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# Chapter 141
Hera approached Hestia and sat down beside her. She took out a roll of papyrus sheet from her pocket. And she held it precariously as if she would throw it into the hearth at any moment.
Hestia put down her poker.
“Hera,” she called out, her gaze seemingly asking if there was something Hera wanted to say.
“…”
Hera briefly revealed a smile as a matter of courtesy, but then she wiped it clean from her face and stared expressionlessly at the hearth.
Hestia endured the silence, waiting for her to speak. After all, time was all they had left.
The flames crackled gently. The sound of sparks flying and wood being consumed––the events happening within the fire were loud and painful, but to those watching from the outside, it provided comfort, which was ironic.
Hestia reached for the poker again to stir the charcoal. Her white arm was clean, free of any burns.
Suddenly, Hera blurted out a question, "How can you bear it?"
"…"
