Chapter 17

The wedding was held in grand fashion. Amid radiant light and blessings, all Gods and mortals celebrated the two, and their beautiful kiss ended the ceremony quietly, yet passionately. Cheers of joy echoed, and every being who had awaited this moment was filled with happiness.

Receiving many blessings, the two climbed into the carriage drawn by Necron. As Hades took the reins, the black horses neighed with dignity and struck the ground, heading underground. Leaving behind the Gods waving to them, the carriage slowly disappeared into the gates of darkness.

At that moment, Persephone turned her head and pointed in a direction with her finger.

“Hades, over there! Let’s stop by for a bit.”

“Understood, Kore.”

Hades smiled silently and turned the reins to where she pointed. But as the carriage drew closer, a faint look of embarrassment appeared on his brow.

“Uh… Kore. This is…”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s where you kidnapped me.”

Hades hurriedly lowered his head, ready to speak, but she cut him off first.

“Don’t say you’re sorry, Hades.”

Guilt was about to darken his eyes, but Persephone gently wrapped her hand over his.

“Miss Persephone, it’s time. I’ll aim my arrow at Hades, so stay nearby. When the arrow hits, Hades will fall in love with you at first sight.”

“Understood, Eros. If possible… I’d like it to be near the lake.”

“The lake?”

“Yes, that way I can naturally be with my friends too.”

“All right. I’ll do my best to make it look natural.”

“The method you chose may have been wrong, but… thanks to it, we met, fell in love, and now we’re married. I want to think of the result as a good thing. I’ll remember this place as the beginning of us.”

“…Kore, you really…!”

Hades’s voice trembled, and his eyes filled with deep emotion. As he moved to embrace her, Persephone hugged him tightly first, burying her head in his chest and whispering.

“You’re so kind and innocent. I’ll do my best… Hades.”

“I’ll do my best for you too. Always.”

Their embrace lingered as if time had stopped, and finally loosened slowly. Just as Hades was about to suggest returning underground,

“Oh! Let’s go over there for a moment, Hades!”

Persephone pulled his hand and stepped briskly into the forest.

Though their time aboveground hadn’t been long, her eyes sparkled with childlike energy. Finding her so lovely, Hades quietly followed behind.

“The flowers here are so beautiful.”

Persephone spoke with a somewhat shy smile.

“They’re as beautiful as you.”

“Hades, you’ve gotten good at flattery now?”

“Flattery? I always speak sincerely to you, Kore.”

At his earnest gaze, Persephone looked at him for a moment, then her lips curled softly. Hades’s expression relaxed, and the two walked side by side through the woods.

“Huh? Isn’t this a pomegranate?”

Persephone pointed at a branch.

“It really is. It’s surprising to find a pomegranate here.”

“Isn’t it? So fascinating!”

Hades quietly picked a pomegranate from the branch and handed it to her.

“Can I just eat this?”

“No. Let me peel it for you.”

He split the pomegranate in half with his hands. As the skin opened, the bright red seeds glistened, their rich aroma tickling their noses, and the sunlit pomegranate shone like rubies.

As Hades began to pick out the seeds one by one, Persephone stopped his hand and quietly lifted the fruit to her lips.

As she bit into it, sweet, rich juice burst out, moistening her lips. The red-stained corners of her mouth gleamed with temptation, and Hades’s gaze lingered there for a moment.

“…It’s delicious.”

Persephone narrowed her eyes with a smile.

“Miss Persephone, I’ve come at Zeus’s command to see you.”

“Welcome, Lord Hermes. First… let’s go somewhere the maids can’t follow.”

Persephone whispered as she cautiously looked around, but Hermes shook his head and spoke in a low voice.

“It’s all right. Thanks to Lord Zeus, nothing we say today can leak anywhere. The space itself is sealed, so no one can overhear.”

“Thank you…”

Persephone inhaled with a slightly tense expression. Sensing her hesitation, Hermes got straight to the point.

“Today, I’ll go to Hades and tell him I’m acting on Lord Zeus’s orders. That he must let you go.”

