Chapter 4 – Nemeryan

Clang—

“Miss Persephone!”

Suddenly, a wave of nausea rose from deep inside her, and she dropped the fork she was holding. The sound of metal hitting the plate made her stomach churn. She tried to take a deep breath, but the smell of the food seemed even stronger. A heavy, earthy, unpleasant scent stung her nose and turned her stomach.

Unable to bear it, she pushed back her chair and stood. A dizzy spell swept through her head, and everything briefly turned gray. She caught a glimpse of Hades quickly rising from his seat.

She wanted to say she was all right. She didn’t want to ruin the mood over something so minor. But before she could speak, her body betrayed her and swayed. Her legs, stepping back, felt weak.

Hades, watching her with worried eyes, quickly came to her side.

“What’s wrong? Is there something wrong with the food?”

His voice was clear and urgent. His eyes flickered with shock and concern.

“No, it’s just… ugh!”

She quickly covered her mouth. She tried to hold it in, but her body kept betraying her. Just then, Hades gently held her. His movement was unbelievably soft.

“Miss Persephone! Are you all right?”

Held in his arms, Persephone felt as heavy as wet cotton. She was confused, grateful, and her mind went blank from the closeness.

Looking into his eyes up close, she felt as if they held a strange magic. It was a chaotic situation, but somehow, looking at him, she felt oddly calm. Like a lie, but so vivid.

“Miss Persephone?”

His gentle call helped her gather herself as she spoke.

“Ah… I’m fine now. I just felt dizzy for a moment. Sorry to trouble you, Lord Hades.”

“Trouble? As long as you’re in the Underworld, nothing you do could be a burden.”

…Why does he speak so kindly?

Hearing such serious and firm words made her heart quietly race. When she moved, trying to hide her blushing face, Hades quickly released her, as if he’d just noticed how close they were.

“Ah, sorry. I… I touched you again without permission.”

He carefully seated her in a nearby chair, then stepped back as if he were being punished.

She shook her head with a smile.

“No, it’s fine. You caught me and saved me from falling.”

“Still… I said I’d always ask your permission, and I broke that promise again.”

“No, really, it’s fine. I should be thanking you. You kept me from getting hurt.”

“Not at all. That’s… only natural.”

‘…Really, this man is always surprising.’

Persephone watched him and slowly exhaled. Then, suddenly, the terrible smell from earlier came to mind again.

“Come to think of it, I suddenly felt nauseous when I tried to eat… Was there something wrong with the food?”

His expression hardened with concern.

“Ah, well…”

It was hard to continue. Knowing that he had prepared the meal himself for her, she didn’t want to hurt his feelings.

But Hades nodded quietly and waited for her.

“Please speak freely, Miss Persephone. Only then can I satisfy your hunger.”

At his words, she slowly spoke.

“Actually… the food suddenly had a foul smell. And as that smell spread, I lost all my strength…”

“A foul smell, you say…?”

Hades lowered his eyes for a moment, lost in thought.

“Yes. But I don’t think the food was spoiled. Strangely, it only happened when I brought the fork close to my mouth.”

“I see.”

“So I’m really sorry… but I don’t think I can eat that food.”

“There’s no need to apologize, Miss Persephone.”

Hades spoke gently right away. His comforting attitude warmed her heart.

“I’ll have the food prepared again soon. If staying here is too difficult, I think it’s best for you to return to the room with me first.”

“Yes… Thank you.”

He turned his gaze to the maids and gave a firm order.

“Clear away all this food, and bring up dishes from the surface.”

“Yes, Lord Hades.”

The maids began to move, and Persephone carefully stood up. Hades stood by her side, watching over her movements. His shadow fell over her, and within that shade, she felt just a little reassured.

Since she might continue feeling unwell, she didn’t refuse Hades’s offer to help, lightly taking his arm as they returned to the room. Even walking slowly down the long corridor, matching his stride, she felt strangely at ease. Quiet, gentle footsteps, and the warmth she felt beside her. Once inside the room, she sat carefully on the edge of the bed, and at last her heart calmed a little.

She rested, retracing what happened in the dining hall. But what was that smell? Could she really lose all her strength just by trying to eat? As she mulled over the unfamiliar sensation and situation, Hades’s careful voice reached her.

“It might be that Underworld cuisine doesn’t suit you, so this time I’ll have food brought from the surface. Since you’re used to those dishes, I hope that will be all right.”

His considerate tone made her smile softly.

“Thank you for your kindness, Lord Hades.”

“No, it’s my fault for not checking such a simple thing and putting you through trouble, Miss Persephone.”

His eyes held sincere regret. Just how carefully was he trying to treat her?

“It’s not trouble.”

She shook her head as she replied.

“Is there any food from the surface you especially like? Next time, I’ll make sure to have those dishes prepared.”

“It’s fine. I eat anything.”

“Still, isn’t there something you especially enjoy?”

His persistent question made her hesitate, then she lifted the corners of her mouth a little.

“Well… actually, I like fruit…”

“Fruit?”

His eyes glimmered softly.

“Yes. I love sweet things, so I often eat fragrant, sweet fruit.”

“From now on, I’ll have dishes with plenty of fruit prepared.”

“Thank you, Lord Hades.”

As he nodded and gestured quietly, a knock sounded at the door.

Knock knock—

“Lord Hades, the food has arrived.”

“Come in.”

With his permission, the maids carefully entered the room. On the tray were delicious-looking dishes, and the fragrant aroma gently filled the room. The food was neatly arranged with beautiful colors, harmoniously presented. The table was so lavish, it felt like they’d brought every delicacy imaginable.

“You must be very hungry, so please eat, Miss Persephone.”

He pulled a small table closer to the bed and looked at her. Meeting his gaze, she quietly asked,

“Aren’t you going to eat, Lord Hades?”

“I’m fine. You must be hungrier, so please eat. It’ll get cold.”

His gentle consideration was clear, but eating alone felt awkward. Persephone carefully speared some food with her fork and put it in her mouth. The familiar taste filled her mouth, making her feel inexplicably happy. As her tension slowly eased, her body relaxed.

“Wow! This peach is really delicious! Lord Hades, you should try a bite.”

He laughed lightly and shook his head.

“I’m glad it suits your taste. I’m really fine, so please eat plenty, Miss Persephone.”

But she wasn’t about to give up so easily.

“Come on~ Just one bite! It’s really good.”

Wanting him to know the taste she liked, she speared a piece of food with her fork and held it up to his mouth. For a moment, Hades’s expression turned to embarrassment.

“Uh, Miss Persephone?”

“Come on, say ‘Ah~’!”

At her enthusiastic urging, he hesitated but eventually opened his mouth a little. She seized the moment and fed him.

“How is it? Isn’t it good? I told you so!”

Excited, she took his hand from his lap and placed the fork in it.

“Yes… It’s really delicious.”

Hades’s response was a bit awkward, but it was so endearing that she couldn’t help but laugh.

“Right? It’s good, isn’t it? There’s so much food, I can’t possibly eat it all by myself. Let’s eat together, okay?”

Whew—

Finally, Hades seemed to relax and smiled quietly.

“All right. Let’s eat together, Miss Persephone.”

She nodded happily.

“You can just call me ‘Kore’! Everyone does.”

Hades paused for a moment, then looked at her with a gentle gaze.

“Thank you, Miss Kore.”

“Hehe, it’s nothing. Come on, let’s eat before it gets cold!”

In the room, only their laughter and the sounds of their pleasant meal softly spread. And in that space, their hearts were gradually drawing closer.