We both return to the temple.
I sat upon my obsidian throne while Hectate leaned against the crystal railing beside me, and a lamp floated glowing faintly with arcane fire behind Hectate.
"Druvak has pledged loyalty, he is now our sword and shield."
"And Amazel has agreed to follow the Underworld's Crown," Hectate added, her voice light, almost playful.
I looked at her curiously.
"I am really curious, how did you manage to pull her to our side easily?"
She smiled, eyes softening with memory.
"A very long time ago, when I first entered the Underworld, I met a small demon girl. She was weak, soft-spoken. Different from other usual bloodthirsty, ambitious demonic beings. She is polite, reserved… all she ever wanted was a safe and quiet home."
Her voice slowed, warmth lacing her words.
"Then, one day, she was caught in an arcane energy rift. Her body… changed. Twisted by arcane mutation. I helped her and gave her some of my power when no one else would. And over time… she grew into a Duke. But her personality never changed, she is still a sweet and kind girl."
I watched her silently.
"Sounds like you care for her"
She glanced at me, unbothered.
"Of course, she is like my little sister. After you… She's the only one of them with whom I can talk without putting up a wall."
A grin crept across my lips.
"Oh? So you trust me that much?"
" Yes"
I leaned forward slightly.
"If I asked you to tell me everything… would you?"
Her eyes narrowed, knowingly.
She saw my trap instantly, but chose not to dodge.
Instead, she leaned closer, voice suddenly seducing.
"Everything? Even…my private secrets?"
She is definitely bluffing. I shouldn't push her too hard; she will definitely be embarrassed.
"Is it, then, why don't you show me your birthmark?"
"Ok, then… should I start with the mole on my left chest or…?"
And as she spoke, she deliberately pulled her dress just slightly downward, revealing a hint of cleavage and the curve of skin that left very little to the imagination.
Hades unknowingly leaned a little bit, as he tried to take a small glimpse of that mysterious place.
Hectate giggled and she quickly normal her dress
"You are quite a naughty boy."
My face flushed. I caught myself in my own trap.
"Wha– I wasn't trying to see anything, it just…"
"Just stole a glimpse of it"
"No, I got a little injury during the duel, so I just leaned a little to relieve on pain"
Hades quickly made some nonsense excuses and left their, as if he remained for more time. He will only sink more into the swamp.
---
Hades walked into the garden and dropped down under the shade of a tree. He uncorked a bottle of tequila, poured the dark-blue liquid into a glass, and took a sip.
This tequila is made from a rare purple agave fruit and is strong enough to drop a cyclops in one shot. He set it down and pulled out a small vial filled with dark-green liquid.
Out of nowhere, Hectate popped out from behind the tree.
"What are you doing?"
Hades flexes the tequila bottle "Nothing. Just celebrating a small win."
"With alcohol?"
"Obviously, alcohol is one of the best ways for celebration."
Hades raised a bottle and glass, "Wanna join in my celebration?"
She shrugged. "Sure."
Hades poured her a glass. She noticed the green potion.
"What's that? It just looks like my sleeping potion."
Hades fans his hand "Nah, it's an enhancement potion. This potion will make the drink more potent and strong."
Hectate hovered her glass"Then put some in my drink."
"But—"
Hecate interrupts him, "No buts. I can handle even 100 times stronger."
Hades sighed and poured a drop into her glass, stirring it. He didn't add any to his own.
"Why not put it in yours?"
"I'll add it to my second drink. First, I want to taste the tequila as it is."
She nodded.
They clink their glasses "Cheers!"
They downed their drinks in one go.
"Hmm…Not bad" She blinked, swaying slightly. "Why… does this taste… familiar…?" Her eyes widened in realisation. "YOU IDIOT."
Hades furrowed his brows "What?"
Hecate points at the vial bottle "That is my sleeping potion!"
Hades: "Impossible. I made this."
She slumped forward, out cold.
Hades used his secret divinity to check what happened. An image flashed in his mind two identical green vials sitting side by side. He'd grabbed the wrong one.
"...Great."
He thought about waking her, but when he saw her peaceful face, he just sighed. Carefully, he brushed a few strands of hair from her eyes.
"She is quite stubborn" Hades lightly pinched her nose, Hecate turned her head unconsciously ", but I like her that side as well."
Then, he carried her in a princess carry position, he brought her to his room and laid her on the bed. She was moving while sleeping as she felt her dress uncomfortable.
Hades noticed that, but he hesitated.
Suddenly, two imaginary figures pop out, one small miniature Hades in devil form and another one small miniature Hades in angel form.
Both are in conversation with each other, but their words are actual clashes of their thoughts.
"She's your wife. Just change it."
"Not without her permission."
"She's asleep. You can't ask."
"Still wrong."
"So, you let your sweet wife sleep uncomfortably."
With this devilish statement, no one was able to oppose him
Hades came near her slowly, slowly unzipping her dress back, soft and beautiful white skin visible.
He gulps down, as he wants to touch her and feel it, but still he hesitates.
Again devil's voice comes "Why are you holding back, she is your wife just a little skinship nothing wrong"
I agreed with him and touched her white skin, which felt soft and warm.
Hectate make little sound "Hmmmm"
Due to it, Hades had come to his senses and felt guilty.
In the end, he changed her into a gown using magic while her eyes were shut the whole time.
Devil smack head "And that's why you're still a virgin in both lives."
---
Next Morning
Hecate yawned and stretched. When she realised she was in a different room and wearing a gown instead of her dress, she froze. Then she noticed Hades asleep next to her, shirtless.
Her face went bright red.
"AAAAAAAAAA!"
Hades bolted upright. "What? What's wrong?"
"Did you change my clothes?"
"Yes. Eyes closed."
"…Did anything happen between us?"
"I was drunk. I don't know…" Noticing her glare "Actually, no! Nothing happened! I swear!"
She summoned her wand.
"No no no, my sweet wife, let's not—"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Fireballs flew.
"I KNOW you didn't do anything, you idiot, but you still undressed me! That's punishable by fire!"
"Pervert! Horny dog! Swine! ****"
Hades dodged, diving behind trees while apologising. The chase continued until she finally cooled down, though her glare stayed sharp the rest of the morning.
In afternoon
They sat together in the war chamber, a map of the realm glowing with arcane indicators. With six Dukes remaining and four already in alliance, each move now carried weight.
"We need to divide again," with a cold voice as she was still holding a grudge against the previous incident
"Agreed. I'll handle Miramor, the Wandering Ghost."
"And I'll deal with Rontor, the Tortoise Titan."
I raised a brow.
"Isn't that thing rumoured to be indestructible?"
"Which is why I'm the one going,"
"Alright, dear wife. Just don't flirt with any giant turtle."
"No promises. If he has better compliments than you, I might consider."
I sighed.