Now.
Helena tells the sad story of her and her friends to Lucien, not for him to feel sorry for her but for him to understand that the angels don't have a good life serving the Gods.
She continues as she doesn't realize that he is patting her head. His smell is good that even when talking about painful memories, she doesn't feel so bad.
"Atticus did not die, but... from that day on, our life has never been the same," Helena speaks while resting her head on Lucien's chest.
"The angels of our Houses were very upset by the death of General Crassus, but Maxim was really furious. As soon as Atticus's life was out of danger, he again tried to go after the Water Goddess."
Helena starts to fiddle with Lucien's shirt as she continues. "We knew that Maxim would be killed or suffer worse punishment if he defied the Gods, but his heart was being corrupted by regret and anger..."