it''s just that her reincarnation took a different direction and bottled it all up. Never would have guessed in a million years Enyo was someone special. She was always a prodigy but a Goddess? Only metaphorically speaking at most... Hey Ares?" Bellona leant her head against Ares'' chest and closed her eyes to rest a bit. "Do you think I''m someone special? And before you say it, because I know you will, I know you think I''m special already. That''s not what I meant. I mean... Do you think I have a bright future? Will I become a name worth remembering or will I just be tacked onto your name in the history books? I kinda want to be something more than just a footnote... The more I see you and Enyo get stronger the more I want to find my own path and become a real ''bad bitch'', you know? Like a real ass-kicker. More than I already am. I know Dominus suggested I wait until I get my revenant form but I don''t think even that will really do much for me in the grand scheme of things... Am I really destined to be your support for all eternity? I don''t mind it, I just wish there was something more I could do. Look at Enyo, she used to be primarily a defensive cultivator for Christ''s sake! She still is but she''s evolved beyond her expected role and I''m envious."


    "That''s fair, I was too." As Ares responded, he fiddled with Bellona''s hair. "Granted my reasons were a little different. I wanted to surpass Enyo again because I feel I need to fulfil my duty as head of the harem. If any of my wives have a problem and they aren''t coming to me to get it solved then what am I even really doing here? Enyo''s rapid ascent to power took me by surprise but to fall behind so suddenly doesn''t change the fact that it happened. That, and I''m a fundamental champion. Not being the strongest around doesn''t fell right, like I''m wasting my gift. Power. Raw power is the one thing destruction has going for it so if I can''t even levy that properly what good am I? I start to feel worthless if I''m not top dog because I know it''s a failure on my part to keep the wheel''s turning. There are no shortage of opportunities and I have the means to abuse them for all they''re worth so falling behind is laziness and nothing else in my eyes. Thankfully I''ve reclaimed my number one spot now though, so that''s a relief."


    "You have?! Since when?! Was it the pagoda? Damn, maybe I should go pay it a visit? It''s not going to be the drastic increase I''m looking for that defines me as a cultivator but it sounds like it''d be worth it, no?"


    "Absolutely. I was going to recommend it to pretty much everyone who''d hear me out anyway. Also, although it''s not the best way to go about this, we could spend time there together. Enyo already proved to me people can share the same floor if they want to so, if you make it to floor five, you can hang around and watch me get my ass beat. You might even learn how to efficiently do just that yourself."


    "Can you challenge it with multiple people at a time?"


    "Nope, I''m just suggesting it as a way of killing time. I''m going to be in there for a good few days so it''s the only way we''ll be able to spend any time together."


    "What if I want to challenge it myself, eh smartass? Or are you trying to subtly tell me I won''t be able to do it just ''cos you can''t?"


    "Nothing subtle about it. I''m not hinting at anything, I''m telling you it''s not possible for you. Don''t take it personally, I''m probably the only person alive in the world that can do it and even then only just about. I have enough cultivation and pressure advantages that if they were stacked on top of each other I could create a privilege mountain and even I''m struggling. Veteran, the guy on the fifth floor, is a real menace and not to be taken lightly."


    "Hmph, and what? I''m to be taken lightly?"


    Sigh


    "No, Bellona, you aren''t. Magic isn''t allowed on the fifth floor otherwise you''d probably be able to beat it yourself. I didn''t interrupt you when you were brooding earlier, but you are already an incredibly powerful person. There are very few people in your realm who could beat you in a fair fight and you are no worse than the prodigy you see in Enyo. You''ve had less chances to improve yourself than her, certainly, but all it takes is one discovery or improvement and you''ll be caught up in no time. Your magic is still the most unusual thing I''ve seen in this world so who knows what direction it might end up going in? Actually, if you really want to know, you could maybe take a sneak peek by asking Yulo. There''s no doubt in my mind you''ll have your own history books written about you, it''s just a question of what happens to you, exactly, that propels you to legendary status. Tell you what, how about you go inside and take it easy. I''ll go and pester Yulo to come pay a visit by bribing him with food and a good time and then he can read your fortune, prophesise your fate, and predict your potential. With foreknowledge that you''ll hit the big time maybe that will help take your mind of your unnecessary worries?"


    "That''d be swell." Bellona had audibly and visibly perked up and, now that she was feeling better about all of her concerns, she clamoured up Ares'' chest to his face to give him a kiss. "It''s been a while since I''ve been able to treat myself to your mouth. It really is best when sealed shut by my own."


    "Aw, but then it can''t tell you how beautiful you are."


    "I already know it. Preach to the choir, wolfie."


    "You''ll be a ''wolfie'' too one day. Technically, right now, that kind of makes you a cub. A very cute cub that keeps crying all day long until the big wolfie comes and calms it down!"


    "Oh please, I didn''t whine that much. Enyo told me about the big argument you had with her back in the hotel and I think that one was way bigger than this small little spat. Besides, I hate the thought of shouting and yelling, just seems pointless when I know I can talk to you normally and have you either change or convince me I should. I''m really glad you are who you are, Ares. Your honesty is a relief to me because I can be very trusting of people I like. You don''t sugar-coat anything but you don''t make things out to be worse than they are either. You have the silver tongue necessary to con me if you really wanted to but you were upfront about both our wrongs and I appreciate that. I don''t just love you because of your magic; you were always my type from the start, I even said it to Enyo back in the forest at one point. The magic just tipped me over the edge I was already precariously standing by the edge of. I want to make that clear because I know how it must have looked from the outside. I see your magic and two seconds later I''m head over heels?... That wasn''t how it went down, really, I swear."


    "I know Bellona, I know." Ares gave Bellona a kiss and stood up. He held out his hand to lift up Bellona who graciously accepted before giving him a light headbutt that was more of a gentle tap if anything.


    "I much prefer not hurting you when we play around so don''t give me anymore reasons to, you hear me mutt?"


    "Loud and clear, mam. Also, the feeling''s mutual. I consider myself lucky you brought up this conversation but don''t wait on it so long in the future. Always come up to me and just say what''s on your mind, it''s better that way and I know you specifically have it in you to do that. Anyway, I''m off to go pay our sect master a visit... I can only pray Rud isn''t there too... If he also decided to show up at the banquet I''m not entirely sure I could resist poisoning him for the fun of it..."