— MEANWHILE
Michael's close friend and aide-de-camp approached him regarding their investigation of the suspicious death of a general. Their conversation had started with a few exchanges of words until Michael deemed the topic confidential.
Not much to be noted but he ordered Peter to inform the Heavenly Ruler of his absence, in a twist, he permitted his leave because of a sensible reason.
After a short moment, Peter returned to Michael's side. He looked for an area where no people could be seen and Michael suggested his mother's garden.
Even the most influential deity is prohibited to enter this sacred place. Well, the Celestial Goddess dislikes uninvited guests entering her palace, especially a garden she cultivated together with the Goddess of Nature.
But let's not get sidetracked. Some minor details to be mentioned include swings, a hedge maze, a fountain in the center of the maze, a floral garden, and a white gazebo.
"Is it really alright for us to be here, o'God of Archangels?" Peter asked. No matter how much he wants to adore the garden's beauty, he is conscious of who owns this piece of land.
"Our reason to be here is valid, thus cast your worries away." He replied in a nonchalant tone.
Peter took a deep breath. "Even with his statement and involvement of the main unit, our investigation leads to a dead end."
"Worse not a single entity matches the description provided. Though however, in my very opinion, I believe that our advances are leading us to the enemy's trap."
Peter glanced at the sky then returned his gaze to where it was before. Later he can't help but release a sigh, "To summarise, the mission is ongoing with no reports to highly be proud of."
"How strange."
"Pardon." Peter conveyed his confusion. It seemed as if Michael expected this to happen and immediately reply without a change of tone in his voice.
"Whatever you are thinking, you misunderstood." He ran his hand through his hair, "A lost thought came to mind.. telling me that our daily activities, movements, and words have been influenced by human culture."
"That's quite a bold thought you have there, Mi.."
Peter didn't finish his sentence when Michael raised his hand towards his face, signaling to be silent. He got flustered by his gesture that he subconsciously shifted his gaze to Michael's face.
"Irene..?" His voice contained a tone of disbelief. Though his expression seemed to express something else; his nose is wrinkled and his eyes were wide opened.
Irene flinched as soon as she heard her brother's voice. She slowly turned her head and found her brother with Peter standing at a distance.
Her hand tightly gripped on Drake's fine black tunic that it got wrinkled. Maybe she's honest even in this situation that she doesn't bother to hide her reaction that every bit of her face displays how her mind is turned chaotic.
Michael can't process what he is seeing. His sister is with a man and this man fits every detail of that soldier who betrayed his superiors and comrades.
He was about to draw his sword but Peter acted with his instinct and in a blink of an eye, Irene is beside Michael. You can always say that never underestimate even a person who is dealing with his superior's indifference.
Besides his quick move, Michael saw a sneaky smirk on Drake's pretty face. However, pointing it out would be useless since this man changed his expression.
Returning to his younger sister, he got easily reminded of a page in a book he read. "Irene, do you know that having a relationship with some stranger is dangerous?"
She pressed her lips together, "But he is no stranger to me."
Michael inhaled then sighed. "Do you remember that principle?"
"Consider control; do not involve yourself in a rejected or forbidden relationship and avoid having an illegitimate offspring."
"You remember," he paused for a moment to calm his emotions, "Then why are you intimate with a man?"
Irene is out of words. She felt like he cornered her and a single word can start a lecture. Wait, why are her cheeks turning red?
"But we haven't even done it yet.."
Peter opened his mouth giving his face an expression of disappointment, disbelief, and confusion. Meanwhile, Michael facepalmed himself, 'How did we even get here?'
"Why are you so bad at changing the topic?! I asked you if you did remember that phrase and out of all options to answer, you chose something that isn't even in the choices!"
"It's not my fault! You're always the selfish one anyways, why can't I have my happiness?!"
"Me, selfish? What do you want to say?"
"Don't feign ignorance at me. You are to succeed father and you are lecturing me because my actions are an obstacle to you!"
They both took a moment to catch their breath and suddenly— SLAP! Michael slapped Irene.
"ENOUGH!" Helios yelled.
Irene touches her swollen cheek with her eyes wide open. Michael and Peter bowed stiffly, knowing that the Heavenly Ruler is furious.
Their argument became quite loud that fortunately only a certain amount of people heard them. Helios pinched the bridge of his nose while Callista lifted his chin towards the sky with her eyes closed.
"Aren't you going to stop their squabble?" she said in a neutral tone.
"Interact with them for a bit then let your servants escort them out."
"Will do, heavenly Ruler."
...
"Peter, you are dismissed."
He bowed his head a bit lower and rests his hand on his chest. "Είθε ο κανόνας σου να είναι αιώνιος. This humble subject takes his leave."
"..."
Helios cracks his neck. "Now explain to me, every single bit, and don't even dare to lie before me."
They both nod. Michael spoke his side of the explanation first then Irene followed with her side of the explanation.
Helios felt the desire of drinking tea while watching both of them. In his opinion, his son is on the right track but his daughter. His daughter can be the example of 'what went wrong.