Chapter 185: Reunion
"Ah..." Marilyn groaned softly as her consciousness returned and her eyes slowly opened.
The room was dimly lit, sparing her eyes from the strain of sudden brightness. Every part of her body ached, as if she had just finished the most grueling training of her life.
"Don’t move," came a familiar voice from her left.
It was her elder sister.
Marilyn wanted to sit up immediately—seeing Avalin standing there while she lay in bed made her restless—but her body refused to move. She was far too sore.
Avalin sighed quietly before asking, "How do you feel now?"
"Just... heavy," Marilyn admitted. "It feels like several invisible people are lying on top of me."
Avalin nodded. "That’s to be expected. Your body has gone through a lot of changes. You’ll feel that way for a few days."
Frustration flickered in Marilyn’s chest at her own weakness. But the moment she remembered why she felt this way, her heart began to flutter.
She was now her master’s mate.
He had bonded with her—marked her—and accepted her as his wife.
Those days she spent with him were filled with a swirl of emotions.
Yes, they had shared many intimate moments, but in between, they talked—sometimes briefly, sometimes for hours. She learned more about him—his past, his struggles, his dreams.
They shared moments she knew she would never forget.
At first, she had feared that the young master would be displeased to have *her* as his mate. But not once did he show a hint of reluctance. Instead, he had told her he was glad—glad to have her by his side.
Whenever she thought about him, a smile spread across Marilyn’s face.
Avalin studied her sister’s rosy expression and let out a soft sigh. She wasn’t disappointed—in fact, she was genuinely happy for Marilyn. Avalin knew her sister’s feelings, and seeing them reciprocated brought her a quiet joy.
"Do you feel like eating anything yet?" Avalin asked as she stood.
Marilyn flushed, realizing she had been so caught up in her own thoughts that she’d ignored her sister. After a brief pause, she nodded. "Yes... please."
Avalin smiled and started to leave, but just as she reached the door, she paused and turned back. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a brown parchment.
"Here," she said. "The young master left this for you before he departed."
Marilyn froze. "Departure? Has he gone on another quest?" Panic immediately gripped her chest.
Avalin’s voice was calm, meant to soothe. "Don’t worry. Ava and Averis are with him."
"Oh..." Marilyn muttered, but a strange bitterness prickled her chest at the mention of Averis accompanying him.
’What is this feeling...?’ she wondered, her heart fluttering uneasily.
°°°°°°
Four curious girls wandered through the grand halls of the mansion—the very place where Hades had grown up.
While Ava and Averis managed to keep their curiosity in check, Peri and Luna’s eyes sparkled as they eagerly looked around, studying every corner as if the walls themselves whispered stories about the man they now called their husband.
Gabriella, meanwhile, could only stare in quiet disbelief. The women who had arrived with Hades were nothing short of otherworldly.
She had often been praised for her golden hair and large eyes, but standing before these four, Gabriella suddenly felt painfully ordinary. It wasn’t just their beauty—it was their poise, their grace, the effortless elegance in every gesture and laugh. Watching them was like watching celestial beings descend for a stroll among mortals.
On the other hand, Trevon was on edge.
Ever since Averis had given him a single cold glance, he had been battling the uneasy feeling that he might’ve just invited death itself into his home.
"Let’s explore later, alright?" Hades called out as he noticed how curiously each of them inspected the furniture, walls, and decor like tourists in a museum.
Then, turning to his mother, he said calmly, "Mother... can you bring Devon here? I need to talk to him."
Quintessa nodded. "Of course. But first, come sit down—you’ve been walking quite a while."
Hades didn’t argue. Together with the four women, he entered the reception hall, leaving Trevon, Quintessa, and Gabriella standing behind in the corridor.
The moment the door shut, Gabriella turned to her mother in disbelief.
"Mother?! What in the world is happening? Why is Hades being accompanied by a dragon, a beastkin, and an elf? And that silver-haired woman—isn’t she the Saintess?"
