The High Halls had returned to their normal atmosphere. The pink chaos of Amora had faded, replaced by the rhythmic scratching of celestial quills. Michael and Raphael were calmly seated, creating reports on the world's broken hearts and assigning messengers to heal them. At the center of it all sat Gabriel. He was silent, his gaze fixed on nothingness, a shadow of sadness tracing his marble-like features.
Michael paused his work, glancing up. "My Lord, is there a problem?"
"Nothing," Gabriel replied instantly. "Why?"
"We've been noticing you for a while," Raphael added, setting down his quill. "You don't look quite happy. We're winning, my lord… shouldn't you look a little happier?"
Michael offered a small, knowing smile. "Are you worried about Elowen, My Lord?"
"I am fine," Gabriel snapped, though the edge in his voice lacked its usual bite. "And Elowen will be fine too. Everything is... alright."
Raphael 's smile widened. "You can't lie to us, Lord Gabriel. We have known you for more than a millennium. I remember when you told us we were like your sons. Do not hide your heart from us now."
Gabriel let out a short, dry laugh. "Raphael , you are using Emotional Blackmail Type 1."
"Under that Kingly personality, you have a soft side," Michael said softly. "A heartless soul could never become the Head of the Messenger Corps."
Gabriel went quiet. The silence stretched until he finally looked down, his expression heavy with guilt. "It is all my fault. I should never have chosen Elowen for this mission. I thought this was another regular mission for her but I didn't know that it would turn out this way. I was wrong. I should have appointed a senior—maybe Haniel or Lumiel. I failed her as an Archangel."
"No, My Lord, never," Raphael said firmly. "You cannot predict every outcome. It is not in your hands."
"It's okay," Michael added, standing tall. "We are the three Archangels. We won't let you take the blame alone if Elowen ever falls. But that day will never come. Elowen is strong; she would never break a Higher Law."
"I hope so," Gabriel whispered, closing his eyes. "She may break minor rules, but she must not reveal her identity to a mortal. She must not speak of how Heaven works or something like that."
"You are taking on too much stress," Raphael urged. "You need to calm your mind."
Gabriel took a deep breath, his wings settling. "Enough of this break. Get back to work. I am going to patrol the solar system." He closed his eyes, his consciousness expanding outward to the stars.
A few minutes passed in productive silence before Raphael leaned over, whispering to Michael. "Hey, Michael."
"Hmm?"
"Out of all the rules... Why does Rule 657 even exist? No romantic love for mortals. Every rule is set after deep analysis, but I struggle to find the logic in this one."
Michael looked up, thinking for a moment. "Perhaps because it is a natural instinct to reveal your whole identity to the person you love. How long can one live a lie before the guilt of hiding the truth breaks them? And if mortals learn the truth of Heaven, they will act 'good' out of greed for the Ninth Realm. Good behavior born of greed is not morality—it is a mask."
Raphael nodded slowly. "And that mask would eventually corrupt even the pure souls."
"Exactly," Michael said. "No mortal should know how beautiful Heaven is until they have stopped breathing. If one angel gets away with it, others will follow. It would be chaos."
"I see it now," Raphael murmured. "Every divine rule is built on psychology. But... What actually happens when an angel breaks a Serious Law? To be labeled as Fallen?"
"I don't know for certain," Michael admitted, his voice dropping. "If it were just losing divinity and becoming mortal, I would say it is easy. But there is something more. The stories of the great Fallen ones..."
"You mean the historic ones?" Raphael asked. "Those angels possessed God-like power. They kept their strength because of their rank. But Elowen... She is different."
Raphael folded his hand into a tight fist, his expression turning serious. "I wish nothing bad happens to her. But even if our process seems harsh, we must do it. It is for her well-being. We are the Archangels—the Supreme Protectors."
Meanwhile, Aven was thinking about what could have possibly been the conclusion of the argument between Lord Gabriel and Goddess Amora. Azmeal was worried about Elowen; he hoped that Goddess Amora had convinced Lord Gabriel. Evren was already in Egypt, focused on his next mission.
"Goddess Amora is really strong," Aven whispered. "Did you see how she rewrote Lord Gabriel's strike?"
"Don't forget that he said he didn't use his full power on that," Azmeal replied. "Lord Gabriel possesses God-like strength."
"It's really weird. I've never seen a clash between two gods over a job in my entire life."
"Me neither."
"Azmeal, don't worry about Elowen," Aven said softly. "She will be fine. Even in the worst case, her memories about Ren might just get erased."
