She believes you...reluctantly.

"I..."

Reyna frowned deeply.

You smirked, because you could easily tell that she wasn't frowning from disgust or anger.

Instead, her expression reminded you of a child who realized too late that they weren't going to the Outback Steakhouse, but were at the hospital to get vaccinated.

The praetor nervously scratched the inside of the bowl filled with jellybeans.

"May I?"

You asked, pointing at the bowl.

Reyna flinched as if you just brandished a sword in her direction.

"Y-yes, of course."

Reyna gently pushed the bowl over to you.

You leisurely rummaged through the bowl, searching for jellybeans in your favorite color (blue, obviously), while Reyna struggled to come up with an appropriate response.

"You aren't doubting my words, are you?"

You asked with a smug voice.

Reyna grimaced. Her cheeks blushed, turning a deeper shade.

"N-no, of course not. It's just...I... I never, well, I couldn't even start a relationship with anyone else; how could I ever...do it with someone else?"

"Do what?"

You pressed on.

Reyna glared at you, although it was much less scary when she was also very flustered.

"Don't push it, Perseus."

"Right. My bad."

You popped a light-blue colored jellybean into your mouth.

A fresh taste of soda washed over your mouth.

It was a delightful treat, but it paled in comparison to what you were going to get out of Reyna.

"But still, I told you already that I'm here to help you."

"Y-yeah... I heard."

Reyna looked down.

"D, does that mean... you... you and I should...um..."

"Have sex? Yes. That is the plan."

Reyna grimaced again.

You almost heard a small whimper escape from her lips, but she had managed to prevent herself from looking too pathetic.

After a few more seconds of internal turmoil, Reyna let out a deep sigh and looked straight into your eyes.

"Percy, since you are so willing to help me, I must also be honest with you.

I...can't sleep with you."

You frowned.

"Why not?"

Reyna frowned back, as if your question was disappointing to her.

"Because you are in a relationship with Annabeth, aren't you?!"

Reyna scowled.

"Oh...heh."

You let out a dry laugh.

You had been so used to being on Olympus, where your breakup with Annabeth was the biggest scandal since Helen and Troy(Aphrodite said in a proud voice); it had never occurred to you that most of your friends in the mortal world wouldn't know about it yet.

"Annabeth and I broke up like a few weeks ago."

"...what?"

Reyna's eyes widened with shock.

By now, you were really glad that you set a rule to make Reyna gullible to your words.

Even though it was the truth, you knew that it would have taken another hour or so if you wanted to convince Reyna in any other situation.

But thanks to the New Rule, Reyna nodded slowly, albeit still shocked by the news.

"I, I see...so that's why you were so casual about helping me..."

"Hey, I do genuinely want to help you."

Reyna hastily nodded.

"Of course, I'm not doubting your intentions, Percy.

It just...it explains your actions more clearly, that's all."

"Well, as long as we're on the same page."

"Right."

Reyna nodded.

Then, she realized that the initial reason why she was so flustered was still in play—and even stronger than before.

"So...we're going to...sleep together."

"Reyna, just say the word 'sex', please. I don't think that was a taboo word even in ancient Rome."

Reyna swallowed, blushing deeper than ever.

"F-fine. We're going to have s-sex."

Reyna closed her eyes and winced as if the words she just said came around and stabbed her on the side.

"H-how are you planning to do...whatever you do?

I, I don't know anything about...sex."

"About that..."

You snapped your fingers.

With a puff of pink smoke, a small handbook appeared in your hand.

It was a nifty gift Aphrodite had given to you—the power to summon or create any inanimate object as long as it was related to love...or more importantly, sex.

You handed the handbook to Reyna.

Reyna took it and read the title.

"[A beginner's guide to Polynesian Sex]?"

Reyna looked up.

"What is this?"

You shrugged.

"It's a guide on Polynesian Sex.

I thought, since this was your first time, it'd be best if you eased into it before going straight to the point.

The definition is written on the first page, so take a look at it and tell me what you think."

"Okay..."

Reyna carefully opened the cover as if she were disarming a bomb.

Her eyes moved from left to right as she read the first page.

After finishing reading, Reyna closed the book.

"Well, what do you think?"

Reyna pondered for some time.

"I...think I like it."

You smirked.

You knew that Reyna would accept the offer.

With how closed-minded she was about any sexual intercourse, the idea of starting small and building up to the grand finale would obviously sound appealing.

"Alright then. I'll come by tonight for the first day's session."

Reyna swallowed.

"W=we're starting right away?"

She asked, a hint of panic in her voice.

"It's a week-long procedure, Reyna. Is procrastinating a trait of the Romans as well?"

Reyna bit her lip.

"...very well.

Come to my address by midnight. I'll...be ready by then."

Reyna handed you a small slip of paper.

When you tried to open it, Reyna quickly cupped her hands over yours.

"P, please don't check here...It's..."

"Embarrassing?"

Reyna paused, then nodded while averting your gaze.

With a smirk, you pocketed the paper.

"Alright then, I'll see you at midnight.

See you then."

"Mm-hmm."

Reyna nodded briskly as you headed to the door.

Right before you closed it behind your back, you heard a heavy sigh coming from the inside.

'Perfect.'

You checked the time.

An hour had almost passed by, which meant it was time to check on your newly acquired goddess-slave and her cleaning duties.

Humming cheerfully, you stepped into the Little Tiber to teleport back to Olympus.