𝕮𝖗𝖔𝖜𝖓𝖑𝖊𝖘𝖘 𝕮𝖍𝖔𝖎𝖗𝖘

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝐗

"No, Assi! You've got it all wrong," Tariel tried to defend himself.

To save himself.

"Your father said that we ..."

When he realized what he had just said, the archangel stopped abruptly in his sentence and this awkward silence caused Benjamin to laugh heartily.

"What did he say?" Asmodeus asked, his voice sounding like a hiss. He looked at his friend seriously, as if he wanted to squeeze every word out of him. The doubts formed by the simple word 'father' skidded through his mind. "What did my father say?"

Tariel's lower lip trembled and his body hunched over, becoming smaller.

It was the first time this cheeky mouth had been so meek. The archangel almost looked as if he had been kicked. Or humiliated him, and the amused look on Lucifer's brat's face didn't make the situation any better.

"He demanded that we ... that we spread these rumors. He ... he wanted to make you obedient because he knew you would want to clear your reputation as an angel."

"You went along with it?!" Asmodeus hissed louder now, and as Tariel's form minimized, the seraphim grew larger. A furious fire blazed in his eyes, his hands clenched into fists and the air seemed to vibrate. The dust particles shook around those present, the room seemed to constrict and bend to the angel's will. Asmodeus towered over the archangel with an enormous presence.

In such a way that everyone would probably bow to him out of respect.

As Benjamin watched the scene with a lingering smile that cleverly concealed his true feelings, he felt a growing unease rising within him. The celestial family drama was beginning to get on his nerves, although he masterfully hid his unease behind his charming exterior. When Asmodeus and Tariel seemed to be trapped in their own world, Benjamin decided it was time to intervene. His smile remained unchanged as he placed himself behind Asmodeus and put his arm around him.

His touch was surprisingly gentle.

He placed his hand on Asmodeus' stomach and whispered tenderly: "Easy now. You're disturbing my hotel guests." His voice was calm and composed, but there was an underlying tension bubbling beneath the surface that suggested his patience was beginning to wear thin.

Immediately, Asmodeus sank back to his normal size, his angry expression gone and he brushed invisible dust from his shirt. "Sorry, I -" he began, clutching his forehead, the exasperation clearly evident, "I just can't believe it was my father's plan to put me in the wrong light. It makes no sense." His gaze slid to Tariel, who was crouched on the ground like a frightened bunny, looking up at him. He held out his hand to him as a sign of restitution. "Did you really take part in that?"

"Your Highness?" the butler interrupted the conversation.

Even he had had enough of this nonsense.

He bowed once he had Benjamin's attention and he waited in silence for his butler to continue.