Underworld.
In the quiet of Hades office, the scratching of a pen was the only sound.
Hades sat behind his dark stone desk, calmly working through a stack of scrolls and tablets.
His office was tidy, lit by the pale glow of blue-green flames from braziers along the walls.
Hera stood before him, hands clasped behind her back, her tone formal but steady as she reported. "The matter is resolved. Athena has been ordered to circle the world on foot as punishment. Poseidon will repair all damages their fight has caused and remain in isolation after."
Hades set down his pen and looked up at her with unreadable onyx eyes. He gave a small nod. "You handled it well."
Hera allowed herself a faint smile. "Thank you."
For a moment, she simply stood there, her golden eyes watching him, silent.
She couldn't help but think of the rumors circulating lately; that Aphrodite has captured the king's heart.
