Chapter 107
A moment later, Selene changed direction with her moon chariot.
The brief eclipse ended, and the sun revealed its true form again.
"But won't this be hard on Goddess Selene?"
"I appeased her with appropriate compensation. Jewelry made by Hephaestus and..."
In Olympus, 'appropriate compensation' for a goddess usually means items made by Hephaestus.
If the blacksmith god puts in a little effort, magical accessories similar to those made by Lady Hecate pop out everywhere...
"I heard Aglaia is pregnant with Hephaestus's child."
"I think we did well, as you said, brother. Not only their relationship, but don't you think Aphrodite accepted Psyche more easily because of the divorce?"
So you had the same thought as me.
The reason Aphrodite has become considerably more amenable compared to before is probably because she succeeded in divorcing Hephaestus, which she had longed for so much.
She herself wanted to break free from Hephaestus and pursue free love...
Glancing at where Eros and Psyche, the main characters of the wedding, were,
Aphrodite was sitting with her legs crossed, bossing Psyche around.
"Hey, Psyche, come here and pour some nectar."
"Yes, mother-in-law..."
"Mother-in-law?! I don't remember marrying Eros to a child who can't even pour nectar properly?"
"No, mother, please. I just got married today..."
"Hmph!"
She's become more amenable... right? Probably so.
Judging by the fact that she's not cursing or chasing her away right now, it seems she's somewhat accepting her.
But I don't see Persephone anywhere for a while now.
She was sticking close to me until just now, where did she go again?
"You are very beautiful. Would you like to spend some hot time with me? I may not look like it, but..."
"No! Go away!"
A muscular male god who looked about 20 years old by mortal standards was hitting on Persephone.
Judging by the fact that I've never seen this god before, he seemed to be newly born.
With Persephone's power as Demeter's daughter, there shouldn't be much problem,
but I should prevent any disturbance at a wedding that should be joyous...
Should I go over there for a moment?
***
As that male god tried to gently grab Persephone's wrist with a forced smile,
Persephone avoided him with a disgusted expression. I've never seen her make such a repulsed face before.
"No, why are you refusing? I may not look like it, but I'm Priapus, son of Dionysus..."
"Lord Hades!"
As I approached quietly from behind him, Persephone's face lit up upon seeing me.
If you had just stated your identity, he would have backed off on his own, did you want to play the princess being saved by the prince... probably not, right?
Of course, Dionysus's son was startled by my name coming from her lips and turned around,
making eye contact with me who had already approached behind him.
"Hade... Gasp! I'm, I'm sorry! This is my first time at an Olympian event, so I didn't recognize Lady Persephone, the goddess of spring..."
"Quiet. You say you're Dionysus's son?"
"Yes, that's right!"
I feel like I've heard the name of this god trembling before me.
Was his domain fertility and reproduction?
"Do you court those you're attracted to using your status and position?"
"Pardon?"
"If you're like this even with fellow gods, I can only imagine how you treat mortals... Listen."
"Wh-What... do you mean?"
"If even one mortal is unjustly harmed because of you, you will pay for that sin in the Underworld. If you understand, you may leave now."
Watching Dionysus's son hurriedly bow to me and retreat, I felt a surge of displeasure for some reason.
Could it be because I've grown quite fond of Persephone... I felt a bit more unpleasant than expected.
"Hehe... Lord Hades."
"Next time something like this happens, you can just state your name."
"I didn't think of that. Teehee."
Seeing Persephone cling to me and link arms, strangely, my displeasure disappeared.
Hmm. She is indeed one of the most beautiful in Olympus.
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
Golden eyes and hair that take after her father.
Her graceful figure revealing Demeter's beauty is enough to drive all male gods crazy.
Beauty enough for young male gods who don't know Persephone's face to hit on her without thinking.
No wonder Demeter is always worried. Ah, speaking of which, she's spotted us and is coming over.
Demeter approached with a deeply furrowed brow, glared fiercely in the direction where Priapus was, and then spoke with a worried expression.
"Persephone. As I've told you many times, during feasts, try not to leave Hades's side as much as possible..."
