Ever since Hades gave me a fragment of his soul, something has changed.
I can feel his emotions and his warmth. Not only this, but his memories also drift into my mind like lost pages of a book.
This book's pages turn one by one and describe: His struggles to reach this throne. His own family calls him a monster. Even though they curse his name, he still protects them in the shadows. And the nightmare…the one where he destroys everything by his own hand.
And when he cuts his soul just to save me…
It tightens my chest.
He doesn't do it for power.
He doesn't do it for pride.
He gives up everything: his strength, his rule, his life, just for me.
For the first time in my long, lonely life…
…Someone risks everything…even his own life for me.
——————Hades point of view———————
We rest in silence for a week, hidden in a quiet cave carved by the mountain winds.
When I finally open my eyes, the first thing I see is her no longer trembling, no longer lost. Completely fine.
She notices I am awake and rushes to my side, arms crossed, expression… complicated.
"Why," she asks sharply, "do you do something so reckless?! Do you not care about yourself at all? Why do you risk your life, just for me?! I'm just a caretaker! I am meant to leave once you take the throne!"
I stare at her a moment… and smile gently.
"Because…I see you as my closest and precious one. The one I trust more than anyone."
She freezes and her eyes go wide.
Then she mutters under her breath, cheeks pink,
"Idiot."
I blink.
And laugh loud and warm, breaking the heavy silence of the cave.
Hecate's hands tremble slightly as she looks at me. "Do you remember...once you said you were the solution to my problem?"
I nod silently.
"Then tell me," she continues, "what problem are you talking about… and what is the solution?"
I take a deep breath. "I answer that, but first, you need to tell me the truth. Why are you so afraid of trusting others? Why do you carry this loneliness like a curse?"
Hecate lowers her head. Her hands clench tightly. For a moment, she says nothing. Then, in a voice roughened by years of silence, she begins:
"I am Hecate… daughter of Perses and Astraeus. I was born in the grand temple of the sky realm. But to my parents, I never exist."
"They ignore me. Leave me to grow alone. Even the servants fear me because of my three-headed form, because of my unique arcane divinity. I am the first to ever hold that power."
She looks up, eyes distant with memory. "As I grow stronger, strong enough to rival even the cardinal titans, I want recognition. I want them to see me. If not love, then at least fear. So I make a deal with Cronus."
Her voice twists bitterly.
"He says he'll give me a cardinal titan's seat if I help him slay the monster haunting the sky realm. We fight together. We win. But instead of fulfilling his promise, he tricks me and gives me the cursed Gate Key of Tartarus. That key traps me in the underworld as gatekeeper of Tartarus and caretaker of the underworld."
She scoffs, then continues.
"I am foolish and trust Cronus. But when he breaks my hope and trust, in rage I attack him. And that's when I earn the title of 'witch of the crossroad', 'invisible in magic spell and range battle'…' one who is exiled to the underworld'."
Her gaze turns back to me, quietly intense. "I make my name in the world…but in a negative light."
I clear my throat. "First of all… yes, Cronus betrays you. He breaks your trust. But that doesn't mean everyone will. For example, me—as I will never break your trust."
Hecate narrows her eyes. "Sometimes, Hades… when you say such foolish things with this serious face, I really feel like punching you."
I click my tongue and mumble, "Okay, maybe it sounds foolish. But I'm not joking. I won't break your trust."
"Hades…"
"Your real problem isn't just betrayal. It's that you believe you're alone and misunderstand that your parents never cared."
She blinks. "What… do you mean?"
"Your parents are distant. But not absent. The truth is, they are too busy handling the collapsing sky realm after Uranus's fall and the monster's rampage. They protect you in secret or indirectly. Even when you are exiled to the underworld, they personally come to Lady Nyx and Lord Erebus, the very beings the universe fears to speak to, and your parents beg them to protect you."
Hecate's expression freezes.
"Just think about it, despite holding the Tartarus Key, no demons or dukes ever attack you. That's because the Primordials make it known Hecate is under their protection."
Such truth is quite overwhelming for her, as she has believed for many centuries. Her mind does not accept it, but deep down she wants it to be true.
