"I am peacock shopping," Hera repeated patiently. Were it anyone else asking that question in that tone, she'd have put them in their place. But she'd spoken the truth when she told Zelos she admired loyalty, and she knew that he thought that's what he was displaying now. Still, she added, "And there is no need to get your hackles raised, young man, so modulate your tone."
She turned and headed for another pen. She wasn't about to tell Zelos that Zeus was concerned about Kratos as well, because her husband's concerns were darker than her own. There was no need to worry the boy just yet.
"But as you are with me, I thought I'd take advantage of the privacy to ask after your brother," she commented mildly. "He's a quiet one, he keeps to himself, so there has been nothing overt that says that there is a problem. But he's also missed some days when he was supposed to be performing his duties. That is very unlike Kratos. Are you telling me, truthfully, that you weren't concerned when your brother asked you to cover his shifts?"
Hera turned then to give Zelos a look. "You are more clever than that, Zelos. If it is a personal matter, you do not need to tell me what it is. I simply wish to know that he is alright, and that we have no reason to fear your mother might think that Zeus has broken his oath."
If he wanted to assign her ulterior motives, that one would work. Even though it was her husband's rather than hers, it was a still a viable concern.