Fortunately, the situation progressed quickly when Zeus waved his pot-sized hand, gesturing for Hera and Hermes to sit.

“Demeter, let’s hear your story then.”

Zeus himself plopped down on the edge of the fountain. I noticed dark purple stains splashing onto his white tunic, resembling wine. Somehow, my nervousness intensified.

My mother stepped forward, seemingly having waited for this moment.

“This child is the only offspring of me, Demeter.”

The moment those words ended, everyone’s gaze fixed on me. I shrugged my shoulders. Perhaps it was somewhat inappropriate behavior. But what else could I do in this situation?

“As soon as I gave birth to this child and cut the umbilical cord, the Moirai came and cursed, saying the child would grow into a young man like spring and leap into dark death. What choice does a mother have? Would I not bear any disgrace or resentment to save my child born of my womb?”

I closed my eyes. This was content I had heard so relentlessly that I could recite it like a lullaby.

“To avoid the curse, I raised the child not as a young man but as a maiden. And I protected and cared for the child so that they would not jump into even a puddle, let alone death. As time passed, the child’s discontent grew, but what could I do? Is a reckless dream called freedom worth more than a precious life? Is the safety and joy provided by Demeter sweeter than the debauchery and dangers of the world? This child doesn’t yet realize how bitter, cold, and precarious the world outside a mother’s embrace is, so they don’t appreciate the happiness a mother provides. That’s why they stubbornly insist on leaving the safety of home!”

“Hmm.”

Zeus furrowed his brows while stroking his beard.

“So you’re saying that the lovely Persephone insists on leaving your side?”

“Yes.”

My mother replied while securing a strand of fallen hair behind her ear.

“I understood my child’s wishes and proposed a compromise. I said they need not dress like a woman anymore, and could even explore the mortal world with trustworthy friends. I even promised marriage! I swore to find the most virtuous and lovable wife in all the land! But even that was rejected, and do you know where they want to go? None other than the underworld!”

My mother’s final sentence rang out almost like a wail. At that sound, Hera frowned her clear forehead. I turned my head away.

“How could my only child, whom I’ve raised with such care, say to my face that they want to go to the underworld? Zeus, don’t you also have children with whom you’ve shared blood and flesh? And you, Hera? Any parent would know how heart-wrenching it is to be resented by one’s child. I’ve endured that terrible pain, wishing only for my child’s safety. I’ve kept them safe. But how could I watch my baby walk into hell? Even if I have to bind those legs forever, even if I’m eternally despised for it, isn’t it natural to want my child to live safely?”

It was an impassioned plea, seemingly drawing blood. Anyone with ears and a heart would be moved by both her tone and the plausible content. 

I struggled to stand straight. If I crossed my legs, stood askew, or folded my arms, the gods judging my fate would add a hundred weights to my mother’s side of the scale. 

I was the only one to defend myself. I was a proud man and needed to prove it. Right now.

Zeus nodded, saying, “Ho-oh.” 

Then he immediately turned his gaze to me.

“Well, do you have nothing to say?”

It was a direct attack, without a single word of sympathy or comfort for my mother. I was so taken aback that I stared straight at Zeus. His blue eyes were smiling broadly. I couldn’t guess what he was thinking at all.

“I do.”

That sounded a bit stupid, didn’t it? It was an answer I blurted out hastily without even clearing my throat. But if I showed weakness here, everything would be over.

“Demeter has compromised quite a bit, yet you still resist.”

Hera clicked her tongue. The sacred guardian of family! 

I barely held back a retort. I almost asked if her sacred family included raising sons as daughters and keeping children caged like canaries, but I knew that wouldn’t be a wise move.

I opened my eyes as wide as possible. It was to appear both handsome and pitiful simultaneously. Then I stepped forward and opened my mouth, trying to sound as desperate as possible.

“It’s true that I want to go to the underworld. But—”

“Ah, enough. I already know what you’re going to say without hearing it.”

But before I could finish two sentences, my words were cut off. It was Zeus.

My heart felt like it would break through my ribs and jump out. I could see despair rushing in like a tsunami. Joy shone on my mother’s face. 

