Vows and Bullets
Chapter 42: Another Verdict

Chapter 42: Another Verdict

***

[Agent Selene POV]

[The next morning...]

Despite all the nagging I received last night, I managed to sleep peacefully, thanks to the exceedingly comfortable bed and the music that lulled me to sleep. However, my morning was the complete opposite of that.

As I sat on the couch in the living room, with my one hell of a partner sitting in front of me and my phone laid down on the table between us, I felt nervous. Yes. So nervous that I’m starting to break into a sweat despite the cold temperature in the room. My heart thumped loudly in anticipation. Any moment now and I would receive a call from one of the chiefs.

When I deviated from the mission and rescued the child, Fae (my brooch) had been sending me notifications of all the protocols I disobeyed. I turned her in silent mode, or else she’d nag me too, but still, being the intelligent AI she was, she reported me to Mythos—just as how all our brooches were programmed to do.

Fae was connected to my phone and watch as well. If that’s not enough, Mythos could observe us from anywhere using any form of a camera—from CCTV to a regular person’s phones or gadgets—everything. That’s how all our actions get reported to the base, and we’re given points based on our performances in a mission. There’s no escaping what I did. It’s just a matter of seconds now before I get my verdict.

Ring. Ring.

Alas, the call I’ve been dreading to receive. But I did what I did. I don’t regret it.

Not even letting it ring a third time, I picked it up and answered.

"Agent Selene speaking," I said. My voice slightly trembled.

"Good morning, Agent Selene," Assistant Chief Athena’s voice echoed on the other line. I calmed down a bit, knowing it was her. She’s a lot nicer than the other chiefs.

"Good morning to you as well, Assistant Chief Athena."

"I suppose you already know the reason for my call?"

"Yes, ma’am."

"And Agent Helios is with you, I presume?"

"Yes, ma’am," Agent Helios replied.

"Good. Now I won’t beat around the bush and give you the verdict since you’re already aware of the circumstances."

"Yes, ma’am," we chorused.

"Agent Selene, for the conduct you showed yesterday, you will be receiving a demerit of 50 points."

Huh? Just a demerit of 50 points? That’s only equivalent to the points earned when performing an E-rank mission. I endangered an S-rank mission, so I expected around a thousand points to be deducted. That, or I’d be removed from the mission, though, that would be had for them to do. Or I’ll get a fine of I don’t know how much.

Just like me, Agent Helios looked puzzled about the decision. To make sure we didn’t hear it wrong, I asked Assistant Chief Athena.

"Ahm, ma’am, did I hear it correctly? 50 points? Or do you mean 50 hundred? (5000 points)"

"You heard me right. It is indeed fifty—five zero."

"I am truly thankful for the mercy I received, but may I know why I’m only receiving a demerit of 50 points?"

"I was about to explain it, but you interrupted me."

"Oh, apologies, ma’am."

"No worries. I understand you are nervous," Assistant Chief Athena continued. "About the reason, it’s because we just received intel that the child you saved is the daughter of a businessman who will be able to help us gain leads for the first phase of your mission. Shortly after the child was kidnapped, a mission was sent to Mythos with a high bounty just to rescue her. Since she was rescued fast and we didn’t need to negotiate with the kidnappers, her father was very much pleased with our work. He has sworn cooperation should we need his help in the future. Not only that, since you met her in your public identity, you have gained the favor of the child, which will definitely help us in the future and be leverage when we deal with the Elite society. Basically, you got lucky this time, Agent Selene."

I couldn’t stop grinning as I listened to her words. Meanwhile, Agent Helios’ face was as bitter as bitter melon.

’Oh my goodness! Finally, heaven is working in my favor!’

"However," Assistant Chief Athena added, "since you still didn’t follow normal protocols, on top of receiving a demerit of 50 points, you will also be demoted to a subordinate of Agent Helios for a whole month instead of working as a partner and having equal rights."

"Huh? What?" I blurted out in my surprise.

My grin was gone as soon as I got it, and Agent Helios’ bitterness turned into pure joy. His evil smirk was back on his hateful face.

"That means you will have to follow his orders no matter what it is, or you’ll risk another demerit which this time would be double the normal points deducted. There will be no more leniency, so you can expect high points to be deducted or even get sanctioned depending on the degree of insubordination. Is that clear, agents?"

"Yes, ma’am!" we chorused—though his tone was very enthusiastic compared to mine.

’Arghhh. Darn it! To think I’ll be his subordinate for a whole month! He will definitely take advantage of this and order me around—and I can’t refuse it!’

"Agent Helios, you have permission to take charge from today onwards, for a whole month. After that, should Agent Selene no longer incur any demerit, the partnership will be returned."

"Yes, ma’am."

"Good. That’s all for me. Any questions?"

"No, ma’am," we chorused.

"Alright. See you on your wedding day, which is next week. May the heavens be in your favor, agents."

Toot.

With that, the call ended, and my doom started. From that day onwards, Agent Helios really enjoyed his superiority over me and ordered me around. I tried refuting him and telling him he’s abusing his power, but he’s too smart. He could easily refute me, saying his order was necessary for the mission. Necessary my as*! Not all of them were!

He once ordered me to buy a drink, cook him food I deliberately burned, and finish some paperwork. Urgh! He’s treating me like his maid or secretary! If only we were in public, I could act spoiled and use our lovey-dovey act as an excuse. But no, for the rest of the week, we stayed in the hotel and had our assistants come if they needed anything. After all, we needed some beauty rest or something before the wedding.

’URRGHH... This devil partner! Just wait for it! On our wedding day, I’ll make sure to avenge myself and order you around!’

Just like that, the week soon ended, and it was finally the day of our wedding.