Hadeia

Hermes came to the Great Hall.

“Lord of the Underworld, deity who welcomes many travelers. I am truly honored that you have granted me an audience.”

Hermes was indeed born with courage. He maintained composure under the pouring gazes of the underworld gods and skillfully offered his greeting, which was no easy feat. 

When Hermes walked to the center of the hall, my servants subtly stepped back. Not out of respect for him, but likely because they guessed who might be behind him right now.

I did not respond to Hermes’ greeting. Instead, I sat deeper in my throne and clasped my hands together.

Hermes was one of the rare gods who freely traveled between the underworld and the world above. No, that might be misleading. It would be better to say he received an official permit to carry out his duties. 

While Zeus would never willingly descend to the underworld, there were always common issues between us. Just as Zeus hated coming down, I was equally uncomfortable going up to Olympus, which made a busy messenger between us essential. 

Hermes gladly agreed to business trips to the underworld. For this reason, Hermes’ visit was like a pebble thrown into still water.

‘If it were an ordinary matter, he would have come to my office. Deliberately coming to the Great Hall where many eyes are watching, what could he be thinking?’

I narrowed my eyes, observing Hermes closely, hoping to guess the ripples he would create. Normally, this would yield little result, but this time might be different. There was something making my nerves anxious. 

For instance… his attire.

Hermes wore a light yellow chiton with a vermilion chlamys draped over it, colors he certainly didn’t typically favor. The combination of the two fabrics created a rather lively, flower-like impression even under the cold blue lamps. Like buttercups or daffodils…

No way.

My face hardened.

“Hermes.”

“I come here as Zeus’s envoy.”

Did he guess what I was about to say? 

Hermes raised his voice clearly to prevent me from stopping him. Yes, perhaps he wanted to mock me, thinking, who wouldn’t know you’re following Zeus’s orders? 

But I was frozen, caught in a strange tremor.

‘Has something happened to Persephius?’

I could hear my pulse pounding, and I felt drunk without having touched any wine. Did I want to flee this place? Or was I crushed under the weight of foolish hope? 

I barely managed to unclasp my hands. It would be truly ridiculous if I broke my own hands. I groped for and gripped the cool armrests of the throne. I feared my hand’s heat might melt the silver throne.

With Hermes proclaiming in such a loud voice, I couldn’t silence him. I couldn’t suggest moving elsewhere, waiting in my office, or even ordering the gods filling the hall to leave. 

This situation was equivalent to a meeting between the king of heaven and the king of the underworld. Nothing would damage my dignity more than backing down now.

Hermes bowed his head politely to me, then produced a brilliant golden scroll from his empty hand. He unfolded it smoothly in one motion, looked around once, and began to speak.

“I shall deliver a message regarding Persephone, daughter of Demeter.”

“What?”

Thanatos jumped up sharply, seeming to have been stabbed in the back with a dagger. A commotion instantly filled the hall. 

Momus’s distorted face flushed red, and Eris opened her eyes as wide as lanterns before letting out a sigh heavy enough to collapse the floor. Hypnos looked like he’d just woken from sleep, and Apate tilted her head in confusion. Only Philotes showed no sign of surprise.

My grip on the throne tightened.

No one who has drunk from the waters of forgetfulness has ever recovered their memories. So Persephius must still have forgotten me and the underworld. Why, then, would Zeus send Hermes to me? 

The worst possibilities grew dark and massive in my mind, eventually blocking my vision. I maintained my composure with a hardened face. I must appear Hades-like, gloomy and cold, just like always. Especially now.

‘Judging by Hermes’ cheerful tone, Persephius isn’t injured or in danger. There would be no reason to send me an official document for that anyway. Then what could it be? Perhaps he’s getting married?’

I stopped breathing. I didn’t want to appear gasping for air like a drowning victim. Stabbing my chest directly with a knife would hurt less than this. But there was no more logical guess. None that I could see.

Zeus always enjoyed tormenting me. Poseidon never backed down, so their conflicts escalated into major fights, and Hera never responded, making it no fun for him to be the only one agitated. 

Demeter? What fool would play tricks on someone holding a sickle? 

The modest Hestia was about as interesting to Zeus as a plank of wood. So only I remained. The eldest and the youngest, sister and brother, silent but never merely listening with my disagreeable temperament. Perhaps this time was no different.

‘Just the fact that I kept him in the underworld is enough for Zeus to latch onto. He mentioned that Persephius was being stubborn, but Zeus wouldn’t believe that. It was a weak excuse anyway. The idea that the ruler of the underworld would allow the realm to be disturbed because of a child’s tantrum… thinking about it now, it was truly a naive excuse.’

If so, the story about Persephius that Zeus would tell to tease me was predictable. On the surface, it would appear to be sharing family good news with good intentions, but in reality, it would be content meant to provoke and irritate me.

‘He’s getting married.’

As the child of Demeter and Zeus who also stayed in my court, it wouldn’t be strange to inform me if he were getting married. That’s how it would appear externally. But Zeus would know. 

The time Persephius spent in the underworld and his request for the water of forgetfulness, what that meant. In matters involving women and men, he was more excellent than a lion smelling blood. Circumstantial evidence alone would have been enough.

A sigh finally escaped me. I leaned back against the throne and closed my eyes. I didn’t want to see Hermes announcing that Persephius was getting married, that he had found a suitable match and promised love.

Hermes opened his mouth.

“You, Lord Hades, and many gods here surely remember her stay in this place? However, an issue we failed to confirm has arisen.”

“An issue?”

My eyes opened at the unexpected statement.

“Is he sick? Or perhaps his memories have returned?”

“Memories returning? I personally drew water from the Lethe, so that’s impossible. You know that well, don’t you? And seeing his stubborn nature like a wild colt, he seems not just healthy but robust. Of course, beautiful young lady that she is, as you all know.”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

Hermes briefly set aside his official demeanor and waved his hand cheerfully. He didn’t forget to thoroughly treat Persephius as a maiden, adding humor with subtle glances. 

If this weren’t the underworld, someone might have laughed. The gods of the underworld didn’t know how to laugh, especially in such unprecedented confusion. 

I forced myself to swallow dryly.

“Then I don’t understand. If his body isn’t damaged, and his memories were erased according to natural order, what problem could there be? And to call it an issue we failed to confirm. It sounds like something the underworld caused or should take responsibility for.”

“Please don’t take offense! In my humble opinion, Lord Hades bears not even one percent of the responsibility. That’s just my personal view, of course. I can’t speak for how Lady Demeter or Lord Zeus might feel.”

“Get to the point, Hermes. I don’t enjoy wordplay. You know that well.”

“I apologize. I was trying to be tactful in case you might be alarmed, but my thinking was limited.”

“What could possibly surprise me?”

I snorted.

“If it’s not my responsibility, then it can’t be a serious matter. Stop the theatrics and speak.”

“If you insist…”