"No… That's impossible… You're lying."
I silently summon my Secret Divinity. With a wave of my hand, shimmering scenes play before her eyes: her parents watching her from afar, protecting her from the shadows, pleading with the Primordials to grant her sanctuary.
Hecate's knees give out. Her eyes turn red.
"Don't hold it in," I whisper, kneeling beside her. "Cry. If you don't let it out now, you'll never be able to face them again. You'll carry the guilt forever."
She collapses into my arms and sobs, clutching me like a child who has finally come home. I gently pat her head, letting her grief pour out. Hours pass before her tears slow.
"…Thank you, Hades," she whispers.
I give a soft smile. "Well… now we have a new problem."
"What… problem?" She tilts her face.
I wipe sweat from my forehead. "…We're now bound by a soul bond."
"So?"
"So… we're connected by soul, divinity, emotions, fate…"
"…Okay. Then?"
I look her dead in the eyes. "My foolish witch… we're married."
She blinks, still not registering it. "Okay. Married. That's al— wait, wait… WHAT?!"
"Yes," I say, scratching the back of my head. "We accidentally perform the Forbidden cosmic marriage ritual, one of the most sacred and forbidden rites in the universe. Almost no one dares to attempt it because of its harsh conditions. But we… somehow… do it."
Hecate's face turns bright red. Her mind goes blank.
"I'm sorry, I should've asked before involving you in something like this. I'll try to find a way to undo it."
"No!"
Her sudden outburst startles me. Even she looks surprised by what she's just said.
She pauses. Slowly, realisation creeps over her face. 'Why does she say that?'
---
She knows deep down… she doesn't want to break the bond. Because she loves him, though she won't admit it out loud.
"You don't have to apologise, and don't ever try to break this bond again. It's fate that ties us through such a sacred ritual. And besides… breaking it would bring terrible consequences."
"But… are you really okay with having me as your husband?"
She turns her face slightly, trying to stay composed.
"…I suppose. You fulfil my basic requirements."
She doesn't say she loves him. She doesn't need to. Not yet.
For now, she blames fate. And takes her time, to learn, trust and love.
---
After a brief rest, Hades and Hecate return to the grand throne room of the underworld. Shadows shift and bow in silent reverence as the dark monarch reclaims his seat of power.
Hades settles onto his throne, the obsidian and bone creaking faintly beneath him.
But then, unexpectedly, Hecate kneels before him.
Head bowed. Voice steady. "I, Hecate, daughter of Perses and Astraeus, swear my loyalty to you, Hades, Lord of the Underworld."
Hades blinks. "What are you doing?"
She remains silent, her posture formal and unwavering.
He waves a hand lazily. "You don't have to do this. You're basically… my wife. Which also makes you queen of the underworld."
He instantly regrets those words.
Hecate's eyes light up with a wicked gleam.
"Aha~, you're right, but don't you think we should hold a proper event?"
"…Event?"
"Our wedding ceremony. And…" she leans in closer with a seducing smile while licking her own lips, "the wedding night."
"…Ceremony… night…" Hades repeats dumbly, already spiralling into a daydream.
In his mind:
They stand in a vast hall draped in black silk and glowing soul-lanterns. They exchange rings beneath a moonless sky. Then a …kiss. Later, in the quiet of their chambers, he lifts Hecate in a princess carry, taking her toward the bed. Then…
He blushes hard.
A faint, dreamy smile creeps onto his lips.
That's when Hecate leans close to his ear and whispers with a smirk, "Pervert."
"Ahem!" Hades nearly chokes on his own breath, snapping back to reality. "N-No! I am just… thinking about strategic matters."
She gives him a look.
"To be specific! With Noctandrath gone, the other demon lords sense the shift. Two dukes are down. That news spreads soon."
Hecate says nothing, but the smile on her lips deepens.
She is enjoying this, teasing him, watching him squirm.
Hades clears his throat again and stands up. "Anyway! I should go. I'll… I'll be at the training ground."
Without waiting for her reply, he strides out of the throne room, Hades a little bit annoyed but more liking her new side and cheerful attitude.
He chuckles softly to himself.