Persephone’s Aftermath
After Persephone and Eros ca to the Underworld, the working conditions for the gods in the Underworld improved significantly.
It wasn't just Eros, who had been assigned to draw his bow day and night to tornt sinners, but also Persephone, who showed surprising enthusiasm in helping with the tasks of the Underworld.
The goddess of spring, though inexperienced in her work, put in her utmost effort to assist the other gods. Her devotion seed too intense to be explained by just her feelings for , so I decided to approach her directly and ask.
As I walked toward the gods' workspace, the groans of labor could be heard. Gods carrying piles of parchnt hurried past , too busy to notice my presence. They were all toiling away.
"Ugh... When will this ever end?" "Oh! Lord Hades, you've arrived." "I could use just one sip of nectar..."
Among them, one figure stood out—the goddess with long golden hair.
At a long desk, Persephone, my niece, sat, flipping through an enormous stack of parchnt, her quill busy at work. It was hard to believe that she was the sa lively goddess of spring. She now looked rather drained and worn out, almost lancholic.
"Persephone." "Oh! Uncle Hades...! Just a mont. Let finish processing this docunt from the souls’ residential area first..." "...? Alright."
Honestly, I was a little taken aback. Her golden eyes sparkled with regret, yet she quickly returned her attention to the paperwork. Why was she working so diligently?
Dong—Dong—Dong
"Oof! My neck is stiff..." "Let just close my eyes for a bit. Wake when the bell rings again..."
As ti passed, the mountain of parchnt gradually shrank, and a short break was upon us. Even in the Underworld, we don’t force anyone to work without respite.
Although we gods don't need food due to our immortality, the mory of resting during lunch and dinner in my past life led to us establishing regular breaks for leisure in the Underworld. Of course, cases like Charon or Thanatos, or those dealing with major sinners, were a bit different...
"Ah! Lord Hades?! When did you...!" "Did you co to see Lady Persephone?"
The other gods, now realizing my presence, rushed to greet formally, but I gestured for them to leave us. I then turned to Persephone.
"Has anyone forced you to work here in the Underworld?" "What? No, not at all?" "Then why... Why go to such lengths? You are the daughter of Zeus and Deter, after all. I was prepared to offer you more leniency..." "Well, Uncle, because an incompetent goddess wouldn’t be to your liking, right? I’m just trying to do my best!"
What on earth was she talking about? Since when had my “taste” been for workaholics?
Persephone stood straight, her chest puffed out as if she was emphasizing sothing, and continued.
"Even Lady Styx and that minor goddess nthe said so." "...?" "They said if I couldn’t even handle this much, you wouldn’t give the ti of day. All the goddesses who have their eyes on you..." Why are these strange rumors floating around? I certainly can’t go around correcting every goddess’s misconception...
"You already have the responsibility of periodically reinvigorating the outer areas of the Underworld with your powers. There’s no issue if you rest..." "That’s different! That’s a reward. This is a competition!" "...?" "Hehe~ It’s just a small thing, Uncle. Don’t worry about it."
Dong—Dong—Dong
"Ah, it's ti to get back to work! See you later at dinner!"
Persephone’s behavior left uneasy, but I decided not to press the issue further.
"...That settles it. Assign this task to Mnemosyne. Is there anything else that requires my approval?" "The last one you ntioned has been processed, Lord Hades." "Good. Morpheus, you may also go and rest. You’ll have plenty of work again tomorrow..."
Creak
Just as I was finishing up the day’s duties and preparing for so rest, the door to the audience chamber opened. It was none other than Persephone, my niece, entering once again.
"Hehe, no Lady Styx or Lady Lethe around... Hehe!" "...? Persephone?"
She carried a tray filled with dates, figs, and other mortal snacks. Persephone sat down on the floor beside my throne, flashing a carefree smile.
"Uncle, if you’re not too busy, would you like to chat with ?" "Isn't it about ti for you to return to the mortal world?"
By now, the ti Deter and I agreed upon for Persephone’s return had co. In fact, it might have already passed.
"I love being in the Underworld... But I don’t want to go back yet! Let stay a bit longer!"
She puffed out her cheeks adorably, pouting like a child. Yet, I knew she couldn’t stay too long—her mother would start to worry.
Though, considering how much help she had been with my work in the Underworld these past months, I suppose I could indulge her for a little longer. Maybe a conversation would help pass the ti, and then she’d leave on her own.
"Very well, but only for a short while." "Hehe... Then, Uncle, shall I tell you about my ti in the mortal world? When I used to play near Mount Etna with the nymphs..."
She shared stories of playful wagers with the nymphs, her joyful conversations speculating about the gods, and anecdotes about her mother, Deter.
I learned more about Persephone than I had expected. Surprisingly, she had calm and refined hobbies like weaving and watching theater performances.
