65 65_

"They said you're a goody two shoes, trying to suck up to people just because of your identity as a goddess who brings harmony." explained Deimos in reluctance.

Phobos turned sideways and added "They also said you're not that pretty like mom."

Harmonia was currently sitting on a nearby bench, hearing the reason of the fight from her brothers. She expected something more serious that incurred the irritation of these two gods of fear. Yet, it was just simple insult that could be heard anywhere else.

She almost wanted to facepalm herself.

Phobos and Deimos were standing beside each other. They were clearly uncomfortable, fidgeting on their steps. They knew their elder sister didn't like them getting into fights. She was a harmonious person. A girl who liked peace.

Harmonia was actually still in a trance. She couldn't quite believe them. She thought they hated her and her guts. So why would they defend her like that?

"I thought.. you two don't like me.." she muttered under her breath. Her voice sullen.

Phobos and Deimos faced each other and pursed their lips. They had a frown covering their faces as they said "We thought you're the one who hate us?"

"What? How could that be? I always want to be closer but you guys are always teasing me!" Harmonia defended.

Phobos raised his brow and said slowly "We thought.. you hate us since we're bad guys.. and we're childish."

"Yeah. You dislike us.." Deimos continued after his brother.

The two young gods scratched their heads and were acting pretty awkward. So they misunderstood their own sister this whole time?

Harmonia stared into space without saying a word but a smile slowly crept up onto her face.

'So it's a misunderstanding..' she felt relieved.

She later chuckled out loud and her brothers heard her. They looked at each other and asked her what was funny. Harmonia shook her head and she started laughing. It was just a stupid misunderstanding and now she knew.

The twins became furious because it looked as if she wasn't taking them seriously.

"Hey!"

"Don't laugh!"

"It's not funny!"

Harmonia laughed again and it was louder this time. Her voice was cute and sweet like honey. It tickled the two brothers' hearts and they felt like they shouldn't stop her. Her eyes twinkled and she looked pretty with her green hair getting washed by the wind, the same color as the surrounding grass and plants.

Harmonia didn't know that she could ever feel comfortable around her younger brothers but now she was.

*

Ever since their misunderstanding was resolved, Harmonia became closer with the twins. They were harsh around others but they listened to her like obedient kids.

They didn't show it but she began to realize how much they actually loved her as their elder sister. Harmonia blamed herself for not being able to see it before. She swore to herself that she would always love them unconditionally and protect them.

Phobos and Deimos also saw how much Harmonia differ from what they first thought she was. She didn't hate them at all. In fact, she was feeling lonely because they were always together while she was alone.

They swore that they would always accompany her whenever she went to and never leave her side.

From that moment onwards, Harmonia, Phobos, and Deimos were inseparable. Their bond as siblings were stronger than anything. They spent time together almost everyday. Going through adventures and hanging out outside.

It took them one hundred years to get comfortable with each other but nevertheless, it was a great start. Though their nature and power were fundamentally different, they wouldn't let them hinder their siblings relationship.

Because their parents were at odds with other gods and goddesses, the three weren't that close to other children. So, they only had each other to play with. Sometimes, their uncle Hephaestus and aunt, Athena would join them and things would turn merry and fun.

*

"See? I told you, they just need time." Ares said as he hugged his wife from behind.

Aphrodite and Ares were sitting by the window, looking at the outside field near the lake where their three children were playing together.

Aphrodite had expressed her worry about how Harmonia was at odds with her younger siblings. She was worried that they weren't able to become close and love each other as family.

It put her in distress because she wanted a perfect, loving family. Not just a complete one in a literal sense.

"I'm glad they're inseparable now." she said, sighing in relief.

It was common to have different factions between gods and goddesses in Olympus. Some who had soft powers like Harmonia were peacemakers. While those who were blessed with psychic intelligence got involved in politics and economy. Others who wielded lethal, physical-type power like Ares, usually joined the military.

And it wasn't obvious, but there was definitely borderline hostility between these factions because the way they did things were totally different.

That was why Harmonia and her twin brothers couldn't get along at first. Their power determined their faction early on. And it caused them to have different opinions despite being siblings.

Ares put his chin on her shoulder and stole a kiss on her neck. He smiled as he said with confidence "I also needed time to get used to Hephaestus before. He always bothered me and got on my nerves but now we're pretty close."

Aphrodite chuckled hearing him. She couldn't be sure about how close they were though. Because everytime Hephaestus visited them, Ares would ignore him like he was a piece of wood.

Poor Hephaestus, being treated like air by his own brother.

"You're cheating, it's not fair!" Deimos' words rang throughout the field as a booming laughter from Phobos filled him with anger.

Harmonia also laughed as she went closer to Phobos and said "He's not cheating, he's just being smart!"

Deimos grimaced at how his sister was taking Phobos' side. He grunted in annoyance and raised both his hands in surrender.

Then, Phobos teased him again for being so slow on the uptake. It made Deimos more irritated and he gritted his teeth, promising revenge.

The three's antics caused a soft smile to appear on Aphrodite's face. They were having fun and she was happy seeing them like that. They were already older than mortals, but were still acting like kids.

"I hope our life will continue like this forever." she whispered lovingly, staring into her husband's eyes. Her love for Ares was getting humongous by days and she wouldn't want it to stop growing.

Ares lifted his lips in a smile and leaned towards his wife, pecking her lips.

"If there's forever, I'm sure our life will continue this way without ending."

But little did they know, the word 'forever' was like a double-edged sword..

It could bring a fleeting moment of love and comfort but could also cause a lifetime amount of sufferings.

Underneath it all, a woman identical to Aphrodite herself was slowly cooking up her schemes. She would take back everything that she claimed was hers and pay back tenfold to those who would get in her way.

She identified herself as "The heavenly Aphrodite".

She would say that she was Aphrodite's elder sister.

A woman lost in time and not written within Fate.

A sorrowful woman who got betrayed by her own destiny and birth.

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