[Next day]

"Are you sure about this?" Hades asked his wife as they stood on the rooftop of the house.

The soft wind made her golden hair sway gently, as the girl slowly nodded in assent.

Peri had insisted on staying back with her mother until she recovered, before returning.

Hades wanted to stay too — both out of concern for Beatrice and Peri — but Marilyn needed rest, and the air in the Dragon Realm would help her heal faster.

So, taking Marilyn back was the right thing to do. Luna was still injured as well, which made their return necessary.

Not to talk about, Aethernox was without its ruler for quite some time now, so Kaelith suggested for Hades to return as well with her.

Peri turned toward him and asked with a teasing glint in her eyes, "Is it because of me or my mother that you don't want to go?"

Hades let out a quiet sigh. "I care about Beatrice, and you know that. But my main concern is you, Peri."

Now that the Dragon Kings knew Torseque was his wife's homeland, they would surely try to target the nation to bait him.

Hades hesitated, then muttered, "Torseque is now an easy target for them to attack." He knew his words would hurt her, but denying the truth wouldn't change it.

Peri raised a brow. "You're worried someone will come and abduct me?"

Hades smiled faintly. "Well, I know my wife isn't someone who can be taken that easily."

Peri placed her hands on his shoulders. "Then stop worrying about me. Focus on Marilyn and Luna. They both need your care right now — physically and emotionally."

Hades looked at her for a long moment before gently cupping her cheek. "And what about you? Just because there's no wound doesn't mean you're not hurting."

Peri lowered her gaze, her ears turning red. "Always saying things like that… idiot."

Hades chuckled, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. "That's right. I'm hopelessly in love with my wife. You can blame me all you want."

Peri huffed but didn't move away. Instead, she clung to his shirt with small fists and murmured, "If you're really that worried… then come get me in a week, okay?"

Hades looked down with a soft sigh. "A week without you? That's torture."

Peri scoffed. "Oh, really? Did you ever think how it felt for me and Luna to live without you for two whole weeks when you were training?"

Hades blinked. Right… that did happen.

Peri crossed her arms and continued, "And those few days when you went off to complete that task your mother gave you? You forgot about that too?"

"…" Yeah, that as well.

She wasn't done yet. "And recently when you—mm!"

Her words were cut off as Hades leaned in and kissed her mid-sentence.

Peri lightly hit his shoulder, clearly wanting to complain more, but the warmth of his lips made every thought slip away.

Peri's hand, which was meant to push him away, instead curled against his chest. The warmth of his body pulled her in, and the kiss deepened — slow at first, then heavier with unspoken longing.

Hades tilted his head slightly, his hand tracing up her back in a gentle line that sent shivers through her. His thumb brushed the side of her neck, a soft touch that somehow burned hotter than fire.

Peri's breath hitched against his lips. Her resolve wavered, melting into the quiet hunger in his embrace. Every small movement — his fingers brushing her waist, the way he drew her closer — spoke more than words ever could.

When he finally pulled back, their foreheads rested together, breaths mingling in the cool morning air.

Hades smiled faintly, his voice low and rough. "That should keep you from missing me too much."

Peri's lips trembled with a quiet smile. "Idiot… now I'll miss you even more."

Hades smiled before hugging her once again. Haah~ he loves her so damn much.

-------**-------

"How is she?" Hades asked as he saw Ava stepping out of the queen's chamber.

The pink-haired girl replied, "Better. But she still needs rest."

Hades frowned slightly. "Are there still people inside?"

Ava nodded. "Yes, my lord."

The redhead let out a weary sigh. "Go tell Averis we'll be leaving in an hour. She's been flying circles around the palace all night without rest—she should come down."

Ava bowed briefly before heading off.

Hades then pushed open the door to the Queen's room. Inside, two men stood near the bed, speaking quietly with Beatrice. The moment he entered, their conversation stopped.

Beatrice looked up at him with a faint smile. "Ah, Hades. Are you leaving soon?"

He nodded, then turned to the two men. "Could you give us a moment?"

They exchanged uncertain glances before looking toward the Queen.

Beatrice hesitated for a second, then gave a small nod. "Go ahead."

The two bowed and quietly left the room, leaving only Hades and the Queen behind.

Hades quietly walked up to the bedside and pulled the small stool closer, sitting down beside her.

When Beatrice started to rise, he gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Ah—uh, don't get up," he said softly. "You need to rest. That's why you shouldn't be having these little meetings right now."

Beatrice frowned faintly. "But I need to discuss the new—"

"Beatrice," Hades interrupted with a patient smile, "I'm saying this for your own good. You should be focusing on resting, not on work."

The queen lowered her head, her voice small and obedient. "I understand… I'll only allow Peri to visit from now on."

Hades' smile warmed. He reached out and lightly patted her head — a habit so natural that he only realized what he'd done a moment later. "Ah—sorry! It's just… something I always do to Peri when I'm praising her."

Before he could pull back, Beatrice's hand rose and gently clasped his. Her cheeks turned a soft pink, and she ducked her head, too flustered to speak.

Hades blinked, surprised to see the ever-dignified queen looking so shy. A helpless chuckle escaped him as he let his hand rest for a second longer, then gave her head another soft pat.

"There, there," he said kindly. "Eat well and get better soon, alright?"

Beatrice only nodded, her face still red, while Hades' gentle smile lingered — tender and a little amused.

-------*-------

As Hades said, an hour later he and the others stood outside the main house, where a massive dragon waited for them — its wings folded neatly, scales gleaming beneath the morning sun.

Peri and Luna stood a little apart, holding hands as they talked in hushed tones. Their faces were serious, though every now and then, Luna would squeeze Peri's hand as if to reassure her.

Marilyn, still not entirely used to being part of their group, stood off to the side with her head slightly lowered, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other.

Meanwhile, Hades approached the violet-haired woman standing a few steps ahead. Averis kept her gaze on the ground, her expression tense, frustration clear in her eyes.

"Averis?" Hades called gently, tilting his head. "Is something bothering you?"

Her voice came out small but heavy with guilt. "I… failed to fulfill my promise. I wasn't by your side when you needed me."

Hades blinked, then let out a quiet laugh and stepped closer. "What are you saying, you silly girl? You did more than anyone else could've. You took down the barrier casters, remember? Because of that, Sir Raarka and my mother were able to enter Torseque on time."

He looked at her with a soft smile, his tone calm but filled with quiet pride. "You didn't fail me, Averis. You made it possible for us to win."

Averis bit her lip, still hesitant. "But… I couldn't protect you personally. I wasn't there when you fought."

Hades shook his head. "Protection isn't just about standing beside someone in battle. You gave us the chance to fight — and that's worth more than swinging a sword at my side."

She lifted her eyes to him then, the guilt in her expression slowly fading, replaced by a faint glimmer of relief.

Hades folded his arms and added with a light grin, "Besides, I heard about the four barrier soldiers suddenly dropping dead. Their hearts exploded, didn't they? Sounds to me like you were more than a little busy."

The blood worm she deployed worked wonders by entering the bodies of the soldiers one after another without getting noticed and mercilessly crushing their hearts.

Averis slowly looked up, her gaze hesitant, "Did I make you proud?"

Hades nodded, "Of course you did. You maintained a calm head during the whole chaos and even ensured our safety even after the storm passed." Resting his hand on her shoulder, he said, "You might have just saved my life, Averis."

The violette's cheeks turned red as a beautiful smile elevated the corner of her lips as she said, "Always…I will always stand by your side."

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