Hades' Wedding - Part 2
Discussing such matters at a wedding was unusual, but it also indicated how important Zeus deemed the issue. While I’d prefer this conversation to happen later, the gravity of the topic couldn’t be ignored.
Zeus stroked his beard thoughtfully and slowly nodded.
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Although I was once mortal myself in a previous life and am known as the god of compassion and fairness, I can understand Zeus’ concerns.
The Gigantes—creations of the Protogenoi—were monstrous weapons designed to kill gods. Yet, despite being lesser ones, the fact that mere mortals could slay them suggested that humans were nearing godlike strength.
A ruler who neither doubts nor plans for the future risks losing their power. Zeus’ concerns weren’t baseless. Still, in my assessment, today’s heroes weren’t yet a threat worth acting on.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Zeus smiled and walked off, leaving me to return to my wives.
Where was Lethe? Persephone was chatting with her mother, Demeter. Menthe had joined a group of nymphs, and Styx... Styx was surrounded by other goddesses.
Their hushed voices carried a mix of gossip and astonishment. I decided to step in.
The barrage of questions was overwhelming, but I managed to extract Styx unscathed. It reminded me of a similar scene at Heracles and Hebe’s wedding. After all, the idle gods of Olympus had little else to entertain themselves with but gossip.
My beautiful wife with her dark hair approached me with a faint sigh of relief. By now, physical affection had become natural for us. Matching her movement, I gently tucked her hair behind her ear.
She smiled softly at my words and leaned her head against me. It brought back memories—of the time with Phaethon, of all things.
I felt a slight weight against my chest and caught a pleasant scent. The gentle breeze that blew past carried with it a tender atmosphere that I found myself enjoying. Then again, we were now officially married, weren’t we?
Lady Styx seemed to want to linger in this moment, just as I did. Our gazes met, and without words, we understood each other’s thoughts.
Closing her eyes, the goddess of oaths leaned toward me, and I whispered words of love as our lips met.
* * *
While making my rounds to check on the other goddesses, I decided to seek out Lethe. I didn’t want to interrupt Demeter, who was holding Persephone’s hand and speaking with grave intensity, nor Menthe, who was proudly sharing something with a group of goddesses.
It seemed Lethe had disappeared earlier to find her mother, the Goddess of Discord, Eris. Unsurprisingly, they had chosen to stay in the quieter, less crowded areas of the venue, away from the Olympian crowd. Perhaps Eris wanted to avoid the cold reception she often received.
What? The conversation sounded alarmingly dangerous. I couldn’t just stand by and let this spiral into chaos. Revealing my presence, I hurried over.
Ignoring Lethe’s subtle attempts to dissuade her, Eris reached into her robes as if about to pull something out, only to freeze when her eyes met mine. She reluctantly lowered her hand. Thank the gods.
I decided laughter was the safest response for now.
Eris narrowed her eyes at me, suspicion plain on her face.
Eris tilted her head, her expression softening just slightly.
Seizing the moment, I pulled Lethe into my embrace, earning a startled squeak from her.
Eris paused, watching us closely, before breaking into laughter at the sight of our harmonious display.
Sensing her mood lighten, I took my chance. Reaching into my robes, I grabbed one of the small trinkets I’d brought for emergencies and presented it to her.
Luckily, I seemed to have picked well. Perhaps Dike, Goddess of Justice, was looking out for me.
Good gods. That was far too close.
* * *
"Then take care, Lady Eris."
"Yes, yes. And next time, perhaps you’ll give me a grandchild to hold. Hoho!"
"Ahaha..."
I waved as the Goddess of Discord departed. The smile on her face suggested she was pleased with the gift I’d given her. At least for now, the crisis was averted.
"Haah..."
What good is being the ruler of the Underworld? Even so, I couldn’t help but feel like my mother-in-law’s shadow lingered before my eyes, a reminder of how crucial it was to stay on her good side.
"Hades... Was that true...?"
"That you love both Styx and me equally?"
"..."
"Of course. I wouldn’t allow any favoritism in something so important."
As I gently stroked her soft silver hair, trying to comfort my dear wife, Lethe tugged lightly on my ear, urging me to lean closer.
Following her subtle pull, I bent down. Her face, as red as an apple blessed by Demeter, turned toward me. Her divine power shielded her words from prying ears as she whispered haltingly.
"Th-Then... prove it to me right now."
What? Did I hear her correctly?
Her eyes trembled, but she couldn’t bring herself to meet mine, shyly turning her head away.
"You proposed to Styx first, so... it’s only fair if the first time is with me, isn’t it?"
Her delicate chiton, carefully adorned for the wedding, her gleaming jewelry, and most of all, her radiant beauty at this moment made her seem otherworldly.
As the God of Compassion and Fairness, I’ve always upheld a strict principle: those who take advantage of others, especially mortals, receive the harshest punishment in the Underworld. Many reckless Olympians who kidnapped mortals found themselves on the wrong side of Dike’s justice.
But... this was different. Lethe wasn’t just anyone. She was my wife.
Though... doing this at the wedding venue... No, that would be improper.
Yet, how could I refuse such a heartfelt request from the woman I loved?
With a thought, I summoned my divine power and shifted us to another location. Shadows enveloped us as I transported us far from the wedding ceremony, to a secluded part of the Underworld.
Here, not even Zeus could find me.
"...You were the one who tempted me, Lethe."
And in that moment, I could resist no longer.