Keeping the promise (BellxArtemis)

Chapter 56

"Lady Hestia, please calm down! You're not helping anyone by getting worked up!" Lili stepped in front of her goddess, stopping her from leaving the room.

Hestia had gathered the familia to a meeting to discuss their options in the current crisis. Mikoto was still recovering in the ward, which let Lili, Welf and Luna to help deal with the current issue.

Welf placed a hand on Lili's head and nodded "She's right, right now we just need to remain calm, the fact the guild hasn't forced you to hand us over yet must be a good sign no?"

Hestia crossed her arms with a hmph. "More like Royman is getting his ear chewed out for using the authority of the guild in a matter of the gods! Besides, unless we can prove Apollo cheated without a doubt then we're finished."

She slumped into one of the nearby chairs and wept. "I really thought we were going to win this..."

"Hestia..." Lili looked to the floor. "W-Wait what if I..."

Hestia shook her head. "No Lili it won't work... Everyone in the Apollo familia is surrounding him... There would be no way for you to blend in..." Cinderella was a powerful ability but its major flaw was its biggest advantage. Lili could easily disguise herself as one of Apollo's children but if anything about her act was off she'd be found out instantly.

"B-But we have to do something otherwise..."

Hestia sighed... "If the worst comes to worst I'll force Apollo to return you to your original familia's... Welf, Mikoto you were loaned to me they're should be no reason you're made to suffer..."

She turned to Lili. "I know you don't want to Lili but the choice is yours... Soma's change means you'll have an easier life than before... Much better than service to Apollo..."

"Lady Hestia..." They all lowered their heads.

"Luna I can't say for certain what awaits you... But you're still close to Bell and Artemis if the worse comes to pass..." She tried to force a smile as if in vain. "They'll protect you I promise..."

Welf sighed. "No way is Bell going to go quietly... Poor bastard has had it rough the last couple hours.."

"Bell... I hope you're okay..."

Hestia closed her eyes and remembered back to the moment he jumped in to stop the match... If anything she wished he hadn't but was very glad he did.

"You really think he'll sit back and let them do what they want with her Welf!"

Welf sighed, "No, knowing Bell, he'll go to war before he lets that happen... " He turned to Hestia, who looked at everyone. They all had the same thought at that moment.

"N-No way, Bell isn't that stupid!" Lili cried out, but Welf just shook his head.

"It wouldn't be stupidity... Those two have a deep bond, possibly deeper than we could ever understand. I watched him get angry for the first time after they had kidnapped her. The look on his face after we found them..."

He closed his eyes. "It was just the same... Only this time I think he might have gone that far..."

"Enough, both of you!" Hestia shouted at the top of her lungs. "I will not have you discussing this now!"

The two went silent as they both nodded. "S-sorry.." they both said in unison.

Their goddess started walking back and forth only to stop at the door. Her face deep in thought as she looked at Welf.

'Bell... You love her that much, you're willing to start an all-out war for her...I've never seen you that angry but... I understand.'

She shook her head and tried to smile. "Come on everyone, no point in standing here and sulking. Bell needs all the help he can get so let's give it to him!"