[I thought that I warned you.] The icy voice froze everything in the room.
The people, the air, the space, nothing could escape the cold as any attempt to run was turned void.
'She's here already? Oh, as expected her way of doing things is so hot.' Ha-Neul's teeth clattered in the cold as her body started to break into pieces like glass.
"I wasn't planning on it, you know? It was just a coincidence I tell you, a harmless coinciden—!!!" Ha-Neul wanted to speak but her tongue froze, she couldn't even think as the numbness covered her face.
[I didn't ask you for excuses. Your punishment has already been decided.] The Goddess of Wishes didn't plan to listen to her words.
'She's going to kill me!!!' Ha-Neul started to sweat, but then she realized something, 'Wait! I can think again… that means…'
"What are you doing, Youngest?" The Goddess of Wishes found herself in a similar room.
The table in the middle had a similar circular table with six similar individuals in their seats. This was the place she didn't want to appear in, however, she got pulled by force this time.
"Eldest sister, I am sure I made myself clear last time." She stared at Envy, the latter's face twitched at the tone but before she could speak someone else did.
"Calm down you two, we've already been over this. No fighting between sisters." Lust sighed.
"Youngest, you should know that the only reason the Wish shops exist is for your benefit," Sloth spoke her head still resting on the table.
"We have to do everything in our power to not let the wishes reach you. That's the whole point of those anchor points. Why do you want to throw things into disarray? I mean I don't mind your greed, but right now I'd advise against it." Greed quipped.
"This one needs to go." She gave a short answer.
"There can only be seven of these!" Envy banged on the table reducing it to dust, "Do you understand the consequences if you destroy the little balance we've created based on a hasty decision?!"
"I can handle it." The eldest and the youngest were locked in a staredown. Neither of them was the type to back down, at least not now.
"M-My Food…" Gluttony saw the dishes scattered across the floor with teary eyes.
"Now's not the time for that, Gluttony." Sloth picked herself off the ground rubbing her forehead. She wondered how to pacify this situation with the least effort, and then the mediator stepped in.
"I understand that you are looking out for your man here, Youngest. But, you ought to understand our plight. We cannot risk you coming in contact with Wishes again, just like you want to prevent him from facing trouble and live with a smile, we too want the same for you. Because if you are happy, we'll be happy." Lust spoke what Envy wanted to, but her methods were more direct than the others.
"I-I am just trying to help my direct subordinate!!" Pride shouted.
"That's what I said. Why are you clarifying?" Lust smirked as she saw her blush, but decided to drop the topic to not push her further, "How about it Envy? Would you tell that troublemaker of yours to not get over her head this time?"
"I'll tell her," Envy said turning around and left.
"So, youngest why don't you come and sit down? Let's have a chat over some tea and snacks, I took this from Adam's secret stash by the way. Quality stuff." A smile hung on Lust's lips, the others moved back noticing that.
"Err, I have some things to do so i-Ahh!!" Pride screamed as Lust hugged her from behind. The one in the chair vanished into pink rose petals as she felt the thin arms tighten around her waist.
"I have some questions about this subordinate of yours. So, indulge me a little and return the favour." She smirked knowing full well that her younger sister couldn't escape from her.
"Why do you want to know about him?" Pride got defensive, but Lust already had the perfect answer.
"I want to see if he is suitable for you."
"S-Suitable?" The blush deepened, but the others knew that this wasn't some baseless banter.
Lust wasn't like that, she always had a purpose even for the smallest of things and she didn't like to waste time and always stood on business.
"Yes, I have been real curious since the day you made your decision. When the idea of Wish shops came, you were the first one to choose someone when you opposed this idea the most." Flowers bloomed in her pink eyes and it made them shudder. Even though she seemed the most lax one, she was on par with Envy in power.
Everything would take a knee in front of her gaze, it didn't matter who or what it was. The next instant they were seated around the table filled with snacks and cups that waited for them. If they opened their mouths the food and tea would go in on its own.
"What made you change Pride? Why did you choose him?" Each sister was a different entity, they could watch Pride's movements but they could never read her mind.
The conventional rules didn't apply to them, they were beings that had their own common sense and logic that far eclipsed anything others could imagine. Thus, it became even harder for them to understand each other.
"Not only did you send him to the first world you created by mistake, but you also kept the shop aside for him till he built enough strength to contact you. You let him hold his anger for you even though you helped him reach that point, down to the moment when you asked that Chief Goddess to contact you. To go so far for a single human in the Ocean of Worlds where countless beings live. There has to be a deeper reason, right?"
The others listened in as they too had this question before. Prior to this Pride had always avoided it. She never wanted to get into it for some reason, however today she had landed in Lust's hands.
"We want to know so that we understand more about why he matters so much. You should know how important you are to us. So, do me this favor, and I promise to help you against Envy." Pride flinched, Lust had never taken anyone's side. She always tipped to the side that looked more exciting or abstained till necessary.
So, if she said she'd support her, that would become a supporting pillar for her.
"Fine… I'll tell you." The Goddess of Wishes got out of Lust's hands with ease. Now that she had agreed the need to hold her down had vanished.
"I chose him because… he was the only one like me."
"Oho? You mean in potential? I can certainly see that." Lust smiled but, The Goddess of Wishes shook her head.
"Alone… Even in a world full of life, he was alone… just like me."