Kaelith was inside the Queen's chamber. Beatrice was conscious but quite weak since she had lost a bit too much of her blood.

Peri was sitting near her mother, holding her hand as she asked, "Are you really okay?"

Beatrice nodded, "Yes, I promise. I wasn't that hurt."

Kaelith's brows elevated, "I heard you nearly died though."

Beatrice looked up with a wry smile, her expression clearly speaking, 'Please don't bring that up now…'

Kaelith chuckled, "Relax, I was joking." Resting her hand on Peri's shoulder, the Aethernox Matriarch spoke, "What matters is that she is safe now."

Peri nodded, wiping the tear from the corner of her eyes, "You are safe now, Mama."

Beatrice fondly smiled, "I know, dear. With you and Hades around, I feel assured." She raised her hand and cupped her precious one's cheek

Peri leaned in to her touch, feeling her heart calming down.

Kaelith then asked, "Weren't you on a contract with Xelrath? He broke it just like that?"

Beatrice's brows drew closer, "It was my father who formed a contract with him—in exchange for warriors, grains, and weapons, he would provide us protection."

Kaelith sighed, "No wonder he was able to attack you…Surely, you didn't renew the contract after your father's death, did you?"

Beatrice lowered her gaze, "I thought our past good connection would be enough."

Kaelith sighed in exasperation, running her fingers through her hair as she said, "This world doesn't run on trust and shallow words. As a Queen, you should have been careful."

Beatrice lowered her head in shame.

Peri felt troubled. While she wanted to comfort her mother, she knew what Kaelith said wasn't untrue.

Kaelith shook her head, "Torseque is far too broad. I believe you should be expecting rebellion soon."

Peri's eyes widened, "Huh? Mama?"

Beatrice nodded, "She is right, Peri. People have started to question my abilities during the Temple incident. And now…with all the destruction, I feel the rebellion would get more fierce."

Peri bit her lower lip in apprehension.

Silence settled in the room, which was soon broken by Kaelith, "Well, rest for now. Not like, thinking about it right now would be any help."

….

In another room, Hades was gently helping Luna drink some water.

It wasn't that she lacked the strength to lift the glass herself — he was simply too worried to let her do it.

"More?" he asked softly, lowering the glass.

The silver-haired girl shook her head. "No, it's fine." She lifted her hand to wipe the few droplets at the corner of her lips, but Hades was already there, brushing them away with his thumb.

Luna let out a quiet sigh. "Hades…"

"I know," he murmured, his voice low and shaky. "I'm sorry. I'm just… panicking. I saw something today that I never want to see again."

"I know," she said gently, wrapping her fingers around his hand and pressing it to her cheek. "But I'm here now. You brought me back."

Hades exhaled deeply, as if the last of his strength had left him. Leaning forward, he rested his forehead against hers. "Don't you dare leave me again…"

A tender smile curved her lips. "Then hold me tight," she whispered, "and never let go."

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Always."

Knock.

A soft knock echoed through the quiet room.

Hades blinked, his expression reflecting surprise. He could sense who it was — but that person shouldn't be here.

Click.

When he opened the door, his suspicion was confirmed.

"Marilyn?" he said, surprised. "Why are you here?"

Marilyn's shoulders tensed, her eyes darting down. "I-I'm sorry—"

"Ah, no, not like that." Hades quickly gestured for her to come in. "I just meant… you're still recovering. Why come all the way here? We were planning to return by tomorrow."

Marilyn's gaze flickered toward Luna. Her cheeks flushed a faint pink, but she didn't hold back her words. "I… was worried."

Before Luna and Hades got together, Marilyn had been his shadow — bound by duty to follow and protect her master, even if it cost her life.

So when she heard that Hades had been targeted by a Dragon King, she couldn't stay still. Ignoring her sister's warnings, she rushed all the way to Torseque.

"Am I… being a bother?" Marilyn asked quietly, her voice trembling between guilt and affection.

She knew Hades was alone with Luna in the room, tending to her—but her anxious heart wouldn't let her stay still. Before she realized it, she had already knocked on the door.

