After sending the brown-haired goddess on an errand, Persephone leaned back comfortably and confidently declared that Hades would come right away. 

This despite having just mentioned how busy Hades was with countless duties. I couldn’t even imagine that the great Hades would put everything aside to offer wisdom to a mere foolish human woman like me. Yet the Queen showed not a hint of doubt.

Oh, I was in agony. Each time I saw his happy face, I felt more acutely what I had lost. I was once like that too. Remember? When in your arms in the darkness, anything I asked for was granted without fail. I had to bow my head. I feared my tears would fall.

How much time passed? It’s difficult to sense the flow of time in the Underworld palace, but I’m certain it was a brief wait, just long enough to drink a single beverage.

My love, have you ever heard Hades’ voice? Would you have been just as surprised?

“You seem to attract troublemakers.”

That voice, heavens, that voice! Cold like a frost-covered lake, beautiful like a forest that stays green even in winter. I couldn’t help but look up, despite my determination to remain humble and composed. 

Though I had resolved many times in my heart to be modest and proper, the moment I heard Hades’ voice, curiosity got the better of me. Even after paying a tremendous price for my curiosity before. 

Am I truly Pandora’s daughter? Perhaps Aphrodite was right. Her sin might flow through my veins. How tragic.

When I looked up, Hades was already climbing the steps toward the throne. Exceptionally tall, dressed entirely in black, with only a shimmering dark green fabric draped over arms white like ice. 

Hades moved silently, not so much walking but gliding. Completely different from Aphrodite, who seemed to leave flowers blooming with each step, but I could instantly tell this was a deity. And such long, black hair!

“You’re here?”

Persephone smiled brightly upon seeing Hades. He immediately rose to greet her. Not out of protocol or duty, but the natural reaction of meeting a lover. 

Standing up from the throne, I could see how tall and handsome Persephone was. The thought crossed my mind that a young man so strong would never have been abducted against his will. 

Would you scold me for thinking that?

Hades barely responded to the Queen’s affectionate welcome. But it took quite a long time to release the hand that reached for hers. Clearly, she valued her dignity as the Underworld ruler.

“You’re Eros’s wife?”

Hades turned directly to me and asked, and those green eyes were so frightening! Only then did I come to my senses.

“Y-yes, I am.”

“That little one has grown up and even married… how quickly time passes.”

That little one? What could she have meant? 

I almost asked without thinking but managed to hold back my curiosity by clasping my hands together. I worried about angering the Underworld royal couple with presumptuous behavior.

When Hades sat on the silver throne, I could see the silver poplar leaves surrounding it rustling in welcome. The Queen watched for a moment before taking his seat beside her.

Hades then went straight to the point.

“What did Aphrodite entrust to my Queen?”

My Queen! My love, just imagine!

A pale beauty with loose black hair referring to the strong, handsome blonde beside her as “Queen”! And the Queen’s expression when hearing those words was so happy, looking at Hades with eyes that seemed ready to melt.

I must have been slow to respond. When my answer was delayed, Hades coldly declared:

“I won’t ask twice, daughter-in-law of Aphrodite. I came here not for you or your mother-in-law, but for the dignity of the Underworld Queen. It would not be wise to waste my time.”

How terrifying! 

I must have let my guard down momentarily. You’ve said it yourself, I’m just a sheltered princess, a thoughtless child. 

Learning that Hades was actually a goddess, and a remarkably beautiful one at that, I failed to connect this to her being the mighty ruler of the underworld with tremendous power.

I immediately prostrated myself and begged forgiveness. I realized that Hades’ mercy depended solely on the request of her beloved Queen.

“I’m sorry, please forgive me…! I, I still can’t believe I’ve come to the Underworld with my living body… I lost myself for a moment. Please don’t be angry…!”

My pleading sounded so powerless and foolish. Fortunately, it moved the hearts of the great deities.

When Hades sighed, the darkness beneath the torches rippled along with it.

“I know your mother-in-law well. Once she’s upset, she never stops until her anger is spent. But you’re her daughter-in-law, so why have you fallen so far from her favor?”

In the end, I had no choice but to honestly share everything before the Underworld King and Queen. How my foolishness had deeply hurt you, and all the trials I had endured and must still face as consequences. 

My love, will you forgive me? 

I hesitated, fearing it might wound your dignity, but I had no choice. I was terrified of being trapped in the depths of the Underworld while still alive, never seeing you again, or of rumors spreading that I had fled without completing Aphrodite’s errand, causing you to curse and forget me. 

I couldn’t bear it.

When my story ended, oh, the silence that filled the Great Hall!

“Wow, controlling, ill-tempered mothers aren’t just my specialty. Are there any good parents on Olympus at all?”

“Be quiet, Persephius. What do you know to interrupt?”

“Hadeia!”

“Aphrodite is extremely sensitive about her powers. When she feels insulted, she never forgives, even when dealing with fellow gods. How much more furious must she be when even her beloved son fell for this girl.”

“Hmm, did something happen between you and Aphrodite? You look oddly pleased.”

“That’s none of your business.”

In writing this might read coldly, but Hades’ voice wasn’t sharp at all. Persephone, receiving these words, seemed excited rather than hurt. It was strange. 

Clearly, there must have been many things between them that I couldn’t even imagine. If they even had pet names for each other, their depth of affection must be truly remarkable. 

Meanwhile, I didn’t even know your name once.

Hades looked straight at me and spoke.

“You, daughter of Pandora. Indeed, Aphrodite has given you a test you cannot pass. My Queen owes her nothing, and I myself once quarreled with her and flushed with anger. So if you came to the Underworld in her name, whether dead or by some miracle alive like this, she would have thought we would never return something we never received.”

I held my breath. The fact that Hades, ruler of the Underworld, had the same thought meant there was truly no way to deny or avoid it anymore.

At my silence, Hades sighed.

“This is truly a deadly trial.”

“I… I want to see my husband again. That was my only wish and hope. But…”

Everything went dark before my eyes. My tongue felt tied, unable to move anymore. I wanted to recall your image, to remember the sensation of being in your arms, but I couldn’t. 

Like I had been instantly burned to ashes. The sound of you cursing me, oh, the sound of the candle melting in my hand came to mind, slashing at my heart.

“It’s all my fault. I know that. No matter what tasks I complete, the fact that I betrayed my husband won’t change. But… I love him. Nothing has value without him! It’s okay if he resents me. It’s fine even if he completely erases his memories of me. If only I could see him once more, just once, if I could confess my feelings…”

What did I want to know? 

Even though you only came to me in darkness, you gave me happiness and love beyond what I deserved. Your skin was soft, your lips tender. I knew better than anyone that you were never a monster covered in scales. 

My life was truly perfect. Thanks to you. So why did I hold that candle that night? Why did I listen to my sisters’ concerns instead of our covenant? A curious coward! A fool who couldn’t imagine what she would lose, an idiot. That was me.

My eyes burned. My heart pounded so hard I had to clutch my chest. It hurt. My heart, my body, everything. I wanted to cry, but strangely, no tears came.

That’s when it happened.

“Very well. I’ll help you return safely to the surface.”

Hades spoke briefly. I forgot my manners and looked up.

“P-pardon?”

“I said I will help you.”

“Lord Hades…!”