Persephone’s fingertips trembled slightly. For a moment, she felt as if she had to say goodbye to Hades, and her heart ached. Sensing her anxiety, Hermes continued.

“But… Lord Zeus truly wants you and Lord Hades to be together. So he asked me to pass on a certain plan.”

“A plan?”

“Hades will offer you a pomegranate today. You’ve always refused food from the Underworld, but just this once, eat exactly six seeds.”

Persephone’s eyes wavered slightly. Then she asked,

“If I do… will I have a reason to stay in the Underworld?”

“That’s right. You’ll keep your powers and be able to set the time you stay in the Underworld. Lord Zeus wants to respect your wishes while maintaining balance among the Gods.”

Persephone slowly bowed her head. Her quiet words were filled with gentle sincerity.

“Thank you so much, Lord Hermes. And… please tell Lord Zeus as well. That I’ll never forget his words, ‘Thank you for loving Hades.’”

Hermes was silent for a moment. The emotion in her eyes was more than simple affection. It was genuine—tender, desperate, and beautifully heavy.

“…Is Lord Hades really… a God deserving of such love?”

Persephone smiled quietly.

“He is… Perhaps because he’s lonelier and colder than anyone, he’s someone I can’t help but love.”

“Kore, let’s… go underground now.”

“Yes, Hades. Let’s go.”

Before the last sunlight of the surface disappeared, Persephone closed her eyes. Then, resolutely, she took Hades’s hand and climbed into the carriage. His hand felt warmer than before. Perhaps it was because her heart had deepened.

***

When the two arrived underground, the once silent Underworld stirred with waves of celebration and congratulations, as if spring had come after a long winter. The crowds that began at the first river soon gathered and followed, and at some point their procession became a parade.

“Wow, were there always this many people underground…?”

She muttered without thinking, looking at Hades. Even he seemed a bit flustered by the lively, bright scene so different from the usual quiet.

Led by Necron, the carriage slowly passed the five rivers of the Underworld, retracing its memories scene by scene. Where once only darkness reigned, now gentle, lively gazes blossomed like life.

When the carriage reached the castle gate, Hades quietly stepped out first, and she followed, holding his hand. The moment they set foot on the ground, every living being before them bowed deeply, opening a path. The farther they walked among those bowing, the more something swelled inside her. She’d entered this land in fear, but now she felt, with her whole body, that it had become part of her destiny.

Passing through the gate, a familiar corridor unfolded. She saw portraits of Hades hanging on the walls. She remembered her first walk down this path—how unfamiliar and cold it had felt. Now, it was warmer and more comforting than any other place.

‘I never imagined then that I’d sit beside this man…’

Inside the castle, a red carpet stretched out before her, ending at two massive chairs ablaze with blue flame. Under the dazzling fire, the path to the throne was as quiet and solemn as dawn.

Hades gently led her by the hand. She could feel the warmth and emotion in his touch. Climbing the steps, he slowly seated her at the chair on the right. Then he took his own seat beside her, accepting all the gazes upon them.

Sitting on the throne, she closed her eyes and savored the moment. When she opened them and looked out at the Underworld, it was no longer a land filled only with death.

‘It’s all thanks to you, Hades.’

She thought to herself, gazing at his profile. He had kidnapped her, deceived her, but loved her more than anyone. Her love for him was no longer a feeling to hide.

At that moment, a radiant silence spread through the entire Underworld, and someone’s trembling voice pierced the darkness.

“Finally, spring comes to the Underworld…”

That cry soon spread like a great wave, and the once quiet Underworld filled with cheers and applause. Some laughed, some cried. It was the spring of hope that came after long suffering.

Persephone smiled softly. With that single smile, the creatures of the Underworld held their breath and smiled with her.

Now, the Underworld was no longer a land of fear.

It was a land of love that could embrace even death.

It was a new land of life, where Persephone dwelled.

Epilogue

From afar, she could faintly sense someone approaching.

Just a little closer, just a little more.

There wasn’t much time left.

She pretended to know nothing, gazing at the flowers.

Then, as she felt someone’s touch on her shoulder… and her body turned,

She saw the man’s face and smiled brightly inside.