Quintessa sighed, rubbing her temples. "Gaby, listen carefully. You need to behave around him. Hades came here because I asked him to. So treat him kindly."
Trevon frowned, crossing his arms. "Why did you even bring him here? You think he can do anything with just a few companions?"
Quintessa’s eyes hardened, her tone sharp. "So you’d rather I sit and wait for our doom, dear?"
Trevon said nothing, though the crease on his forehead deepened.
She continued, more calmly this time, "We’ve tried negotiating, and they refuse to back down. No one’s coming to our aid, and with the forces we have, our chances of victory are almost nonexistent. But with Hades here—things may change."
Gabriella frowned slightly. "And why do you think that? He seems strong, yes, and his companions look extraordinary, but would that really be enough?"
Quintessa gave a faint, knowing smile. "Why don’t you take a look at the main entrance, dear? Then tell me what you think of his influence."
Puzzled, Gabriella stepped toward the front doors. As she pushed them open, her breath caught.
Standing outside was a massive orc, towering and broad-shouldered, his presence radiating raw power.
She recognized him instantly—the same orc who had come just three days ago to declare war against their county.
Raarka, the leader of the opposing faction.
Her eyes widened further when she realized he wasn’t here to fight. He was waiting—calmly, almost respectfully.
Trevon’s expression darkened. So he had been right all along. Hades wasn’t just any warrior—he came from a royal family settled in the dragon realm.
Quintessa looked at her husband, her tone softening. "Dear... I won’t ask you to suddenly change how you see him. Hades wouldn’t want that either. All I ask is that you treat him as an ally—no longer as the boy you once adopted."
Trevon exhaled a long, weary sigh. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he murmured,
"...But will he help us, Quin? Help me?"
Quintessa smiled softly, her eyes carrying that familiar warmth. "You already know the answer to that."
Her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer—quietly conveying what words didn’t need to. Then, she turned to her daughter and asked, "Where’s your brother?"
Gabriella spun on her heel, thinking for a second before shrugging lightly.
"Probably in his room... he just got slapped, so I’d say he’s wiping his tears."
Quintessa walked over to her youngest, her tone gentle yet firm.
"Go bring him here—and make sure he behaves this time."
Gabriella nodded and hurried upstairs, her footsteps echoing faintly through the hall.
Once she was gone, Quintessa faced her husband again. "Would you like to rest first?" she asked, noticing the fatigue shadowing his face. A tinge of guilt colored her voice. "You look exhausted."
He hesitated. His body begged for rest—but the situation didn’t allow it.
After a pause, he shook his head. "No... let’s go and talk to them together."
....
[A few minutes ago]
A few maids gave a quick bow as Hades and the others entered the reception hall. Hades nodded to them, led the ladies into the main room, and sat down. Peri and Luna took seats on either side of him, staying close.
"Sit down, you two," Hades said, and he urged the others to sit as well.
"Let us stand here on guard, young master," Ava insisted. "Too many eyes are on us."
Hades understood. Even as he walked past the troops he felt their hunger for battle — the wary look a warrior gives a rival. He didn’t press the issue.
After a moment, Peri asked, "Hades...that man — if we helped him, can I at least shoot an arrow into his eye?"
Hades chuckled. "Why are you so full of hate? He’s the reason I’m alive."
Peri pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. Luna gave a soft sigh. "There’s no point, Peri. When I brought the letter to Lady Quintessa, Hades made me promise three times not to hurt anyone."
Hades gave a faint, wry smile. "I’ve already told you—it doesn’t matter what happened in the past. What matters now is the present." He reached out and held his wives’ hands, making both of them blush softly.
Just then, the doors burst open and someone rushed into the room.
Averis reacted in an instant, forming a blood dagger and preparing to strike the brunette who had appeared.
But Hades quickly stood, his eyes widening in shock—he recognized her.
"Y-Young master..." she stammered, tears welling in her eyes as her voice trembled.
Hades’s heart shook as he whispered, "Tia..."
°°°°°°°
A/N:- Thanks for reading.