The King of the Underworld is Tired

Chapter 107: Eros’ Wedding – Aftermath (2)

After a moment, Selene turned her lunar chariot around.

The brief eclipse ended, and the sun revealed itself once more.

“But doesn’t this put the goddess Selene through a lot of trouble?”

“We smoothed it over with a reasonable reward. Hephaestus' jewelry…”

In Olympus, a “reasonable reward” for a goddess usually means something crafted by Hephaestus.

When the god of blacksmiths puts a little effort into his work, jewelry similar to the magical gear created by Lady Hecate just pops out everywhere…

“I heard Aglaea is pregnant with Hephaestus’ child.”

“I’m starting to think that, as you said, it was a good idea. Not only did it improve their relationship, but maybe Aphrodite accepted Psyche so easily because of the divorce?”

So you thought the same thing as I did.

Aphrodite has become considerably more relaxed compared to before, probably because she finally succeeded in getting the divorce from Hephaestus that she had long desired.

After all, she wanted to be free from Hephaestus so she could pursue love on her own terms…

Glancing over at Eros and Psyche, the stars of the wedding, I noticed that Aphrodite was seated with her legs crossed, ordering Psyche around.

“Hey, Psyche, come here and pour me some nectar.”

“Yes, Mother…”

“Mother?! I never allowed my son to marry someone who can’t even pour nectar properly!”

“Mother, please! I just got married today…”

“Hmph!”

She’s mellowed out, right? Probably. I think so.

At least she’s not cursing or chasing Psyche away, so maybe she’s accepted her.

But I noticed Persephone wasn’t around.

She had been sticking close to me earlier. Where did she wander off to?

“You are truly beautiful. Would you care to spend a passionate time with me? Despite how I look…”

“No! Go away!”

Some muscular young god, who appeared to be in his twenties by mortal standards, was flirting with Persephone.

Judging by the fact that I didn’t recognize him, he seemed to be a newly born god.

Though Persephone, being Demeter’s daughter, wouldn’t have any real trouble dealing with him,

I should intervene to prevent any commotion during what is supposed to be a joyous wedding…

Should I head over there for a moment?

* * *

The young god smiled slyly and attempted to grab Persephone by the wrist, but she pulled away with a look of disgust. I had never seen her make such a repulsed expression before.

“Why are you rejecting me? Despite how I look, I am Priapus, the son of Dionysus…”

“Hades!”

As I subtly approached, Persephone noticed me and her face lit up with relief.

She could have just mentioned her status, and he would’ve backed off, but… did she want to play the damsel in distress being rescued by the prince? Surely not.

Of course, hearing my name, the son of Dionysus spun around in surprise,

and his eyes met mine, standing behind him.

“Ha… Hade… Gasp! I-I apologize! This is my first time at an Olympian event, so I didn’t recognize the goddess of spring, Lady Persephone…”

“Quiet. You’re the son of Dionysus?”

“Yes, I am!”

I seem to recall hearing this god’s name before.

Wasn’t he in charge of fertility and procreation?

“Do you woo your desired partners by flaunting your status and title?”

“Huh?”

“If this is how you treat another god, I can only imagine how you behave with mortals… Listen carefully.”

“W-What are you saying?”

“If even one mortal suffers injustice because of you, you will pay the price for it in the underworld. Understood? Now, be on your way.”

As I watched Dionysus’ son hurriedly bow and retreat, an odd sense of irritation welled up inside me.

Have I grown that attached to Persephone? I felt more annoyed than I expected.

“Hehe… Lord Hades.”

“If something like this happens again, why not just tell them your name?”

“I didn’t think of that. Heehee.”

As Persephone clung to my arm, the irritation faded away.

Hmm. She is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beings in Olympus.

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

Her golden eyes and hair were just like her father’s.

Her beauty, inherited from Demeter, made her a vision of grace, one that would drive any male god wild.

Young gods who didn’t know her face would naturally flirt recklessly.

No wonder Demeter constantly worries. Ah, I see she’s already noticed and is on her way here.

With a scowl on her face, Demeter approached, glaring sharply at Priapus before speaking with a concerned look.

“Persephone, how many times have I told you to stick close to Hades at events like this…”

“Oh, Mom! Why are you so overprotective? I’m almost 300 years old!”

