"You may think I was too heartless toward my brother, Baldr."
Hela's face remained expressionless. In a sense, she was not a particularly good actress. She did not know how to act with her eyes, nor did she possess any rich emotions. She only widened her eyes and stared at her scene partner, like a typical Hollywood vase.
But those who knew her understood that the Goddess of the Underworld always looked like this. So whenever she began lying, it became difficult to tell truth from falsehood.
A true magician had to keep a poker face at all times. It was the most basic technique of all Deception Magic, and she happened to fit it perfectly without meaning to.
"Are you talking about what happened between us?" The God of Light shook his head. He wiped his face vigorously, revealing a smile as brilliant as sunlight. "It's all in the past, Sister. I forgive you too, because I know you longed for family in the Underworld. It was simply that no one ever taught you what a normal relationship was supposed to be like. That's why you treated me that way before."
"..."
That was not what Hela had meant to say, but Baldr's words moved her slightly for a moment.
Then she recalled what Deathstroke had told her. That warrior who seemed forever shrouded in darkness had said:
'Everyone with light in their hearts likes forcing what they believe is right into other people's hearts, sharing their feelings. But cruel reality doesn't allow us to follow our hearts. Using our heads is safer. Don't let our "fish food" accidentally move you.'
Back in the bug tunnel, when Magik dragged Baldr away to perform the ritual, Hela had scoffed at Deathstroke's words. After all, she believed she had no heart