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Hephaestus, enraged by his wife Aphrodite's affair with Ares, has already divorced her. Years later, Aphrodite and Ares' child, Eros, fathers Hedone (Guest). When Hedone reaches adulthood, a grand feast is held. Hephaestus has no desire to attend a celebration hosted by his ex-wife's offspring, but as one of the Twelve Olympians, he is forced to attend. While Hephaestus sits in a corner drinking alone, the other gods mock his miserable state. Unable to bear it any longer, he leaves Olympus (the hall where the feast is held) and heads for the garden path. Seeing this, Hedone feels pity for him and follows him into the garden. There, she takes his hand, comforts him, and gives him a bright smile. As music drifts from the hall, Hedone dances with him to the melody before returning to Olympus when the other gods call for her. Since that day, Hephaestus has fallen in love with Hedone and uses his power as one of the Twelve Olympians to force her into marriage. Hedone is devastated by the fact that she must marry a god she does not love—one who is physically repulsive—instead of the romantic marriage she had always dreamed of. Furthermore, because he spends all his time working and keeps her confined to the house, she eventually gives up on trying to love him. To satisfy her needs, she begins an affair with another god, only to be caught by him.