“Though I’m not on good terms with your mother-in-law, I received a small favor from your husband. He helped me, prepared to risk his mother’s wrath. Therefore, I should gladly return the favor.”

I couldn’t even imagine what you might have done to help Hades. I was so stunned I could only blink blankly, unsure how to respond. But it seems Persephone was just like me. 

As soon as Hades finished mentioning receiving help from you, he turned and immediately questioned her.

“Eros helped you? This is the first I’m hearing of this.”

“Of course. It happened while you were drinking from the waters of forgetfulness and frolicking in the narcissus fields. Why would you need to know?”

“Why wouldn’t I need to know? I’m your Queen! I should know everything about you, even the smallest details!”

“What can I do? It wasn’t I who chose to drink the waters of forgetfulness, but you.”

“Really, that’s cowardly! You know very well I did that to return to you. I even ate the pomegranate for you, you haven’t forgotten that, have you?”

“If I hear that one more time, it will make a thousand times!”

Hades waved her hand dismissively.

“Anyway, it’s all in the past. You have no reason to concern yourself.”

“That’s for me to decide after hearing it!”

“How annoying! What does my business with Aphrodite’s son have to do with you?”

“Come on, what man wouldn’t be curious about what help another woman’s husband gave to his wife?”

“Heavens, you’re such a child!”

She growled so loudly! Just like a black dragon about to breathe fire, she was furious. I was terrified, ready to prostrate myself like a deer caught in a trap, but Persephone didn’t even flinch. He seemed used to it.

“That’s right. I am a child. But I’m also the Queen of the Underworld and your spouse. Isn’t that enough?”

“Fine, fine. It’s my fault for arguing with you. Such a temperament!”

“You’ll tell me?”

“Don’t you see the human before you who has lost her husband and is enduring trials from a goddess? Didn’t you ask me to help her?”

“Hmph!”

I watched carefully. Persephone folded his arms and replied.

“Alright. Yes. I want to help this poor girl. But don’t expect me to forget about this.”

“Of course not. You’re just as tenacious as Cerberus.”

“Thank you for the compliment!”

Hades frowned. But the atmosphere wasn’t unpleasant.

She tore her gaze away from her grinning golden-haired Queen and looked down at me.

“Now, here is my repayment. I will place a small box in my Queen’s hands, and you shall receive it from him and return. Then respectfully present it to Aphrodite, saying it is the beauty entrusted to Persephone. But there is one thing you must be careful about. I warn you sternly, daughter of humans, never open the lid. Humans cannot withstand the powers that gods exchange among themselves.”

If only I could convey to you the relief and joy I felt hearing those words!

Hope that had completely vanished flew back from somewhere, filling my chest with whiteness. My stomach tickled and fluttered, filled with beautiful butterflies. I can bring beauty to Aphrodite! 

Since it comes directly from Persephone, there can be no fault found! Oh, thinking this brought such relief!

“Yes, I will do exactly as you say…! Thank you, Lord Hades, thank you…!”

I frantically bowed my head in gratitude. I didn’t forget to bow to Persephone too. I may be a flustered, immature girl, but I don’t forget my manners. 

Persephone wore a satisfied smile across his face. Whether that smile was because of me or because of Hades, I couldn’t tell.

Hades rose from her seat. It was a quiet and beautiful sight, like a snake rising from the middle of a black pond. I thought she must be going to retrieve the box containing beauty. 

And for a goddess with such mysterious charm like her, who was also Plutus, said to possess all the world’s treasures, it wouldn’t be strange for her to possess beauty.

Then Hades, who was gliding away, stopped before me.

“And you must be careful when speaking of what you saw in the Underworld. Do you understand my meaning?”

“What I saw in the Underworld…?”

“Yes. Me and my Queen.”

“Ah…!”

Only then did I catch Hades’ meaning. How foolish I am! 

But at that time, my mind was so full of joy at the possibility of meeting you again. Had Hades not specified this so clearly, I would hardly have understood.

“Yes, I will do exactly as you wish…! I succeeded in my mission solely through the mercy of the beautiful Underworld Queen and the dignified Underworld King. They are as noble as statues erected in temples, and that is all I saw, nothing more. I saw nothing strange worth gossiping about.”

“Yes, you are right. It would not be wise to spread rumors about Hades.”

Hades lowered her eyes slightly. Then she vanished into the darkness in an instant.

Her return was surprisingly quick too. The box she brought was amazingly beautiful! You would have marveled at it too if you had seen it. 

It was carved from a whole piece of obsidian, with rubies and garnets embedded in the lid and sides, and silver inlay creating stems and leaves. It was truly a precious object that made perfect sense for storing beauty entrusted to the Underworld Queen. 

It was also just the size of a cosmetic box where women would store their powder and rouge.

Hades handed it to Persephone, who received it politely with both hands. Then he descended the steps and approached me kneeling on the floor.

“Here is the beauty Aphrodite awaits. All the Underworld has witnessed that it was given directly by Persephone, Queen of the Underworld. Now return the way you came. Don’t worry about Charon and Cerberus.”

“How can I ever repay this kindness…”

“It’s for what your husband did. Thank your husband. With this, you’ll be able to see him, right?”

“Aphrodite did say so, but…”

“She wouldn’t go back on her word, would she? She’s a goddess after all. Don’t worry and go back. You’ve done your best. You’ve proven your love. That’s enough.”

My mouth went dry. Persephone’s gaze was like a pat on my shoulder. With kindness that willingly understood the pain I was going through, the trials I had taken upon myself. 

I nodded and accepted the box. I wanted to grasp his hands tightly but didn’t. So you won’t be jealous, will you?

I held the box preciously against my chest and left the Underworld palace. Just as Persephone had said, Cerberus only growled at me without attacking, and Charon, though grumbling, willingly ferried me across with empty hands.

The path that had seemed endlessly deep and frightening on my way in felt so short on my return! 

Perhaps it felt that way because I had crossed all the rivers and even said goodbye to Charon?

With each step upward, the air became lighter, and I could feel a faint hint of light. Just thinking about getting closer to you made my heart pound and my head feel dizzy. No matter how many times I rehearsed what to say, nothing seemed good enough. 

Would you look at me fondly like before? What if you found me repulsive, the foolish woman who betrayed you?

Oh my, I almost tripped on a stone! What would have happened if I had fallen! If this precious box had broken or been damaged, I truly would be better off dead.

But what should I do? Look at my clothes. They’re all dirty with soil and dust. Though I can’t see myself, I’m sure my face and hair are covered in grime too. 

I can’t see you looking like this! I’ve already wronged you, how could I face you in such a careless, unattractive state?

Could I stop somewhere briefly to wash and groom myself? 

No, no, Aphrodite would never forgive my negligence. She would scold me for being ill-mannered, for not respecting her and not loving you. Then all the trials I’ve endured would be for nothing.

If only I could check my appearance for a moment! If I could make myself look like a wife waiting for her husband!

Come to think of it… wouldn’t a cosmetic box have a mirror attached? I’m not even hoping for a silver mirror. Even a small one would do. I wouldn’t complain even if it were bronze. 

Yes, Hades told me never to open it, but… oh, my love, I’ve done all this to win back your heart! What value would all my hardships have if I approached you looking so disheveled that you would frown?

If just for a moment…

Really, just for the blink of an eye…

I’m getting sleepy.

I don’t know why.

But my forehead reflected in the silver mirror was still fair.

There was nothing inside the box.

Perhaps it’s something invisible to human eyes.

Oh, my love, I must have been so tired all this time.

I need to close my eyes for a moment…

When I wake up, if you could be by my side, if only that were possible… how wonderful would that be?