Hug Me and You'll Die

2: It's clearly a flimsy excuse for the gods to have a drinking party.

True to her expectations, with Karia's support, the Emperor and Empress agreed to bring Desmia to the Banquet of the Gods.

Once the decision was made, the Empress began to personally review Desmia's knowledge of proper etiquette and the prominent immortals in the Immortal Realm, in lieu of an official royal tutor. Studying under her mother for a month made Desmia sincerely regret warding off her previous tutors.

Her only solace was that her older siblings who empathized with her suffering began to visit her more frequently and pamper her even more than they usually did.

Although Desmia repeatedly swore that she would be on her best behaviour and conduct herself as a member of royalty would, on the day they set off for the banquet, the Empress still had to specially instruct Karia to stick closely to his sister and ensure that she wouldn't be causing any trouble.

When the members of the Underworld royal family arrived in the God of Literature's domain, they immediately commanded everyone's attention. This was a matter-of-course since they were guests that were not only extremely exalted but also ridiculously attractive, even by immortal standards.

Yet, even in this procession of peerless beauties, Desmia still managed to stand out as it was her alone who conspicuously wore a satin veil over the bottom half of her face and was supported by two maids on either side.
This was something the Empress had insisted upon in order to maintain Desmia's sickly image.

After the majority of guests had arrived, they were welcomed by the God of Literature's servants and escorted to the pavilions they would be residing in.

Inside the privacy of their pavilion, Desmia removed her veil and slightly frowned. "Isn't it more than a little discourteous of the God of Literature to not come out and personally welcome his guests?"

Karia who had been peeling fruits for sister paused momentarily to flash her a relaxed smile. "Ah, that. Well, there isn't a single god in all of the Immortal Realm who doesn't know of the God of Literature's unrestrained character, so no one really minds."

"Even so, isn't there a limit to being unrestrained?"

Karia fed his sister a piece of fruit. "It's funny that you of all people would make that statement."

Desmia gave Karia a peeved look as she munched on the fruit.

"Just be sure to not get on his bad side, little sister. After all, it's an open secret that the God of Literature was voted "worst god to offend in all of Immortal Realm" by the majority of gods at the preceding banquet."

Desmia furrowed her eyebrows as this was something her mother had also drilled into her. "I still don't understand how he won over father, the God of Destruction, and the Heavenly Emperor."

Karia fed her another piece of fruit. "Everyone agreed that because the God of Literature is so erratic, you can never tell exactly what he'll do when he's provoked."

At the side Raewynn cautiously added, "It's not my place to say this, but it's probably best that you keep your interactions with him to a minimal, princess. From what I heard, the God of Literature has been in a bad mood lately. According to his servants, he's been spending a lot of time in his library and only emerging late at night to sigh melancholically to himself. Furthermore, he seems to have lost his appetite and spends very little time sleeping."