CHAPTER 111: CARING MOTHER

The dragon slowly lowered itself.

Hades noted they had entered a town.

He couldn’t see anything until now since they were flying quite high and the beast was traveling quite fast as well.

The town was nothing like what he was used to seeing.

Tall and big houses, mostly appearing identical, lined the streets on either side.

There were not many people around. And more than people, he could see dragons flying in the skies here.

The market wasn’t lively, but rather rowdy.

Hades decided to explore the place later.

"Woah..." he heard Luna exclaiming(she woke up a few minutes ago).

Hades followed her line of sight and he was quite shocked too.

A towering castle stood atop a small hill. Dark in shade. Tall spires. Small, countless windows.

The castle appeared majestic yet horrifying.

"That’s our home, sweetie." The lady said with a smile on her face, "Get used to it."

Hades wryly smiled...and he thought the academy was the biggest building he would ever see.

This place was...humungous.

The dragon encircled a tower before it landed in the central compound of the castle.

Its wings flapped, leaves fluttering as the huge being finally descended.

Hades got up while still holding a now awake Peri in his arms and jumped down.

"Can you stand?" He asked her.

The elf slowly nodded and got on her feet...only to stagger and take his support.

Hades allowed her some time to regain her bearings before he went to help Luna climb down.

Kaelith had already gotten down as she said, "Let-"

But then, someone appeared before them, out of thin air, and said, "My lady, Lord Argon has arrived. He is waiting for you in your office."

Kaelith’s expression visibly shifted, her brows drawing closer.

"Did he come alone?" Kaelith asked, her voice making it obvious that whoever this person was, it was bad news.

The maid gave a shallow nod, "Just his butler."

Kaelith heaved a sigh, running her fingers through her hair.

She turned towards Hades and said, "I...need to attend to this guest. Mama will join you in a bit. Until then, allow her to show you around."

Hades, naturally, didn’t object.

"I understand."

Kaelith smiled at him before inching closer and wrapping her arms around him.

In a soft voice, she relayed, "Welcome back."

Hades...couldn’t form a response. Kaelith wasn’t expecting one.

She soon parted and walked inside the castle.

The maid then called out, "Please follow me, young master."

Hades nodded before he turned towards his companions. "Can you move?" He asked them.

Peri’s legs were slightly wobbly but she was about to say that she was fine.

However, Hades noticed that she was still exhausted so he told the maid, "If possible, we would like to rest for some time."

The maid lowered her head, "As you wish, Young Lord. Allow me to show you your rooms."

Hades hummed before he took the bags and the trio began to follow the maid.

They entered the castle but from a different side.

Just after entering though, they came to a halt.

Luna’s eyes sparkled as she saw the decoration.

Colorful ribbons. Hanging paper flowers. A huge board of ’Welcome Back, Hades!’ was hanging down the guardrails of the first floor.

There was a cake on the table as well, along with other things that made it obvious what the purpose of this whole setup was.

"Madame arranged all this to celebrate your return...but an unexpected guest arrived." The maid informed them.

Hades felt inexplicable emotions seeing how much effort she had put...to make him feel welcomed.

The perception of a cold mother he had built before coming here was slowly fading.

"...can you let this be how it is? And don’t tell her that we saw it?"

The maid smiled, "I understand, my Lord. Then, would you mind resting in the guest room for the time being?"

"No problem." He told her before the maid brought them out again and this time they entered through a third entrance and climbed a few stairs before stopping before a room.

"If you need anything, please ring the bell. I would be outside." The maid told them

Luna was flustered, "Will you be standing here all the time?" Isn’t it like some kind of punishment?

The maid smiled, "It’s nothing to be concerned about."

Hades shook his head, "No, it’s okay. Please go and do your daily work rather than standing here. If I need anything, I will go find someone."

The maid gave a brief bow, "As you prefer, My Lord."

Once the maid left, Luna and Hades looked at each other before their eyes went inside the room...and they spotted a curious child, currently bouncing on the bed.

Hades smiled fondly as he asked, "Do you like it here?"

Peri stopped, embarrassed.

"I am just checking if there are traps." She stood up from the bed, her arms crossing over her bosom, "This room is quite huge and thankfully, two beds."

"And Peri definitely can’t sleep alone, so I will share the bed with her!" Luna declared, hugging the elf from the side.

Peri groaned, "Who is sharing a bed with you?"

Luna tilted her head, "Don’t you sleep with your mama back at home? Don’t worry, I won’t let you feel lonely in her absence."

Hades chuckled, "Stop teasing her, Luna. Peri is not good with jokes, especially those that involve her mother."

Luna grinned before she released the elf who seemed on the verge of biting her.

Taking the seat beside her husband, Luna said, "Isn’t she sweet?"

Hades’s brows elevated as he heard her adding, "Your mother?" Leaning her head on his shoulder, she said, "She prepared for your welcome. I could tell that she is very fond of you."

"And not so very fond of us," Peri spoke as she took a seat across from them, on the bed.

Luna shivered slightly...she was right about that. She still couldn’t forget the first gaze of Kaelith that fell on her.

It felt like she was judging Luna with that gaze.

Hades told them, "If you two aren’t welcomed here, we will just walk out." Not an ounce of hesitation in his voice that shocked Peri.

But then, inexplicable warmth spread in their chests, as they briefly glanced at each other.

After a brief pause, Hades said, "I will go and take a bath... it seems like I haven’t bathed for so long."

Just as he got up, Peri hurriedly said, "You are going to take that woman with you to the bathroom?!"

It took Luna a moment then she also realized, "Right! That girl! She is still in your shadow."

Hades sighed...well, "Marilyn. Mind stepping out for a moment?"

"As you wish, my Lord." Marily appeared from his shadow.

Since they were in the castle, she didn’t always need to be on high alert.

Soon, Hades stepped into the bathroom.

As the door clicked shut, Luna called out, "You have some answers to give, lady."

Marilyn sighed...she was expecting this.

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.