CHAPTER 123: DATE(2)

"Are you sure?" Hades asked as Luna said that they should go alone.

They were standing outside of the room as Peri changed her clothes inside.

Luna nodded, "Yes, I am. I am tired anyway." She said before a soft yawn escaped her lips.

Hades knew she was just pretending to be tired. They had just rested for a few hours when he arrived. However, he didn’t mention it. He knew very well why she lied.

Exhaling softly, he asked, "Want me to bring something for you?"

Luna hummed, "Something to eat...and my underwear. You know my size, right?" She asked, feeling her cheeks turning slightly hot.

She would have gone to buy it today, since she had only a single extra pair.

However, Luna didn’t want to take unnecessary risks by going out alone. Hades would be worried as well.

Hades gave a brief nod, "I know. Do you have any preference in color?"

Luna grinned, "Which color do you prefer."

Hades felt slightly embarrassed but then, he smirked and said, "Well, I would rather have you wear nothing..."

Luna’s face flushed as she hit him on the shoulder, "How perverted!"

Hades laughed before stepping forward and embracing the girl.

Luna snuggled close, a smile of contentment spreading her lips.

The duo remained locked in a soft connection for some time before Luna muttered, "She needs you, Hades. She is...anxious, confused."

Hades hummed, "I know."

Luna slightly parted from him and said, "Just show your true self to her...and I know she would start to like you, trust you."

Hades took a deep breath, "I am not that great, Luna. It’s just you."

Luna shook her head, "Just trust me, Hades."

The redhead turned silent and pressed her head against his chest.

His true self...huh?

...

Peri had changed her clothes, this time pulling a hood over her head to hide her ears and hair.

Hades, too, had concealed himself—his vivid ember-colored hair drew far too much attention to be left uncovered.

Together, they left the castle in silence, descending the hill toward the bustling market below.

As they walked, Hades glanced at her. "Are you really alright wearing so many layers? Elves are fairly common in this realm, you know."

Among the races, only humans and dwarves carried lingering resentment toward dragons. The elves and beasts shared no such hostility; in fact, most races coexisted peacefully with the dragon realm.

Peri gave a small nod. "I’m fine."

Seeing she didn’t want to argue, Hades let it be, and the rest of the path was covered in quiet.

The town at the base of the hill was known as Arthoria—the very place where the Dragon Queen kept her main residence.

It wasn’t a city built by decree or plan. Rather, it grew naturally, born from the loyalty of those who chose to follow Kaelith. People pitched their tents near the hill where her shelter stood, and little by little, the camp became a settlement.

For nearly a hundred years they lived like that, in tents and temporary shelters, until at last they began to raise houses, walls, and marketplaces.

Kaelith herself wandered often in those days, never lingering too long in one place. It was only when she settled here that her people realized—this was where their Queen had finally chosen to stay.

The market was built in the old traditional way—a wide main path, broad enough for even a troll to walk through without trouble, stretched into several lanes. Shops lined either side, their colorful stalls and sturdy fronts packed tightly together.

Beyond the market lay the residential area, rows upon rows of houses—hundreds of them spreading across the town.

The market itself was alive with movement, filled with dragonborn, beastkin, and elves. Yet it was the beastkin who made up most of the crowd, their distinct features standing out everywhere she looked.

Peri’s eyes widened as she took it all in. "This is... a heaven for warriors," she murmured under her breath.

Everywhere she turned, she saw raw materials for weapons and armor—iron ingots, monster hides, enchanted bones. The heavy scent of burnt iron clung to the air, sharp and metallic. Even the children, laughing and shouting as they played, carried wooden swords and blunt spears instead of toys.

"I heard from Marilyn that there are more normal shops in the fifth lane. Let’s head there," Hades suggested—just as he noticed a surge of beastkin rushing their way.

Without thinking, he reached out and clasped Peri’s hand, guiding her as the crowd pressed past. The wave of bodies hurried toward a shop that was just about to close, shoving and jostling as they went.

When the rush finally eased, Hades turned to her. "Are you alright?" he asked, concern flickering in his eyes as he saw her cough.

Peri nodded quickly, though her face scrunched. "Yeah... it’s just—the smell of tobacco... agh."

Hades gave a helpless smile and gently brushed a few strands of her hair back into place, clearing away what the rowdy beastkin had left tangled. His hand lingered for a moment on her shoulder, reassuring, before he asked softly, "Shall we go?"

He began to release her hand—only for Peri’s fingers to tighten around his.

Hades blinked, his brows lifting in surprise. She looked away, her cheeks flushed as she whispered, "I... I’m not good with crowds."

Hades smiled warmly at her. She looked almost childlike in that moment, shy and endearing.

He gave her hand a gentle but steady squeeze. "Then make sure you stay close," he said softly.

Peri nodded—once, then again, as if to reassure both him and herself.

They walked on toward the fifth lane. The air between them was quiet, yet unlike before, the silence carried no weight. It felt... comfortable.

Maybe it was because they were still holding hands?

Peri’s gaze drifted down to their joined fingers, then slowly rose to his broad back leading the way. Her heart fluttered.

Like any other girl, she had once dreamed of a romantic encounter with her perfect man. She had her own preferences, little traits she wished to find in him. Despite having plenty of male friends, she had never pursued a relationship—perhaps because none of them had ever been her type.

But ever since she met Hades, those old ideals had begun to change.

Bit by bit, everything he did, everything he was, started to align with the image she had always carried in her heart.

And now... the faceless figure in her dreams slowly had a face. His.

°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading. If you are enjoying the story so far, please leave a review.