Hera couldn’tprehend the source of Minerva’s hostility, puzzled by the intense animosity directed her way. In reality, it was Minerva who had upheaved Hera’s life, leaving it in disarray. Normally, Hera would have every reason tosh out and make a scene, considering Minerva had stolen her now ex-boyfriend. However, Hera refused to stoop to such levels. She refused to dignify the situation with a public disy of anger, especially over a man who had proven so easily swayed.
Minerva’s gaze shifted sideways, a gleam of excitement dancing in her eyes as she persisted in needling Hera. "What’s the matter, speechless?" she jeered, a smug grin ying on her lips. It was as if she had already emerged victorious in her bid to tarnish Hera’s reputation, eagerly anticipating the moment when her gossip would spread throughout the university, ensuring Hera’s days would be harsh with gossip flying around.
Rather than sumbing to anger, Hera let out a chuckle, catching Minerva off guard. Hera’s response defied Minerva’s expectations yet again. Instead of erupting in fury or resorting to theatrics, Hera regarded Minerva with an amused glint in her eyes. It was as though she found the entire spectacle akin to watching a clown perform in a circus—a bemused detachment that only served to confound Minerva further.
"Would you rather see me weeping over an ex-boyfriend snatched away by a promiscuous woman who can’t seem to keep her legs shut?" Hera shot back, her grin wide yet imbued with a fierce innocence. Her demeanor was reminiscent of a yful cat, mischievous yet undeniably charming.
Upon hearing Hera’s unfiltered retort, Minerva’s features contorted into a grotesque expression. Hera’s unabashed usation struck a nerve, as she made no attempt to soften her words, directly branding Minerva as a whore. Faced with the choice of responding in anger and essentially confirming Hera’s insult, Minerva’splexion fluctuated rapidly from deep red to pallid, before flushing a furious shade of purple as rage consumed her.
Hera refused to let Minerva off the hook, recognizing that Minerva had initiated the conflict and brought the turmoil into her own domain. "You can have him," Hera persisted, her tone tinged with determination. "After all, a real man is not easily swayed by mere flings. Besides..." Hera’s gaze flicked over Minerva before she continued in a teasing manner, "The woman he chose over me hardlypares in beauty." The words carried a sense of déjà vu for Hera, reminiscent of Athena’s recounting of Minerva’s previous taunts directed at a different version of Hera—a Hera depicted as disheveled and desperate, shedding tears over Alexi and resorting to extreme measures, even sacrificing her inheritance to prove her love.
Hera’s eyes shimmered with a tinge of sorrow as she reflected, ’How the tables have turned!’ Observing Minerva’s expression stiffen in response to her words, Hera made a mental note to remember this moment vividly—the embarrassment etched on Minerva’s face, her inner turmoilid bare. It was a striking parallel to the portrayal of Hera in the novel, a stark reminder of how swiftly fortunes could reverse.
"What did you say?!" A thunderous voice reverberated from the back of the gathering crowd surrounding Minerva and Hera. The crowd instinctively parted, revealing Alexi striding towards them. Minerva’s eyes sparkled with hope as she spotted him, a sense of triumph evident in her gaze as she cast a smug nce at Hera. Alexi’s demeanor resembled that of a raging bull, poised to charge at his target. Minerva assumed he was incensed by Hera’s public humiliation, her thoughts racing with the belief that Alexi was prepared to defend her honor against Hera’s usations of promiscuity and ugliness.