Azmeal sighed. "But is it really good to separate them when they love each other so much?"
"When did you start talking like Goddess Amora, huh?"
"Maybe you are right, Aven," Azmeal looked sad. "I am just thinking too much. Who am I to decide what's wrong and what's right when the situation is handled by Archangels and Gods?"
"Azmeal..." Aven murmured softly.
Everyone was tensed for Elowen and Ren, but the couple remained clueless. Elowen never knew what she was truly about to face.
Elowen floated through her front door, a dazed, silly smile on her face. Her "totally-just-friends" coffee date with Ren had gone perfectly—he had laughed at her jokes, and for a split second, their fingers had brushed while reaching for the sugar.
She hummed as she entered her bedroom, but stopped dead. A girl with hair like silken midnight and a dress that seemed woven from rose petals was lounging on her bed, casually flipping through Elowen's favorite light novel.
"Who are you, and what are you doing in my house?!" Elowen demanded.
"Oh, hello cutie pie!" Amora looked up with a dazzling smile, blowing a glittering pink flying kiss that smelled like strawberries.
Elowen stood speechless. "Did you just... break into my house, steal my manga, blow me a flying kiss, and call me a cutie pie? And why do you look so familiar? Wait, I've seen your face before..."
"Hehe," Amora giggled.
"Are you...?" Elowen's eyes went wide as the divine aura hit her.
"Yep! It's me. Amora, the Goddess of Love."
Elowen immediately dropped into a deep, formal bow. "I am so sorry, My Majesty! I didn't recognize you! Please forgive my rudeness!"
"Hey, don't be so old-fashioned!" Amora sprang off the bed, grabbing Elowen's shoulders to pull her upright. "I'm not a queen. I'm just a... well, you could say the Protector of Love."
"But... Ma'am? What are you doing in my room? If I knew you were coming, I could have made tea! Though, I'm pretty sure whatever romance movie I pick, you've already watched it."
"Bingo! You know me well. So..." Amora leaned in close, her eyes twinkling. "Do you like Ren in that way?"
Elowen shook her head frantically, her heart racing. "W-What? No! Of course not! An angel can't love a mortal like that. It's against the rules!"
"Oh?" Amora smiled mischievously, pointing at the picture beside the bed. "Then why do you have a framed photo of Ren in your bedroom?"
Elowen blushed like a tomato, instantly trying to hide the frame. "Oh, um... you mean this? This is just to... um... uh..."
Amora giggled. "Don't worry, little angel. I won't scold you for doing the right thing. I fully support your beautiful sin. I will protect you from that marble-like fossil."
"Did you mean... Lord Gabriel?"
"Bingo! He is very strict. He was trying to bring you back for breaking the Angel's Law."
Elowen looked horrified. "Lord Gabriel knows? He knows that I broke a rule? He's going to kill me! He's going to turn me into stardust!"
"Oh, do you really think I'm going to let you die that easily?" Amora leaned back playfully. "I irritated Gabriel until he was forced to listen to me. He said you just need to send a detailed weekly Observation Report. The details are sent to your phone."
"Oh... that's why my phone was buzzing so much that I had to switch it off. I haven't checked it yet." Elowen felt a wave of relief. "So I just need to do some paperwork? That's it?"
"Yep! A very simple task. And I am fully supporting you two—just don't break any serious law and you are safe!"
"Thanks a lot... I-I don't know how to repay you."
"Silly! You're already repaying me," Amora beamed. "Watching you two is like watching my greatest masterpiece."
"Ma'am... are you sure? A 'masterpiece'?"
"One hundred percent. And call me by my name! No 'Ma'am' or 'Majesty'."
"Is that really okay? We aren't the same," Elowen hesitated. "You're a Great Goddess and I'm just..."
"Oh, what's the difference between you and me? Besides the fact that you have beautiful white wings and I don't? Does that make me any less than you?"
"No, no!" Elowen panicked, waving her hands. "That's not what I meant at all!"
Amora laughed brightly. "Relax! I know what you meant. I'm just teasing."
Elowen sighed with a smile. "You scared me. Okay then... Amora. Thank you once again."
Amora suddenly lunged forward, pulling Elowen into a big, warm hug. "Oh, Elowen! You are so cute!"
Elowen froze for a second, she is just as sweet as the legends say, Elowen thought. She feels like sunshine.
Then melted into the embrace, feeling the Goddess's radiating warmth. "Thank you…"