After dinner, we moved to the sitting room. The maid brought everyone tea, cookies, and cakes. Mom and the women ate them and gossiped. I usually try to keep an ear out, but I was just so exhausted.
"Are you ok?" Coeus asked, looking a bit smug, "Maybe the underworld is a bit too much for you."
"Yes, uncle, just around this time of day, I get a bit exhausted." I smiled as I could feel their eyes boring into me, making me squirm inside.
"Why is that?" Iapetus asked.
"It's dusk," I replied, thinking that would clear it up.
"What does that have to do with anything," Coeus snapped.
"I'm the titan of dusk. It uses my power to change." I replied with a smile, thinking how much of a jerk he was.
"I see. I know Eos has to actually pull the light across the sky, so I assume you do the same." Hyperion replied, taking a sip of his tea.
"Yeah, I get off lucky." I agreed with a fake smile.
"You know, next time, I would like to introduce you to Eos; maybe she can show you a thing or two about your job," Hyperion said down to me.
"I would love to meet her. Maybe I could show her how to work smarter, not harder." I replied, still keeping my voice even.
"I'll tell her to message you tomorrow," Hyperion stated, to which I thanked him.
"How I wish my kids wouldn't betray me so I could have my daughter to talk to you. I think you would be a wonderful son-in-law." Cronus stated, which made my uncles agree bitterly.
I could see my dad smiling and nodding his head at me in approval. I decided right then that I wouldn't use my kids as stepping stones to better my position. I would be a good father. He wouldn't even let my brothers join tonight. I didn't even know where they were.
"Thank you for your praise." I smiled, showing my appreciation.
Cronus started telling Dad he didn't know what he did, but I really turned over a new leaf this past year. Dad made up a bunch of lies about how he made me study and work hard, which Cronus ate up. I keep my face neutral, not wanting to give my true emotions away.
"Father, why don't we take them to our hot springs? Maybe we can show Coeus how to make them. I bet it would be so nice up north." I suggested, to which Dad agreed wholeheartedly. He asked the women if they wanted to join, telling them the benefits. They were ready the moment he said good for the skin.
We were at the cave about a mile from the house. We headed down with excited mutters. We had the cave lit up with torches that lit up as you walked by. Around a hundred and fifty feet, the cave split into two. Mom took the women to the right, and the men went to the left.
We head down the tunnel until we reach a large pool with steam coming off of it. To the left were changing rooms, and to the right were tables that were filled with drinks and snacks. The back side opened with the waterfall running.
They were talking about how it was so nice while Coeus was talking about how this would be nice in his domain, so he and Dad started talking about making it.
While they did that, the rest of us got undressed and went into the hot spring. For a long moment, we didn't speak, then Cronus started talking about the state of the world and how it seems more people every day seem to want to release his kids. I sank to my neck as the others thought about it. I could feel Cronus looking at me.
"Make an example out of them. Don't make their death swift and painless." I replied silently, apologizing to anyone who got caught.
"How?" Hyperion asked, looking at me.
"It's mainly humans, right?" I asked to which Cronus agreed.
"Let Iapetus have them. He gives off mortality vibes, and to be honest, the fear of pain and torture is worse than death. Since I'm taking over the underworld, I can further their suffering." I suggest feeling awful, but I must play my part.
"That's diabolical," Iapetus stated, agreeing with my inner thoughts.
"I think that's a wonderful idea. Let's do that." Cronus smiled as if i suggested we drink tea.
Iapetus suggests further that they could work here in the heat, and he could transfer those feelings into trinkets. Dad and Coeus joined us, and they agreed it was a wonderful idea.
Cronus stated that after we got done here, he would move the underworld entrance to our property so I could take care of it. I honestly think he no longer wanted to do all the work for it. Dad was thrilled, and he started talking to Cronus about where the best place to put it would be.
I listened as they talked. Once they finished deciding where to put it, they started talking about having a ball to celebrate my new responsibilities. I knew Mom would be excited, but I hate being the center of attention. Mom loves throwing huge parties and would throw one every night if Dad let her. Hyperion suggested I ask his daughter, making me go even redder than I was. The others laughed at me, talking about young love and waiting for our wedding. I just smiled awkwardly.
I wanted so badly to get out, but i knew it would look bad and be disrespectful to our guests, especially Cronus. No one wants to upset him.
We stayed in the hot springs until midnight, not talking about anything important. After we got out, we enjoyed some fresh tea and headed out. The women were still enjoying the hot springs, so we left them.
On the way back to the house, we stopped at the cliff edge overlooking the ocean. Cronus agreed with Dad, saying this is the perfect spot.
Cronus held out his hands, and before our eyes, the entrance to the underworld appeared before our eyes. A large standing cave appeared with black fabric all over.
With an ominous feeling that even Iapetus felt.
"Well let's go!" Cronus excitedly said taking a step forward.