Confrontation pt.1

"Will you be my sword?" That question rang in Diana's mind the moment it left Howard's lips. She thought of different scenarios in her head, and most of them didn't seem too bad being by Howard's side. He was the first man she ever saw, though he had a huge glass shard inside one of his eyes at the time, it was still him.

He was the man, who saved her sisters against Germans when they attacked them on the Island and the one her aunt entrusted her to. Everything she knew about the colorless world she had built in her head was filled with colors by Howard too, granted most of it was all dark and blood red but he didn't seem wrong by any accounts. He was simple to the point where he seemed transparent, the way of his working, and the way he presented himself to the world. A man who thought, lying was beneath him.

But despite all this, her judgments were still a little clouded. The world she had built in her head conflicted heavily with Howard's world and view. It was clear by all means that Howard wasn't driven by justice or a will to do good. Maybe the world made him this way, or maybe it was just who he was as a person. She couldn't help but feel curious, she wanted to learn about the world through Howard's eyes leaping in with complete faith in him but she still wanted to believe the world still had good in it. She wanted to see the world and be part of it in her ways and accord.

The conflict in her heart was certainly heavy as Howard's gaze burned through her as if he could see everything she was hiding including her ideas. After a while, Diana made up her mind as she looked him back in the eye.

"I need some time to think." Diana said, "With Ares and everything going around, my head is already too full of all these different thoughts. So I need some time to observe and get myself calm before I can give you an answer. I apol-"

Howard cut Diana off her with his chuckle, "I am sorry, I didn't mean to laugh. It's just I thought you would straight up reject my proposal but I am glad that you decided to at least give it a thought."

"Why did you think I would say no?"

"Obviously because you're very much similar to Selene, the girl you previously met at the villa." Howard said, "Selene is bounded by her responsibility one so deep that she might never get out of but you're the same too. Though obviously part of your responsibility ends with Ares's death, I don't think your heart will allow you to live a free life. You'll eventually get bounded by your own set of rules that you've created all in your head."

"I realize why your brothers dislike you so much." Diana said with a small smile, "But it's true, I am conflicted between my judgments of things and you."

"They might say stuff behind my back, but both of them will come back running to me if I ever need them." Howard said, "I believe in that."

"I am curious, why do you need me when you already have Artemis by your side?" Diana asked, "You should know that she ties with me in the battle of strength, and most of the time I am even overwhelmed by her. And there's also the fact that she seems to have already made up her mind to be your bodyguard, so why? Is it because you lust for power?"

"You sadden me, Diana, though I am not a hero myself I am still not a villain either." Howard said, "More like an anti-hero maybe?"

"What?"

"Nothing too important. Anyway, what I am trying to say is that these things aren't all about power. If it's just that then I have several ways of getting my hands on them sooner or later. But it's much more than that." Howard said, "I want you, Diana. And besides, Artemis is my bodyguard but I have a separate role for you in my mind."

"And what's that?"

"My personal secretary." Howard said with a cheeky smile, "Artemis is a warrior through and through so she's perfect for her role but you Diana, you're a princess first. So learning a bit of diplomacy from me goes a long way and what better way to do so than handling all my personal problems as your own."

"So like a maid?"

"More than a maid." Howard continued, "Obviously I won't restrict you anyway and you'll have the freedom to do your own things. I just want you to stand by my side for the most part. So I'll be waiting for your answer then."

Howard and Diana ended their dance as they all gathered together until Howard suddenly jumped a little making those with high senses around him a little cautious.

"What is it?" Victor asked with his claws out ready to lunge at whatever's coming to them.

"Nothing much, I just got a little cold." Howard stood up scratching his head, "I guess I drank too much, so I'll go get some sleep."

"You? Drunk?" James laughed, "The last time you were drunk you were shoving nearly pure alcohol for a week straight and even that wore off in two hours. I remember you making up some sort of code with Roman that day still trying to stay awake in your drunken stupor."

"Oh shut up!" Howard rolled his eyes seeing everyone laugh a little at his expense, "And you're coming with me."

Howard grabbed Artemis, as the group started giving them weird eyes. Artemis struggled a little trying to say something but it was clear she wasn't trying too hard. With sounds of whistling coming from behind she had her head down as they entered the guest house prepared for them leaving everyone behind them in awe.

"He never changes." Victor sighed as he looked around at the few good-looking women who had been eyeing them for a while, "Maybe I should get myself, someone, to warm the bed too."

"Are you okay?" Steve asked Diana seeing a bitter look on her face, he had realized his feelings a bit while ago but he wasn't blind enough to not see that the next person wasn't interested at all.

"Something's wrong." Diana said, "The moment he jumped before, I felt something too."

"Did you feel the cold strong wind of jealousy?" Victor grinned, "Don't worry my brother always enjoys the company of more than one woman."

"What? I am not talking about that." Diana shook her head, "I think something really serious is going on."