Chapter 9
Hades had nothing to say.
Because everything they said was right.
As a king, marrying, taking a wife, and having children was the most basic of duties. Yet for Hades, that very “basic” was the hardest of all.
Unlike his younger brothers who went around charming every woman they met, women were the most difficult thing in the world for him.
At first, he wondered if it was because of his looks. But the moment he ascended to the surface even once, nymphs who supposedly adored him gathered by the cartful.
In truth, that may have made things worse. After that incident, he avoided the surface even more.
After painstaking effort, he finally learned how to converse with women. He even succeeded in making a date with Leuke.
Leuke…
Hades recalled the first person in his life who had made his chest tickle with a soft, unfamiliar feeling.
Her clear, bright eyes that sparkled as she asked questions. Her innocent face, her warm smile that spread gently. Even the fearless way her soft hand reached out to take his.
He had never known anything so warm.
Accustomed only to the icy chill of the dead, it was the first warmth he had ever felt.
Warmth that came to someone who, swallowed by his father at birth, had never once been held in his mother’s arms.
He didn’t want to lose it. He wanted to feel that warmth more. He wanted to pull her close and breathe with her in his arms.
Clumsy with emotions, he still couldn’t properly define what this feeling was called. But one thing he knew for certain.
He missed Leuke.
He missed her silver hair that swayed every time she walked with quick little steps. He longed for those golden eyes that shone even in the underworld. He wanted to hear her pomegranate-red lips chatter on.
But he couldn’t help worrying.
…What if she runs away?
Even nymphs who initially fell for his appearance fled in fear the moment they saw his true nature.
What if she says she doesn’t like him, tells him to stay away, and pushes him off?
The one Leuke had cried out that she liked was Adis—kind, gentle Adis.
Would she like Hades the same way?
He couldn’t be sure. And so, Hades had no choice but to imagine the moment Leuke would reject him.
That said, he had no intention of letting her go.
You were the one who approached me first. You said you liked me. You said you wanted to repay a debt. You asked me out on a date.
Since she had approached him first, even if she tried to push him away, he had no intention of letting go.
“Charon.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Charon, who had only sighed at the talk of his lord’s marriage, replied while rowing. The River Styx was already close.
“What kind of gifts do women like to receive on a date?”
“…Pardon?”
Charon wondered if he had finally gone senile. There was no way words like woman and date would come from his lord’s mouth together.
“B-b-beg your pardon? What did you just say…?”
“I asked what kind of gift one should give on a date. You don’t know unless you’ve experienced it. Ah—do you not know either?”
“A date?! With a woman?! You, Your Majesty?!”
“Yes, that… a date with a woman. If you understood, don’t make me repeat it. My ears hurt.”
As if. He’s embarrassed.
Whenever Hades felt embarrassed, the tips of his ears flushed red—just like now.
Charon literally jumped on the ferry. Not metaphorically—actually.
Feeling awkward for no reason, Hades sharply turned his head away. His ears, red from heat, were clearly visible.
“Just row properly. I shouldn’t have asked you.”
“What do you mean, shouldn’t have asked?! If not me, who would you ask?!”
“There’s Thanatos or Hypnos. Hypnos, at least, is married and even has children.”
“That slick bastard? This loyal Charon is far better!”
Charon thumped his chest heartily and asked,
“So, who is the lady? A nymph? A human woman? Or perhaps a minor goddess?”
“…She’s an Oceanid, but not a nymph. Seems to be a minor goddess.”
“Then she must be a goddess born early in the Golden Age!”
Charon clapped his hands in delight—then promptly deflated.
“What is it?”
“Then… isn’t she already married…?”
“What?”
Hades’s eyes widened.
“Weren’t all Oceanids born in the Golden Age married? Metis, of course—and Doris, and even Styx over there—”
“What does my mother have to do with this?”
“Good heavens! You scared me!”
At the sudden voice, Charon yelped and turned around. There stood a muscular goddess, leaning casually.
“What, old man. What’re you staring at?”
It was Bia, goddess of violence, the youngest child of Styx, goddess of the underworld river.
“You ill-mannered brat! Why aren’t you greeting His Majesty at once?”
“I was about to! What do you take me for?”
Bia grumbled irritably, then instantly changed her expression and bowed deeply toward Hades.
“I greet the eternal king of the underworld.”
“It’s been a while, Bia. What brings Zeus’s loyal attendant to the underworld?”
“I’ve simply come to see my mother, so don’t worry!”
“Thank you, ruler of the underworld.”
After receiving Hades’s permission and bowing in thanks, Charon cleared his throat and spoke to her.
“Ahem. Hey, you. I have something to ask you.”
“Not interested. Unless Lord Hades asks.”
“You brat! It concerns Lord Hades.”
“Huh? Really?”
Bia, who had been casually picking at her ear, asked in surprise.
Hades gave a shallow nod.
“If it concerns Lord Hades, I will answer with utmost sincerity. What would you like to know, from someone as lowly as me?”
He hesitated briefly, then spoke.
“…Do you know an Oceanid named Leuke?”
Gulp. The sound of Charon swallowing echoed through the silent underworld.
“Aunt Leuke? You mean the Leuke I know?”
She asked back instead, incredulous.
“The Aunt Leuke with a rabbit-small frame, adorable looks, flowing silver hair, and golden eyes?”
“That’s right.”
At the perfectly apt description, Hades quickly nodded.
“To answer your question—yes. I know her well. She’s my aunt.”
“Your aunt? That’s unexpected.”
Charon, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.
Gods were not particularly bound by blood ties. Even direct family often meant little to them.
To beings who lived eternally, parents were tiresome, and children were something that could be produced endlessly.
“That’s right. My aunt is rather unusual.”
Leuke was unusual in many ways.
Though born in the Golden Age, she was frail from birth and slow to grow. Some mocked her for it.
Even so…
She was beautiful.
Like a single flower that shines most brilliantly just before it withers.
And beauty did not refer only to her appearance. It included her heart.
Leuke overflowed with love and affection for her sisters and family. Though they were not her own children, she raised her nieces and nephews with care.
She especially loves the word ‘family.’
Among the children of the sea, who could help but love Leuke? Each loved her in their own quiet way.
Just looking at her made one ache.
A daydream that might vanish at any moment.
“Among the children of the sea, there’s no one who hasn’t received Aunt Leuke’s love and kindness.”
“No, no—that’s not what matters!”
“Huh?”
Charon shouted, snapping Bia out of her thoughts.
“So is she married?!”
“No?”
“Ah! Divorced, then!”
“?”
“Don’t tell me… remarried?!”
In an instant, joy and despair flashed across Charon’s face. He was beating his own drums and gongs all by himself.
What’s wrong with this old man? He treats that oar like his lover—has he finally lost it?
Not wanting to watch this unpleasant spectacle any longer, Bia answered plainly.
“Marriage? Don’t be ridiculous. She’s still a virgin.”
“Hurrah!”
“Ah—jeez! What’s wrong with this old man?”
Charon had never been this happy in his life. Our lord is finally escaping bachelorhood!
If Bia hadn’t been there, Charon would’ve danced shamelessly right then and there.
But then Bia suddenly said something absurd.
“Though lately she’s been spending time with Lady Athena and swore to become a virgin goddess—”
“She swore?!”
Hades roared.
