Chapter 75 - [Bonus ] Bad Feeling

In the throne room, Hades and his family have gathered. Hades naturally sat on the main throne while Persephone sat on the smaller one beside him. They were both confused rather than angry. They were glancing at Allecto from time to time.

Meanwhile, Joren and Kidrith were in front of them. The latter was prostrating while the former looked at Allecto.

'She has the face of someone whose boyfriend just cheated on…'

But Joren wasn't too worried since it's a complete misunderstanding.

"He's still alive? I was so sure that Allecto killed him off." Persephone whispered to Hades.

"Yes, that's what I thought too. Now, it seemed that Joren is in full health. What exactly did Allecto do to him?"

"Lord, can I speak?" Joren raised his hand.

"... go ahead."

Joren didn't know what they were whispering about. All he knows is that the more time passes, the bigger the misunderstanding develops.

"It was all just a misunderstanding and what happened in just an accident."

"Hm?"

However, Hades didn't know what Joren was talking about. He was there sitting on his throne from the start while Persephone accompanied him, having a conversation regarding what just happened.

Then, suddenly, Kidrith came and prostrated herself, followed by Joren. At the next moment, the Furies came there and that led them to the current situation.

Seeing the confusion on Hades' face, Megaera came forward while glaring at Joren, making him gulp in return.

After a moment of whispering, Hades almost had his heart come out of his mouth. He looked around in a panic, making others raise an eyebrow, concerned as to what Megaera told him.

Meanwhile, Tisiphone and Allecto have heard it from Megaera already but none of them expected Hades to panic in return

Hades then had a face of concentration and worry which was very uncommon. Only he knew what he was doing. Unbeknownst to others, his sense reaches far beyond the realm of the dead far into the multiple realities.

After some moment, Hades opened his eyes and relief could be seen on his face. He sighed before pondering. Everyone watched astounded, not knowing what got to the Lord of the Underworld.

'Is this really a big thing?' Megaera began to worry, 'Maybe I shouldn't have kept my mouth running… but…!'

When she overheard Joren, she figured that she didn't like what she heard. Megaera didn't know what to do but to run off and tell others about it.

"Megaera, have you told this to anyone?"

"To Allecto and Tisiphone, Lord." Megaera replied with another whisper.

Persephone's curiosity was increasing but she was not worried about it being hidden from her.

"This is an order, don't tell anything about this to Persephone."

Unbeknownst to her, Hades has ordered Megaera to keep it a secret. Megaera didn't question the order and nodded.

"Pass this to Tisiphone and Allecto, I hope none of you share this with others. After this, go and talk to the parties involved to not utter a single word about this, do you understand?"

Megaera nodded again, "This information will only be between the six of us."

"Right, now go." Hades waved his hand as his frown lessened.

When Joren saw Hades' stare, he was ready to explain when-

"They have decided. Joren, you pass the first Trial. Meanwhile, Kidrith, you can go now."

When she heard her name called, all Kidrith's body hair stood up. But at the next moment, she couldn't understand why would Hades let her off like that. This made her more anxious than she thought.

But before she could further ponder, she felt the pressure from Hades so she had no choice but to stand up and leave.

"What was that about?" Persephone asked Hades but he acted as if she didn't hear her and continued speaking towards the puzzled Joren.

"The second Trial, as I've said before, the Trial of Lands, you have to draw the map of my whole underworld. There is no deadline but of course, if you 'die' before you bring me the map, you automatically fail. That's all, dismiss."

Hearing this, the Furies bowed and left. Joren imitated them and went back to his dorm. But, in reality, he wants to talk to Megaera and Allecto to clear up the misunderstanding. Though it's weird how Hades reacted, it's none of his concerns for now.

'But… why do I feel like something's going to happen?'

Joren shivered in anxiousness. He blamed it for Hades' weird reaction so he thought he should be ready for anything.

