CHAPTER 110: YOU’VE BEEN WATCHING ME

Luna and Peri weren’t the only ones left frozen in place—every soldier around them stood speechless as well.

But unlike the two girls, their silence came from an entirely different reason.

A red-haired woman had appeared out of nowhere, clinging to Hades with such fierce intimacy that it was clear they were reuniting after a very long time.

Luna’s heart skipped. Somehow, she understood instantly—this was Hades’s mother.

But then her thoughts stumbled. Wait... isn’t she a little too young? And way too beautiful?

Her flawless skin seemed to glow, her deep crimson eyes carrying a dangerous allure that could leave anyone dazed if they stared too long. Her long, toned legs were wrapped in black trousers that hugged her perfectly, and with the high-waist cut, her curves stood out in full display.

A mature beauty, dripping with charm sharp enough to cut.

"Guh..." Hades grunted as he finally pulled away from her embrace.

Their eyes met, and in that instant, Hades knew. She was his mother.

Her gaze softened, shimmering with tears. "You’ve grown so much... I-I... just let me hold you a little longer."

Her arms wrapped around him again, this time tenderly, almost fragile.

Hades didn’t resist. Despite never meeting her in his memory, he felt utterly at ease in her presence. The weight of the hostile soldiers around him seemed to vanish. In her arms, the world felt safe—unshakably safe.

At last, she pulled back, though her hand lingered warmly on his shoulder. Then her expression sharpened as she called out, "Marilyn, care to explain why you allowed things to go this far?"

The shadow beneath Hades flickered.

Luna gasped while Peri’s eyes widened as a black-haired maid suddenly rose from Hades’s shadow, bowing her head. "I was ordered to keep my identity hidden. Revealing young master’s ties too soon would have only brought him more danger."

Marilyn’s voice trembled with frustration. She had been ready to step in the moment the soldier charged at Hades—but then she had sensed that terrifying presence approaching.

The red-haired lady hummed in approval. "True enough. If word spread that I came to pick someone up, the pieces would come together fast."

Her crimson eyes swept the area. Every border guard had gathered by now, their faces pale as ash.

Her lips curved into a wicked grin. "Behead yourselves... or die by my hands. Which will it be?"

Hades’s eyes shot wide. Just like that?!

The woman’s voice turned sharp, dripping with scorn. "Pointing your weapons at my son has already signed your graves. Now—choose how you want to get there."

A heavy thud broke the silence.

Hades turned in shock—a soldier had rammed his own spear through his chest, collapsing lifelessly.

The woman sighed in irritation, her aura flaring like a storm. "Pathetic tricks."

The soldier who had tried to fake death was crushed into the ground under her power—this time, truly dead.

There were a few who dared to attack, but then Marilyn’s fingers twitched, and dull thuds were heard—heads falling and rolling.

Hades was seeing it with his own eyes but couldn’t believe it. They were strong dragons—strong Elder-ranked demons who had years of experience, yet they died just like that.

And that high-ranking soldier who was about to have a fight with Hades just now was possibly a Duke-ranked...and yet, he was crushed like a tomato. No resistance, just judgment.

The lady leaned against Hades as she said, "Let’s go. She will take care of things here."

Hades took a strong gulp before he nodded.

Turning toward his two mates he said, "Let’s go."

That was then, when the lady’s eyes fell on the two girls behind her son.

Her eyes narrowed, "Mates...huh?"

Somehow Luna and Peri felt uncomfortably under that gaze as if she was judging them.

Just then Peri shot back, "We have been getting looks all day...can you stop that?"

The lady grinned, "You were getting looks yet you allowed them to see you rather than plucking their eyes?"

Peri turned silent. Her lips remained parted but no words came out.

The red-haired lady sighed before saying, "Well, you will learn things slowly. Let’s return for now."

Hades nodded and started walking.

The two girls hurriedly approached him and the one who spoke was Luna, "Is this your mom?"

Hades shrugged, "Seems like it."

Peri narrowed her eyes, "I can’t feel her presence at all." That was unsettling for an elf like her. She couldn’t sense her mana at all.

