Hades finally reached the reception hall, unaware of who might be waiting for him.

But the moment his eyes fell on the woman sitting awkwardly in front of Kaelith, he froze.

"M-Mom?" He could hardly believe what he was seeing. His mother, who rarely left the house, was here—in the Dragon's Realm? That was beyond shocking.

"Hades!" Quintessa shot to her feet, relief flashing across her face at the sight of someone familiar in such a strange place.

Hades quickly walked over and pulled his mother into his arms.

Feeling her warmth after so long, he felt something inside him soften.

Quintessa's eyes turned misty as she held her son tightly, her hands trembling slightly.

Meanwhile, Kaelith sat nearby, trying hard to keep her emotions in check.

She knew it would look ridiculous to feel jealous right now—but she couldn't help it.

Her son had never hugged her like that before.

So unfair...

When Quintessa finally let go, she placed a hand on his chest and said softly, "Why do you look so much different, even though only about two months have passed?"

Hades chuckled. "Well, all I've been doing is eating and training here. Anyway, come—let's sit first."

Quintessa nodded and followed him back to Kaelith's side.

Turning to Kaelith, Hades said, "Mother, you probably already know about her, but she's the one who took care of me all those years."

Kaelith smiled gently. "I do know, my son. Even though I left you at the church, fate had other plans. You ended up living with a family."

Hades smiled back, then turned to Quintessa. "And Mom, she's the one who brought me into this world. My mother."

Quintessa gave a nervous smile. "I always knew, from your hair alone, that you were born into a noble family. But to think you're the Dragon Queen's son... I'm so surprised—and proud."

Hades looked at her fondly before asking, "But how did you get here?"

It truly didn't make sense. For her to cross the borders and enter the Dragon's Realm just to see him—it was risky. Her husband, Count Trevon, has always been overprotective. There was no way he'd have allowed her to come here alone.

At his question, Quintessa's smile faded slightly.

Kaelith was the one who spoke next. "She was heading toward the border to meet you. Of course, she wouldn't have been allowed through. So the spies I placed in the human realm—the ones keeping an eye on those you care about—helped her reach here safely."

Hades was surprised to hear that—and relieved.

To think his mother had taken steps to ensure the safety of everyone he cared for.

Quintessa's face lit up as she said, "I heard you went through an awakening? Congratulations, son!" She wrapped him in another warm hug—making a certain someone in the reception hall freeze on the spot.

Avalin could only sigh inwardly, watching the Supreme One act so childishly.

Hades smiled at his mother and said, "Thanks, Mom. You came at the perfect time to celebrate with us. You're staying tonight, right?"

It had only been two months, but to him, it felt like ages since he last saw her.

He wanted this reunion to last a little longer.

Quintessa's smile wavered for a brief moment. She hadn't come here just for this—there was something she needed to say. But surrounded by her son's joy and the cheerful atmosphere filling the castle, how could she ruin it now?

"Yes," she said finally, her voice bright again. "Let's celebrate together!"

....

Not long after, Luna and Peri also joined them as the maids began setting the dishes on the dining table.

To the left of Kaelith sat Hades, and beside him, Quintessa.

Luna and Peri chose to let the three of them have their moment, so they quietly took their seats across from them.

"Waah… you have two such beautiful wives, son," Quintessa said with a bright smile, her eyes glancing between the two women.

She had met Luna before and had been captivated then as well by her effortless grace. Now, seeing the blonde elf who had introduced herself earlier—elegant, poised, and striking—Quintessa couldn't help but feel even more impressed.

Resting a gentle hand on Hades's shoulder, she said warmly, "You must treasure them, alright?"

Hades nodded lightly, then added, "There's someone else I want you to meet too, but she's not in a condition to come out right now."

He was, of course, talking about Marilyn—his mate. Hades had never once tried to hide his bond with her. He had accepted her completely, and to his relief, his other mates hadn't opposed his choice.

Quintessa, however, was taken aback. After all, it had only been a few months since he'd ended things with his former fiancée, and now he was married to three women.

After a brief pause, she asked softly, "Did you hold a ceremony?"

Hades blinked. "You mean a wedding ceremony?"

When Quintessa nodded, he gave a small laugh. "That's not really necessary, Mom. It's just a waste of—"

"Dear," Kaelith interrupted gently, her tone carrying a hint of warning, "…choose your words carefully, unless you want to hurt your mates."

Hades was startled, his words catching in his throat as he turned to look at his mates.

Luna sat quietly with her hands folded on her lap, a soft, almost sorrowful smile on her face as she stared down at her plate. Peri, on the other hand, looked away completely, her brows drawn together in a faint frown that spoke volumes.

In that instant, Hades realized the mistake he had just made—the weight of his careless words sinking in.

Just because he personally found something unnecessary didn't mean his mates felt the same. They had always been understanding, never demanding, never asking for anything in return. But that didn't mean they didn't want things—they simply chose not to voice them.

A pang of guilt struck him. He wanted to smack himself for being so insensitive.

Taking a deep breath, he turned toward his two mothers, his tone soft but resolute. "Once Marilyn wakes up," he said, "I'll talk to them about holding the ceremony."

Quintessa giggled, the sound light and affectionate. "That's my boy. And don't forget to invite their families as well—it wouldn't be proper otherwise."

Hades smiled faintly and nodded. "I won't. I'll make sure everyone they care about is there."

As he said that, he glanced once more at Luna and Peri. The small smiles that returned to their faces made his heart settle a little.

°°°°°°°°°

The meal went on peacefully after that. Everyone ate and talked with smiles, while the servants moved around the table, serving one delicious dish after another.

Quintessa had grown up in a noble household and later married a Count, so she had always been treated like a proper lady. But she didn't expect the same treatment from the Dragon Queen—someone far above any lord in status—to be so polite and warm toward her.

Hades, meanwhile, enjoyed the feast more than he had in a long time. Sharing a proper meal with his family felt comforting—almost nostalgic.

"So, Luna," Quintessa asked suddenly, breaking the quiet rhythm of the conversation, "have you been in touch with your family lately?"

Luna shook her head lightly. "Not really, but I did receive a letter from them."

Hades smiled at that. "Then we should go visit them when we send the wedding invitations."

It had been quite some time since Luna and Peri had last seen their families. A short break from training to spend time with their loved ones would do them good.

"There's no rush," Peri said softly. "It's not like we need to hold the ceremony right away. You should focus on resting and training for now."

She was right. Even though Hades had successfully awakened his first core, it would still take some time before he could fully control his new powers.

"She's right, Hades. There's no need to hurry," Luna said gently.

Quintessa's smile widened, her heart warming at the sight of her son surrounded by such caring wives.

The dinner continued peacefully after that. The atmosphere was calm and pleasant, filled with soft laughter and the clinking of dishes. Kaelith mostly stayed quiet, observing the scene with a faint smile. It was mostly Luna and Quintessa who carried the conversation.

At one point, Quintessa began sharing stories from Hades's childhood—small, precious moments that neither Luna nor Peri had heard before. Even Kaelith leaned in, listening intently.

She might have received reports about Hades over the years—his growth, his strength, his progress—but none of those words ever told her about these little things.

His first step.

His first word.

The first time he picked up a weapon.

The first time he ran away from home.

She softly sighed, lowering her gaze, she muttered, 'I wish I could have been a part of those memories.'

°°°°°°°°

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