"Ah... But I’m talking too much about myself. Tell about you, Uncle!" "...?" "What kind of goddess do you find attractive? Do you have any preferences in a partner’s appearance?"
She blinked at with sparkling eyes, full of curiosity. I turned my head away. What on earth was this girl talking about now?
"Nothing of the sort." "...Tch. How about telling so old stories, then? You’ve lived so long, you must know countless tales..."
What good is living so long if there’s little joy in it? But yes, I suppose I do know a few stories... Tales from ancient tis, from before even the age of the Olympians, stories of our father Cronos...
"Have you..." "Hmm?" "Have you ever climbed to the peak of Mount Olympus?" "Oh, just once! Mother rarely took to Olympus..." "...I still rember the view from the top vividly."
I closed my eyes, recalling the past, and Persephone, sensing my mood, remained quiet.
A long ti ago, I stood atop Olympus for the first ti, gazing over the world. That mont stirred within the desire to live for a long ti, to experience more of the world.
The Titanomachy—the war between the Titans and us Olympians—was fought with such fierce intensity because we were driven by that sa ambition.
Back then, all of us coveted the sky, which Zeus now rules. It was the sense of power, of looking down on all creation from the heavens.
With those mories flooding back, I began to recount my story to Persephone.
"Wow... Even you, Uncle, who everyone says is so detached and indifferent, had such a ti in your life." "Yes, back then. Over ti, as I ruled the Underworld, I ca to appreciate this realm more."
We continued our conversation for so ti, with sharing tales of the distant past. As we talked, I realized the hour had grown late. Surely, it was ti for Persephone to return to the mortal world.
Just as I was about to suggest as much, a ssenger burst into the audience chamber.
"Lord Hades! The goddess Deter has arrived to collect Lady Persephone!"
Deter herself had co? Surely she wouldn’t co all the way here just because her daughter was a little late returning to the mortal world. She must have sothing to say to directly.
"Guide her to the audience chamber."
As I said this, Persephone quietly stood up, clearly planning her escape before her mother arrived.
"Uh... well... Uncle, you seem busy, so I’ll just... hehe..." "If you want to avoid your mother’s scolding, I suggest returning to the mortal world on ti next ti."
Not long after Persephone returned to the mortal world, my guest arrived. With her striking appearance and cool deanor, her light brown and golden hair flowing beautifully, Deter, the goddess of the earth, entered the Underworld.
"Hades, my daughter..." "She fled just now to avoid your scolding. She’s probably in the mortal world by now." "...I see."
Unsurprised, Deter’s expression remained unchanged. She had clearly expected this. Still, she wasn’t here just to fetch her daughter. She had sothing else to say.
Using her divine power to silence the surrounding space, Deter spoke softly, her head turning slightly away from .
"...Do you know why I’m so overprotective of Kore?"
Her voice, heavy with a hint of sorrow, prompted to remain silent. Deter continued, not expecting an answer.
"My daughter Kore... She is too beautiful. Anyone who lays eyes on her speaks of her beauty."
As Hephaestus had ntioned, Persephone was indeed extraordinarily beautiful. The only goddess whose beauty might surpass hers was Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty.
Aside from Aphrodite, few could match Persephone’s allure.
With a deeper, more sorrowful tone, Deter whispered.
"In Greece, beauty is..." "...a curse, not a blessing. I know."
In a land rife with abductions, betrayals, and deceitful plots, beauty was no gift. Even Aphrodite herself had been forced into a marriage she didn’t want because of her beauty.
Though Persephone often complained about her mother’s overprotectiveness, without Deter, it’s likely she would have suffered so misfortune long ago.
"Countless suitors pursued my daughter, even though I am her mother, and her father is Zeus." "Because she is beautiful." "And in this world, that’s enough to attract trouble. I’ve always feared for her."
Zeus, the king of gods, couldn’t always be at Persephone’s side, and neither could Deter.
"...until the rumor spread that the Lord of the Underworld had fallen in love with my daughter and taken her to the Underworld."
One of the reasons I kept Persephone in the Underworld ca from Deter’s very lips.
Though the mortal world believed I had fallen for my niece after being struck by one of Eros’ arrows, I never bothered to correct that misconception. The more it seed I was in love with her...
"Hades, thanks to you, the suitors disappeared. No one was foolish enough to pursue soone favored by the Lord of the Underworld."
Now turning to face , Deter’s eyes glinted with gratitude.
"I know you are different from the other gods, who are driven by base desires. Kore remains untouched, even now..." "......" "Whether or not you and she eventually marry, I ask that you continue to take care of her."ec
A request not from the goddess of the earth, but from a mother concerned for her daughter. I t Deter’s eyes, waiting for a response, and spoke.
"...Do not worry." "I’ll return to the mortal world now. Please keep today’s conversation a secret from Kore."
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