Hades smiled at her nervous expression, gently ruffling her hair. "What are you saying? None of my wives could ever be a bother to me."

Luna offered the girl a kind smile. "I'm glad you're here, Marilyn. At least now someone can keep an eye on Hades."

Marilyn had always been that quiet presence beside him—watching over him, making sure he didn't push himself too far, making sure he rested when he needed to.

And now, with Luna still weak and Peri busy with her mother, there was no one more fitting than Marilyn to look after him.

Hades gave a small, helpless chuckle. "I'm no child," he said, "but… I did miss your eyes on me these days."

Marilyn's face turned bright red. In the past, before they had become mates, she might have teased him in return—but now, her heart raced too fast for words.

Luna giggled softly and patted the bed beside her, inviting the girl to sit.

"I'll bring you both some tea," Hades offered, already standing up.

But Marilyn immediately shook her head. "No, I'll do it—"

Only for Luna to cut her off with a playful smile. "Let our husband take care of us. Get used to the privilege."

Marilyn fidgeted, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of being served—especially by her master. But when her gaze met Hades's gentle eyes, the warmth in them melted her resistance. She simply nodded and sat down beside Luna, her heart finally at ease.

Hades left the room quietly, the sound of the girls' soft laughter fading behind him.

He walked through the silent gallery, heading toward the kitchen. The halls were empty—no maids in sight. They had all been given the day off to return home, to be with their families.

Inside the kitchen, Hades filled a pot and set it to boil. Steam began to rise as he rested his hands on the counter, his gaze distant.

'He isn't dead, is he?' he asked inwardly.

[No.]

The answer didn't surprise him.

Even though they had watched Xelrath die with their own eyes, Hades knew the truth. A man carrying a fragment of the Primordial of Death couldn't be killed so easily. Destroying his body wouldn't be enough.

'Where is he now?' Hades asked again.

[You expect too much from me,] Zerathos replied, his tone dry. [And let me remind you—you're still far from strong enough to kill him.]

A short silence followed before the voice continued,

[You only managed to stab him because your intent was hidden beneath your mother's bloodlust.]

Hades let out a tired sigh. *'You just had to rub it in, didn't you?'*

[Just stating the truth.]

There was a pause before Zerathos spoke again, his tone softer.

[Listen, kid. I know you're still burning inside, and honestly, I'm proud of how well you're hiding it. But don't do anything reckless.]

Hades's hands clenched against the counter, his knuckles turning white. His eyes were bloodshot, filled with rage that refused to fade.

*'How long will it take before I can kill that man?'* he asked through gritted teeth.

[Hmm… with just one awakening, that's tough. I'd say… two years, maybe.]

Hades reached for the knife heating over the stove. Without hesitation, he stabbed it into his left thigh. The pain was sharp and immediate, but he didn't flinch.

He wanted to remember this feeling—the pain, the helplessness, the loss. When the time came, Xelrath would feel it too, only a hundred times worse.

[Cringe as fu—]

"Just shut up," Hades muttered, cutting him off. He grabbed the pot and poured the boiling water into five cups, adding herbs and honey one by one.

When he was done, he arranged them neatly on a tray and left the kitchen.

The first place he went was the Queen's chamber.

Since his hands were full, he was about to knock using his foot when the door suddenly swung open from the other side.

"You made tea for me? Aww, my baby!" Kaelith squealed, clasping her hands with delight.

Hades smiled warmly and stepped inside. Peri and Beatrice quickly took their cups from the tray.

"Thank you," they said together.

Kaelith downed her tea in one go, then flashed a thumbs-up. "The best!" she declared proudly.

Just as the room filled with soft laughter, they all froze when a familiar voice spoke.

"Let me help myself."

Everyone turned as a certain someone reached for the fourth cup.

Hades turned toward the voice, his brows lifting slightly. "You're here?"

The figure stepped fully into the light—draped in a long grey cloak that trailed across the floor, the air around them carrying an unspoken weight. Beneath the hood, faint silver strands of hair caught the glow of the candles.

It was none other than the ruler of Bavech, the one known across continents as **the wall between humans and dragons**—

The Sage.

°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.

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