After some time walking down the hall, he realized, "Wait, I forgot where the Furies' room is. Actually, I haven't been there even though my soul is locked in there."

So, after walking for a while, he went to the person he could ask and know where to find. While walking to his destination, he felt his stomach grumbling.

'Maybe, I can ask Kidrith for snacks. I don't know how to feel about being ignored just because they thought I was dead. Well, for them, I'm just a lesser undead so my 'death' wouldn't be much of a concern at all. I would be surprised if it is…'

Joren comforted himself.

'But still… that Hades has weird reaction earlier as if he's hiding something. You're not very good at hiding your emotions, Lord of the Underworld.'

Once he reached Kidrith's room, he knocked and a voice replied from the inside.

"Who's there?"

"It's me, Joren."

"Right… come in. It's not locked."

Joren opened the door and entered the head maid's quarters. In this giant palace, each servant has their exclusive rooms and as for the head maid, Kidrith has a grander room.

Walking in, Joren looked around and muttered.

"Neat, as expected of the head maid."

"Come and sit." Kidrith then offered a seat on a table as she poured a cup of tea on the table for the both of them. She acts fast.

"I just want to ask something quick though… but thanks."

Joren then sat on the tea table, not letting himself stare at Kidrith's nightdress.

"I was hesitating earlier if I should talk to you or not. And, in the end, I failed to knock on your doors." Kidrith said with a sad expression.

"Then, I guess I can stay for a while and chat. So, what's on your mind?"

"Wow… how can you act like that after what just happened?" Kidrith massaged her head.

Joren then placed the cup down after taking a sip and replied.

"It's an eventful day but there's no point in worrying about it."

"No, there's something we need to worry about!" Kidrith almost burst out but restrained herself, "Sorry for raising my voice."

Joren just laughed.

"Why… why are you laughing?"

"No, nothing, it's just weird that you're so polite to me."

Kidrith raised an eyebrow, "I don't know. Do you want me to be impolite?"

"Well, if you're going to ask me. You can be casual."

"Alright, but not now. I'm too tense to not act formal." Kidrith frowned and continued, "Sorry for saying this but it seems that Sir Joren doesn't see the reality of the situation."

Joren didn't take any offense since it's true.

"I didn't have any time to explain earlier but basically, everything in this palace and beyond is the Lord's possession. To compare, it's like the kings in your place. Servants like us are the Lord's possession too. So, if we didn't clear up the misunderstanding, it's the same as the guest taking the Lord's possession without permission."

Kidrith stopped since that's enough to explain the severity of the situation.

"Possession…?"

Joren was no hero and he's far from a virtuous man as far as he knows. But personally hearing someone else call themselves a possession unironically doesn't sit well with him.

'So Hades owns them?'

There's something about it that pisses him off but Joren couldn't explain it himself.

"So, are you saying that you're slaves to him?"

"That's… not far off."

Joren clenched his fists, "So, everything he says, you will do?"

Kidrith unhesitantly nodded, "Of course, Lord Hades is our God after all."

"Do you want that?"

Kidrith didn't know why Joren was asking these questions but still, she answered.

"It's not about whether I like it or not. I have to follow his order. He's God, after all."

It's not that Joren doesn't understand it. He knew what power is. If anyone has great power, who can act against their words?

After a while, Joren calmed himself and asked.

"Then, personally, do you want this?"

"..." Kidrith frowned, "Do you want me to get into trouble?"

"Just answer the question."

Kidrith was about to refute since Joren was pushing the question but seeing his serious eyes, she relented and answered.

"Don't tell this to anyone but no. I respect the Lord but love is another thing. Fortunately, the Lord is not the God who 'uses' his servants. I see that the Lord dearly loves the Queen and that's why I'm happy to serve under him."

She confessed when suddenly, they heard a knock on the door.

"Who's there?" Kidrith asked before walking to the door when she suddenly heard.

"It's Hades, I have something to talk about."