In what was perhaps a cruel twist of fate, the maiden he was destined to spend the rest of his life with, was in love with another. They were in love.
And to make matters worse, it was the husband of his own ex-lover. A cruel twist of fate indeed.
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Corinna was many things: she was pretty, she was unfortunately awkward, and she had a terrible crush. She hadn't noticed him at first during her morning swims, but instead, she played in the water before pulling herself out, allowing her body to dry in the sun before she clothed again. Yet then, one day, just before she jumped in the river, she caught sight of a man; he was tall with a dark tan and much darker hair, and she couldn't bring herself to do anything other than stare at such an otherworldly creature who sat by the river, surrounded by daisies as he sharpened his sword.
The first thought that popped into her head was not that she should likely dress herself, nor was it that she should introduce herself to the handsome man. Instead, only thoughts of his beauty spun around her head like a halo, and she couldn't help but wonder, was this love at first sight? It must be, for why else could she not stop herself from sinking down onto the damp grass, her bare shoulder leaning against a tree as she stared at him? When his head began to turn, as though he felt being watched, she couldn't help but panic, her head whipping back behind the tree, praying to the gods that he didn't see her and yet when she finally braved turning her head and opening her eyes, all she was left to see was an empty spot, where a handsome man and his sword had once sat.
Whilst he may have been beautiful, he was not beautiful enough for her to fawn over him whilst he held a knife to her neck, a dark glare on his face. Perhaps she should have been more fearful, but she could feel in her bones that this man was special, that he wouldn't hurt her, and yet here he stood, his freshly sharpened blade pressing against her neck as he leaned against her, holding her still before he finally spoke a deep and baritone, "Who are you?"
"My name is Corinna; what about you?" She answered meekly
"Why were you staring at me, Corinna? Thinking of jokes to make fun of my scars with?"
"Why would I make fun of your scars," She whispered, her eyes falling to a particularly prominent one with a soft look on her face, "I think they're pretty."
"What?" He whispered back, shocked, even stumbling back a step and allowing his freshly carved blade to fall to the ground. It became abundantly clear that he had yet to meet a woman who didn't either scream in horror at his face or look at him in disgust.
"I just... I like scars, especially yours." She offered a small smile, feeling incredibly awkward to be stood as bare as the day she was born before a fully dressed man.
"It seems that you'll be the first..." He muttered, shifting on his feet from left to right as he clearly contemplated something. After seemingly building up courage, he spoke once again. "Would you like to come for some wine perhaps?"
He was shy, just like her, and it made her giggle, "I do wish I could, but my mother always told me to be weary of strangers."
"Did she?" He muttered, "I'm Hephaestus", offering his hand to hers, and once she gave her own, he lifted it, pressing a small kiss to her fingers.
With a small smile, she spoke, "Well, I suppose we know each other's names... That's enough for me." And with that, Corrina made her way to her recently abandoned white dress and, alongside her sandals, slid it back on before turning to face Hephaestus once again. "Where to?"
"Close your eyes; I will take us there."
When Corrina opened her eyes, she couldn't help but gaze the room in wonder, marvelling at such beautiful and expensive things he owned. "It's beautiful."
"It was my wife," Hephaestus rolled his eyes before making his way to the bell and ringing it, demanding two cups of wine to be brought as well as some bread and cheese.
"Oh," unsure how to respond, Corrina sat down on the soft velvet couch tentatively, finally taking a long sip of her wine before raising her gaze to the man once again, whose gaze was already on her. It seemed the tension in the room did nothing but rise as a beautiful woman strode in, wearing nothing but a sheer gown with a tiara on her golden locks. Corrina couldn't help but feel as though merely calling her beautiful could not quite capture her beauty.
"Is she not going to greet me?" The woman who was clearly his offended wife demanded, and Corrina stood up, unsure of how to greet her and thus instead ripping her gaze between the two taller people constantly, hoping for a little instruction or perhaps relief from such a duty.
"She doesn't know," Hephaestus hissed, glaring at his wife and despite her curious nature; she wasn't as stupid as she was made out to be. No way would she get in between a quarrel shared between a man and his wife. She didn't have a death wish. "Leave her be."
'Yes, leave me be', Corrina thought, trying to put on a face that showed her pitiful nature, and whilst it seemed to work, it definitely did not have the desired effect, for the wife began laughing loudly. Trying not to be too offended, she stood in silence and waited until the laughter died out and further instructions followed. "Have fun, my dear" She grinned, "It's about time my husband got himself a lover; if not, I may have had to gift him one of my own!" She laughed, and still, Corrina stood there in silence, gaze flicking between the pair; just what was going on?
"Apologies for my wife." He spoke almost timidly before gesturing her back to the seat she had just risen from and saying nothing; Corrina sat down like the obedient little nymph she was.
"...So, you want me to be your lover?" She asked quietly, unsurely.
"In a manner of speaking, yes. Will you?"
"Well, I wish to fall in love before I become anyone wife or lover. I hope you understand."
"I am more than happy to court you, that is, if you're okay with all this." It was clear to Corrina at that moment that he was not only gesturing to his house, and by extension, his wife, but also to himself, and Corrina couldn't help the small smile and nod she gave. So what if he happened to be married? His wife had many lovers of her own; she said so herself and Corrina was sure that her life needed some form of action, lest she jump from a cliff to make some herself.