Hades hummed, "I felt it subtly but after that, yes, she is invisible to me as well."

"With enough training, you would also learn how to conceal it." The lady spoke without turning to look at them.

Well, it was not surprising that she could hear them.

Hades took a step forward and asked, "What should we call you?"

The lady responded with a shrug, "They can call me mother-in-law, or mother, or Kaelith, whatever they prefer." She suddenly twirled on her feet, a grin on her face as she said, "But if I don’t hear Mama from you, I won’t respond to you."

Hades wryly smiled, "...that will take some time."

Kaelith’s shoulders dropped, her smile slowly faded.

Her expression became quite sad as she gave a soft nod.

For a moment, Hades felt guilty, but then, he couldn’t just start calling someone his mother whom he was meeting for the first time.

"Wahh.." Luna gasped as they suddenly sighted a huge dragon, almost the height of the academy building, sitting there.

"That’s our ride," Kaelith said, her vigor returning, "Climb it."

She urged, making Peri tremble, "I-I have a fear of heights."

The redhead tilted her head, "It will take three days on foot, sweetie. You have no other option."

Peri grimaced, just then, "Ah!" She yelped as she was lifted off the ground.

Hades held her in his arms, and told her, "Just don’t look anywhere but me."

Peri’s face was dyed crimson, her heart beating like crazy, as she nervously muttered, "O-Okay."

When the redhead looked up, he found two ladies looking at him...with a pout?

Wait...he expected Luna to be upset but...

Regardless, they climbed the dragon’s back.

Luna sat closer to Hades, holding his shirt.

Not so long after, they soared into the skies, advancing towards what could be Hades’s new home.

...

It had been over three hours since they first touched the skies.

Peri was curled up in his lap like a tiny child, her little hands clutching tightly at his shirt as she slept. Her soft breathing, her peaceful face—she looked heartbreakingly adorable like this.

On his left, Luna rested against his shoulder, fast asleep as well. For her safety, Hades had wrapped his arm gently around her, holding her close.

The dragon carried them at a steady, growing pace. Surprisingly, it wasn’t as terrifying as Hades had expected for someone flying on a dragon for the first time.

Marilyn was, as always, resting quietly in his shadow, unchanged.

And then there was the woman—his mother. She hadn’t spoken a single word since their journey began.

Her silence weighed on him, but finally, he broke it. His voice was calm, yet searching.

"Is it true...that you’ve been watching me for a long time?"

Her back was to him, so he couldn’t see her expression. But after a moment, she gave a small nod.

A quiet ache spread in his chest.

He asked again, his voice lower this time, "Then...were you watching me even back then? When I lost my friend...when I was only a breath away from death?"

Her shoulders tensed. The pause before her next nod said everything.

Hades’ jaw tightened. "So I was right. You were the one who threatened that Duke-ranked that day, weren’t you?"

Another nod.

A heavy sigh escaped him. So it wasn’t fate. It wasn’t a miracle. That dragon hadn’t spared him out of mercy—it had been fear. Fear of her.

His eyes lowered. "And in the past...when I recklessly threw myself into danger...you were the one who saved me all those times, weren’t you?"

This time, she finally spoke, her voice quiet, almost reluctant.

"Not every time...but yes, a few times I had to intervene."

Hades gave a soft, bitter chuckle.

Since the age of seven, he had been forced to fight for survival. By eight, he was already working for the adventurers’ guild, throwing himself into dangerous quests just to fill his stomach. Countless times, he had brushed against death.

He had always believed it was luck that pulled him through. Or maybe fate—that he had to stay alive long enough to reunite with his Luna.

But now he knew the truth.

He wasn’t disappointed. Not exactly. But something inside him twisted.

"...You could have spoken to me, you know?" His voice came out rougher than he intended, carrying hurt he hadn’t meant to reveal.

For a moment, he thought he saw her tremble. Anxiety? Regret? He couldn’t tell.

She gave no answer.

And Hades, after a long silence, didn’t press her for one.

They would be together now—perhaps for a long time. Maybe with enough time, she would share her reasons with him. And maybe, just maybe...he might be able to call her what she longed to be called.

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.