Danmachi: My Adventure With a High Fairy Queen, Vol. 1

Crossroads: Medusa, Victim or Villain?

Fair Warning: This chapter is a little exposition heavy.

Loki's piercing gaze locked onto Bell as she caught sight of him navigating through the crowded streets of Orario. With a mischievous grin tugging at the corners of her mouth, she sauntered up to the unsuspecting adventurer. "Well, well, if it isn't the little rabbit himself," she purred, her voice dripping with a mix of amusement and suspicion.

Startled by the sudden appearance of the goddess, Bell nearly jumped out of his skin. "L-Lady Loki!" he stammered, his eyes wide with surprise. "What brings you here?"

"Oh, just out for a little stroll," Loki replied nonchalantly, circling around him like a predator sizing up its prey. Her scrutinizing gaze seemed to bore into his very soul. "Ya've been spending an awful lot of time with my precious Riveria lately, haven't you, boy?" she questioned, a hint of accusation in her tone.

Bell's face flushed a deep crimson, and he found himself at a loss for words. "I... I don't know what you mean," he managed to stammer out, his heart racing in his chest.

Loki let out a soft, mirthless chuckle. "Don't play dumb with me, kiddo. I've seen the way she looks at ya," she whispered, leaning in close until her hot breath tickled his ear. "You know, Riveria never lets me get that close to her. She's always so cold and distant, even to me, her own goddess."

Swallowing hard, Bell's mind raced as he tried to find the right words to diffuse the situation. "I-I'm sorry, Lady Loki. I didn't mean to-"

"Oh, spare me the apologies," Loki interrupted, waving her hand dismissively. "I'm not angry, just a little... jealous. I mean, who wouldn't be? Riveria is quite the catch, after all."

Bell's eyes widened in shock, completely taken aback by Loki's unexpected confession. He'd never seen this vulnerable side of the usually confident and mischievous goddess before, and it left him feeling utterly unnerved.

With a heavy sigh, Loki stepped back and folded her arms across her chest, her expression growing serious. "Listen up, kid. I know ya've got a thing for my Aiz-tan, but I'm warnin' ya now. If you even think about breakin' Riveria's heart, I'll make sure ya regret it for the rest of your miserable life."

Nodding vigorously, Bell's voice was barely above a whisper as he replied, "I understand, Lady Loki. I would never dream of hurting her."

Loki's expression softened slightly, and she reached out to ruffle his snow-white hair. "Good boy. Now, just remember - if you make her happy, I won't have to kick yer ass," she said with a playful wink, her usual mischievous smile returning to her lips.

Bell let out a breath he didn't even realize he'd been holding as Loki turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd. Despite the threat still lingering in the air, he couldn't help but feel a small sense of relief that the goddess seemed to be coming around to the idea of him dating one of her familia members.

Managing a weak smile, Bell felt his shoulders slump in relief as Loki turned to walk away. Despite her harsh words and threatening demeanor, he could sense a hint of pride in her voice. It was almost as if, deep down, she was genuinely happy for Riveria, even if she'd never openly admit it.

As Bell walked back to his familia home, he couldn't help but dwell on his encounter with Loki. Her words echoed in his mind, and he found himself wondering what exactly Riveria had told her about their relationship.

***

Lefiya's fists pounded against the sturdy oak door of the Hearthstone Manor, her voice echoing through the halls like a thunderclap. "Bell Cranel! I know you're in there! Come out!" she yelled, her tone laced with a potent mixture of anger and desperation.