“Sigh… I worry for good reason. You’re not the first goddess to fall prey to the schemes of male gods just for flaunting her power.”

Demeter’s concern was valid. Even goddesses with high status had been caught in treachery.

Just recently, she herself had nearly been targeted by Poseidon, so as a mother, she has every reason to worry about her daughter…

“Hades, I’ve entrusted my daughter to you, so at times like these…”

“Oh, Mom! Please stop already!!!”

Ugh. This is getting noisy.

* * *

Persephone’s Outburst Calmed Down, and Demeter Finally Took a Seat.

Persephone and I sat across from her, drinking nectar.

After a while, Demeter, who had been sipping her nectar, set her golden cup down and looked back and forth between me and Persephone.

“It’s been quite a while since I sent my daughter to the Underworld. Isn’t it about time for her to get married?”

“Oh… Mom, seriously…”

“Of course, Persephone would be the rightful queen of the Underworld, wouldn’t she?”

She was furious when I first took her daughter, and now she’s rushing us to marry.

Is she more anxious after that incident when Ares’ daughter almost got targeted by Poseidon’s son?

“…I already have goddesses I’m interested in.”

“Who’s saying you can’t? You’ve been hanging around with that Styx goddess since the Titanomachy anyway. And what’s wrong with a god having multiple wives? Just look at Zeus.”

At Demeter’s words, I glanced over at Zeus.

“Hahaha! Ganymede, come over here and pour me some more nectar!”

“Zeus, you…!”

“…You’d better be on your way now.”

I turned back to Demeter.

Zeus, who had been smiling at Ganymede, hurriedly dismissed him under Hera’s sharp glare.

Seeing that, a small crack appeared on Demeter’s expression.

“…In any case, from what I see, you’re too old-fashioned. Well, that’s why I… Ahem.”

“I understand what you’re saying. But even so, I can’t give you a clear answer…”

I was about to tell her that I couldn’t be definitive about Persephone.

But I sank into a long-delayed thought. Do I like Persephone?

I wouldn’t mind being seen as a god of the Underworld who’s fallen for a goddess.

Playing the role of protector for my niece, who is targeted by countless gods because of her beauty, is fine.

But if someone asked if I truly have feelings for her…

I turned to Persephone, who was sitting there, hands clasped, looking at me with a slightly anxious expression.

When our eyes met, she gave a hesitant smile, but I could see the anxiety in her eyes.

The sudden impulse I felt was that I didn’t want to see it.

That anxiety in her eyes.

The fear that I might not accept her, stirring those emotions.

Perhaps because it didn’t suit the lively goddess of spring?

“Lord Hades…”

Even Demeter, who had seemed eager for a response, stayed silent.

She quietly ate her ambrosia, waiting for my answer.

I reflected on my past moments with Persephone, trying to understand my feelings.

When she first came to the Underworld… When she said she would keep infusing energy into the training grounds of the heroes for me…

Yes, Persephone was certainly beautiful.

Her actions were cute, and I didn’t dislike them.

In that case…

Swoosh—!

I quietly reached under the table and took her soft hand.

It was a little embarrassing, but knowing her feelings for me and pretending not to notice would be cruel.

Even if marrying my niece was still too much, at least…

“Ah…!”

“There seems to be some misunderstanding, Demeter.”

Could it be… that I also have feelings for Persephone?

“I’ve never once said I disliked Kore.”

“…? Hades, what did you just…”

Demeter, mid-bite of her ambrosia, stared at me in confusion.

Persephone, who had shyly moved closer to me, felt warm, and seeing her blushing cheeks stirred something in me.

“Eros’ wedding is nearly over, so I’ll be heading back.”

“…Very well.”

* * *

On the way back to the Underworld after l

eaving Olympus,

I was guiding the chariot through the strong winds when Persephone, sitting behind me, called out.

“Lord Hades.”

“What is it?”

“For the first time earlier… you called me Kore.”

Did I?

“Isn’t that your nickname? You said everyone who’s close to you calls you that.”

“…Heehee.”

Sitting behind me, Persephone—no, Kore—hugged me around the waist.

Feeling the warmth of the goddess of spring, I quietly guided the chariot back to the Underworld.