"Aren't you afraid Ouranos will hold you accountable?"
"Or is it..."
Haimo leaned forward slightly.
His deep eyes pierced straight into Royman's somewhat panicked little eyes like a pair of sharp swords.
The corners of his mouth curved into something between a smile and a smirk.
There was playfulness and scrutiny in it.
"You think I'm the sort of god who would collude with you for these few things?"
"!!!"
At those words.
Royman felt a chill shoot from the soles of his feet straight to the crown of his head.
The hand that had been constantly wiping away sweat abruptly froze.
He felt as though he had fallen into an ice pit.
This wasn't how this was supposed to go!
What god would refuse a kind gesture like this?! And put it so harshly, too!
Had his flattery backfired?!
"N-no! I wouldn't dare! Absolutely not!"
Royman's legs went weak with fright, and he nearly dropped to his knees before Haimo on the spot.
His previously ruddy, plump face instantly drained of all color, turning deathly pale.
"Please, Lord Haimo, you must believe me!"
"Th-th-this..."
Royman stammered, his tongue seemingly tied in knots, barely able to get his words out.
"Th-this all had Lord Ouranos's tacit approval!"
"Lord Ouranos gave his tacit approval!"
In his desperation, Royman dragged out his own patron god to use as a shield.
Never mind anything else, he had to pass the blame first!
Lord Ouranos wouldn't come all the way here to confront him over such a trivial matter anyway!
"Lord Ouranos said so!"
Royman swallowed, forced himself to calm down, and began making things up... no, giving them a reasonable embellishment.
"He said your familia has only just been established, and this is precisely when you need support!"
"I also thought that rather