Like a ray of light breaking through clouds after a long rainy season, it was a belief filled with hope that everything would get better.

I couldn’t give up here. A growling sound erupted from my throat. It was a sound I never imagined I could make.

“No, you don’t know! Because none of you here has ever been forced to live as someone else, as a different gender!”

“Persephone!”

“How dare you, do you know where you are!”

When I shouted, my mother and Hera yelled simultaneously. The two goddesses didn’t look alike at all, but they were clearly sisters.

Hera rose from her long chair. Her bronze eyes shot daggers at me.

“Is it wrong that your mother tried to save you? If you think it’s wrong, we could turn you to ashes according to the prophecy right now. How insolent you are, playing around in your mother’s skirts!”

“Enough, enough!”

Zeus said.

“Stop raising your voices. Didn’t I say enough?”

Zeus cut off not only my words but Hera’s as well. Is interrupting others his hobby? Probably due to the arrogance that he could do whatever he wanted. 

I disliked him more and more.

Hera looked extremely displeased but didn’t argue back. Hermes somehow maintained a neutral attitude that didn’t offend anyone.

Cold sweat ran down my skin. The muscles at the back of my neck stiffened from tension. I stood as straight and tall as possible. With even my defense impossible now, my dignified posture was the only weapon left to me.

Zeus scratched his head. Then he let out a dramatic sigh, “Phew.”

“Come here.”

“What?”

“You. Persephone, you ill-mannered, pretty thing.”

What should I do?

Zeus was beckoning to me. Just like an uncle calling a cute nephew. It was an outrageously shameless attitude! 

His intention to ignore even the minimal duties he should bear as a father was apparent.

I steadied my breathing. I neither looked at my mother like a child nor stepped back. I thought only of what I wanted.

Let them bind me if they must. They could tie me up like a dog with ropes and stake me in Demeter’s temple yard, do whatever they wanted. 

Even the supreme god couldn’t make me a slave. He couldn’t pair me with a woman I didn’t love. Then I would really go to the underworld. Death would liberate me. 

But do gods also go to the underworld when they die? I’d find out. Anyway, I would never be able to go to the black palace while alive.

When I stood before Zeus, I was waiting for death.

But what the almighty Zeus commanded me to do was utterly bizarre!

“You, open your mouth.”

“What?”

“Open your mouth, I said. Like when you bite into lamb or an apple.”

“Are you serious?”

“Would I be joking?”

What is this? What on earth?

I forgot my solemn expression and scrunched my face in confusion. I hadn’t expected my dignity to be damaged this way. 

I reluctantly opened my mouth. Only after seeing my lips part did Zeus get up from his seat. 

Then he began examining the inside of my mouth, just like someone checking a horse or cow before buying it.

“Breathe.”

“What?”

“Exhale, I said. Go ‘hoo’!”

Things were getting stranger and stranger. I frowned endlessly, dignity be damned. Could my dignity be any more crushed? 

I blew out a breath with a “hoo,” wishing Zeus would fly far, far away.

“Hmm!”

Finally, Zeus straightened up from his leaning position. And then he burst into uproarious laughter!

“Hahaha, I’ve lived to see all sorts of things!”

He even clapped his hands with loud slaps and stomped his feet, confusing not only me but my mother as well. Even Hera and Hermes, sitting as witnesses, clearly couldn’t grasp the situation. They were unsure whether to stop Zeus or ask for an explanation.

After laughing for quite some time, Zeus wiped his tears and said in a strong voice:

“Ah, I thought you were only Demeter’s daughter, but indeed you’re my son too! Yes, yes, never letting go of a woman once you’ve set your heart on her!”

What?

“I’ve seen countless tricks men use to win women, but none as splendid as the desperate move you’ve made!”

A moment of silence fell. Even Hera, and even Hermes, looked pale, seemingly understanding something. Yet I understood nothing!

“What do you mean?”

My mother asked in a strained voice, sounding almost choked. Zeus pointed at me and chuckled.

“It means this rascal has already planted one foot in the underworld! By swallowing six pomegranate seeds from there!”