I really don't think Hestia's accepted or gotten over that rejection at all. Especially when Volume 8 more or less consisted of her blackmailing Bell to take it back (right in front of Ais, no less). Her behavior regarding Bell remains uniquely delusional and contemptible.

Considering her comedic jealously moments significantly decreased since Volume 8, I would say so. Most we really see is just the usual bickering between her and Lili. And again, in Volume 16 she straight up works right alongside Ais to spy on Bell and Syr (which there she actually had merit to be suspicious), and acts pretty normal towards Ais.

She's obviously still gonna have some jealous bits and keep pinning toward Bell, but all those interactions pretty much cement that she's reluctantly accepted Bell's love for Ais.

Her comedic jealousy moments have decreased because Ais's screentime decreased. On top of that, Hestia's own screentime decreased, we pretty much didn't see her at all in the Expedition Arc. Whenever the two of them are on screen together, Hestia makes it clear that she still loathes Ais.

Although a what if, Hestia did just kind of let bell go fairly “easy” once he chose Ryuu. I guess I shouldn’t say easy because she was depressed but she also didn’t throw a fit and say “how could you do this to me?!?!” What was kind of interesting was the disappointment that Hestia felt towards Bell when he gave up on Ais (not directly stated but it was kind of hinted/implied that she was disappointed in that fact). The other girls were shocked and even sobbed but it didn’t go further than that from what I understood. I assume it will be kind of like that when/if Bell gets with Ais.

You'll have to give it a read for yourselves but I found Hestia to be by far the most interesting in the what if. Not Ryuu or Bell or their relationship, but Hestia herself. I really do believe Hestia truly wants Bell to continue pursuing Ais (secretly of course). I even vividly remember there was a scene in MS16 where Hestia got very upset at Ais for not tearing Syr and Bell apart while they were holding hands and “cuddling”. The entire scene was actually pretty funny since Hestia goes onto say how Ais needs to come with her and that they should put their differences aside. I was thinking to myself while reading that saying “Hestia…..you are the only one with problems in this dynamic. Ais actually likes you and has no problems with you even though you disrespect her all the time🤣.”

I read that scene as Hestia just prioritizing demolishing any relationship that Bell might have with any other girl. She also flips out at Ais in that very same scene when Ais says Bell looks handsome.

Hestia’s still going to be her eccentric, jealous self, because that’s just her character, but it’s clear she’s significantly mellowed out, especially in regards to all of her interactions with Ais in V16.

@Hurricane951 “which by the way, should be 2 arcs away from ending (Oomori's words).“

When did he say this? I’m pretty sure I have heard that he said there is two major arcs left after the Freya arc but that doesn’t mean there is literally only two arcs left.

@InversePrime, it's quite an arbitrary/subjective conclusion to think that because Hestia collaborated with Ais it means that she already gave up on Bell, that only proves that Hestia has accepted Ais as a person, but in no way proves her surrender to Bell.

Let's analyze the facts, Hestia was chasing Bell throughout the city and not only to spy on him but to ruin their date, she says it literally, when they are on the ship she says that when she finishes her delicious food she will attack immediately. Would you say that a person who chases and harasses another, not letting him date other people Is someone who already assumed that her romantic goal will not correspond to her? Furthermore, when Ais expresses admiration for Bell, Hestia forbids her from looking at Bell with that "look of love", which shows her disapproval of Ais's romantic feelings for Bell.

@AbigailWilliams2020, our last "chat" was not very pleasant, but since you comment where I comment, I assume that you are interested in the topic. I'm not spiteful so we can discuss on good terms if you want.

As for Hestia, there is evidence that seems conclusive to me regarding Hestia's refusal to give Bell to Ais and that is that she still refuses to relieve Bell and Ais everything related to Liaris Freese.

Hestia had 2 reasons for hiding it, the first was that if it was known that Bell had a fast growth ability, other gods would take an interest in him and want to take him away from her and the second was because she knew that revealing that information to him would consolidate Bell's love for Ais, what wasn't convenient to her.

In volume 18 the first reason no longer had any validity, it was useless to continue hiding Liaris Freese so as not to attract attention, since Freya wanted to take Bell from her anyway, even so when Hestia was begging Loki at least let Ais train with Bell, the novel literally says that Hestia avoided telling Loki why it would be so beneficial for Bell to train with Ais, why? Well, because Loki would tell Ais and that wasn't convenient to her.

At this moment no one can take Bell away from her, if Freya couldn't, no one else would be able to, so avoiding attracting attention is no longer important but Hestia deliberately keeps hiding Liaris Freese from them and that can only be because she doesn't want to consolidate Bell's love for Ais, and that can only be because she wants Bell for herself, not for Ais.

Very good summary from Leinad.

I get the feeling that at this point everyone here has read Volume 18 except me and I'm wondering how. Can everyone read Japanese on this site except me?

No, they just read bootlegged translations