"No, mom. Why are you so overprotective! I'm almost 300 years old!"
"Sigh... It's because I'm worried. There have been many goddesses who were taken advantage of by male gods while only showing off their own power."
Demeter's worry is justified. Even goddesses with high divine status have fallen victim to schemes.
Last time, she herself was almost targeted by Poseidon, so as a mother worried about her daughter...
"Hades. I asked you to take good care of my daughter. At events like this..."
"Oh, mom! Please stop it!!!"
How noisy.
***
Persephone's cry was brief, and Demeter, finally calmed down, took a seat.
Persephone and I also sat across from her and drank some nectar.
After drinking nectar for a while, Demeter put down her golden cup and looked back and forth between me and Persephone.
"It's been quite a while since I sent my daughter to the Underworld, isn't it about time for her to marry?"
"Oh... mom, really..."
"Of course, Persephone would be the mistress of the Underworld, right?"
When did she stop being angry about someone touching her daughter, and now she's saying to get married quickly?
Has her anxiety worsened since the incident where Ares' daughter was almost taken by Poseidon's son?
"...I already have some goddesses I'm interested in."
"Who said anything about that? You've been sticking with that Styx goddess since the Titanomachy. And what's wrong with a god having multiple wives? Just look at Zeus."
At Demeter's words, I looked at Zeus.
"Hahaha! Ganymede, come here and pour me another cup of nectar!"
"Zeus, you...!"
"...You may go now."
I turned my head back to look at Demeter.
The scene of Zeus smiling at Ganymede and then sending him away at Hera's fierce glare.
Seeing that, a small crack appeared on Demeter's face.
"...Anyway, in my opinion, you're too rigid. Well, that's why I... ahem."
"I understand what you're trying to say. However, I can't give you a definite answer about..."
As I was about to reply that it's difficult to give a definite answer about Persephone.
I fell into thoughts I had been putting off. Do I like Persephone?
I don't mind being seen as someone who has fallen for a goddess, me, the lord and chief god of the Underworld.
It's fine to volunteer as the protector of my niece, who is targeted by all sorts of male gods due to her exceptional beauty.
But... if asked whether I truly have feelings...
I turned to Persephone, who was looking at me with her hands clasped and a slightly anxious expression.
She awkwardly smiled when our eyes met. However, anxiety was nestled in her eyes.
The sudden impulse I felt was that I didn't like seeing it.
The anxiety nestled in her eyes.
The emotion born from worry that I might not accept her.
Did I feel this way because it doesn't suit the vibrant goddess of spring?
"Lord Hades..."
Even Demeter, who seemed like she would urge me to answer quickly, was silent.
She just quietly ate ambrosia and waited for my answer.
I reflected on my feelings when I had been looking at Persephone all this time.
First, when she first came to the Underworld... when she said she would continuously breathe life into the heroes' training ground for me...
Yes, Persephone was certainly beautiful.
Her actions were cute, and I didn't dislike them.
Then...
Swish-
I quietly reached under the table and held Persephone's soft hand.
It's a bit embarrassing. But it would be wrong to pretend not to know her feelings towards me.
Even if marrying my niece, a relative, is still too much, at least...
"Ah...!"
"It seems there's been some misunderstanding, Demeter."
Maybe I... have feelings for Persephone too?
"I have never once said that I dislike Kore."
"...? Hades. What did you just..."
Demeter stares blankly at me, stopping mid-bite of her ambrosia.
The warmth of Persephone shyly clinging to my side was comforting, and seeing her cheeks flushed red, I felt something stirring in my heart.
"Eros's wedding is almost over, so I'll be heading back now."
"...I see."
***
On the way back to the Underworld after coming down from Olympus.
As I drove the chariot through the strong winds, Persephone, riding behind me, called out.
"Lord Hades."
"What is it?"
"Earlier... you called me Kore for the first time."
Did I do that?
"Isn't that your nickname? You said everyone who's close to you calls you that."
"...Hehe."
Persephone, no, Kore, riding at the back of the chariot, hugged my waist.
I quietly drove the chariot towards the Underworld, feeling the warmth of the goddess of spring.